Your riding clothing should be comfortable, sweat-wicking and quick-drying. While clothes can be hand-washed at camp sites, it will be difficult to dry them fully by the next morning.
The following items are essential:
• Safety-approved Bicycle Helmet
• Sunglasses with high UV rated lenses
• At least 3 pairs of shorts
• At least 3 wicking t-shirts or jerseys
• Cycling shoes (Note: If you’re riding in bike specific shoes, please make sure they have enough grip for the bike-and-hike sections.)
• 1 waterproof jacket (also acts as a windproof)
• 1 pair waterproof trousers
• 1 thermal long-sleeve top
• 1 pair thermal longs
• 1 fleece/similar top
• 1 pair warm gloves
• 1 pair bike gloves
• 1 warm hat
Other riding kit that’s useful:
• Buff or similar layer to be worn under the helmet
• Arm, knee/leg warmers
Please bring ample warm clothing for after rides and sitting around camp – the evenings can be very cold.
• Jumper or fleece
• Trousers
• Thick socks
• Hat
• Gloves
• Trainers
In Your Daypack
We expect most riders to have completed each stage by 3-4pm. However it gets dark around 5:45pm, so you must carry emergency front and rear lights. A 20litre daypack should be enough to fit the following:
- Waterproofs
- Hat and gloves
- Extra warm layer
- Lightweight head torch or small front light for the bicycle
- LED rear light
- First aid kit (see below)
- 1 emergency space blanket
- Sun block
- Sunglasses
- Trail tools
- 2 Inner tubes
- Puncture repair kit and tyre levers
- Multi-tool
- Spare set of brake pads
- Pump
- Small bottle of chain lube
- Lunch and snacks/sports bars/sports drinks
First Aid Kit and Wash bag
Please be prepared with all your personal and special medicines – including any allergy medication. There will be medical back-up for emergencies, please carry a small first aid kit with the following:
• A general painkiller
• Anti-inflammatory pills
• Antiseptic – iodine/beta dine drops
• Bandages, plasters, medical tape
In addition to your usual supplies, your wash bag should have:
• High factor spf sun block (minimum 30)
• Lip balm with spf 15+
• A course of general antibiotics - see your doctor for advice
• Imodium or similar gut-immobilizer
• At least a dozen sachets of re-hydration mixture
Personal Camping Equipment
Foam mats are provided, but if you would like to bring a lightweight inflatable mattress please do.
• Sleeping bag - 3 season (normally rated -5c)
• Sleeping bag liner
• Torch
• 1 large lockable duffle bag (90-100litre capacity max) to carry everything. This will be numbered and transported from campsite to campsite
Miscellaneous Necessities
• Solid bike lock or padlock and long security cable
• Mini-padlock for duffel bag
• Photocopies of important documents (passport, travel insurance, list of emergency contact numbers, visa, flight tickets)
Bike Set-up
A hard tail with front suspension or a short travel full suspension bike is ideal for this expedition, as there are long climbs, rough descents, single track and extended tarmac sections.
We recommend the following:
• 11-34t rear cassette with 22t inner chain ring gearing
• All rounds cross country tyres that are suited to unpaved tracks, some loose corners, and extended tarmac back roads
• Cycle computer to keep track of distance
There is no mechanical support so make sure your bike is in top condition before you come. We suggest you check the following thoroughly:
• Suspension fork
• Hubs
• Bottom bracket – ensure it’s well greased
• Headset
• Brakes – descents are up to 40km long
• Chain
• Chain rings – pay particular attention to the small and middle chain rings…you’ll be using them a lot!
• Cassette
• Cables
• Rims – don’t forget to check the rim tape
• Fitting a new chain and cassette is also advised.
Spares and Tools
You should assume no spare parts are available for the whole event. The following are recommended:
• Please bring anything that you regularly break!
• Spare tyre
• Spare brake pads
• Full set of brake and gear cables, spare cable housing
• Seat post bolt (that clamps the seat post into the frame)
• Saddle bolt (that clamps the saddle onto the seat post)
• A few spokes that are the right length for your wheels (front and rear)
• Spare chain links
• Extra set of cleats if applicable
• Brake fluid/bleed kit - if you’re running hydraulic discs
• Shock pump – if you have air suspension
• Any specialized tool specific to your bike
• A length of Duck/electrical tape for budge repairs
• A few zip ties
Trail Conditions
Trail conditions include forest double-track, unpaved switchbacks with steep drops on the side, stream crossings, extended sections of smooth and broken tarmac, single track, and a few technical rocky runs with drop-offs. Please always ride within your ability and walk anything you’re not fully confident in riding. On the whole, the trails should be dry. Expect climbs of up to 1500m in elevation, long and fast descents, village back roads with zealous kids and some short sections on main roads with chaotic, frenetic Indian traffic! There’s a river crossing in a basket pulley and two bike-and-hike sections: a 2km set of steps and a broken link between stretches of jeep track.
This is India, so always be on the lookout for apple trucks, fast jeeps, unexpected ruts/drainpipes, cows! |
