Cycling in Northern India – 1995

Kausani – Gwaldam

Got up at six o’clock to experience one of those magnificent Himalayan sunrises. It was icy cold outside with all the locals wrapped up in blankets and warm coats. As the sun climbed above the horizon a spectacular panorama lighted up. Snow covered peaks as far as one could see. This was one of those moments that make a trip extra memorable.

This is mountain-country so after a good breakfast we descended the first 20 km to the village of Bajnath at 1125 m. Great views all the way. Met a friendly old man in one of the villages who put small flowers on our heads, apparently coming from the local temple. We thanked politely and kept the flowers under our caps the rest of the day.

In the afternoon the road steadily climbed to the village of Gwaldam. Again hardly more then a street with a couple of houses and of course a Tourist Rest house.

The Tourist Rest house. had good rooms and the bed sheets even looked clean. We washed ourselves in the usual bucket of hot water and discovered that diner would be served at 9 o’clock already. After a long day cycling we were lucky to be able to persuade the cook to make a dinner at 6 o’clock already. He would do “very fast cooking..” he said!