The growing interest and demand for high-altitude mountain biking and picturesque routes has led to the growth of off-road cycling or MTB in India. In the last ten years, organisations like Himalayan Adventure Sports & Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA) have held several races and cycling meets in Himachal Pradesh, spurring the popularity of mountain biking tours in India. What began as a hobby for many, has developed into a lifelong passion with bikers across the country setting up cycling groups in their cities and going on biking trips on the weekends. Red Chilli Adventure specializes in organising Himalayan mountain biking tours. Based in Rishikesh in the northern state of Uttarakhand, we are a 17-year old company with extensive experience in the region and a passion for adventure sports.
Why the Himalayas are every MTB thrill seeker’s dream
The Himalayas are a popular choice for mountain biking tours in India. The colossal range with its rugged terrain and treasure trove of undiscovered trails presents some of the most challenging spots for trekkers and bikers alike. Try off-road biking through dense rhododendron and deodar forests; pass by remote villages inhabited by indigenous tribes and their cattle; spot a variety of local fauna like wild boars and antelopes and discover the many shrines and temples dotting the mountain range. Riding down the slope and feeling the fresh mountain air on your face is an incredible experience in itself. What makes a Himalayan mountain biking tour so thrilling is the unpredictability of the terrain and the sheer vastness of the range. Fifteen kilometres of manoeuvring through switchbacks on steep slopes at one point is followed by a smoother ride across flat, open meadows at another. Imagine the thrill of riding along the edge of the mountain slopes with several thousand metres of cliff below you. The changing topography requires different techniques of manoeuvring and tests a biker’s skill and balance.
What do you need for a mountain biking tour?
Mountain biking as a sport is quite different from regular biking that is usually done on paved or cemented ground and requires a different set of equipment as well as skill set. If you’re new to the sport and want to try it for the first time, a good idea is to get in touch with your local cycling group. These groups usually have weekend meets where they go on off-road trips in and around the city. Joining their group will give you some practice of off-road biking and prepare you for the rugged terrain of the outdoors. Next, for a mountain biking tour, you need a special mountain bike. This looks much like a regular bike but is fitted with some special features that make it suitable for the rough terrain. They are specially designed to have bigger knobby tires, more powerful brakes, more durable wheels and lower gear ratios to traverse steep gradients with low traction. A good quality mountain bike costs around Rs. 15,000 and the high-end ones can easily cost upwards of Rs. 75,000. However, if you’re not ready to buy a bike just yet, you could rent one instead. For adventure cycling in India you also need safety gear like helmets, a bike repair kit and the proper bike accessories like headlights, backlights and bells. In addition to this, you need proper biking clothes that protects you from the cold weather conditions of the mountains.
Wash away your fatigue at our camps
Make the most of your time in the outdoors by setting up camp next to a river bank or mountain base. Most cycling tour companies in India have camping arrangements for bikers to spend the night. At Red Chilli Adventure, we provide all camping equipment like deluxe tents available on twin-share basis, mattresses, blankets and more. Our camp manager is available on call at all times for any assistance. A Himalayan mountain biking tour with us lets you enjoy the sport as much as the geography. So, while the varying gradients and undulations of the terrain pose different challenges for the biking experience, a good campsite provides the comfort of easing away the day’s strain and soaking in the breath-taking beauty of the landscape. Our three and four- night camp stays let you meet other bikers who share your passion for the sport. Share your stories around the campfire and make new friends.
Ride your MTB with the best
Mountain biking as a sport owes its popularity to north California where it caught the fancy of adventure sports enthusiasts in the seventies. Thereafter, it has gained a steady following in the western world. While the sport itself gained popularity in India in the early 2000s, bikers from around the world have been coming to India long before that to navigate the many trails in and around the Himalayan mountains. A mountain biking tour in India is a great holiday idea especially for those with an adventurous streak. It’s a wonderful way of bonding with close ones and getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the city. Having a good partner like Red Chilli Adventure is important to ensure that your holiday goes well with the proper logistical support. Our experienced Trip Leaders are there to brief you about safety guidelines and biking techniques at the beginning of each trip. Trip leaders are also with you every step of the way. So, whether you’re riding down a steep ridge or a slippery river bank, we make sure you’re safe at all times.
So, cultivate your hobby and take it to the next level. Book a mountain biking holiday today and discover the adventure junkie in you!
