Could be fun, its a great experience riding out there.
Anyone considering it should also add in some aclimatisation time, it dosen't say but its probably at some killer altitude.
I'd say at least a week before hand would be needed or your not going to enjoy it.

I have just returned fro an Exodus mountain biking trip to Tibet, the altitude made it quite a challenge but the amazing scenery made it worthwhile. The Indian one sounds good, what time of year will it be and where exactly?

The web sites working now
from it.
The first event of its kind in India, MTB Himachal is a mountain cycling adventure and an endurance race. Starting from Shimla, on the 6th of October, 2005, a maximum of 100 amateur and pro riders are estimated to grind their way back and forth over the beautiful Himalayan backcountry while bouncing, grunting and pedaling through over 600 kilometers of wilderness trails, all part of the 2005 MTB HIMACHAL. It will be a test of physical endurance and mental determination for mountain cycling enthusiasts from India and abroad. The event ends at the venue of the celebrations of the famous Kullu Dushehra, on 13th October, 2005 at Kullu.

Actually, altitudes are reasonable - hovering about the 1500-2000m mark, so acclimatisation isn't really an issue.

It is a bloody challenging ride though - in a, er, satisfying way of course... Gorgeous lush green hillsides, villages overun with over zeolous kids, some wonderfully quiet and rarely used backroads, superb tracks that wrap around the mountainsides, temples that really are off the beaten path... Reckon on a good 1000m climbing a day, so a pinch of training could stand you in good stead...

As multi day events go, I reckon it will be a real experience - a pretty unique, homegrown enduro feel with plenty of locals riding and a rich cultural background. 100 US dollars covers pretty much everything - food, camping, transport links etc..., which is amazing value too.

Anyway, do get in touch (info@out-there-biking.com) if you want more info. I'm in and out of email touch for the next few weeks.

Go on, escape for a couple of weeks to India this October... Hope to see you there,

Cass

PS As well as a hardtail, a light full susser would do the job, but do make sure it's fully serviced and you have all the relevant spares stashed with you. Unless you like singlespeed - Indian single speed clunkers that is.

I fancy this one. Having done most of the others, I need to add this to my palmares. I don't have the time this year, but if it's on next year me and Jane are up for it.

should be running next year too, if they can get the numbers for this year - so tell your mates...

That's me btw in the picture riding through the stream crossing on the FSR enduro.
I was over (on tour) with Cass and Cara, and I can vouch that it will be a pretty groovy full-on experience!
I've just come back from 3 weeks in India. Can't remember ever cycling so hard and so long day-in-day-out. Every day was different, and we found the most awesome 'virgin' singletracks among the wilds of the Spiti valley.

For USD100 entry fee (thats £54 English money) it's a steal.

Unfortunately my 'international MTB pass' has expired for 2005 and my wife is not too keen on renewing it!! Otherwise I would be back biking in Himashal in a heartbeat!!

Gonna have to do something like this some day...

What kind of insurance would you need for this?
and how do the spares/food/liquids work... i gues you have to carry everything you need during the day (all the water aswell?) and then replenish you supplys at the next camp where all your stuff will have been transported?

you'd need to have any spares you might need, as there's nowhere local, not even to buy brake pads...

food and liquids no problemo, they'll be feeding stations. be a good idea to bring puritabs to tab water in streams etc... in case you're running low.

you'd need to carry standard trail tools, waterproofs, layers, suncream. a 15l pack should be ok.

good to have some personal snacks, but there should be a fair bit of stuff en route. biscuits in village shops and feeding stations with bananas and glucose drinks.

How does the pre-designated lunch area thing work? Does everyone stop for lunch, and the race restarts after pudding?

hm, not sure. only some of the stages are timed as far as I know, the rest are more 'just get round it' style stages. expect a fair it of dahl and rice though...

I'd assumed it was a race like the Transalps or Trans Rockies. So it may be just a touring type thing?

Anyone know how this race went? I was thinking of doing it next year. there doesn't seem to be anything on the website.