A trip of lifetime, literally

As summer draws near, the call of the open spaces beckons you to seek new adventures. Three Nepali youth icons -- Nima Rumba, Dipak Bista and Suraj Singh Thakuri -- are going to conquer the Himalayas in the campaign 'Road Trip to Everest'. This is the first ever adventure planned in Nepali biking history.
Sacred Summits Pvt Ltd that has been organising motorcycle tours across Nepal and to Tibet, India and Bhutan for more than half a decade has taken the responsibility to take them to Tibet -- always a dream for most motorcycle ethusiasts around the globe -- in association with Yamaha. The Yahama FZ team will be the first ever Nepali team to go to Everest Base Camp (North) in Tibet on motorcycles. This is the first time in the history of Nepal that a bike of 150cc category will be ridden to such high altitudes and on a route which is used for only a limited period in a year. Only heavy bikes and strong riders are advised to travel on such a road where oxygen level falls lower as altitude increases. Till date only 4x4 wheel drive SUV's have traversed that road.
"Tibet is the Roof of the World. Only a priveleged few have had the opportunity of riding motorcycles on the Tibetan plateau," said Rabi Thapa, CEO of the Sacred Summits (Pvt) Ltd.
This touring adventure to Tibet involves riding for long hours on one of the most challenging terrains in the world. "The remoteness, the desert-like landscape and high passes like Thong La Pass at 5050 metres as well as Lalung La Pass and Gyawla Pass at 5200 metres is a journey not definitely for the faint-hearted," he said adding that it is a 'once-in-a-lifetime-adventure'The chance to visit one of the most famous places on earth, Everest Base Camp (the North side or popularly known as the Chinese side) is definitely an opportunity of a lifetime.
Nepal has lots of places that are more adventure-laden but why Everest Base Camp? "The answer is simple," said Thapa, "The mother of all mountains is Mt Everest and for climbers, this is the pinnacle. So it is, for motorcycle riders too. The name of Everest draws people like a magnet and no matter where you ride there is always a pride and sense of achievement at having reached Everest Base Camp.
Nepali music heartthrob Nima Rumba said that he has not been to Everest Base Camp. "I took is as a challenge," he said adding that its a way of testing ownself one's limit. He is convinced that he will prove his mettle.
Morang Auto Works (MAW), the sole authorised dealer of YAMAHA motorcycles for Nepal, is providing an opportunity for enthusiasts of FZ16 to be a part of the 'Road Trip to Everest' -- a tour programme planned by MAW. The three customers of FZ 16 chosen via lucky draw will get a chance to be part of this tour along with the three celebrities.
However, the riders must note that traffic in Tibetan Autonomous Region of China is on the right side of the road. It takes a while getting used to it and of course, China follows Beijing time and so, as soon as riders cross the border they needs to be aware of high altitude, local customsand traditions. Besides, some knowledge of the history of the country does add more charm and feel to the ride.
Riders need to prepare a lot; not only mentally. Apart from that clothing is yet another important factor. "Tibet can be cold, dusty and harsh at times and sometimes it is all sun and fun," added the master rider, who has accompanied lots of teams on the Tibet tour. "We always tell our riders it's always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared when riding in the Himalayas," he said. Before the ride, Thapa and his team brief the riders and team members about the trip and what they should expect ahead. "But it always surprises them with its appealing charm."
"It will of full of surprises," accepts Rumba. "There will be difficulties -- like climate, physical and mental -- that's why its challenging," he said adding that one should be physically and mentally both prepared to face the challenges on such long and exciting tour. And why not he has friends like sportsman Bista and Thakuri, who are willing to take challenges.
Everyone should have good riding gear as well as protection from the wind. A good helmet with visor, wind/waterproof jackets, gloves, riding boots and good sun glasses are essentials. Another important thing to remember is that this trip is not a race and so the riders need to ride in a group as well as enjoy the fabulous scenery along the way.
The camarederia between sportsman Dipak Bista, singer Nima Rumba and VJ and presenter Suraj Singh Thakuri will definitely be stronger after the long and challenging trip.
"Riders should stop to take photographs, drink water to hydrate -- because the altitude dehydrates the body -- relax and enjoy the adventure," suggested Thapa, who is taking the first Nepali team on the Tibet tour.
While travelling over 3000 metres, there is always the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). However, the trip leader will be well-versed in first aid and thorough knowledge of AMS and will be carrying a comprehensive first aid kit. To battle AMS, there will be bottled oxygen, Body PAC (an altitude portable chamber) as well as Diamox (acetozolamide), a medication that seems to assist in acclimatization.
Since this is an adventure and the journey is being undertaken in the middle of the monsoon, there are chances of landslides, bad road conditions and maybe even having to ride in the night due to traffic diversions.
Anything and everything is possible but it is guaranteed that it will be the trip of a lifetime or as the Sacred Summits Riders' slogan says, "Life is an Adventure…. Ride it!"

On wheels: Tibet and Everest Base Camp

Nepal has become an attraction for guided bike tours that have earned a reputation for exciting, off-the-beaten track itineraries and adventures lately. In the last couple of years, number of group biking adventurers has increased as one of the major vacation choices for the seasoned travellers.
Last month, a group of six motorcyclists — including a lady rider from Australia with a Nepali Road captain — completed a road trip of over 2000-km from Kathmandu to Lhasa and returned via Everest Base-camp in 16 days.
From dirt to high altitudes, rough roads and to newly black topped road from Gyantse via Gandrock, on new Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc motorcycles, the bikers led by Stewie McLean — who has been organising such adventure riding trip since 2004 — experienced an euphoria that cannot be described in words.
Though McLean has been bringing adventure groups to Nepal every April and taking them on a ride on rough mountainous roads in Nepal from Kathmandu to Pokhara to Chitwan, and back to Kathmandu, its the first time he attempted a ride to Lhasa with his groups of motorcyclists including Chris Abbot (a businessman), Wayne Skues (a farmer), Helen Travers, Stephen Brand (a doctor) and Binod Chettri a road captain.
Himalayan Riders — the local co-ordinator of the trip — has been organising such bike trips to different places in Nepal to make holidays of the tourists most memorable ever. It is organising such bike trips to Ladakh and Bhutan and planning to start a trip to Mangolia soon.
"Its more free to travel on bike," McLean, said, adding that the trend is picking up as the number of bikers is increasing every year. However, its very interesting to know that all these motorcyclists are 40-plus people. "Older folks like such trips," he added. According to him the younger people don't have enough money for such trips.In a long bike tour, the riders develop a certain comaraderi among themselves. "The group must be clear when to stop and how to communicate essentials like 'stop', 'slow down', or 'I have a problem'," he said, adding that one should make sure to have protective gear and use it properly."
Riding in a group requires a bit more skill than riding solo. A new rider may not have experience and the group will have to face the problem together," he added. Apart from that its challenging not only because of rough roads but also due to unwanted stray animals on the road," McLean said. "Its difficult to keep the speed and the riders have to blow horn all the time.
"But how did it all start? "When I invited my friends to Nepal for trekking, some of them didn't like to walk," he said, adding that then an idea occured. "Can I arrange a riding trip, I asked them and they immediately said 'ye'.
"Unlike most of the Nepalis, for whom bikes are means of transportation, McLane and his rider friends take it as sport. "Its a group sport," McLane added.