Nepal Shadow of Giants

[Mr Moofo]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/069ylV8 ... fuCsvH7Dbg

Just some short video from the Nepal trip - not shot by me but by someone who know's what they are doing!

[cvilla]

Nice little intro, looks good, how was the food anything you would change and how much experience do you need on the rougher roads? Thanks for any extra info. C

[Skub]

They seem a happy bunch.

[Mr Moofo]

I just typed out ride report - and the mobile version of the site decides I need my password etc and trashed the lot!
So here goes again,

The idea of the trip came from my brother in law in Oz, he researched it and came up with The Shadow of Giants run by KarmaYatri, based in India.
Flew into Kathmandu - and had a day to recover. In my case that was slightly marred by slipping coming out of the shower, and slamming my coccyx onto a tiled floor. Once I found I wasn’t paralysed, ther rest of the week was coped with on strong pain killers. I probably shouldn’t had ridden - but I had paid my money!
The bikes were 411 Himalayans, 450 Himalayans, 400 Triumph scrambler and a Honda dirt bike thing. The Triumph became the favourite of those who rode it (I didn’t as it was too small for my back to cope with).
The route was:
Kathmandu
Kulekhani
Chitwan
Pokhara
Mukinath/Marpa
Pokhara
Bandipur
Kathmandu

Nepal roads are something else - even main roads can suddenly become dirt tracks, and non main roads can be dirt/ rock/ shale/ water tracks/ mud whatever. Suffice to say that my off road riding skills increased hugely. The mighty Enfield was putting out 38 bhp, the 411 32 ish - but the roads needed no more !
It was a group of 7 riders, a lead rider, back up rider, and a back up truck with all our luggage and two other support chaps to keep us all rolling. The routing was well thought out with stops every 45 mins for water / coffee / food if needed. All food and hotels were included - but alcohol was extra. 200 USD was sufficient “spending” money as beer is cheap.
Hotels try an eclectic mix been the great and and mountain lodges. In Marpa at 2800 m it was a bleeding cold experience.
Weather was 25 degrees plus with no rain and clear blue skies - and the whole trip was awe inspring/ awesome/ humbling/ once is a lifetime/ stunning and magnificent country side, views, people and the experience.
Food was between Indian and Chinese - with fried rice/ momos/ chow mein everywhere - and curries, though not as often as expected. They did have an obsession with omlettes - I think the Nepalese have seen way too much Gavin and Stacey.

Everyone should experience the ride in and out of Kathmandu once (we did it twice) and the absolutely dreadful main arterial roads in Pokhara - it’s life changing and realisation of no matter how we whinge about the UK, we haven’t experienced what many have to put up with.

More - and some editing, later

[Cousin Jack]

'Sound awesome. I envy you, but at 80, with a dodgy heart and zero off road experience I fear I have left it too late.

[Skub]

'Sound awesome. I envy you, but at 80, with a dodgy heart and zero off road experience I fear I have left it too late.

Do it anyway. You're never gonna die young,man.

[mangocrazy]

Some amazing views there, but the sheer drops would play havoc with my fear of heights. Crossing that makeshift bridge on a bike (or even on two legs) would really give me the heeby-jeebies...

Looks like you had a great time!

[Mr Moofo]

Some amazing views there, but the sheer drops would play havoc with my fear of heights. Crossing that makeshift bridge on a bike (or even on two legs) would really give me the heeby-jeebies...

Looks like you had a great time!

TBF, there was nothing that high. The suspension bridge was a challenge - I now realise I don't have a fear of heights but a fear of falling. I just kept focus on the pathway ahead - not either side. Oddly, I tried to change into second halfway along!
The road up to the bridge was far worse than the bridge - gravel, rock, unmade path, road mending dug up earth, water tracks, dusty, slippy etc ...

https://karmayatri.com/

[Tarmacsurfer]

I did the same tour in March this year with Karma Yatri

[MyLittleStudPony]

If I'd gone over that bridge, I'd have ganned it up on t'back wheel.

[Mr Moofo]

Things that worked well:-
Knox Urbane Shirt - the utility one. You do look like Robocop meets the Last Boy Scout but the was a heart bit of kit for the weather.
Forna Touring boots - waterproof and high enough to stop water coming in.
Bull-it reading jeans
RE Himalayan 450
RE Himalayan Scrambler 411
Oddly the MFR tyres - on GS and Triumph Scrambler sites people argue endlessly about tyres. These ones may have been the Madras Rubber Company’s only offering - but I never lost traction. And at no time did I wish I had Pirelli Scorpions STRs on …

What I would change
Better vented gloves (which I have but didn’t take)
Flip front helmet with a drop down sun visor (which I have but didn’t take) or and adventure helmet - the sun at times was brutal
Helmet intercom - as most seemed to be equipped with it

[Tarmacsurfer]

Hashim, tour leader, was very knowledgeable and easy going. A slick run tour.
We had a one dodgy (dangerous) route but otherwise they were perfect.

[Mr Moofo]

Hashim, tour leader, was very knowledgeable and easy going. A slick run tour.
We had a one dodgy (dangerous) route but otherwise they were perfect.

Hashim was extremely knowledgeable - as were his team. Whilst the routes were challenging you never felt unsafe

[Sunny]

Having now watched the videos, I really really fancy this. Need to see if I can talk t'other half into it... (I may not show him the bridge )

[Mr Moofo]

Having now watched the videos, I really really fancy this. Need to see if I can talk t'other half into it... (I may not show him the bridge )

You don’t have to do the bridge
But everyone else points and laughs at you