[nomad30]

Hi, I am planning a solo trip from Leh to Srinagar starting early September to October. My first concern is safety and lodging overnight within 20 mile distances and then any advice on the model of bicycle, where I could buy one in India would be most helpful.

If you or anyone you know has done this trip on a bicycle I would greatly appreciate any information you might have. Thank you.

[hitanshu]

http://iikinindia.blogspot.com/
http://www.bikenomads.com/wiki/index.php/Leh for lotsa stay info. Check Ladakh destintion guide too.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Welcome to BCMTouring Nomad. As far as accommodation goes, it shouldn’t be tough on the Srinagar – Leh route, though I would recommend that you carry a tent and sleeping bag for backup.

Also you might want to consider taking a bus till Sonamarg or Zoji La pass and then biking from there to Leh. Since the route till Sonamarg isn’t that safe and is filled with senseless traffic. Once you cross Zoji La pass, things are much safer since the whole area is under Army control and there is almost no terrorism there.

As for bike and gear, my recommendation would be to bring in things that you are used to. Since India doesn’t really have that good homegrown adventure biking gear or bikes, so most of the quality stuff here is imported and costly. Check out Firefox’s site, it should give you an idea of things available in India.

Do let us know if you need more info...

[nomad30]

Thank you for the great advice. Could I request some more? do you know any one who has done this srinagar to leh trip on bicycle? alone?
if so, i would love their opinion as i am a female and traveling alone and could use all the advice in the world. i am also traveling with much film gear so wondering what would be the most advisable manner to take this trip.

How much distance can a bicyclist expect to cover each day( i am a general bicycle enthusiast not a professional) from srinagar to leh..

thank you. i could also call and speak on the phone with someone who has this knowledge.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

In that case my advice would be to go for an organized bike tour, that way you can forget about the hassles of carrying luggage and finding accommodation and concentrate on the riding part. Also you can get a basic itinerary from the bike tour organizers, which should come in handy if you plan to do this route all by yourself.

[anupmathur]

I am confused. Is the trip from Leh to Srinagar or from Srinagar to Leh?
Either way my opinion is that it is best not done alone by a female. I am not gender biased. It's the ground realities that exist in India. And carrying a tent is out of the question as it would be a bit much with all the film gear. No way any lady should be sleeping alone in a tent on that route!

[nomad30]

It's srinagar to leh, so i can get used to the altitude by the time i get to leh. I should probably hire another vehicle to follow me for all my film gear but that does seem like a shame. I wasn't planning on sleeping in tents, but looking for accomodations in local monasteries/ villages etc. The big concern is whether I can make it from an inhabited place to another one every day covering a distance of 40 km or so per day...

[Yogesh Sarkar]

You can make it from one inhabited place to another in day’s time on the Srinagar – Leh highway; however it still would be best to carry a tent or travel with other bikers. Because once you’re on the road a lot of things can go wrong. You can have a puncture, your cycle's chain might breakdown etc., these are the things which can take away your precious travel time and force you to spend a night in the middle of nowhere. You can of course hitch a ride from numerous trucks that travel on this route in case these things happen, but even then it would be best that you have some one for company. After all for most of the route the mobile phones won’t work and majority of the people you will come across won’t know English.

[hitanshu]

If you can manage a BSNL postpaid, your phone should work all through THIS route (not Manali Leh). You get BSNL coverage in Sonamarg, Kargil, Drass, Mulbekh, Bodhkharbu, Khalatse, and then onwards its almost continuously available till leh.

And no, this route is cool enough should you be willing to stay with villagers.