The trip begins: Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh

Nonchalant cows on every street corner Nonchalant cows on every street corner

 One day in Delhis chaotic belly was enough,  and the city was in floods after a typical monsoonal downpour – we headed swiftly out on a ‘luxury’ bus  for Shimla in the foothills of the himalayas .

 

Nice to see that bicycles are encouraged, even by the Delhi Metro Nice to see that bicycles are encouraged, even by the Delhi Metro
10 -12 little mites on their way home from school in old town Delhi 10 -12 little mites on their way home from school in old town Delhi

 

First views on our first day ride out from Shimla First views on our first day ride out from Shimla

 

Carlos and Ben taking a snack stop on the way to Baggi. Samoosas have been a staple as have packets of 'Good Day' Britannia biscuits washed down with some carbonated Miranda. Carlos and Ben taking a snack stop on the way to Baggi. Samoosas have been a staple as have packets of ‘Good Day’ Britannia biscuits washed down with some carbonated Miranda.
Roads amazed us from the start. We were quite lucky that for the first few days we contoured through lovely pine forest rather than have to climb. Roads amazed us from the start. We were quite lucky that for the first few days we contoured through lovely pine forest rather than have to climb.

 

More incredible roads on the way to Baghi More incredible roads on the way to Baghi

 

Friendly Kinnauri ladies on the way up offered me water and aples from their fanatastic hillside orchards
Friendly Kinnauri ladies on the way up offered me water and aples from their fanatastic hillside orchards
Negotiating the landslide up the pass. The advantage of being on a bike!
Negotiating the landslide up the pass. The advantage of being on a bike!
through pine, cedar, rhododendron and spruce forests
through pine, cedar, rhododendron and spruce forests
Our fisrt big climb From 1445m to 2900m over 35 rather excruciating kilometres, however the views were great along this never ending ribbon of road
Our fisrt big climb From 1445m to 2900m over 35 rather excruciating kilometres, however the views were great along this never ending ribbon of road
I cant help myself, I am besotted with the furry, friendly himalayan hounds. They are all generally surprisingly in good nick!
I cant help myself, I am besotted with the furry, friendly himalayan hounds. They are all generally surprisingly in good nick! The downhill on the othersideSusma, a Kinnauri I met as i sped down the slopes of the Darangati reserve. She was collecting fodder for her animals.

A typical 'in and out' along a valley - we can see the road we are to ride on the otherside

  A typical ‘in and out’ along a valley – we can see the road we are to ride on the otherside
Carlos on the edge
Carlos on the edge

Bridget Ringdahl

Pedaling has been natural to me since the tender age of three. Cycling is practical, fun, it gets you to the corner café, across countries, continents, keeps you fit and is by far the most efficient and environmentally friendly transport option around, being virtually carbon neutral.

I live in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal which is great cycling country, within 10 minutes I can be bouncing along some of the finest single tracks in the province.

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4 thoughts on “The trip begins: Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh”
  • Brett
    Commented on

    Hi Bridget, Carlos and Ben Wow great pictures! I wish you all a great and safe trip. Enjoy, Brett

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  • Eve
    Commented on

    I am so proud of you! Keep climbing higher up the peaks of enlightenment. It looks so stunning.

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  • sue b
    Commented on

    Wish i was 30 years younger and joining you on the trip. All strength to your little legges!

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  • Peter Basson
    Commented on

    Bridget,Carlosand Ben Totally Awesome - the views must be the reward for the punishing climb 1445m to 2900m over 35 kilometres, I admire the fact that you could do it so heavily laden to boot - I see Carlos nogal had a laden Duffel bag up rear!!

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