4400km & Beyond: Kicking Off the Great Himalayan Ride

It is as if time hasn't past.

It has been nearly three months since I cycled to the most southern point in India. Since March I have been circumnavigating the Bay of Bengal waiting for the snow to melt in the Himalayas before returning. And while a lot has happened since 19 cyclists pulled into Kayankumari, it is amazing how quickly you fall back into a routine and it feels familiar again. From putting out your riding kit and packing up your bag the night before to riding up to the lunch set-up of cheese (in a can!)/crackers/vegetables/fruits just as you are thinking it would be good to have a bite to eat to the feeling of satisfaction of a good ride when you jump into the shower and the dust and dirt melt away under the stream of water. It is almost like going home.

Beyond the terrain, the biggest change to this trip is the bike I am riding. I've opted to ride a front suspension mountain bike this time around. No more jarring up both ends of my body, with a sole focus on finding the best line to ride. I have handlebar ends that stick up so I can view the world that is passing by better and gears that will allow me to spin up mountains. What a difference it makes!

Setting off from Shimla.

Smooth dirt roads and daisies in bloom.

There are quintessential to-do's in our Indian cycling tour. Chai stops, a visit to the barber. Simon has sampled many a chai hut across India to determine who serves the best cup. And it wouldn't be India if he still had his hair.