[nitin.rai]

Originally Posted by naveendagar

Did you guys got yourself involved into some sort of Acclimatisation before venturing into biking in such altitudes?

Also would you please recommend a good bike which will perform flawlessly in that terrain?

Thanks, Naveen!
Would suggest that
1. you start with 40 minute 10-14 km rides for a few months
2. follow it with 60-80 minute 20 km rides
3. In 6 months move to 50 km weekend & ocassional century rides
Go easy and let the body train. I had switched back to cycling in 2012 end and took a few years to get here.

With regards to a cycle, you will have to be clear of what you expect from the bike first. Will you do road cycling only, offroading or a mix?
I would recommend a decathlon bike any day as they have much better after sales and support. I have owned BSA, firefox, Fuji & a decathlon and sm sharing this based out of my experience & hear-say from the people I know.

Originally Posted by iabhishekkumar

this definitely did one thing for me and that is fuel my desire to visit this part of our country more than ever.
Cheers!

Thanks, Abhishek and I would hope that you fulfil your wish soon!

[9thsphinx]

I've been constantly changing my plans since the past few years to head out to the paradise they call Leh wondering if I have the correct vehicle and/or waiting on getting a correct upgrade so to conquer the treacherous terrains without any issues.

And here you are doing all this on cycle!

Kudos to your conquer.

Thread rated five deserving stars!

[nitin.rai]

Originally Posted by 9thsphinx

to conquer the treacherous terrains without any issues.

I always go back to Ladakh to get lost

[Ksingh544]

Nitin,

absolutely blown away by your effort

Last year i rode from South Goa to the tip of North Goa (Arambol), a distance of 80+ kms in half a day and thought i had achieved something.

But boss after reading your log, i am humbled and you have set the bar very high.

If one ever needed inspiration to get back on the bike, i think i just got mine.

On an average how long did you take to cover the distances ?

Super stuff !!

cheers

Kundan

[SwatiS]

Beautiful thread of a beautiful place... Brought back memories

[nitin.rai]

Originally Posted by Ksingh544

But boss after reading your log, i am humbled and you have set the bar very high.

Thanks Kundan. However, just to give you a perspective, on this trip we ended up meeting a lady Anastasia who had been cycling all the way from Russia!!

Originally Posted by Ksingh544

If one ever needed inspiration to get back on the bike, i think i just got mine.

Look forward to your travelogue soon.

Originally Posted by Ksingh544

On an average how long did you take to cover the distances ?

On day one we averaged 5 kmph. From the second day we averaged around 10 kmph. On the way up to Khardungla, we were back to 5 kmph! Blame it to the celebrations on reaching Leh.

Originally Posted by SwatiS

Brought back memories

Cycling? Do post your travelogue pics if you don't have the time to write at length.

[sujit_as7]

that seems to be one hell of a ride! congrats the pics are awesome, so are the bikes. You guys didn't miss the disc brakes on such arduous conditions? V brakes did the job well?

[nitin.rai]

Originally Posted by sujit_as7

You guys didn't miss the disc brakes on such arduous conditions? V brakes did the job well?

Thanks, Sujit.

Disc brakes are any day better than V brakes specially through water crossings or downhill. In fact, hydraulic discs are the best.

However, there's a flip side:
- you need to carry 'specific' spares
- you need specialist supplies at local stores if you run out of spares
- you either need to be a good hands on guy with fixing specialized things or you should have a good mechanic in the group.

It's a call that one needs to take when planning for any such trip!

[sujit_as7]

okay! We did a mountain trip few months back to Rosemala, Thenmala. The trail was meant for 4x4 jeeps and bullets. My MTB had v brakes and during the downhill trail my brake pad and the rim went red hot due to excessive braking. Some of my fellow riders were in cyclo cross bikes with hydraulic discs and they fared much better downhill.

[nitin.rai]

Originally Posted by sujit_as7

my brake pad and the rim went red hot due to excessive braking. Some of my fellow riders were in cyclo cross bikes with hydraulic discs and they fared much better downhill.

If you raise your body a little over the seat and push it over the rear wheels (as much as comfortably possible) it should help two fold:
- the centre of gravity moves towards the back of the cycle and in a downward slope roll, the probability of toppling over decreases
- with the weight distribution increasing on the rear wheels, rear brakes become more efficient and take some effort of the front brakes.

However, there's no replacement to discs, i guess; at least at the moment.