A few photos from the Himalayas
10-02-08, 09:09 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 440
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A few photos from the Himalayas
Leh to Manali, via Indus Valley & Tso Moriri - photos in no particular order.
Campsite near Baralacha La - around 4,700m, and we woke to find the whole of the inside of the tent coated with ice! My fault - the ground was really sandy and I was worried about wind ripping the pegs out, so I'd sealed up the bottom of the tent as much as I could, and the inevitable condensation froze. After the sun touched the tent it became very warm though, and the highlight of the trip was probably that morning - breaking the ice in the wee stream to wash my face, and looking around at all the mountains. Amazing.
Approaching the top of Baralacha La:
On the way down from Khardung La (highest road in the world!) - the tiny trucks (military convoy) which you might be able to see on the right-hand side of the photo aren't even half way down! It's about 2,000m of vertical gain over about 40km of distance:
We stayed in a Tibetan School for one night (thanks to a friend we met along the way):
At the top of Lachalung La, one of the >5,000m passes along the way:
Lingti Chu river, after Lachalung La:
Some roads were pretty bad - I was very glad to have suspension! The Tubus Swing did a marvellous job - very smooth ride because the luggage is isolated from vibration, and steady as a rock when rolling (although the front end did flop like a dead horse when stationary!):
Back on the 'main' road again, we had to deal with dust/diesel fumes from huge Tata trucks which would thunder past. At that altitude, if you hold your breath you just fall off the bike!
The Rhotang La road (last pass before dropping down out of the mountains into Manali). Once over this pass, my heart started to sink a bit because I knew the adventure was almost finished.:
Campsite near Baralacha La - around 4,700m, and we woke to find the whole of the inside of the tent coated with ice! My fault - the ground was really sandy and I was worried about wind ripping the pegs out, so I'd sealed up the bottom of the tent as much as I could, and the inevitable condensation froze. After the sun touched the tent it became very warm though, and the highlight of the trip was probably that morning - breaking the ice in the wee stream to wash my face, and looking around at all the mountains. Amazing.
Approaching the top of Baralacha La:
On the way down from Khardung La (highest road in the world!) - the tiny trucks (military convoy) which you might be able to see on the right-hand side of the photo aren't even half way down! It's about 2,000m of vertical gain over about 40km of distance:
We stayed in a Tibetan School for one night (thanks to a friend we met along the way):
At the top of Lachalung La, one of the >5,000m passes along the way:
Lingti Chu river, after Lachalung La:
Some roads were pretty bad - I was very glad to have suspension! The Tubus Swing did a marvellous job - very smooth ride because the luggage is isolated from vibration, and steady as a rock when rolling (although the front end did flop like a dead horse when stationary!):
Back on the 'main' road again, we had to deal with dust/diesel fumes from huge Tata trucks which would thunder past. At that altitude, if you hold your breath you just fall off the bike!
The Rhotang La road (last pass before dropping down out of the mountains into Manali). Once over this pass, my heart started to sink a bit because I knew the adventure was almost finished.:
10-02-08, 09:35 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Rochester, MN
Posts: 362
Bikes: 91 Specialized Sirrus, 96 Gary Fischer, 08 Specialized Roubaix Elite, 2010 Specialized Tricross Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wow what an incredible adventure!
10-02-08, 10:18 AM
#5
Twincities MN
My Mom was in the Himalayas a few years ago. She said that marijuana looking plants grew freely and you could dry the stuff on top of your lantern at night and smoke it the next day... should you choose.
__________________
www.marrow.org
www.marrow.org
10-02-08, 10:42 AM
#7
hello
10-02-08, 11:23 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 214
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hold on a tick, is that an internally geared hub or a single speed? I'm going to assume internally geared, but if not, dang. Details on your whole excursion would be cool if you have the time.
Regardless, great pictures!
Regardless, great pictures!
10-02-08, 11:37 AM
#9
GATC
Gorgeous!
10-02-08, 11:53 AM
#10
cyclopath
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 5,264
Bikes: Surly Krampus, Surly Straggler, Pivot Mach 6, Bike Friday Tikit, Bike Friday Tandem, Santa Cruz Nomad
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
To the OP - great photos - would love to know more about your trip.
10-02-08, 02:08 PM
#11
Hi. I'm in Delaware.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Newark, Delaware
Posts: 521
Bikes: 2017 All City Space Horse, 2015 Jamis Dragonslayer, 2016 Velo Orange Pass Hunter Disc, 1991 Tommasini Competizione, 2018 Soma Wolverine fixed gear, 1996 Diamondback Outlook w/Crust Clydesdale, 1999 Torelli Corsa Strada (Coaster Brake Conversion ;] )
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
these are all incredible but that last one is breathtaking
10-02-08, 02:59 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 105
Bikes: Fuji Sunfire 1995, modified for touring
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Your bio says that you're from Cambridge. I've just moved to Cambridge. Where do you do hill training round here? It's as flat as a pancake.
Kudos on the photos. They're fantastic.
Kudos on the photos. They're fantastic.
10-02-08, 03:04 PM
#13
POWERCRANK addict
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: North Acton, West London, UK
Posts: 3,783
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
__________________
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
10-02-08, 05:05 PM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 440
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for all the comments! At the weekend I'll try to find time to make up some kind of journal website with more photos and detail about the trip, and I'll post the URL here.
Scruffychimp: you're right - there aren't many hills to choose from in Cambridge. You can either do laps on Castle Hill, or take the bike on a roof-rack to North Wales! In fact I think I did most of my 'training' on an old Roman Road which runs from near Addenbrookes Hospital to Haverhill - rough, off-road track with some slight undulations. If you haven't found it yet, it's a good way to spend a couple of hours on a sunny day.
Scruffychimp: you're right - there aren't many hills to choose from in Cambridge. You can either do laps on Castle Hill, or take the bike on a roof-rack to North Wales! In fact I think I did most of my 'training' on an old Roman Road which runs from near Addenbrookes Hospital to Haverhill - rough, off-road track with some slight undulations. If you haven't found it yet, it's a good way to spend a couple of hours on a sunny day.
10-02-08, 05:15 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF
Posts: 1,572
Bikes: 1972 Paramount Track, 1972 Paramount P13 Road, 1972 Paramount Tandem, 1986 Paramount Road, Merckx MXL, Gunnar Cross Hairs, Samson Illusion NJS, KHS Aero Track, Titus Racer X 29er, Tom Palermo Custom Touring
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
2 Posts
Wow...
10-02-08, 05:16 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 613
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Amazing photos! Out of curiosity, how did you deal with a lot of climbing/descending in a day at those elevations? I've heard from some backpacking friends of mine that anywhere above 4000m or so you need to be careful about how quickly you climb or descend. I'm very curious to read any journal about the trip you put together!
10-03-08, 12:22 AM
#20
Training Wheel Graduate
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Juan/Gulf Islands
Posts: 499
Bikes: Bridgestone Grand Velo, Evans Randonneur (custom), Moser 51.151, Surly LHT & Pacer, Kona/FreeRadical, Trek 730, Trek 510
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
All I can say is WOW!
10-03-08, 12:39 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Snohomish, WA
Posts: 141
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Rodriguez Classic Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
10-03-08, 08:35 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Scruffychimp- Al is right, go out by the Gog Magog hills and Wandlebury and you will find some rolling hills. I used to ride the Roman road all the time as well on my fixed gear beater bike! It runs behind the golf course there, and connects to the back of Wandlebury. Has the added benefit of being the most beautiful little area near Cambridge on account of the hills.
Al, Great photos, Very inspiring mate.... cant wait to read more!
Take care.
Al, Great photos, Very inspiring mate.... cant wait to read more!
Take care.
10-06-08, 06:35 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Barossa Valley, South Aust.
Posts: 136
Bikes: Walmart supermarket bike in China, and a Schwinn Frontier GS 1999 in Australia
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm with accordionfolder - I keep looking at the pics. It is a fantastic achievement
10-06-08, 06:47 AM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 440
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks again for the favourable comments. it's a great tour - more manageable than you might think!
Some more photos are available here
Some more photos are available here
