Nothing compares to the joys of riding a bike and feeling the wind on your face! It’s exhilarating and liberating at the same time. The sport requires almost no expertise in terms of training and is possible with minimal equipment. Among the many great things about our country, the abundance of cycling routes available to the average rider definitely tops our list. Irrespective of which corner of this country you live in or the area you want to explore, there is something for ever rider – beginner, intermediate and professional! We’ve listed below a few routes to try out this summer.

  • East Coast Road – Chennai to Pondicherry
    Ride along canopied roads and the pristine beach to one side. Breath in the fresh air and let go of all your worries. The ride is relaxing and thrilling at the same time. All in all, the trip from Pondicherry to Chennai or vice versa takes 2 days. However, it’s possible to ride out from one of the cities and back within a day and still experience the serenity of the ECR.

  • Mangalore to Goa via NH 17
    Another route that takes you along the sea, with the Maravanthe Beach on one side and the Suparnika river on the other! Ride along NH 66 (used to be NH 17) with pristine waters to keep you company, with a relaxing destination to award your journey. Be sure to pack a good hydration pack with you and ample sunscreen!

  • Nilgiris
    The blue mountains are always a promising ride, whichever season you pick! The enchanting forest cover engulfs you in a world of flora and fauna that is lost to the urban dwellers. One common route is from Mysore to Ooty, through the Bandipur Reserve. However, Ooty and its neighbouring towns like Kotagiri and Coonoor are great to explore as 1-day trips.

  • Kerala
    Yes, the whole State makes it to our list! The food, the sights, the greenery and the serenity. What more do you need? Explore the magical waters of Alleppey or the green spaces of Edamalyar Forest, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary and the Periyar River. Better yet, ride through the spice plantations and feast your senses!

  • Rajmachi Fort, Maharashtra
    Head to Lonavala from Mumbai or Pune and start your journey on two-wheels from Lonavala Station to Rajmachi village. Your route will take you through Tungarli Dam, Phan Sarai, Patel Dam and Jambhali Phata on your way. Once you reach the quaint little village of Rajmachi, inhabited by 9 families, you can rest with other cyclists, bikers and trekkers. From here you can trek to the Shrivardhan fort and explore the hill top before riding back down to Lonavala.

There are many more routes to explore through this beautiful country, if you are interested, let us know! We will incorporate that region of the country into our next blog. For the adrenaline junkies, the best cycling routes in the summer are in the Himalayan ranges – Ladakh, Manali, Assam, Gangtok and Chail in Himachal Pradesh to name a few. But that’s only for experts and people who are accustomed to riding in adverse conditions. The weather conditions in these areas change very suddenly and riders have to be able to survive by themselves.
If we have missed a route that you would recommend to your fellow cyclists, let us know! In the meantime, get your kit ready and your cycle prepped for a great escape this summer! Share your ride with us. Share your #EverydayAdventure with us.