Things to Carry Before Starting Travelling to Spiti Valley by Bike Essential Tips for a Bike Rider
Travelling to Himachal Pradesh can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. Most of the travellers love to travel Himachal Pradesh to ride only Spiti Valley only for the riding experience.
Spiti Valley is a very popular bikers destination known for its stunning natural beauty and captivating landscapes. The snow-capped mountains, picturesque valleys, and charming villages create a mesmerizing experience for visitors.
Spiti Valley offers a wide range of attractions for travellers to explore. Kunzum Pass, located at an altitude of 15,000 feet, is a breathtaking mountain pass that connects Spiti Valley with Lahaul Valley. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and is a popular spot for photography enthusiasts.
Before start riding to Spiti Valley with your own bike, you must check out these below points that might help you for your riding comfort.
1. Routes and Maps: Planning Your Bike Trip to Spiti:
If you are planning for best routes for Spiti Valley, we’ve covered a best route for you starts from route 1:
If you want an adventure experience throughout your complete journey, choose the route 1.
“Delhi – Kullu – Manali – Spiti Valley – Kaza – Shimla”. You can also choose the route 2: “Delhi – Shimla – Kaza – Spiti Valley – Kllu – Manali”
2. Choosing the Right Bike for Your Spiti Valley Adventure:
Choosing the right bike for your Spiti Valley adventure considering various factors such as terrain, weather conditions, comfort, and your riding experience. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Terrain: Spiti Valley is known for its rugged terrain, including rough roads, gravel paths, and sometimes even snowy patches, especially at higher altitudes. Choosing a bike that can handle such conditions, preferably a sturdy adventure or touring bike with good ground clearance.
- Weather Conditions: Spiti Valley experiences extreme weather conditions, including cold temperatures (1° temperature), high altitudes, and occasional rainfall, snowfall. Ensure your bike is equipped to handle these conditions, with features like weatherproofing, heated grips, and wind protection.
- Comfort: Long rides through Spiti Valley can be physically demanding. Choosing a bike having comfortable seating, long ride design, and sufficient suspension to absorb bumps and shocks along the way. Adjustable handlebars and footpegs can also help customize your riding position for added comfort.
- Reliability: Reliability is very crucial in Spiti Valley, as this is a remote area where access to repair shops and spare parts may be limited. Opted for a good bike that is reliability and durability, with a good track record of performance in tough conditions.
- Fuel Efficiency: Spiti Valley has limited fuel stations, especially in remote areas. Choose a bike with good fuel efficiency to minimize the frequency of refueling stops and ensure you can cover long distances without running out of fuel.
- Riding Experience: Select a bike that matches your riding experience and skill level. While adventure bikes offer versatility and capability, they may not be suitable for beginners or riders with limited off-road experience. Choose a bike that you feel confident and comfortable riding, considering factors like weight, maneuverability, and handling.
3. What are the Essential Gears to Bring for a Safe and Comfortable Ride:
Bringing the right gear is essential for ensuring a safe and comfortable ride, especially in remote and challenging environments like Spiti Valley. Since you’ll likely be carrying luggage for your adventure trip, consider a good bike with ample luggage capacity or provisions for adding saddlebags, panniers, or a top box.
Here’s a list of essential gear to consider:
- Helmet
- Riding Gear: Riding gear are essential thing to carry for the Spiti valley ride. You must carry riding gear such as Riding Shoes, Gloves, Riding jackets, Woolen Socks, rain jackets, and winter jackets.
- Tool Kit: You must carry puncture kits, wrenches, screwdrivers
- First Aid Kit: You must carry first aid kits like Diamox for oxygen, headache medicines, fever medicines, stomach medicines, cold and cough syrup
- Documents: You must carry essential documents like Bike Registration Paper, Bike Insurance, Driving License, Pollution Certificate
- Emergency Supplies: You must carry emergency supplies like flashlights, a power bank, a water bottle, sunglasses, Sun Glasses.
- Weather Jackets: Be prepared for the changes in weather in Himachal Pradesh and bring winter jackets, rain gear, and thermal layers.
4. How to Fix Common Bike Problems on Your Spiti Trip
When riding on a biking adventure through Spiti, it’s crucial to be prepared for common bike problems. Carry bike toolkit including tire patches, a pump, chain lubes, and multitool. For flat tires, locate the puncture, patch it up, and inflate the tire. Loose bolts? Tighten them with your multitool. Chain troubles? Lubricate your chain regularly within in 400 km distance and keep your chain clean always.
These are some common bike problems you might be facing during your trip:
- Flat tire
- Chain Issue
- Brake Problem
- Gear Shifting Issue
- Puncture Repair
- Electrical Issues
- Fuel & Engine Issues
5. Budgeting for Your Spiti Adventure: Tips for Saving Money
If you are planning a bike trip to Spiti Valley, you must read this blog (Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley bike trip), we have added a complete Spiti Valley bike trip budget and roadmap from Bhubaneswar (Odisha) to Spiti Valley.
If you are reading this blog anywhere from India (south India, north India, east India, western India), you can calculate your complete budget from Delhi to Spiti Valley.