A landmass that’s 13 times bigger than the United Kingdom deserves the title of a continent rather than a country. Especially if within that landmass are found topographies, languages and cultures as diverse and varied as in Europe. India is that continent in a country with an abundant choice for India cycling adventures–from the sky-grazing peaks of the Himalayas in the north to the serene backwaters next to the Arabian Sea in the south.
A traveller – whether Indian or foreign – on a biking tour of India may, at first, be left puzzling over the number of destination choices at hand. There’s the desert to the west, thick hilly rainforests to the east, high mountains to the north and a dreamy landscape of tea estates and pristine beaches to the south. Each region has its uniqueness, its distinct history, culture, cuisine, language, customs, rituals, climate, flora, and fauna. Even the people’s physical built and their features and complexion change from one region to the other.
In this incredible and puzzling diversity, to have an idea of one India biking tour is – to put it mildly – a bit absurd. What one can do, at best, is pick a region, draw an itinerary according to resources and time available, and hit the road with abandon. Well, easier said than done. The truth is that the prickliest of dilemmas for a traveller on an India cycling holiday is to choose between these very options.
Here, CYCLING IN INDIA shares a few expert tips to help you make the most of your cycling tour of India.
- Be Clear About What You Want From Your India Cycling Vacation
India has much to offer to all sorts of travellers. Some travel here for a cultural experience, some for spiritual rejuvenation, some for sightseeing, some for adventure, some to explore its biodiversity, and there are those like me who want a bit of everything.
Before setting out you must form a clear idea of what you want from your India cycling tour. If it’s the mountain biking adventure you’re craving for, a trip in the high elevations of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh and Sikkim is sure to get your adrenaline rushing and gushing. If it’s the cultural tour with a lot of sightseeing of historical places you want, a Rajasthan cycling tour or a South India cycling tour will tickle your fancy. If you’re into wildlife photography or are a nature lover or a birdwatcher who can spend hours on a short trail, a cycling jaunt to one or two of the numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of India will get your hair up. The point is to be clear in your head as to what you’re looking for. If you haven’t figured that out yet, you can always browse through India cycling tour plans and detailed itineraries on the internet to help you decide.
- Know Your Strengths And Weaknesses
Knowing your capabilities is as important as knowing what you want. I’ve personally known cyclists who, in the heat of making a sterling debut, took on greater biking challenges than they were ready for, only to regret and give up mid-way. Nobody wants that to happen on their biking holiday, so it’s wise to know your strengths and weaknesses before picking out the India biking trip that’s best for you.
Truth be said, cycling isn’t really a walk in the park. Mountain biking particularly isn’t. Manoeuvring the hairpin bends, pedalling up the steep trails, and braving the altitude sickness requires not just physical fitness but mental and emotional resilience as well. Seasoned bikers looking to test their limits will do well to challenge the biking trails on Manali-Leh Cycling Tour or Spiti Cycling Tour that take you right into the thick of the Great Himalayas. For a moderate challenge, the cycling trails of Sikkim are most conducive. Newbies out to have some easy cycling fun can choose Goa or Rajasthan as their biking destination.
- Plan your Itinerary To Get The Most Out Of Your Time
How much time you have on your hands will determine the tour you should do. For instance, folks with just a week to spare aren’t advised to go on an elaborate South India Cycling Tour through the three states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Doing such a long trip takes anywhere between 2 to 3 weeks. On the other hand, there are ample choices such as Kerala Backwaters Tour or Munnar Cycling Tour that may give you the bang for your buck within a few days.
If you are truly hard-pressed for time and even a week is more than you can take out, you can try out some day-long tours, such as one from Leh to Khardung La or from Manali to Rohtang or the city tour of Gangtok or from Udaipur to Kumbhalgarh. There are ample choices of tours for whatever duration you choose for your biking adventure in India.
- Budget Smartly: Don’t Splurge, but Don’t be Stingy either
Travelling in India is relatively cheap. I’ve crashed out a number of times at budget accommodation costing under Rs 400 (about 5 USD) per day at places such as Keylong in Himachal Pradesh and Turtuk in Ladakh. The food isn’t expensive either, but that’s not to say there are no deluxe options available. Rajasthan, for instance, has some luxury hotels that were former palaces of the kings. Staying here can cost you a pretty penny but gives you an experience of royalty like no other.
The smart thing for any cyclist on India biking holiday is to plan a proper budget. It’s wise not to splurge, but being too stingy doesn’t help either. Some experiences – like a houseboat stay in Kerala backwaters or a tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan – shouldn’t be missed for want of money. Contrarywise this, deluxe resorts in rural Rajasthan can be missed for a more intimate experience of a night stay in a village. Much depends upon your personal tastes and preferences. Also bear in mind to carry some extra money to meet any contingencies.
- Kindred Spirits Make Biking A Whole Lot Fun
Biking in India with a partner or a group of friends is a whole lot more fun than biking all by yourself. Not detracting anything from solo riders (solitude indeed has its beauty), but it’s good to have someone to share the cycling adventure of India with. One good option could be signing up for a trip with one of the cycling tour operators who can put you in a group of other like-minded cyclists. The shared experience of beauty often makes strangers fast friends in no time. I’ve seen people from diverse cultures and backgrounds and nationalities bonding thick as thieves on their India cycling adventure.
Lastly, but not least importantly, one must remember that all travel has its good and bad moments (often more good than bad). One must learn to take it all in one’s stride. Be friendly with the people you meet, step out rather than coop in, and be a sport when it comes to going down the paths less trodden. For when we explore the hidden beauties and discover something new, we also make new discoveries within.
