I woke up the next morning. Vashist trek was tiresome, but also made my body acquainted with high altitude. “Read the full article here” I wanted to ride my bike today. Furthermore, I started looking at the map searching for places to visit around Manali. My friend suggested I ride towards the Solang valley.
I immediately looked at google maps on my mobile and thought about having breakfast first and then head to the valley. Solang valley cycle ride is fun especially with such breathtaking scenic views on the way. Manali to Solang Valley cycling requires a basic level of fitness. The incline towards Solang valley is tough as compared to the incline from Manali to Solang valley checkpoint. The way back i.e. Solang to Manali cycling is more enjoyable as the road descends till Manali.
Breakfast Before Manali to Solang Valley cycle ride
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I have heard this from every other serious cyclist. If you take a high protein and fiber breakfast you will have more energy to ride. I ate boiled eggs and a couple of bananas before heading for my ride. I asked the same question to one of the cycling fitness groups in my town, and below is the food intake that the group members suggested. (Purely Indian)
Vegetarian Breakfast
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Beans
- Lentils
- Soy products (tofu, tempeh)
- Whole grains (such as bread, oats, pasta, rice, and millet) and quinoa.
Note: I have written a complete article on the diet that you should take while cycling. Read the complete article by clicking this link.
Solang Valley Cycle Ride From Old Manali
I started around 10 AM on a cloudy day with the temperature just above 12 degrees. From old Manali and took the road all the way to the new Manali bridge. Then I took a left and found this milepost which said Rohtang “50 km”.
I started a little late, however, it had no effect as I had the entire day of my cycle ride. I stayed at the old Manali. The route was not long but only 15 km. The only bottleneck was that it was 15 km of pure incline.
Scenic Spots On The Way – Manali to Solang Valley cycling
This is my journey through Manali to Solang valley. Learn how to prepare for long-distance cycling and backpacking
Cutting Through Manali Traffic (The Nature Park)
As soon I departed from old Manali, I rode towards the new Manali. The road is amazing but comes with a lot of traffic. Fortunately, I was on my Merida 40 D and had no issues reaching the new Manali main market, cutting through the traffic via the road adjacent to Nature park. This nature park is amazing. I still remember I went to this place a few years back and it is bliss for mountain bikers however cycles are not allowed inside and there is an entry fee of INR 20 for Indian tourists. Let me show you how it looks like.
After I crossed nature park and Manali mall road circle, I took the bridge and turned left towards Manali Leh Highway.
Vashisht Village
I love this place which is around a distance of about a few km from Manali. If you guys remember I did a trek at this place to Jugni waterfalls. Read the complete article here
This place is amazing and helped me in getting acquainted with high altitude physical activity. This will be the first scenic spot on the way to Solang valley. In the article I share earlier you will find complete details, however, the picture which I liked a lot I am sharing in this post.
You can watch the entire video log of Vashisht Village by clicking this link. I am also embedding the video below.
Bahang Village
Beas river flows left of the entire route till Solang valley. It is so beautiful that you at times forget about the treacherous ride and want to stick to watch the water flow.
This village, on the east side of the Beas River, is a pass-through heading north from Manali towards the Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass. Army base, last petrol pump, police checkpoint & a few attempts at “modern” tourist “attractions”.
Any shopping requirements are much better supplied in Manali. I clicked a picture here watching the mighty mountains and listening to Beas river making a sweet sound of water gushing through it.
The distance from Manali to Bahang Village is 4.5 KM.
Nehru Kund
Nehru Kund is approximately 4.3 km from Vashisht village and about 5.7 km from Manali. The name came into existence when the first PM of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru visited this place and was strolling through and watching the scenic beauty which surrounds it. He absolutely loved and everyone does. Look at the pictures who would not love this place.
Isn’t this mesmerizing.
Palchan
I crossed Manali, then Vashisht Village, then Bahang Village, then Nehru Kund, and now I reached Palchan. Palchan is the point where the roads get dissected and one goes to Rohtang pass and the other goes to Solang valley, where I was headed on my cycle.
Right from this point, I turned towards the left to head to Solang valley.
Solang Valley
It’s just 2.7 km from Palchan, however, it’s a steep climb. Furthermore, this place is like an addiction. Once you reach the valley of Solang, your mind will not allow you to head back to Manali. I had to literally drag my body and mind back to Manali. Thank god it was mostly downhill. Else I would have stayed in Solang.
Unfortunately, I did not click any picture of Solang Valley and was busy making videos. You can watch the entire video log below. Do check out my YouTube channel. It’s crazy!
Heading back to Manali post-Manali to Solang Valley cycle ride
Even though I was mesmerized by the beauty this place had to offer, I had to retreat back to my hotel in Manali. I started after sitting there for few hours and headed back and enjoyed the downhill till the milepost said Manali “0”.
Cycling at Solang valley is not tough. All you need to do is keep pedaling and enjoy the mountain view around. Trust me you will never feel tired.
I hope you like the article, please leave a comment below in case of any question related to Manali to Solang valley cycling and I will try and get back to you ASAP.
