Riding your bike as a kid is a joyride to your childhood but ‘Biking’ came to me around the end of 2011. I would go anywhere and everywhere in my bike and it didn’t matter whether I was alone or with my friends or even strangers I’d meet on the trails, I enjoyed the freedom of riding and the air that brushed against my skin felt like a wave of emotions as if calling out to me. Filled with open-minded people where we’d meet new people becoming friends with their friends and the friends’ friends is the biking community in a nutshell!
I made my big break of mountain biking in the bigger trails because of a ‘3-year’ late reply to a text I had sent to my friend around the end of 2012. (Even a pigeon would’ve delivered the message back and forth in the ancient times by then)
Me (2012)- “Hey, how are you?”
My Friend N (2015)- “I’m okay”
"3 YEARS!! Seriously 3 Years Nitesh!"
Fast forward to the year 2015.Despite this hilarious situation let me introduce Nitesh, one of my closest friend with whom I had gone to a couple of rides with before he hibernated for 3 years and popped out of his hiding to reply ‘I’m okay’. Apparently he had been thinking of getting himself a bike so we made plans to meet and get him his ride. By now I had been biking in the small trails for around 8 months and I had a couple places in mind next. Nitesh decided he wanted to join me and off we went- Chisa Pani (2 days 1 nights), Helambu (5 days 4 nights), Shivapuri, Kakani Hills, here and there everywhere to name a few. We met a bunch of other riders on every trail through whom we’d meet their friends of friends like a circle of life.
"As much as we were hyped to bike Chisapani, the sun was bright so Nitesh and I took a break and our big friend we met wanted a nap on the lap. Who’s a good boy?"
Nitesh disappeared again-this time for 2 weeks but this time he texted me first. He wanted to introduce me to his friend who was also a mountain bike enthusiast and a free soul. We were to meet at the new guy’s place and another new guy was waiting for us along with the new guy. (That’s a lot of ‘new guys’ for you to read so let me make it easier- New guy = Nitesh’s friend = Freddie & New guy = Freddie’s friend = Kabir). Yet again through Nitesh we were introduced to another guy (he doesn’t appear much later) and somehow we had formed a biking community amongst ourselves. We were 4 riders who looked alike with crusty beards, sweat stained clothes, tanned skin and our dirt infused bikes- we were ‘Beards and Bicycles’. From then on Beards and Bicycles decided to go on a ride and another ride and another ride; we were absolute bikeholics hahaha!
"Me, Rahul and Nitesh on the outskirts of the city, it’s a clear day, its empty and the best part is you meet bikers from all around. Cheers to biking and friendship!"
Good times! Though we’re busy with our life schedules and other stuff now, it’s a good memory to reminiscence to laugh over how enthusiastic and crazy we were.
It was at October when we finally made a plan to go big by riding to the Annapurna Circuit, as it was the best season to go there. And just when I thought I’d had my fair share of new guys, Nitesh suggested another new guy who wanted to join us in this trip- his name is Sarthak. I agreed to it as ‘the more the merrier’ especially to bike up to Annapurna! So we were me, Nitesh, Freddie, Kabir and Sarthak and this was Sarthak’s first ever bike ride to any trail which had me a bit worried. We set the date for the 17th but ended up hitting the road on the 24th.
"What’s an extreme sport you ask? Well it happens to be Nitesh and I crossing the fierce river in our Helambu Trip during the Monsoon season. Watch out for the slippery rocks!"
Before we left, we wanted to get tips and help from the pros who had been there and when we met them my packing received perfect points. Eventually we hopped on the bus to officially start our journey. Now I cannot tolerate 4 wheelers despite being a wild one with my bikes- buses and cars feel enclosed and suffocating. I like the freedom of feeling the air, I’d rather walk than on the bus but I had no choice. The bizzare part was that I had to get along with 3 complete new strangers who kept talking to the bus driver in his cabin while I was napping the entire time.
It was October 24, 2016 on Monday; we finally left to Besisahar, which was the starting point to for Annapurna Circuit at 760m. Back then I had no idea about the routes but Nitesh had trekked to Annapurna Circuit before so we relied on him and the map for information. I had my thermals and jacket on but I could still feel the cold seep in. We reached Besisahar, Lamjung at 4pm and crashed at a random hotel for the day. I was chubby back then but in good shape due to my endurance level. Nitesh was a smoker so I doubted in his stamina and endurance whereas Kabir and Freddie were so far so good. Since I met Sarthak for the first time I was clueless about whether he would be able to do it. That night we hung around the town and had simple noodles and eggs for dinner before hitting the bed.
"The picture looks old but Kabir and I were travelling in search of new trails on the back of the truck as a tripper. Look at our muddy bikes."
Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word!
