There are some fine India biking vacations to try and do, and a couple itineraries that especially feature prominently as to where to go in India are Rajasthan bike trips and Ladakh bike trips.
Before you set out on your bike adventure in both Rajasthan or Ladakh, you should know what to expect. The key concerns are distances between towns and villages and to it related problem as to a place to stay. Second concern is availability of food especially of water. Last, giving a thought to what you will do should you encounter an emergency of some type.
Suffice to say that you have to be prepared to cycle an average of some 80 to 100 km per day, and even then you will not often find a reasonable place to stay. In case you have ever bicycled in Europe you know that finding lodging is definitely not a dilemma almost anywhere you will cycle. Along the said itineraries in Rajasthan and Ladakh it’s a not the same case.
Take into account that on organized tours operators provide vehicle support and the cyclist can dismount any time and ride in a car. Otherwise routinely the operators usually get you to a beginning point of a daily cycling leg, and then collect you at some point later to take you to a proper hotel for overnight.
On a self-supported excursion this is just not the case and you best bring along a tent for the situations when you shall less likely find any lodging as there undoubtedly are none practically in most small villages, even smaller towns in either Rajasthan or Ladakh, not unless you will be bicycle in the tourist areas.
In Rajasthan in a number remote locations there could be rooms obtainable only in a local overhauled Rajput castle or a palace which is tailored to cater namely to the well-to-do tourists on pre-arranged tours. Excluding it there will be typically nowhere else to stay, hence your only other choice could be to camp out in your own tent.
Deficiency of accommodations is also going to mean you might have also practically no opportunity for obtaining food. There will be none if any restaurants, at best perhaps a simple shop where you may buy some rice and vegetables, thus coming on a self-supported trip preferably contemplate bringing a cooking stove. Nothing wrong with that option except it means needing to bring also cookware which inturn starts adding bulk and weight to your gear.
Suppose you can find a meal at the beginning and at the end of each day, but water you will need throughout as you cycle in an effort to stay adequately hydrated. While there is bottled water available nowadays almost anyplace in India, it is not a norm in every remote village where every day life is focused on a village well or a body of water nearby. To be ready for the worst, give some thought to carrying water filtration system or at least some iodine tablets so you remain self-reliant.
India is a country where bicycles are a standard means of transportation for many and skilled and affordable bike repair is available just about anywhere. However, when considering the subject of dealing with your state-of-the-art derailers, disk brakes and similar, be prepared they will not be able to help you. Thus you will have to trust in your own bicycle repair ability. That signifies you best bring a decent tool kit.
In conclusion, imagine if you should fall ill, have an accident? Despite India being a poor country, it does have a well developed internet and mobile phone network. Bring your cell phone and purchase a local SIM card, it may prove useful in desperate situations! In general don’t worry, biking Rajasthan or Ladakh is going to be the most exceptional adventure you have ever had!