Stories from india

Review: Btwin bike bag (or.. how to pack a Surly Long Haul Trucker)

Saravana@kettik.com (Saravana Kumar) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:51:19 +0000

Usually people transport their bikes in cardboard boxes, but i felt that having a dedicated bike bag would be better as it is more compact, has more room for accessories and most of all because of the reason that the bag can be stowed away easily at a left luggage counter or in a hotel and can be used for the return trip as well. That last item was the major selling point for me as i didn't want to run around looking for cardboard boxes especially on the return leg of my journeys. The Btwin bike bag being sold in Decathlon looked perfect for my needs so i went ahead and bought it. And here is its review..

Day 1: From Manali to Marhi. Well, almost..

Saravana@kettik.com (Saravana Kumar) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:49:06 +0000

I had modest goals for my first day. Cycle the 35 odd kms from Manali to Marhi, spend the night there,Â acclimatizeÂ and then push towards Rothang pass and beyond.Â

Sounds simple enough but the 35km ride does involve climbing from 1900m to 3300m. I've never cycled at any of these altitudes before,Â so i was a bit anxious and wanted to take it slow.

Day 2: Marooned in Marhi..

Saravana@kettik.com (Saravana Kumar) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:48:18 +0000

After an eventful first day, where i was caught in a freakÂ hailstormÂ and had to camp by the side of the road, i was looking forward to a new day. Many questions still remained. Will the rains abate ? Will the road to Rothang pass be open ? and moreÂ importantly.. Will i be able to cross the Rothang pass on my cycle ?

Read on to find out..

South Indian Saga I [Start of the Expedition]

Prashant@kettik.com (Prashant Patil) — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:02:59 +0000

Having completed two bike expeditions, driving through Central India and the deserts of Rajasthan in the western India, I was preparing myself to explore South India because of its beautiful nature, culture and people. I prepared myself driving through Western Ghats and to reach the south most point of India,Â Kanyakumari. Explore ancient temples in the south, drive in the sands of Dhanskodi, walk of Ram Sethu with lots of things in mind I set to explore the serene scenic South India. Through this I will take you through the journey what I call is 'South Indian Saga'

Wildlife volunteering.. a week of jungle walking with the Center for Wildlife Studies

Saravana@kettik.com (Saravana Kumar) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:49:23 +0000

Back in 2006 i visited the Ranthambore national park with the hopes of sighting a tiger in the wild. I was lucky enough to see two. During that trip i also saw something which remained with me till date.

A group of canvas tents pitched in the jungle and a bunch of people milling about. I've always wondered what those people were doing in the jungle and how exciting it would be to live in the jungle like that.

Four years and six months later, i got answers to both my questions.

South Indian Saga Part II [Into God's own country]

Prashant@kettik.com (Prashant Patil) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:06:50 +0000

I had always wished to travel Kerala & on bike its more pleasant. Let me take you through Kerala through my ride. Continuing the South Indian Saga, Part II Into God's own country.

the beginning or the end ? - leaving Ladakh

Saravana@kettik.com (Saravana Kumar) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:00:11 +0000

The early part of my flight back from Leh, was spent staring out of the window, mesmerized by the snow clad mountain peaks and the valleys beneath them. The best part of it all was that i could take in the mountain landscape as a whole, everything.. all at once. As my sight wandered down from the lofty peaks, I could the beginning of a glacier and at its end the birth of a stream gentle at first and then turning into a raging torrent which cut a valley down the mountain slopes, which inturn gave life and space for a whole village. I could see valleys meet and the rivers merge.. mountains giving way to hills (Manali, i think...) and the hills finally meeting the plains where then i could see the birth of the mighty Ganges. The mother of all Indian rivers...

The road so far and the road ahead (to Ladakh)...

Saravana@kettik.com (Saravana Kumar) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:50:22 +0000

Ladakh was the reason why i decided to take my bicycle with me to the Himalayas. The lure of cycling in the mountains with its crisp blue skies and snow capped peaks was too enticing to ignore. I had traveled Ladakh by motorcycle back in 2008, but this time i decided that a bicycle would be a better option. Going by cycle meant going slowly.. a 200km trip from, say, Leh to Pangong lake which can be done in a single day on a motor cycle would take 3 to 4 days on a bicycle. Which means stops in the smaller villages, seeing more sunrises & sunsets, more photo opportunities and more interaction with the local people. I had the one thing which i did not have in my other trips, the luxury of time.
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Then i thought that if i was going to be cycling in Ladakh then i might as well cycle TO Ladakh. I knew that i was in no shape to tackle the road but i had a get fit plan. It was brilliant, so i thought. First spend a month in Rishikesh learning yoga, then spend the next month slowly making my way to Manali on my bicycle visiting all the interesting places in Himachal Pradesh. Then by september 1'st i'll be in Manali fit and ready to tackle the road to Leh.