Leh-Srinagar cycling?

colnago · Oct 4th, 2007, 19:21

I cycled Leh- Manali 5 years ago. Now am thinking of Leh-Srinagar. Has anyone done this route?
Happy Trails

shahronakm · Oct 4th, 2007, 19:49

If you have done Leh - Manali then Leh - Srinagar should be compratively easier. Other members will post their view.

By the way have you written an account of your Leh - Manali cycling trip ? I will be interested in reading it.

Ronak.

gautam · Oct 4th, 2007, 20:08

Hi Colnago, I am interested to know more on how your cycling experience was. Is there any website or blog u have

colnago · Oct 5th, 2007, 02:20

Thanks for the reply folks. Now that I think about it, it was actually 8 years ago! Early onset alzheimers!

It was the toughest ride i have ever done but still emminently doable. I would do it again (maybe in the opposite direction) and linger more. My buddy didn't acclimatize well in Leh so I rode the first 3 high passes on my own. He took a bus and met me for the rest of the ride. He was crying for joy when he got back on the bike again.

Like an abslolute knucklehead, I didn't ride with new tires and one of the sidewalls shredded on the rocks fairly quickly. I used a dollar bill between the tube and tire to keep going. the dollar was stronger in those days..... The result was that going uphill was great. I had to take it easy though on the downhills (as my buddy screamed by) in case of a blow out. A little frustating!

I would do it again but linger a bit more. I had to meet a girlfriend in rishikesh on a certain day so I had to hustle a bit. The altitude, strangely enough, didn't bother me THAT much( I rode slowly of course)---I was 42 the time.

Personally, I prefer the KKH in Pakistan....but, alas, there isn't a cold brew at the end of the day. It would be so easy to cycle from Ladakh to Baltistan if India and Pakistan can ever get their merde together.

As far as the Leh- Srinagar route, I need to know about a tunnel I heard about that is only open certain times, as well as other side options into Zanskar. any info would be appreciated.

Happy Trails

colnago · Oct 5th, 2007, 03:10

I just saw a wonderful entry on todays post at Lonely Planets Thorntree on Kashmir and the road from Srinagar-Kargil. Great pictures. Has really wetted my appetite for a bike ride.

roopesh_kohad · Oct 5th, 2007, 18:09

I think there would be very few people alive or dead who would have done this on bicycle

But yes, there would be plenty who would have done this on other means of transport like bike (including me). I think it would be a little easier than Manali-Leh because road is much better, views are subjective but more thrilling due to it being in troubled region of Kashmir and around. I am not able to think of the tunnel you are talking about. The zozila pass for the entry into Kashmir is one way at different parts of the day. Aahhh! I remember a couple of foreign cyclists sweating it out just before the zozila pass, so there are some folks who have done this :-)

solo_trekker · Dec 9th, 2007, 19:29

There is no tunnel there yet...
Just the government talkin' about it...
The plan is to even make a tunnel under Rohtang...
And then also connect Sarchu with Markha Valley directly. That way, one wouldn't need to go all the way to Leh / Kargil to reach there...
Yes, development is good. But then, would it all be the same...?

censorhipisobscene · Dec 25th, 2007, 00:18

Hi all, my name is Rahul and iv'e done a bit of cycling, my longest ride being from Calcutta to Hyderabad. I was really looking forward to doing the Manali -Leh route in April but I hear the road is closed. There is a small chance I would be able to make it in June but I need someone to cycle with. Anyone interested?

saramaca · Jan 11th, 2008, 01:19

Not sure it's wise to travel the Manali-Leh road in June. First, it may simply not be open. Second, you need to be prepared to very cold weather and possible snow storms. For instance, the second pass after Manali (Kunzum La, "only" 4500m) had to close for a couple of days on July 6th or 7th last summer after heavy snow falls.

I'm biking from Shimla to Leh next summer, starting in Shimla around the 9th of July, travelling north up the Sutlej valley to Kinnaur and Spiti and then on to Leh where I should arrive around August 7th or 8th. Send me a mail if UR interested.

censorhipisobscene · Jan 12th, 2008, 17:00

Hey Saramaca,

Thanks for the heads up. Will have to figure out something. Would love to join you for the trip but unfortunately I'm leaving India end July so it won't work out. Thanks for the advice tho.

Yogesh Sarkar · Jan 15th, 2008, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by saramaca

Not sure it's wise to travel the Manali-Leh road in June. First, it may simply not be open. Second, you need to be prepared to very cold weather and possible snow storms. For instance, the second pass after Manali (Kunzum La, "only" 4500m) had to close for a couple of days on July 6th or 7th last summer after heavy snow falls.

I'm biking from Shimla to Leh next summer, starting in Shimla around the 9th of July, travelling north up the Sutlej valley to Kinnaur and Spiti and then on to Leh where I should arrive around August 7th or 8th. Send me a mail if UR interested.

Kunzum is actually not that well maintained and one doesn’t needs to cross it unless they are coming from the Spiti side.

As for traveling in June, roads should be in ok condition though water crossings would have more water and there is a chance that Rohtang Jot and Baralacha La can get closed for a day or two due to heavy snow fall. Apart from that, rest shouldn’t be a problem as long as you have the endurance and determination to do this high altitude route on cycle.

Rasika · Jan 15th, 2008, 19:28

So, how do you folks actually get your bicycle to and around India? Trains, airplanes, rides on truck?

I am getting a folding bike and my dream is to take it to India...

Andypolls · Feb 23rd, 2008, 20:11

Hi - I cycled Shimla-Kaza-manali-Leh-Khardung La last summer, you can find out loads from my blog (or email me at andypolls@yahoo.com)

http://andypolls.wordpress.com

all the best

Mod note...
Wasn't sure which your posts to leave, but multiple posting is not allowed, so I deleted the other one.

Travel_Machine · Mar 17th, 2008, 02:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by saramaca

Not sure it's wise to travel the Manali-Leh road in June. First, it may simply not be open. Second, you need to be prepared to very cold weather and possible snow storms. For instance, the second pass after Manali (Kunzum La, "only" 4500m) had to close for a couple of days on July 6th or 7th last summer after heavy snow falls.

I'm biking from Shimla to Leh next summer, starting in Shimla around the 9th of July, travelling north up the Sutlej valley to Kinnaur and Spiti and then on to Leh where I should arrive around August 7th or 8th. Send me a mail if UR interested.

Hi

I would be interested, let me know the programme.

you can reach me at arora.1890@gmail.com

vistet · Mar 17th, 2008, 03:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by saramaca

Not sure it's wise to travel the Manali-Leh road in June. First, it may simply not be open.

Manali-Leh road : opening dates

Shimla-Kunzum La-Leh would be my first choice as well , because Spiti is .. nice , and still a less trodden way, and it gives you a lot smoother acclimatisation run.

Second hand choice would be Srinagar-Leh: a lot lower than Manali-Leh , more of a cultural run , with more places to break off the journey.

It´s probably wise to have a Plan B : the road from Shimla has been out a number of times in recent years , and Srinagar has had a troublesome ambience ( as in bombed buses and grenade throwing ) at times.

There is a very nice Kinnaur-Spiti biking page here .

Oct 4th, 2007, 19:21	#1
colnago Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New York Posts: 21	Leh-Srinagar cycling? I cycled Leh- Manali 5 years ago. Now am thinking of Leh-Srinagar. Has anyone done this route? Happy Trails

Oct 4th, 2007, 20:08	#3
gautam Super Mode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chandigarh - Blore NON-STOP Posts: 708	Hi Colnago, I am interested to know more on how your cycling experience was. Is there any website or blog u have __________________ "Your thoughts could be your prison" My pics on flickr Kerela backwaters - by beach

Feb 23rd, 2008, 20:11	#13
Andypolls Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: UK Posts: 44	Hi - I cycled Shimla-Kaza-manali-Leh-Khardung La last summer, you can find out loads from my blog (or email me at andypolls@yahoo.com) http://andypolls.wordpress.com all the best Mod note... Wasn't sure which your posts to leave, but multiple posting is not allowed, so I deleted the other one. __________________ I started with nothing and I've got most of it left

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Oct 4th, 2007, 19:49	#2
shahronakm Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,377	If you have done Leh - Manali then Leh - Srinagar should be compratively easier. Other members will post their view. By the way have you written an account of your Leh - Manali cycling trip ? I will be interested in reading it. Ronak.

Oct 5th, 2007, 02:20	#4
colnago Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New York Posts: 21	Thanks for the reply folks. Now that I think about it, it was actually 8 years ago! Early onset alzheimers! It was the toughest ride i have ever done but still emminently doable. I would do it again (maybe in the opposite direction) and linger more. My buddy didn't acclimatize well in Leh so I rode the first 3 high passes on my own. He took a bus and met me for the rest of the ride. He was crying for joy when he got back on the bike again. Like an abslolute knucklehead, I didn't ride with new tires and one of the sidewalls shredded on the rocks fairly quickly. I used a dollar bill between the tube and tire to keep going. the dollar was stronger in those days..... The result was that going uphill was great. I had to take it easy though on the downhills (as my buddy screamed by) in case of a blow out. A little frustating! I would do it again but linger a bit more. I had to meet a girlfriend in rishikesh on a certain day so I had to hustle a bit. The altitude, strangely enough, didn't bother me THAT much( I rode slowly of course)---I was 42 the time. Personally, I prefer the KKH in Pakistan....but, alas, there isn't a cold brew at the end of the day. It would be so easy to cycle from Ladakh to Baltistan if India and Pakistan can ever get their merde together. As far as the Leh- Srinagar route, I need to know about a tunnel I heard about that is only open certain times, as well as other side options into Zanskar. any info would be appreciated. Happy Trails

Oct 5th, 2007, 03:10	#5
colnago Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New York Posts: 21	I just saw a wonderful entry on todays post at Lonely Planets Thorntree on Kashmir and the road from Srinagar-Kargil. Great pictures. Has really wetted my appetite for a bike ride.

Oct 5th, 2007, 18:09	#6
roopesh_kohad Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pune, Maharashtra Posts: 162	I think there would be very few people alive or dead who would have done this on bicycle But yes, there would be plenty who would have done this on other means of transport like bike (including me). I think it would be a little easier than Manali-Leh because road is much better, views are subjective but more thrilling due to it being in troubled region of Kashmir and around. I am not able to think of the tunnel you are talking about. The zozila pass for the entry into Kashmir is one way at different parts of the day. Aahhh! I remember a couple of foreign cyclists sweating it out just before the zozila pass, so there are some folks who have done this :-)

Dec 9th, 2007, 19:29	#7
solo_trekker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: noida Posts: 418	There is no tunnel there yet... Just the government talkin' about it... The plan is to even make a tunnel under Rohtang... And then also connect Sarchu with Markha Valley directly. That way, one wouldn't need to go all the way to Leh / Kargil to reach there... Yes, development is good. But then, would it all be the same...?

Dec 25th, 2007, 00:18	#8
censorhipisobscene Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 14	Hi all, my name is Rahul and iv'e done a bit of cycling, my longest ride being from Calcutta to Hyderabad. I was really looking forward to doing the Manali -Leh route in April but I hear the road is closed. There is a small chance I would be able to make it in June but I need someone to cycle with. Anyone interested?

Jan 11th, 2008, 01:19	#9
saramaca Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: France, near Chamonix Posts: 1	Not sure it's wise to travel the Manali-Leh road in June. First, it may simply not be open. Second, you need to be prepared to very cold weather and possible snow storms. For instance, the second pass after Manali (Kunzum La, "only" 4500m) had to close for a couple of days on July 6th or 7th last summer after heavy snow falls. I'm biking from Shimla to Leh next summer, starting in Shimla around the 9th of July, travelling north up the Sutlej valley to Kinnaur and Spiti and then on to Leh where I should arrive around August 7th or 8th. Send me a mail if UR interested.

Jan 12th, 2008, 17:00	#10
censorhipisobscene Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 14	Hey Saramaca, Thanks for the heads up. Will have to figure out something. Would love to join you for the trip but unfortunately I'm leaving India end July so it won't work out. Thanks for the advice tho.

Jan 15th, 2008, 19:28	#12
Rasika Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 67	So, how do you folks actually get your bicycle to and around India? Trains, airplanes, rides on truck? I am getting a folding bike and my dream is to take it to India...

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