LIST OF ESSENTIALS

    Your Bike – an entry level Mountain bike is ideal
    Helmets
    Knee Guards
    Elbow guards
    Personal Medicine kit
    Cycling shorts
    Cycling Jersey
    Extra pair of T shirts
    Basic cycling toolkit and spares. A L key should see you through.
    Gloves
    Please ensure that your luggage is not huge. Suitcases are a strict no. A 70ltr bag should see you through
    A bike box is necessary to pack your bike, for transportation.
    LOADS OF ENTHUSIASM!! AND A PLEDGE TO LEAVE NO TRACE.

For Departure Dates just call 7350530009 / 7350540009 / 7350550009

WEATHER

Temperatures and climate vary according to the altitude. Chandigarh being in the plains but in close proximity of the hills enjoys great weather in October. The night and day time temperatures vary between 13 °C to 36 °C. As you ride up towards Kasauli the temperatures go down to 9 °C to 19 °C. Temperatures in Shimla will be be similar to that of Kasauli – so expect the ride from Kasauli to Shimla to have

Duration: 2 Days

Season: Jan-Jun, Sep-Dec

Grade: Easy

Region: Himachal Pradesh

This Season, in the golden glow of the Himalayan autumn, we invite mountain bikers from across the country, to gear up and pedal this historic route. The idea is to enjoy the outdoors as we ride through forest trails on the vestiges of the Kalka Shimla highway and soak in the beauty of the Shivalik Hills. An outdoor trip is never complete without staring at the stars and wide open skies. We are keeping the route a little secret, a surprise for you to come and explore.

Day two of our riding we have reached the lower foothills of shivaliks, almost the great Indian plains. Come to enjoy the cool breeze and ride a trail that is seeped in history, nature and camaraderie.

History of Shimla goes back to the period of Anglo-Gurkha war in the beginning of 19th century. In 1804 the Gurkhas , who had suffered a severe defeat at the hands of the Sikhs at the battle of Kangra, a hill fortress about sixty miles from Shimla, where according to some accounts they lost thousand of men in the fight and many others from disease, commenced to ravage the states and hills surrounding Shimla. Gurkhas built many forts around Shimla. One of these strongholds, the Jagatgarh fortress, was the origin of the modern Jutogh, the well known military cantonment adjoining Shimla. By 1808 the invaders had conquered all the fortified posts between the Jamuna and Satluj, and from their capital Arki began their ruthless rule over the neighbouring hill states, untill at length the people in their wretchedness appealed to the British for help. A small British force under Major General 'Sir David Ochterlony' was despatched to liberate the hill men from Gurkhas. Majority of hill chiefs responded to the call and joined the British forces.

The rivals were engaged in the toughest battle at 3750 ft high Ramgarh fort at Nalagarh. A decisive battle took place near the fort at Malaon in which superior guns of the British overpowered the enemy. The battle of Malaon on 15th May 1815 ended the dream of the Gurkhas, to rule over this part of the land for any longer. After few days, an official declaration was made according to which all Chieftains who had joined British in expelling the Gurkhas were restored with their land under the British protection. The maharaja of Patiala who has also rendered invaluable services to the British was rewarded with land in the neighbourhood of the area now comprising Shimla. After the defeat of Gurkhas they were forced to sign the 'Treaty of Sanjauli' .

The company retained the strategic forts of Sabathu, Kotgarh, Ramgarh and Sandoch. Shimla is the Capital Town of Himachal Pradesh. It was formerly the summer capital during the British Rule. The town of Shimla is built over several hills and connecting ridges. The important hills are Jakhu(8050 ft), Prospect Hill (7140 ft), Observatory Hill ( 7050 ft), Elysium Hill (7400 ft), and Summer Hill (6900 ft).

There is a great controversy over the origin of the name Shimla. The name Shimla was derived from 'Shyamalaya' meaning blue house said to be the name of house built of blue slate by a faqir on Jakhu. According to one version Shimla takes it name from 'Shamla' meaning a blue female another name for Goddess Kali. The place was on the Jakhu Hillside, there was a temple of Goddess Kali. During the British period the image of the Goddess was shifted to a new place ,now famous Kali Bari Temple.

Shimla remained unnoticed during the Gurkha War. It was only in 1819 A.D. that the then Assistant Political Agent of hill states Lt. Ross set up first British residence, a mere wood cottage. His successor Lt. Charles Patt Kennedy' errected the first pucca house in 1822 named after Lt. Kennedy as 'Kennedy House'.

The construction of Hindustan Tibet road was started in 1850-51 commencing from Kalka and first lap was upto Shimla. The Road upto Shimla came to be used for wheeled traffic by 1860. A 560 feet long tunnel was constructed beyond Sanjauli.

The idea is to enjoy the outdoors as we ride through forest trails on the vestiges of the Kalka Shimla highway and soak in the beauty of the Shivalik Hills. An outdoor trip is never complete without staring at the stars and wide open skies. After a day of riding on October 5th we reach Gamberpul, one of the earliest bridges built by the british. After a quick after ride snack we are transported to Kasauli to the comfort of our rooms.

The riding is about 70 kms on this day. We are keeping the route a little secret, a surprise for you to come and explore. Day two of our riding we have reached the lower foothills of shivaliks, almost the great Indian plains, however just before we disembark to Chandigarh, a nice backcountry road will take us to the base of Morni hills from where we descend to Chandigarh.