Tibet

Cycling Tibet

Tibet is situated on the northern portion of the Himalayan mountains and presents a unique cycling experience unlike anywhere else in the world.

Firstly, let’s talk about altitude. When you get to around 5000m above sea level, it is like riding on the moon. Even once you’re acclimatised to the altitude, the air is thinner. With less air resistance, you’ll experience some of the best descending of your life. Trying to sprint at such altitude will also mess with your head. You’ll feel yourself max out much quickly. It’s a remarkable sensation.

Thinner air means there is less oxygen to fuel your efforts on the bike. Cyclists often report that it takes 1.5x more effort and about 1.5-2x more time to recover. This makes each climb and stage arrival all the more rewarding. This is altitude training at its finest. When coming home from a Tibetan adventure, about half of cyclists report a significant increase in their fitness at sea level. However, you may need to give yourself a week to recover after a trip in tibet.

Riding through Tibet, you’ll experience an ancient culture which has been retained over many, many centuries. The hospitality and friendliness of the Tibetan people is remarkable. When coupled with the epic surroundings, experiencing all this at once on a bike will produce some unforgettable moments.

Tibet is the ultimate bucket list destination for cyclists. Being in the Himalayas, on a bike, seeing Everesting in the flesh… it doesn’t get more breathtaking than that. This is the ultimate pilgrimage for cyclists. Want to find out more?

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Gravel in Tibet

In reality, gravel is relatively inaccessible to tourists. The areas of proper gravel roads are very limited and disappearing at a fast rate as more and more trails are covered in asphalt.

However, for the determined cyclist, there are some gravel roads that can be found but you will need a local guide with you at all times, in accordance with local regulations.

Spots to ride