To get to the trails you maybe riding partly ‘on-road’, unless your being taken on an organised tour, as such if you are sensitive to fumes & dust consider bringing some sort of pollution mask. Of course it is always wise to bring a bike helmet no matter where you’re riding.
Extreme care should be taken whilst on the trails as near villages young children play on the trails…. and roads!
On the trails animals should be approached with caution - buffaloes can be particularly unpredictable and are worth giving a wide berth to. Their caretakers get a little irrate if you frighten them down the trails for a kilometer or two, given they have to go chase them. Don’t even try to predict what a dog or chicken will do, just ride straight and they’ll get out of your way. The people are generally the opposite. If they see you they will normally standstill and let you avoid them.
A few adventurous mountain bikers have taken bikes into trekking areas hoping to find great riding. What they discovered is that these areas are generally not suitable for mountain biking and they are faced with carrying their bikes for between 70% and 80% of the time!. Most trekking trails are unreliable, subject to avalanche and have frequent obstacles. Even stretching a few hours riding together in parts can mean a whole day’s carry the next. To have the satisfaction of saying you’ve "been there" may be enough however there are other equally great locations available that ‘can’ be ridden.
On the main trails, there are always trekkers, porters and local people to share the trails with. Some see bikers as an intrusion and just adding one more problem to these heavy-traffic areas in peak season. (See riding seasons). Riders who have taken bikes to such places as the Everest Base Camp or around the Annapurna Circuit will know of the long carries. If you decide to indulge in such a bike trek have a good shoulder pad and be thoughtful of others sharing the trails.
One good thing is that you don’t have to ride all the way! Thankfully the frequent local buses are useful if you wish to avoid some of the routes that carry heavy traffic. You can place your bike on the roof for an additional charge (between Rs 40 to Rs 80), depending on the length of the journey and the bus company. This can be negotiated remember and they will start on the high side, of course.
On the buses take some rope or bunjy cords to tie the bike down. Make sure the bike is tied securely to cope with the rough roads. Also that it’s lying as flat as possible to prevent it catching low wires or tree branches. Unless you travel with foam padding it is hard to avoid the scratches to the frame but a daypack may come in handy. Supervise it’s loading and protect the rear derailluer from being damaged as more is loaded on top, whilst you’re inside!. With domestic flights, if you pack your bike correctly (removing wheels, pedals & handlebars) it is possible to load them in the cargo hold of most airlines. Check in advance and ask about luggage limits.
