Cycling Malda?

the opoponax · Nov 11th, 2007, 23:10

I'm thinking about doing some exploring up around Gaur and Pandua when I'm in West Bengal this coming February. From all the information I can find, it seems like the nearest place to sleep is at Malda, and that the only way to see the ruins (which are 15 km or so in either direction) is to hire a taxi for an all-day guided tour. This is a possibility for me, but I kind of wanted to get a little off the beaten track, and I feel like driving around alone in a car with a tour guide is going to be a little insulated.

15 km is, however, quite an easily bikeable distance in my experience (especially if there's a small town or village nearer either gaur or pandua where I could stay the night, or villages on the way from Malda to stop and have a rest and a bite to eat). It also seems like cycling would be a good way to tour the ruins, as they look to be relatively spread out.

Does anyone know whether there's a bike rental service in or around Malda, or even maybe whether it would be possible to buy a bicycle there and then donate it to someone when I move on? How much is a basic fixed gear bike in India? Is the Malda area even cyclable?

nayan · Nov 12th, 2007, 13:59

I used to stay in a nearby area as a child.
I dont think you get bicycle rent facility there as it is not a very developed tourist area. But maybe you can hire a cycle from your hotel employee for 100 rupees a day. he may be glad of the extra income.
you can definitely purchase a cycle. Hero, Atlas, BSA are some good brands.
http://www.herocycles.com/mainproducts.php
you can look into the above site for a idea of the types of models available.

malda/gaur is definitely cyclable.
happy jouney.

the opoponax · Nov 12th, 2007, 19:48

Thank you!

I was worried that the area was so rarely visited by Western tourists that nobody would know.

Hiring a bike from someone in the hotel is a brilliant idea.

Is the area very hilly?

Jorge Reverter · Nov 13th, 2007, 23:06

I was there last November 2006. Your idea of hiring a bike in Malda is not bad. No need to look for accommodation as Malda is in the middle between Pandua/Adine and Gaur. The area is not hilly at all.

Jorge

Nov 11th, 2007, 23:10	#1
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	Cycling Malda? I'm thinking about doing some exploring up around Gaur and Pandua when I'm in West Bengal this coming February. From all the information I can find, it seems like the nearest place to sleep is at Malda, and that the only way to see the ruins (which are 15 km or so in either direction) is to hire a taxi for an all-day guided tour. This is a possibility for me, but I kind of wanted to get a little off the beaten track, and I feel like driving around alone in a car with a tour guide is going to be a little insulated. 15 km is, however, quite an easily bikeable distance in my experience (especially if there's a small town or village nearer either gaur or pandua where I could stay the night, or villages on the way from Malda to stop and have a rest and a bite to eat). It also seems like cycling would be a good way to tour the ruins, as they look to be relatively spread out. Does anyone know whether there's a bike rental service in or around Malda, or even maybe whether it would be possible to buy a bicycle there and then donate it to someone when I move on? How much is a basic fixed gear bike in India? Is the Malda area even cyclable?

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Nov 12th, 2007, 13:59	#2
nayan Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad/tokyo Posts: 830	I used to stay in a nearby area as a child. I dont think you get bicycle rent facility there as it is not a very developed tourist area. But maybe you can hire a cycle from your hotel employee for 100 rupees a day. he may be glad of the extra income. you can definitely purchase a cycle. Hero, Atlas, BSA are some good brands. http://www.herocycles.com/mainproducts.php you can look into the above site for a idea of the types of models available. malda/gaur is definitely cyclable. happy jouney.

Nov 12th, 2007, 19:48	#3
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	Thank you! I was worried that the area was so rarely visited by Western tourists that nobody would know. Hiring a bike from someone in the hotel is a brilliant idea. Is the area very hilly?

Nov 13th, 2007, 23:06	#4
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,149	I was there last November 2006. Your idea of hiring a bike in Malda is not bad. No need to look for accommodation as Malda is in the middle between Pandua/Adine and Gaur. The area is not hilly at all. Jorge

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