Cycling in Northern India – 1995

Hardwar – Bijnor

Nothing surpasses a very early morning walk along the banks of the Ganges when the first light of the sun paints everything in soft colours. After that memorable morning experience cycling was almost as relaxed. Especially after we took a shortcut ( 8 km before Najibabad ). From there the only traffic were cyclists, pedestrians and oxcarts. Life along this narrow and bumpy road was very rural.

After arriving in Bijnor finding a decent hotel was not that easy. Nothing suitable seemed to be available and english-speakers seemed to be rare in this town. Finally we found a gentleman who told us that the top-accommodation in town the Inspection House was. Normally reserved for traveling government inspectors! With his help we got a large colonial style room for one night. Without local help these kind of places are almost impossible to find or to get in!

Bijnor – Meerut

People in this area were probably not used to a lot of foreign visitors. When we bought a cold drink in a small shop in less then a minute dozens of villagers surrounded us and were staring at those two otherworldly creatures.

Meerut, a large city with more than 1.000.000 inhabitants, did not have a lot to offer for cyclists who seek reasonable accommodations. Hotel Shaleem, the best place in town according to our LP-guide book, was really nothing special.