If you’re reading
this, then chances are you’re passionate about bikes and have taken a few bike
trips that might tag you as an experienced biker. But we give you 5 reasons why
we think you might not have what it takes to ride in North Sikkim, a place
close to the eastern Himalayas in Northeast India.
(1) You ride a rocket
A bike is not
about absurd power and confidence, it’s about confidence and control. We have
come across some incidents where tourists hire a bike from TourGenie and come back
with dents and scratches (usually due to overspeeding) and they’ve done bike
trips plenty of times before. So it’s crucial to ride at a safe speed on the
rough roads of North Sikkim if you’re new to tough terrain.
(2) You lack self-discipline
There is a
vast difference between a good rider and a responsible one. We know the biggest advantage of riding a bike is easily swiping
through traffic and it is understandable in 4-lane highways, but the same
cannot be applied to the roads of North Sikkim. The roads are narrow with no
guard rails, which makes overtaking quite risky. It is best suggested to follow
your lane and stay disciplined.
(3) You do not respect the terrains
North Sikkim
is going to be different than any other terrain you have ever ridden before. The
geography here surprises you with different landscape and terrain on every
curve. The sight is absolutely one to adore but the uneven roads with potholes and
fallen rocks combined with extreme climatic conditions make the route more
challenging. One wrong move and you might plunge down to river Lachung.
(4) You don’t know your bike
Does your
chain socket make weird noises when you shift gear? Has the break pad rubbed
off making it difficult to hit the break? If you’re casual about the condition
of your bike you will get in big trouble on the North Sikkim route and may find
yourself stranded for hours in a desolated place. A careful check of the brakes,
fluid, tires, lights, chain, indicators, and suspension is crucial before you
head off.
(5) You’re a show-off
As cool as
you think you look doing tricks, wheelies, and riding at ridiculous speeds on
public roads, don’t ever try any of it on the roads of North Sikkim. The patchy
uneven roads are full of surprises and you’ll never know what went wrong.
Look, motorcycles are dangerous. Probably 10 time more dangerous than cars. But with high risk comes high reward and, at the end of the day, there's nothing else quite like piloting a motorcycle, especially if you’re riding in the heavenly landscape of North Sikkim. For us and many other bikers; it is nirvana.