Do I really need riding gear in the city
A common question at the counter, answered plainly: what to wear for daily rides around Chandigarh.
Riding from Chandigarh: three weekend routes
Morni, Kasauli and Chail: short loops from the city for testing new gear before a long trip.
Chandigarh is a lucky city for riders. Within an hour you can be climbing into the Shivaliks, which makes it easy to test new gear on real hills before a long trip. Here are three loops our team rides often.
Morni Hills, about 45 km. Leave early through Panchkula and climb the narrow road past Morni to Tikkar Taal. The road is tight with blind corners, so ride slowly. It is a good first test for new boots and a new helmet, short enough to turn back if something does not fit.
Kasauli, about 65 km each way. Take the highway through Parwanoo, then the old road up through Garkhal. Weekends are busy with cars, so go on a Saturday morning before 8 am. The climb is steady, and the views at the top are a good place to check how your jacket vents work on slow uphill riding.
Chail via Kandaghat, about 110 km each way. This is a full day and a fair test for a loaded bike. Pack your saddlebags or tail bag as you would for a long trip and see how the bike handles on the turns beyond Kandaghat. Stop for parathas at a dhaba on the way back.
Carry water and a rain shell on all three, even in winter. Weather in the Shivaliks changes faster than the forecast.
