Narkanda

Well, I'm in Narkanda, after my first day of cycling in India!    Where to begin ...the flight getting here went well - Jet Airways is actually quite nice. Picked up at the airport by a guy from my hotel, and the hotel in Delhi was "ok".  Next morning, to the bus station for the 10 hour ride to Shimla.  It was a comfy air conditioned bus (temp. when I landed in Delhi was +29, at 9:30 at night!).  Fascinating bus ride through the Indian countryside, with the final few hours spent climbing up improbable roads on the side of steep, green hills up to Shimla.   Shimla is a beautiful city, perched on both sides of a ridge at 2150m.  Much, much cooler and pleasant than Delhi. Good hotel, finally unpacked the bike (it survived the journey unscathed).  Next morning, waited for the rain to ease, then started cycling to Narkanda. Although the hills were initially steep, and it started raining again, both eased and it was a great bike ride along the roads.  Green forests, steep drops and not too much traffic.  Goats, cows & monkeys along the road.    Caught up to and passed a Swiss tour group - made it here to Narkanda (2650m)in about 5 hours, finally giving me most of an afternoon to finally relax.  "Should" be an easier ride tomorrow down to Rampur, but the 2000m drop will put me back into the heat, so not looking forward to that!

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