General Adventure Profile

Gwalior

Motology

Cycling, Running, Bikepacking, Motorcycling

I have done a bit of bikepacking over the last 10 years. Mostly solo, routes in Ladakh, Zanskar, Himachal, Spiti, Uttarakhand, and the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. I have also done brevets organised by myself and with Delhi Randonneurs. So, the whole SR thing and notably Climbs Ka Baap or CKB in 2021 and 2022. Then I have done the Silk Road Mountain Race 3 times.

There is a lot of stuff that just sticks. The more I think the more I remember. But lets take one instance. So, in SRMR 2024 after crossing I think Baetov, there was triple pass which ate up most of the day. In the evening we reached the highway only to be welcomed by strong headwind and rain, adding to the cold weather which was already a challenge. Riders were spaced far away but I could see 2 other people at some distance. Then at one point I saw whats called the blue caravan. Its like this mythical eatery in the middle of nowhere and apparently there are two of them. I needed a break at the thought of approaching it, couple of cycles were already parked outside. I went in and that sudden attack of warm comfort, cozy seating, warm food just hit me hard. It was too good to be true, like I was in the middle of a boss fight and had pressed the pause button.

Lets see, maybe this award goes to everyone's favourite, Jiptick Pass. What was to be the crest of the first pass of the ride, ended up being 6 kilometers of unending struggle. There was a beeline of riders on the narrow trail that led through the landslide at the top, quite similar to stuff you see on Everest, and it was dark by the time I crossed over and reached a reasonable spot. As it was my first time, I was having trouble navigating the trail in the night. I was mentally fresh but didnt know where to go and so camped.

Maybe I did ok. Could have worked harder and made more of the opportunities when I had the time to do epic stuff. Still doing it, but the frequency has dropped a lot.

I have a Trek Procaliber 2022, which serves as my primary steed for bikepacking. There is a Cannondale Supersix which does the brevets and a Rockrider which used to be my go-to bike for bikepacking, and now does local rides.

Maybe my backpack. I stuff all the tools, food, rainwear, electronics in it and am good to go.

Probably rainwear. Everything is important, but rainwear saves you at the worst times when you can actually be hanging for your life. It works well in both rain and cold and both together and the full set of jacket, pants and gloves is just needed.

My go-to items are fixed: peanuts, cheese, cupcakes and yogurt. These are all I need. I go for any number of days just eating these. Also, of course there is juice and water.

Peanuts and cheese are good for the road. Yogurt is too heavy to pack, but it is the most satisfying.

I am going to do Taurus Mountain Race 2026 next, in October. After that, I dont know, maybe something different or back to the Silk Road.

Its my in the