Bicycling

: : : :	Suggested Itinerary
Day.01 - Day.05	Lhasa-Gyantse. Climb over Kampa la pass.
Day.06	Gyangtse-Shigatse.
Day.07 - Day.10	Shigatse-Shegar. Climb over Tsuo La and Lagpa La passes.
Day.11 - Day.14	Shegar-Nepal border. Climb over Thang La pass.
Day.15 - Day.16	Border-Kathmandu. Climb over Banepa Pass.
: : : :

Preparations

BICYCLE EQUIPMENT

A mountain bike is best, but at this time there are no quality mountain bikes available in Tibet; all of your equipment must be brought with you. Your bike should be of good quality, dependable, and in first-class mechanical shape. You must be capable of handling a multitude of repairs on your own, and carrying the necessary tools and spare parts in case of breakdowns, such as spare tube, extra cables, an extra rear derailleur, chain, freewheel; extra spokes.

WEATHER AND CLOTHING

Summers mean cool nights and warm days. It can rain for days at a time in July and August, and frost in September is common. Strong winds and sand storms are not unusual, nor is snow on the passes. At higher elevations, freezing temperatures can occur any time of the year. During September at 17,000 feet (5180 m), the nights are usually in the low teens to single figures. In January nighttime temperatures can drop to -33° F. (-27° C.) and daytime temperatures often hover just below freezing.

Bring enough clothing to meet the coldest expected temperatures. For spring, summer, or autumn cycling, light cycling pants and a short-sleeve shirt usually will be sufficient. If you add a pair of warm-up pants, a long-sleeve jersey, a wind shell, and gloves, you can handle most conditions in good weather. For poor weather, you should also have a fleece or down jacket, an extra layer of synthetic long underwear, a rain jacket, wind or rain pants, warm shoes, and a hat. If you are camping, remember that sitting still in the cold night air will require extra clothing to stay comfortable.

PHYSICAL PREPARATION

It is wise to arrive in Tibet in good physical condition. Cyclists should train to build up their cardiovascular system, for nowhere will it be put to a test like Tibet. Hill training that gets the heart rate up and keeps it up for an hour at a time is highly recommended. The higher the elevation the better, even though Tibet will be higher yet. A well-designed strength training program two or three times a week to build overall power and condition the upper body is an excellent supplement. While physical fitness does not prevent altitude sickness, it does help the body deal with all the other physical demands of rough, remote travel.

Standard cycle touring advice applies: arrive at a good weight; be healthy and rested. Eat well (can be a challenge in Tibet) and consider taking a vitamin and mineral supplement. Drink plenty of water to remain properly hydrated. Be sure to acclimatize properly before your cycling tour begins. Once you're in Tibet, relax. Don't push it. Go on some walks around town, then after several days of taking it easy try a few short rides around Lhasa. Work in some hills; the rides to the nearby monasteries of Sera and Drepung are a great way to combine sightseeing with cycle training.

Classic Bicycle Routes Lhasa to Kathmandu

This is the most popular bicycling choice in Tibet, and with good reason. In just under 600 miles (1000km) and 13 to 16 days this route crosses six major passes, traverses the backbone of the Himalaya, offers a look at the North Face of Mount Everest, and visits two of Asia's most interesting cities. The reverse of this route, from Kathmandu to Lhasa, can also be done.

Plan on at least 3 weeks to do the trip justice and not hurt yourself. It takes 5 days to reach Gyantse, consider taking a day off in this interesting town.

Shigatse is a long day's ride from Gyantse. A worthwhile side trip en route is to Shalu monastery, which is 3 miles (5km) south of the main road from the town of Chhudu Once in Shigatse, you could enjoy a week in the busy market, but at the least you should spend a day there stocking up on supplies, for this is the last market of any consequence before Nepal.

Three or four days of cycling are required to reach the town of Shegar from Shigatse, during which you must cross Lagpa La (17,126ft, 5220m), the highest pass on the route. The trip to Dingri from Shegar takes 1 day, then it's another day of riding to Thang La (17,060ft, 5200 m), the second highest pass on this route. From there the road makes the greatest downhill plummet in the world, a 15,000-foot (4600 m) vertical drop from the plateau towards the Sunkosi River in Nepal. Plan on 1 day to reach the border and at least a half day for customs formalities before crossing into Nepal. Kathmandu is 67 miles (116km) from the border, though frequent landslides in the steep-walled canyon can change a 1-day trip into several.

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