It’s been a year since you joined the cyclist group in your city. You don’t remember exactly why you ventured into cycling. Maybe, it was mostly to break the ennui.

But you know exactly what made you stay- the thrill it gives and how happy it makes you.

You have been bitten by the cycling bug. And you know it isn’t going anywhere now.

Every weekend, you take out your bike and set out on a biking trip with your group. You have covered almost every biking trail nearby your city.

But now you need to step up your game.

Mountain Terrain Biking (MTB) is your next big thing.

You browse information about Manali-Leh Cycling Expedition. As you read about it, you get all the more excited about the idea. You pin down the reasons why Manali-Leh Cycling is the next big thing for you and your biking group.

5 reasons to do Manali to Leh Cycling Expedition:

1. It’s all about the ascent

Up until now you have done long rides nearby cities or easy mountain biking trips like Dehradun to Mussoorie Ride or Rishikesh to Chamba.

But Manali-Leh Cycling is altogether another level. If cycling to an altitude of 18,000 ft is something you haven’t accomplished yet, then you ought to. This one is a real limit-pusher.

The steady ascents that test your patience to the max, the long descents that speed you up to 70-80 kmph, and the occasional joy rides on the plains are what make the ride so desirable to the cyclists.

2. The multi-level challenges

Remember that video game from your childhood called Circus which had one hurdle after another till you reach the finish point. That’s what Manali-Leh cycling is like. As you begin your cycling expedition from Manali, you will encounter challenges one after another.

The steep ascents to 6 Himalayan Passes (Rohtang, Baralacha, Naki, Lachulung, Tanglang, and Khardung La); zig-zagging Gata Loops, the raging torrents of rivers, the extreme temperatures and snowstorms of Moray Plains, the harsh and extreme winds at Tso Kar, are all the challenging levels to the Manali-Leh Cycling Expedition.

3. Do it for the view

Manali-Leh Cycling Route is not only high on thrill and adrenaline rush. The views of the trail are jaw-dropping too.

You start with views of snow-clad peaks and glaciers at Rohtang and Khardung La. But as you cross Baralacha La & enter Lahaul, you are welcome with the barren landscapes of Leh. It feels like entering into a warp zone.

The stretches alongside Chandra and Bhaga Rivers and their confluence on Koksar-Sissu Route and Upshi stream alongside Karo are mesmerizing.

The mountains stand tall in all their barren glory. The glistening blue lakes - Suraj Taal just before Baralacha La and an anonymous lake just before Patseo, will steal your heart at once. The scenic backdrop seems like one of those Windows Wallpapers.

But it is all oh so real!

4. Strike it off from your Bike-it List

If Manali-Leh Cycling has been sitting on your Bike-It list for long, it is time you strike it off.

Don’t tell me if you don’t have a Bike-It list. In case not, you can check these biking trips around the world to add to your list. But Manali-Leh ought to make it to the top.

Manali-Leh Cycling Expedition is not only a big achievement of a grand dream but also a grand opening to grand biking adventures ahead.

5. All eyes on you

Everyone comes to Ladakh to Get Leh’d. Some come on their bikes, some on a flight. At the end of the day, they are all tourists, spectators.

But you, my friend, are not a spectator. You are a showstopper. All eyes lay on you as you bike on one of the world's highest motorable passes to Khardung La on that Aluminum Horse of yours.

The dream is big. Only those who are brave can dream and conquer dreams such big.

“Am I am one of them?” you ask yourself.

“Hell yeah!” a roar comes from inside you.

Pepped up, you share the idea of Manali-Leh Cycling Expedition with your biking gang.

“Let’s do this!”  Everyone says in unison.

Next thing you know, your biking army is on the road to Leh living the life of your time.