Out onto the streets late by the time we got our bike gear together. Cycling out the gate at 10.30 am heading towards towards Balaju and the corner of Nagarjun Forest Reserve (also known as Queen's forest). The river no prettier North of the city.
Spot a dirt road after passing through the middle of town. A little climbing and then we were riding alongside a brick wall which appeared to follow the edge of the park around. Pass through an unlocked metal gate and get yes and a no in regard to cycling on. Take the yes as a good sign and carry the bikes through the hole in the brick wall. Path from the wall opened up leading to the fire road marked on the map. Further up come to the Raniban check post which looks like we are entering a military facility. The second guy however raises the boom gate so that we can continue through. Told to be out of the park by 4.30pm, which is no problem as two foreigners were murdered in here back in 2005 when hiking.
The cycling up was great climbing from 1340 to 2095mtrs. The majority of the way we encountered no other people, which is probably the longest time since landing in Delhi, on a fire trail style road with ferns and tree cover for the majority of the climb.
At the junction head right, the road which has been okay climbing through the woods now swings to the far side of the ridge and seems to make up for lost time with a few steeper rocky pinches. The view however through the trees to the north is now lined with snow capped mountains.
Up a final climb which swings around the base of a Buddhist temple (Padmasambhava) sitting on the knoll and through a forest of thousands of prayer flags streaming in the wind. A few mini buses with groups of families and Buddhist monks enjoying the sunshine and the clear skies.
The view from the top is awesome. Not just the Eastern Himalaya on the skyline but also the valley itself with a 300 degree view following the view all the way across to Bhaktapur, South past Patan and North to the Shivapuri watershed and wildlife reserve.
We listen to Buddhist chanting led by a monk on the temples verandah behind the view of the valley.
An older couple offering us grapes and sweets. Soph has a chat and identifies that the husband is 83 and the wife 79, both in great form and with friendly, welcoming faces.
A middle aged man identifies for us where everest is saying that his home village is very close to the mountain.
The descent back down was a killer. Not because of challenging cycling but the rocks. Our first challenge was to get around one of the minibuses that had just started the descent, the bikes traveling much quicker. Between the small, rough road and the unpredictable belching smog bus it took a while to find a section rough enough that we could squeeze around the side before the driver accelerated or turned again. Past one then another this time a Landcruiser. Same deal, but slightly smaller which made it easier.
Picking a clear line through the rocks on the way down giving a smooth continuous roll was impossible. Descent was still fast but jarring pretty much all the way, with butt hanging off the end of the bike and finger continuously feathering the brakes. Finally make it back to the post where again we are let through ok. Back through the hole in the wall, but the gate had been padlocked. Soph over the 2mtr gate first then the bikes and finally we were back out. However down a sweeping bend and I score a pinch flat. Repair pushing us well past our meeting time with Anja and Tom.
No comments:
Post a Comment