From the off road trails in Nepal in the Katmandu valley and the Annapurna Circuit
Since reaching Nepal and celebrating a return to comfort and warmth we have spent less time on the bike, but instead used buses and trains to take us to world beating Mountain biking destinations.
In Nepal we headed to Pokara where with the Anappurna range as a spectacular backdrop as we explored the countless jeep tracks and single track roads around the lake. Here we found some beginner dirt excitment without the fear. From here we biked to the famous Anapurna circuit which starts with fairly flat dirt tracks butbecomes progessively technical. While climbing at almost 45 degrees over rocky steps I hit a rock and began to pull up onto the back wheel. Turning the front wheel I managed to put it down on the ground over the edge of a precipice with a 100 foot drop down the gorge into the river below awaiting. Althoug slippimg twenty meters down the side through luck and desparation I managed to prevent falling furhter. after a few hours of Mountain bike Russian roulette we decided it would be better (safer at least) to walk.
Leaving the bikes outside Tatopani in a hotel we walked for 10 days from Guesthouse to restaurant, onto cafes then teashops. Anapurna is where you can experience mountain treking in comfort. Everything that you could need is available, even in the smallest of villages, cakes and pizza are never more than an hours walk away. For a wonderfully relaxing place to stay I recommend Ghasa a few days out of Jomsom on the circuit. Waterfalls and mountain views with little kids no more than 12 years old bringing you the local crops for you to sample.
Back in Katmandu we met with Peter Sewart of Himalaya mountain Bikes who took us out fror a day riding along some tracks in the Katmandu valley. Cycle in any direction from the overcrowded Katmandu for twenty minutes and you can find little tracks linking quiet villages. A great escape from the city.
