Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - By Kesang Dema - Kuensel Online - kuenselonline.com
Bikers take a respite near Rongthong, Trashigang - Photo Credit: Kuensel Online
14 November, 2006 -The never ending curves, the fantastic scenery, and the courteous people made Bhutanese roads one of the best biking routes, according to a fifteen-member biking group who toured the country this week.
Riding on 500 cc Royal Enfield bikes the bikers, which included five women, traversed through eight dzongkhags in the country and exited from the border town of Samdrup Jongkhar last week.
“We have rode all over the world, but riding the Bhutanese road is a different experience altogether,” said Sabine a 48-year-old biker. “You can have much contact with nature and the people and the feeling of pureness comes through.”
“People always greet you and you can immediately tell that you are welcome,” said Greig, 43, adding that there was no aggression in the traffic, which made the ride enjoyable.
The bikers, aged 35 to 70 years, were tourists from United States, Germany, South Africa, Holland, Switzerland, and England. While the tour to Bhutan was the first time for some, some had biked through the country on several occasions.
Besides the amazing landscape the riders agreed that the instant changes in weather conditions made the ride simply astounding. “The weather changes within few kilometres,” said Sabina. “One moment it is sunny and another moment you are riding through fog.”
Another said that the spirituality of people and the connection with the divine could be noticed in every turn in the prayer flags and architectural designs.
Thomas, who was riding for the first time to Bhutan, said the experience was enthralling. “Enclosed by all these mountains, you get a feeling as if you can never get out anymore,” he said.
While the riders agreed that Bhutan was the right place for the bike loving tourists they said the experience could be made all the more memorable if the potholes were filled up and there were more proper toilets on the highway.
The tour started from Bagdora, India on October 28, and the bikers rode through Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Phuentsholing, Paro, Thimphu, Bumthang, Trashiyangtse, before leaving for Guwahati, India, from Samdrup Jongkhar.
The tour was initiated by a motorcycle tours and expedition company based in Kathmandu in association with a Bhutanese tour company, Travel to Bhutan.