Lhasa Kathmandu Mountain Biking Tour:

Tashi Delek & Namaste to All,One of the most strenuous bike trips in the world with six 5000meter plus passes.Spectacular scenery, challenging riding and encounters with one of the world’s most fascinating cultures make this a truly incredible experience.

Discover the serene beauty of Tibet, known as \"the roof of the world\". From narrow alleyways and buzzing bazaars to spectacular views of the world\'s highest mountain range, this adventure follows the classic overland route between Lhasa and Kathmandu. Tibet\'s majestic scenery, mysterious and exotic religious culture and wonderful people will reward you with an indelible life long memory!

Travelling in Tibet is one of the most sought out travel destination of the world. Either for pilgrimage, spiritual or for the sake of great scenery, Tibet has always allured many tourists from the globe. A country as an irresistible magnet for Westerners, tucked behind the mighty Himalayas, at an average of about 4500 meter above sea level.

Tibet Autonomous Region lies in the southwest of China and in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is bounded to the north by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province, to the east by Sichuan Province, to the southeast by Yunnan Province, to the south and west by these countries: Burma, India, Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal. The region covers an area of around 1.22 million km 2, which accounts for 12.8% of the total of China.

In the summer of 2009, a group of Dutch Hand bikers en Trikers, accompanied by a support team, travelled by bike from Lhasa to Kathmandu. This meant that for the very first time in history of travelling in Tibet, a group of disabled people cycled a total distance of 950 kilometers including 5 passes above 5000 meters.

The event captured the interest of many people all over the world. A lot of travellers, who witnessed the group of cyclists in Tibet and Nepal, reported to families and friends about what they had seen. It felt like a chain of reactions had started. By the time the group arrived in Kathmandu, they were almost VIPs. This feeling was confirmed by the amount of photographers and reporters present at the press conference.

The main goal of the Dutch expedition was to show the world and the participants what can be possible despite their physically disability. To set an example to other people of similar condition, to families and friends and to everybody who stigmatizes people with a handicap.

In 2011, a new expedition will be organized. This time with a view to include people from all over the world. Not only the route will differ from the Dutch expedition, it is going to be for a Special International Handbike Tour 2011 on the Tibetan plateau – a fascinating country. The aim is to spread the message across the world: being disabled doesn’t have to be disabling. The itinerary is designed in a quiet pace, with enough free time visiting the major cultural centers in Central – Southern Tibet. Mountain bike rides takes sharp implement through the Kamba – La (4900m), the Kora – La (5100m), Lhakpa – La (5300m) and the Lalung & Tong La (5300m). These passes are a significant climb in between the highway of which most of the road is now paved.

So, join in and become a part of this unique event. Join the world’s first international Handbike group on its expedition from Lhasa to Kathmandu and be part of the first Handbike group that will cycle up to Mount Everest Base Camp (Tibetan Side).

The Expedition:

To enable all expedition members to acclimatize well and to maximize the chance of success, the journey starts with a period for acclimatization in Lhasa. There will be few short trips to test the mountain bikes and to adapt to the oxygen level in the thin atmospheric pressure. As already mentioned, during the expedition, there will be crossing of several passes above 5000m + passes, always followed by slight descent, a well prepared meal and a good night rest in our own camp.

Route:

This expedition will take us from Lhasa all the way to Kathmandu. Unique in this expedition is the fact that we will not only travel all the way to Kathmandu by bike (The Dutch expedition ended at the Nepalese Border and continued just outside Kathmandu which meant that a part of the route the group had to travel by bus). We will also take a slight detour and will be the world’s first group that will take the track to Mount Everest Base Camp.

This International expedition will not only be longer than the Dutch expedition, it will also be more intense and will be a true challenge.

Be a part of the Team

All participants are asked to bear in mind that despite off their own personal challenge (supported by their personal buddy); they are a part of the team. As such, individuals are encouraged to observe the customary of team work and mutual support.

Our own support team (consisting of Nepalese and Tibetan guides) will stock camps, cook meals and support our group in every way they can.

This expedition is likely to be the biggest adventure and perhaps most serious undertaking of your life. Tibet, renowned as ‘Roof of the World’ will reward you with an indelible life long memory.

How do I participate?

If this unique expedition triggers you and you want to participate, first of all you need to get someone willing to act as your own personal buddy. Someone upon whom you can depend during the whole expedition. Your buddy will be cycling next to you every kilometer of the expedition, is able to coach you when coaching is needed and support you on the camping site.

Physical Requirement:

Cycling on high altitude is a different kind of ball game and requires physical fitness and excellent health. This means you and your buddy have to be physically fit. You need to send the results of a full medical checkup (including ECG and VO2 – tolerance test) from both of you and your buddy to the accompanying physician. If you use specific medication it is important to check the effects of this medication in combination with medications used to treat symptoms of high altitude sickness. Consult your own physician and let him or her sent a report to the accompanying physician when there are specific health issues that may need some attention.

How do I prepare?

In order to prepare yourself to the physical demands of the expedition, you need to follow an exercise schedule that will gradually take you to the point that you are cycling around 200 kms per week during the last month before departure. Depending on your present level of fitness, you will start serious training six months in advance. The distances you cycle per day may differ from 30 kms uphill to 100 kms flat. This means that depending on your speed, you will be cycling the whole day (including several stops for drinking and eating). It is important that your bike offers you sufficient support and comfort, prevent excessive pressure during the day and is in perfect shape. Bike parts that are fragile, easily breakable parts or needs to be replaced when affected by water, sand and dust will be part of your basic equipment. A technician will be travelling with us to fix your bike when needed.