Participants: Rupesh Shrestha, Pramod Thapa, Buntay Pandey, Tangi Rebourse, Ameet Rajkarnikar (Max), Jeetendra, Suresh Rijal, Deepak Thapa, Birendra Thapa
We started our ride at our usual time from Epic amidst a light drizzle and headed toward Gwarko through Mangal Bazaar. It was decided that the ride will go on no matter whatever condition the weather presented us. Few of our friends had called us expecting that it will be cancelled due to the rain, but to their dismay we were persistent and they too followed.
The ride to Lama Tar on the paved main road was quite normal and was more like cycling than mountain biking. Rupesh and Buntay, leading the group and apparently very strong riders, flew off in their usual speed. Rest of us followed them. Our first stop was at Lama Tar for tea. By then the rain had already stopped but an overcast remained throughout the day and served as the best climatic condition (less mud) for riding. We turned left and took to the northern route of Lakure. The road from here has quite steep gradient. But the plus side is; it is shorter, no traffic and better views. Beginning was quite sloppy as we rode over the muddy road freshly opened for works. An arrow drain on the both sides of the road was brimming with cascading rain water. For me it was a great view as such thing is already a rarity in Kathmandu. First few kilometres, through the pine forest were quite arduous. As we reached the north face of the route the valley opened before us. The outskirts of the valley seemed like a contiguous lake with terraces flushed with water for rice plantation. Rain clouds looked like they were waiting to pour over our heads but somehow resisted.
One hour of uphill spin got us to the top at Adventure camp from where we kept pushing. We stopped at the Lakure Bhanjyang for some more tea and light snacks as our stomachs were already growling from the labour we exerted on the way up. I could see the relief in every eye from the anticipation of another 13 kilometres of downhill ride, up to Kharibot The first three were a bit steep, requiring some technical skills, with continuous switchbacks and rest of the way was a very gentle gradient with free flowing speed. The path goes from a narrow gully between two hills on the basins of Phedi Khola and Bebar Khola. The terraces on the hills on the both sides were abuzz with songs of farmers busy in planting rice. The environment was quite lively. Whole area was splashed in countless hues of summer green.
Part of the road too was equally muddy with recent rain. The rear wheels were relentlessly spraying mud on us covering us and our bikes beyond recognition. The farmers planting rice, who were also equally muddy, were ecstatic, seeing our fancy cycling clothes drenched in the mud. Probably they were wondering if we were also back from some rice plantation session. We were making a good spectacle for them. Now and then, as always, most of the child would greet us with namaste, good morning, how are you, or Oi Khaire (a white man)!! It is still a very popular notion that only foreigners involve in such activities. Some children would run after us checking whether all the bikes had disk brakes, quite recognisable and popular bike component among village kids.
Only at Kushadevi we came upon black topped road, which was a momentary relief from the muddy ride. The rest of the way to Panauti was easy and fun. Situated at the confluence of Punyamati and Roshi Rivers, Panauti is one of the most interesting and historically significant cities (or rather a village) in Nepal. Mythically, it is believed to be established in the time of epic war of Mahabharata. The city steeped in history and the tradition is rich in culture and architecture like every other Newar town of the Kathmandu valley. There are many old monuments including Indreshwor temple. Every 12 years the confluence becomes the site for a monthlong religious festival known as Makar Mela.
We stopped here for some chana, chiya. It was an well-deserved stop after a 35 kms ride. Then we turned toward Banepa, as opposed to our original plans to visit Balthli. No one was encouraged to take a muddy ride any further. Instead we rode over to Nala along the Punyamati River. More mud. Nala is an old village with the same age-old character retained till this day. Khuwa (evaporated milk) is a very popular product here. Some important monuments include Rato Macchindra (Karunamaya), Bhagwati Temple, Manakamana Temple etc. There is also an old place that is now used by Chandeshwori School.
From here our ride continued to Chyamasingh and then to Bhaktapur. We entered the eastern city gate and rode right through the city on its age old brick lanes. As always, we stopped in front of Siddhapokhari at a small tea shop that serves fantastic chilled yogurt, a speciality of Bhaktapur. After we devoured on couple of cups of the yogurt we rode back to Kathmandu on recently upgraded Kodari Highway. It was 2 PM when we arrived home.
We started our ride at our usual time from Epic amidst a light drizzle and headed toward Gwarko through Mangal Bazaar. It was decided that the ride will go on no matter whatever condition the weather presented us. Few of our friends had called us expecting that it will be cancelled due to the rain, but to their dismay we were persistent and they too followed.
The ride to Lama Tar on the paved main road was quite normal and was more like cycling than mountain biking. Rupesh and Buntay, leading the group and apparently very strong riders, flew off in their usual speed. Rest of us followed them. Our first stop was at Lama Tar for tea. By then the rain had already stopped but an overcast remained throughout the day and served as the best climatic condition (less mud) for riding. We turned left and took to the northern route of Lakure. The road from here has quite steep gradient. But the plus side is; it is shorter, no traffic and better views. Beginning was quite sloppy as we rode over the muddy road freshly opened for works. An arrow drain on the both sides of the road was brimming with cascading rain water. For me it was a great view as such thing is already a rarity in Kathmandu. First few kilometres, through the pine forest were quite arduous. As we reached the north face of the route the valley opened before us. The outskirts of the valley seemed like a contiguous lake with terraces flushed with water for rice plantation. Rain clouds looked like they were waiting to pour over our heads but somehow resisted.
One hour of uphill spin got us to the top at Adventure camp from where we kept pushing. We stopped at the Lakure Bhanjyang for some more tea and light snacks as our stomachs were already growling from the labour we exerted on the way up. I could see the relief in every eye from the anticipation of another 13 kilometres of downhill ride, up to Kharibot The first three were a bit steep, requiring some technical skills, with continuous switchbacks and rest of the way was a very gentle gradient with free flowing speed. The path goes from a narrow gully between two hills on the basins of Phedi Khola and Bebar Khola. The terraces on the hills on the both sides were abuzz with songs of farmers busy in planting rice. The environment was quite lively. Whole area was splashed in countless hues of summer green.
Part of the road too was equally muddy with recent rain. The rear wheels were relentlessly spraying mud on us covering us and our bikes beyond recognition. The farmers planting rice, who were also equally muddy, were ecstatic, seeing our fancy cycling clothes drenched in the mud. Probably they were wondering if we were also back from some rice plantation session. We were making a good spectacle for them. Now and then, as always, most of the child would greet us with namaste, good morning, how are you, or Oi Khaire (a white man)!! It is still a very popular notion that only foreigners involve in such activities. Some children would run after us checking whether all the bikes had disk brakes, quite recognisable and popular bike component among village kids.
Only at Kushadevi we came upon black topped road, which was a momentary relief from the muddy ride. The rest of the way to Panauti was easy and fun. Situated at the confluence of Punyamati and Roshi Rivers, Panauti is one of the most interesting and historically significant cities (or rather a village) in Nepal. Mythically, it is believed to be established in the time of epic war of Mahabharata. The city steeped in history and the tradition is rich in culture and architecture like every other Newar town of the Kathmandu valley. There are many old monuments including Indreshwor temple. Every 12 years the confluence becomes the site for a monthlong religious festival known as Makar Mela.
We stopped here for some chana, chiya. It was an well-deserved stop after a 35 kms ride. Then we turned toward Banepa, as opposed to our original plans to visit Balthli. No one was encouraged to take a muddy ride any further. Instead we rode over to Nala along the Punyamati River. More mud. Nala is an old village with the same age-old character retained till this day. Khuwa (evaporated milk) is a very popular product here. Some important monuments include Rato Macchindra (Karunamaya), Bhagwati Temple, Manakamana Temple etc. There is also an old place that is now used by Chandeshwori School.
From here our ride continued to Chyamasingh and then to Bhaktapur. We entered the eastern city gate and rode right through the city on its age old brick lanes. As always, we stopped in front of Siddhapokhari at a small tea shop that serves fantastic chilled yogurt, a speciality of Bhaktapur. After we devoured on couple of cups of the yogurt we rode back to Kathmandu on recently upgraded Kodari Highway. It was 2 PM when we arrived home.
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