The first day finds us pedaling 90 kms through the heart of the valley passing ancient villages (Andretta, Paragpur) and the Masroor Rock temples to reach the banks of the Maharana Pratap Saagar (a.k.a Pong dam reservoir) where we set up our camp for the night. It’s an easy day almost flat out with most of the riding on paved roads and some single track through rice and paddy fields. The second day of the ride is an amazing ride, where we ride some distance alongside the railway tracks to catch up with the paved road again and then riding the last 16 kms through a single track through rolling- meadows to reach our destination at Bir, also famous as being the best site for paragliding in the world. The second night finds us staying in Hotels. The third day ride is a thrilling ride through the tea gardens of Palampur and village roads. A little detour is visiting the Wildlife park at Gopalpur sampling the Himalayan flora and fauna and then again continuing the ride towards Dharamshala. An early arrival in Dharamshala finds us bidding farewell as we raise toasts yet again for the wonderful three days of riding fun, fitness and freedom in the Kangra valley. 

THE ROUTE

We board the race bus on the evening of the 25th January from Himachal Bhavan (Near Mandi House), Safdar hashmi marg, New Delhi at 2030hrs (8:30PM)

The 26th of January (republic day) is reserved for orientation and local fanfare at Mc Leodganj.

Day One 27th January, 2011

Dharamshala – Shahpur – Lunj – Masroor Rock Temples – Nagrota suriyan (Distance 85 kms)

Day Two 28th January, 2011

Nagrota suriyan – Ranital – Baroh – Nangni – Jaisinghpur – Andretta – Baijnath – Bir (103 kms)

Day Three 29th January, 2011

Bir – Baijnath – Palampur – Dharamshala (73 kms) Farewell party and departure thereafter at 2030 hrs (8:30 pm)