By Bicycle to Sikkim

ondrej · Dec 20th, 2004, 01:40

Hi all,

we are planning a trip to Sikkim next April. The aim is to spend some time between people, temples etc. We think about taking bicycles with us. Sikkim seems reasonable small to be travelled by bicycle. Does anybody have any experience of this kind there ?? Is it a good idea to take bikes or we will have only problems as roads are for yaks only and our bicycles will be stolen the very first day ??

I will be grateful for any advice.

Padma · Dec 20th, 2004, 05:21

Ondrej,
Some of the roads in Sikkim are very good by Indian standards but it can also be VERY steep and prone to mud slides. You would want a bike that can handdle tough conditions (and stronger legs than i will ever have). a lot of cars struggle with the gradient of the roads and I'm not sure how hard it will be to cycle (although the downhill part would be fun). But that may all just be part of the thrill for you.
Hope you have a great time on your trip. I can't wait to go back to Sikkim. 49 days and counting for my return.
Padma

kolobar · Dec 20th, 2004, 05:39

You should also consider that travelling individually is not possible to the north (Chungthang, Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang) or east (Tsongo lake) of Sikkim. Only organized groups (via local agency) of foreigners can obtain a permit to travel there - by jeeps. So you are left with Gangtok and western Sikkim. But even this will give you a great amount of altitude gains&loss since there is no flat road in Sikkim - be prepared for quite a torture altough roads are generally fine i.e. paved but quite narrow. Of course all those ascents&descents could be a challenge for a well prepared cyclist...

Krishnika · Dec 20th, 2004, 15:55

Spent time in western Sikkim last year - extremely beautiful, and soooo different from other parts of India that I know. The roads are the best I have seen in India, but man are they steep!! As an exercise/challenge thing I suppose it would be great, although I am such a couch potato that I cannot imagine that sort of thing being fun!! As a way of visiting the area, I would say that since there is so much wilderness and not many places along the road that from a taxi you would say to the driver, please stop here!, the extra time, extra freedom advantage of bike travel may not exist here. Then again, everyone will have their own opinion.

Dec 20th, 2004, 01:40	#1
ondrej Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Czech Rep. Posts: 1	By Bicycle to Sikkim Hi all, we are planning a trip to Sikkim next April. The aim is to spend some time between people, temples etc. We think about taking bicycles with us. Sikkim seems reasonable small to be travelled by bicycle. Does anybody have any experience of this kind there ?? Is it a good idea to take bikes or we will have only problems as roads are for yaks only and our bicycles will be stolen the very first day ?? I will be grateful for any advice.

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Dec 20th, 2004, 05:21	#2
Padma Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 77	Ondrej, Some of the roads in Sikkim are very good by Indian standards but it can also be VERY steep and prone to mud slides. You would want a bike that can handdle tough conditions (and stronger legs than i will ever have). a lot of cars struggle with the gradient of the roads and I'm not sure how hard it will be to cycle (although the downhill part would be fun). But that may all just be part of the thrill for you. Hope you have a great time on your trip. I can't wait to go back to Sikkim. 49 days and counting for my return. Padma

Dec 20th, 2004, 05:39	#3
kolobar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: beside a lake Posts: 155	You should also consider that travelling individually is not possible to the north (Chungthang, Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang) or east (Tsongo lake) of Sikkim. Only organized groups (via local agency) of foreigners can obtain a permit to travel there - by jeeps. So you are left with Gangtok and western Sikkim. But even this will give you a great amount of altitude gains&loss since there is no flat road in Sikkim - be prepared for quite a torture altough roads are generally fine i.e. paved but quite narrow. Of course all those ascents&descents could be a challenge for a well prepared cyclist...

Dec 20th, 2004, 15:55	#4
Krishnika taking a break Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 233	Spent time in western Sikkim last year - extremely beautiful, and soooo different from other parts of India that I know. The roads are the best I have seen in India, but man are they steep!! As an exercise/challenge thing I suppose it would be great, although I am such a couch potato that I cannot imagine that sort of thing being fun!! As a way of visiting the area, I would say that since there is so much wilderness and not many places along the road that from a taxi you would say to the driver, please stop here!, the extra time, extra freedom advantage of bike travel may not exist here. Then again, everyone will have their own opinion.

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