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Rammed full of in-depth information --Adventure Travel
Inspirational guide -- Cycle Magazine
Indispensable -- London Cyclist Magazine
Inspirational guide -- Cycle Magazine
Indispensable -- London Cyclist Magazine
Product Description
This is an inspirational and practical guide for the adventurous traveller who wants to take two wheels to the ultimate touring destination - the Himalaya. Cyclists and motorcyclists are just discovering the enormous potential of this mountainous region in Asia, from desert to snowline over tarmac or dirt-road, whether for a three-week holiday or a six month epic ride. Kilometre by kilometre guides detail the highest roads in the world, such as the Friendship Highway between Tibet and Nepal, Manali to Leh in India and the Karakoram Highway between Pakistan and China. Hand-drawn maps mark up fuel, food and water en route and city guides will find you a bed and bite to eat whether you're in Lhasa, Kathmandu, Srinagar or Kasghar. Author Laura Stone has spent three years researching the Himalaya on a bike; this new guide is guaranteed to illuminate, entertain and above all, inspire. Covers the mountainous regions of Pakistan, China, Tibet, India, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan Route options - levels of difficulty - road conditions - sample itineraries for 3 weeks / 6 weeks / 2 months / 3 months / 6 months Pre-trip planning - when to go - choice of bicycle / motorcycle - kit - clothing - maps - health and safety - visas - cultural information Route guides - practical information including mechanics and bike shops, how and where to buy or hire a bike in Asia Over 80 original GPS route maps and elevation profiles
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
HbB enabled a first timer like me (with no interest in domestic or European cycle touring) to try something I'd not think possible. I'd wanted to visit the Karakoram and Ladakh for years and the book offered an easy way of doing it, detailing the practicalities of riding across the motorable roads of High Asia: the why, how, where and when.
As we observed again and again, incredibly it was just about all researched by the indefatigable Laura who thinks nothing of scooting 600 metres up a side valley to check out a nice village after diligently recording details and impressions over hundreds of kilometres. Furthermore, unlike regular formulaic guidebooks, she's given the space to express herself with an enthusiastic and chatty style, fills out the route descriptions with interesting anecdotes and has a lyrical way of describing her surroundings.
The hotel and resto details have inevitably got dated in places; on both trips we carried a more recent, stripped-down LP or Rough Guide. But HbB fills out the crucial details for the places in between which don't change much and can be useful for other independent travellers, notably the Bulleteers who commonly visit Ladakh and HP (a subject which is outlined in an appendix).
If I have one reservation, it might be that she makes some long climbs sound a bit easy - in India I had to finish the very highest passes in a lorry, or we jeeped long rough sections to save time as it was late and snow was already falling. I also found some of the incremental distances on switchback stages (such as Tanglang La northside) seemed up to 20% short, possibly due to a memory-saving setting on the GPS tracklog odometre (a mistake I've made myself doing similar stuff). The Himank mileposts seemed pretty accurate. The maps are great but where present, would be even better if they fully depicted additional road details leading off the main route to both the suggested diversions mentioned in the text as well as unlogged but rideable excursions of which there seem to be plenty on the KKH and in Ladakh/Spiti. And although the gradient profiles are a vital feature in a cycling guide like this, it sure would be nice to have an impression of the surrounding relief featured on the maps too.
Marrying the idea of independent cycling touring with the world's highest roads may sound like nuts to all but a committed pedal-bashing hardcore who might scoff at a book like this. Me, I suggest that if you accept you can't ride every mile in the Himalaya due to intestinal dysfunction, lack of air or just plain laziness, lifts are always at hand so making the trip less daunting for recreational cyclists like me, while offering one of the most satisfying and inexpensive ways of exploring this amazing region at your own pace.
As we observed again and again, incredibly it was just about all researched by the indefatigable Laura who thinks nothing of scooting 600 metres up a side valley to check out a nice village after diligently recording details and impressions over hundreds of kilometres. Furthermore, unlike regular formulaic guidebooks, she's given the space to express herself with an enthusiastic and chatty style, fills out the route descriptions with interesting anecdotes and has a lyrical way of describing her surroundings.
The hotel and resto details have inevitably got dated in places; on both trips we carried a more recent, stripped-down LP or Rough Guide. But HbB fills out the crucial details for the places in between which don't change much and can be useful for other independent travellers, notably the Bulleteers who commonly visit Ladakh and HP (a subject which is outlined in an appendix).
If I have one reservation, it might be that she makes some long climbs sound a bit easy - in India I had to finish the very highest passes in a lorry, or we jeeped long rough sections to save time as it was late and snow was already falling. I also found some of the incremental distances on switchback stages (such as Tanglang La northside) seemed up to 20% short, possibly due to a memory-saving setting on the GPS tracklog odometre (a mistake I've made myself doing similar stuff). The Himank mileposts seemed pretty accurate. The maps are great but where present, would be even better if they fully depicted additional road details leading off the main route to both the suggested diversions mentioned in the text as well as unlogged but rideable excursions of which there seem to be plenty on the KKH and in Ladakh/Spiti. And although the gradient profiles are a vital feature in a cycling guide like this, it sure would be nice to have an impression of the surrounding relief featured on the maps too.
Marrying the idea of independent cycling touring with the world's highest roads may sound like nuts to all but a committed pedal-bashing hardcore who might scoff at a book like this. Me, I suggest that if you accept you can't ride every mile in the Himalaya due to intestinal dysfunction, lack of air or just plain laziness, lifts are always at hand so making the trip less daunting for recreational cyclists like me, while offering one of the most satisfying and inexpensive ways of exploring this amazing region at your own pace.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An excellent book which in conjunction with my experiences within the Himalayas provided the foundations for a successful trip. The maps are excellent and the tone of the writing accessible, unlike alot of the inaccurate and mildly patronising guides so prevalent in the travel section of book shops today. I am confident to rely on this guide for future trips
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a long overdue view of what I consider to be one of the most complete, refreshing and informative cycling guides written of its type.
Laura poured her heart and soul into this fascinating trip through various Himalayan regions and having cycled one small part with her I can sincerely vouch for her meticulous map making, research, detail and bravery. Not forgetting her extraordinary metronome like ability to cycle any long climb thrown at her in all sorts of weather and temperatures.
The accessible humour and cheer that accompany the writing style complete a book that can be read not only as the practical guide it was intended for cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness, but also for arm chair enthusiasts who would simply like to experience some of the journey and its magic.
If you are planning on an unsupported ride in any of the regions featured in this book, there is no alternative.
Laura poured her heart and soul into this fascinating trip through various Himalayan regions and having cycled one small part with her I can sincerely vouch for her meticulous map making, research, detail and bravery. Not forgetting her extraordinary metronome like ability to cycle any long climb thrown at her in all sorts of weather and temperatures.
The accessible humour and cheer that accompany the writing style complete a book that can be read not only as the practical guide it was intended for cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness, but also for arm chair enthusiasts who would simply like to experience some of the journey and its magic.
If you are planning on an unsupported ride in any of the regions featured in this book, there is no alternative.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Travel Guide!
This book rates amongst 'great adventures' of our time. Clearly Laura Stone has overlooked nothing in her quest for accuracy, fun and readability in compiling this guide and it is... Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2009 by Mr. John K. C. Maclean
An inspiration
A wonderfully inspiring read by a true trail blazer. Could give anyone the get up and go to get on their bike. Very detailed with beautiful maps.
Published on 25 Sep 2008 by J. M. Chatterton
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