Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
-
Ginjaninja
- Ace
- Posts: 1659
- Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:51 am
- Location: Never lovin land
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
^ This kind of riding is fairly demanding. Not the kind of trip you take your family on.
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
Yes, it was a solo trip - no way the mrs and kids would have been able to come on the ride ... and we hadn't even begun the really tough stuff yet.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
Excellent report and pics. Looking forward to more.
Talk is cheap
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
Yes, of course, once I put my brain into gear it had to be. It's just that you often go mob handed. I had been secretly envious about this trip and thought how lucky the boys were going on such an adventure.
Anyway, lovely photos, please keep them coming.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd 
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
A lot of the land had been terraced for living and agriculture as there is virtually no flat land in Nepal, every home is on a hill of some description. Due to the lack of fuel stations we had to grab gas when and where we could which was a bit of a spectacle for the locals. It was also the Holy celebration in which the coloured powder is thrown about signifying good over evil, so there were plenty of street parties to ride through.
We rode through the tiny village of Tansen which is literally clinging to the side of a hilltop with some of the steepest streets I have ever seen. Finally, after what felt like a week on the bike, we made it to our first stop, the Srijana Farm. I felt like I’d been in the ring with Tyson Fury and we hadn’t even begun the tough bit yet – it was time for a cold beer, boots off and feet up to admire the view.
The owner of the farm was extremely proud of their achievements, produce and self-sufficiency, he showed us around the sprawling place which had everything from cauliflowers to coffee, goats, homebrew, bread and cheese all produced naturally on site. Needless to say the food was out of this world.
http://srijanafarm.com/
To follow: Day two - Tansen to Kushma
We rode through the tiny village of Tansen which is literally clinging to the side of a hilltop with some of the steepest streets I have ever seen. Finally, after what felt like a week on the bike, we made it to our first stop, the Srijana Farm. I felt like I’d been in the ring with Tyson Fury and we hadn’t even begun the tough bit yet – it was time for a cold beer, boots off and feet up to admire the view.
The owner of the farm was extremely proud of their achievements, produce and self-sufficiency, he showed us around the sprawling place which had everything from cauliflowers to coffee, goats, homebrew, bread and cheese all produced naturally on site. Needless to say the food was out of this world.
http://srijanafarm.com/
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To follow: Day two - Tansen to Kushma
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
Day 2 - Tansen to Kushma
Accommodation was basic to say the least and it was cold, I had yet to acclimatize. Up at sunrise for some organic coffee and breakfast before gearing up and hitting the road again for what would be a long stint riding over rocks today. Our ride would complete the southern loop and take us to a town called Kushma to begin the ascent into the Himalayas.
It was then a blast through some rural villages and on to what was a new road under construction - which pretty much describes every road in Nepal. One of the riders, Tony, had his first off taking a corner too fast and getting up close and personal with a substantially sized rock. No major problems though and bikes on their sides would become quite common over the next few days.
Single lane tracks came next as we cut across the verdant undulating countryside and half the group got lost. The lead and tail bikes were in radio contact so we took half an hour to entertain the locals while we waited for them to catch up.
Riding on, we twisted round the side of the valley literally clinging to the mountainside with a sheer drop of hundreds of meters on one side and a rock wall on the other. Another spectacular viewpoint from the top gave as the vantage point of the entire valley. Every corner turned yielded more stunning scenery.
The valley climaxed at a huge dam which we rode round. There were no local eateries on this stretch of road so we stopped at a waterfall for a picnic lunch of a couple of eggs and some left over roti from this morning. A few repairs were made here too.
To follow: Kushma
Accommodation was basic to say the least and it was cold, I had yet to acclimatize. Up at sunrise for some organic coffee and breakfast before gearing up and hitting the road again for what would be a long stint riding over rocks today. Our ride would complete the southern loop and take us to a town called Kushma to begin the ascent into the Himalayas.
It was then a blast through some rural villages and on to what was a new road under construction - which pretty much describes every road in Nepal. One of the riders, Tony, had his first off taking a corner too fast and getting up close and personal with a substantially sized rock. No major problems though and bikes on their sides would become quite common over the next few days.
Single lane tracks came next as we cut across the verdant undulating countryside and half the group got lost. The lead and tail bikes were in radio contact so we took half an hour to entertain the locals while we waited for them to catch up.
Riding on, we twisted round the side of the valley literally clinging to the mountainside with a sheer drop of hundreds of meters on one side and a rock wall on the other. Another spectacular viewpoint from the top gave as the vantage point of the entire valley. Every corner turned yielded more stunning scenery.
The valley climaxed at a huge dam which we rode round. There were no local eateries on this stretch of road so we stopped at a waterfall for a picnic lunch of a couple of eggs and some left over roti from this morning. A few repairs were made here too.
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To follow: Kushma
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
Todays photos are really good, very enjoyable thank you
Yesterday you mentioned a stop in Tansen, I stayed there on my first night in Nepal after driving up from the Indian plains. I remember being impressed, not by the accommodation but just how different it felt to India. I walked up the hill in the morning for my first view of the Himalayas in all their majesty. The place in your picture 3163 looks exactly like where I stayed.
Looking forward to the next edition
Kind regards
sabai Jai
Yesterday you mentioned a stop in Tansen, I stayed there on my first night in Nepal after driving up from the Indian plains. I remember being impressed, not by the accommodation but just how different it felt to India. I walked up the hill in the morning for my first view of the Himalayas in all their majesty. The place in your picture 3163 looks exactly like where I stayed.
Looking forward to the next edition
Kind regards
sabai Jai
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
Love the school uniforms amongst the mud. Still incredible photos.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
Great photos Mr B. Always good to see your trip reports and photos. Some stunning shots. Many thanks
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
I've deleted the off topic quips to keep this one on topic ...
Motoring on, the road conditions worsened to the extent that we were riding over pure rock at times where the workers had cut away at the hillside to carve the new road. Much of it was very tricky to navigate and none of us were professional off-roaders so there were a few inevitable spills.
On occasion the road was completely blocked by a huge Caterpillar clawing away at the surface so we had to wait until he’d clear a path for us, which again was tough to ride over.
We were nearing our destination but before we could relax there was one final challenge ahead – riding across Nepal’s longest suspension bridge. The Kushma-Gyadi Bridge spans 344 meters and is 117 meters high, looking down is not an option. We had time to psyche ourselves up for this stopping for a bite to eat and maybe a nerve calming beer.
Adding to the challenge were pedestrians and other motorcycles on the bridge, some ignoring the ‘one bike at a time’ rule which made things even more hairy. My turn arrived and the only way to conquer it was to give it gas and focus on the exit, no time to admire the scenery now.
From here it was a short but adrenaline fueled rip to the hotel in the town of Kushma. The entire area consisted of deep gorges spanned by similar steel suspension bridges, and our hotel for the night was right in the middle of it offering stunning panoramic 360 degree views. A few cold Gorkha’s on the roof was enjoyed by all as we reveled in our bridge conquests.
To follow: Kushma to Lete
Motoring on, the road conditions worsened to the extent that we were riding over pure rock at times where the workers had cut away at the hillside to carve the new road. Much of it was very tricky to navigate and none of us were professional off-roaders so there were a few inevitable spills.
On occasion the road was completely blocked by a huge Caterpillar clawing away at the surface so we had to wait until he’d clear a path for us, which again was tough to ride over.
We were nearing our destination but before we could relax there was one final challenge ahead – riding across Nepal’s longest suspension bridge. The Kushma-Gyadi Bridge spans 344 meters and is 117 meters high, looking down is not an option. We had time to psyche ourselves up for this stopping for a bite to eat and maybe a nerve calming beer.
Adding to the challenge were pedestrians and other motorcycles on the bridge, some ignoring the ‘one bike at a time’ rule which made things even more hairy. My turn arrived and the only way to conquer it was to give it gas and focus on the exit, no time to admire the scenery now.
From here it was a short but adrenaline fueled rip to the hotel in the town of Kushma. The entire area consisted of deep gorges spanned by similar steel suspension bridges, and our hotel for the night was right in the middle of it offering stunning panoramic 360 degree views. A few cold Gorkha’s on the roof was enjoyed by all as we reveled in our bridge conquests.
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To follow: Kushma to Lete
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
-
Ginjaninja
- Ace
- Posts: 1659
- Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:51 am
- Location: Never lovin land
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
This trip is getting better by the day.....
Spectacular photos. Really amazing.
Had a quick look at the H&T website and I see there are difficulties associated with each package. Which difficulty did you choose?
Spectacular photos. Really amazing.
Had a quick look at the H&T website and I see there are difficulties associated with each package. Which difficulty did you choose?
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
"Challenging" - and they weren't wrong!
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
Those roads even make Soi 88 look good 
That bridge is something else. I'd probably have had to crawl it - certainly no envy this time
. Was it windy? Did it sway? I see the 'me first' attitude prevails with dickhead motorcyclists. What was the width? Do those U-shaped ropes on the sides help steady the bridge? You must be crazy, but I bet you felt king of the world afterwards.
That bridge is something else. I'd probably have had to crawl it - certainly no envy this time
. Was it windy? Did it sway? I see the 'me first' attitude prevails with dickhead motorcyclists. What was the width? Do those U-shaped ropes on the sides help steady the bridge? You must be crazy, but I bet you felt king of the world afterwards.Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
No wind or sway but it was still brown trousers time! Only one of the group didn't do it.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal
Oh really? Is there an easier alternative?
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED