Pokhara to Kathmandu - Nepal Mountain Bike
PKMB - Pokhara to Kathmandu
The following is a basic checklist to help you with your packing. We recommend using the layering principle of clothing for predominantly warm days conditions and cooler evenings. Good quality padded cycling shorts are essential.
Your bike MUST be at least a mid level Mountain Bike such as a Specialized Rockhopper or Trek 6500. Front suspension is essential. It is vital that your bike is THOROUGHLY SERVICED and in perfect working condition before the trip.
PERSONAL CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
Feet
Stiff-soled cycling shoes or SPD’s
Torso
Base-layer - short sleeve cycling top (x 2)
Mid-layer- long sleeved cycling top (x 2)
Outer layer - lightweight waterproof jacket
Fleece jacket or jumper
Hands
Regular biking gloves
Daypack and contents
A cycling daypack (e.g. Camelbak) of at least 15 litres total carrying capacity is recommended
Water bladder - min. 2 litres water capacity
Lightweight waterproof top
Multi-tool
Puncture repair kit
Inner tube
Pump
Camera
Sun cream (inc. total bloc for lips/nose)
Small roll of gaffer tape
Fleece Jacket or Jumper
Lightweight loose trousers to wear over shorts for modesty
Basic First Aid Kit. Including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).
Legs
Padded cycling shorts (x 2)
Cycling tights or tracksters
Head
Eyewear - Biking glasses
Cycling helmet – mandatory
Trek Bag Contents
Travel and après biking clothes (inc. some warmer clothes for evenings)
Training/Leisure shoes for après biking
Wash bag, towel, toiletries, including anti-bacterial handwash
Warm hat
Insect repellant (75 – 100% DEET)
Small padlock (to lock trek bag)
4 Season Sleeping Bag *
Thermarest/Camping Mattress *
Headtorch/Headlamp
Swimwear
Equipment hire
Items marked * can be rented through KE Adventure Travel
PERSONAL TOOLS AND SPARES
You should bring the following with you as a minimum. Whilst not essential, it is a good idea that you familiarise yourself with how to carry out at least some basic repairs e.g. fixing a puncture, changing an inner tube. Naturally the bike guide will always be happy to assist with any repairs, but due to the often remote nature of our trips, being able to carry out a simple repair can save time and inconvenience waiting for assistance.
Tyres
You will need 1.9 to 2.1 inch cross-country tyres suitable for mostly dry conditions.
Pump
Plastic tyre levers
Small tube of grease
1 rear brake cable
1 rear gear cable
Spare set of brake blocks / disc pads (front and rear)
2 spare spokes for front and rear wheels
Spoke key
4 x inner tubes Spare chain links
Liquid chain lube (bottle not aerosol)
Multi-tool with Allen keys
Chain link extractor (if not on multi-tool)
2x puncture repair kits
A rag and brush for cleaning bike and drive train.
Spares specific to your bike **
KE tools and spares
On all of our trips we carry a toolkit and a basic range of spares for emergencies. As bikes become increasingly part specific it is impossible to carry a comprehensive range of spares compatible with all makes and models of bike. ** Please ensure you bring any bike-specific spares which might be needed - such as disc brake bleed kits (and appropriate fluid), shock pumps etc).
BIKE HIRE
It is possible to hire bikes for this trip. Suitable bikes available are: Trek 4900 and Cube CMPT Acid, each of which has 100mm suspension forks, Shimano component, a triple chainset and hydraulic disc brakes. The cost of hire for the 11-day period of the holiday is US$260. When you request bike hire, KE will ensure that a suitably sized bike is available for collection and you will collect and pay for the bike directly on arrival in Kathmandu. Please note that your contract for bike hire is directly with the hire company in Kathmandu and not with KE. Please inform us in advance if you wish to hire a bike for this trip and let us know your frame size. If you are hiring a bike we recommend that you bring your own saddle and pedals, as well as your helmet.
Please do not hesitate to call us for further advice about what to bring or any other aspect of this trip. We are more than happy to offer you the benefit of our experience. Further helpful information can also be found in the Your Bike, Baggage Allowances, Climate and Travelling with Your Bike sections of the detailed trip dossier.
