Saach Pass Day 1 - Manali to Dalang
The next day we started at 6.30 am. Khemraj sir flagged us off, and the Sun put up some amazing sights for us to see. Since we knew we were cycling through the tunnel and avoiding Rohtang pass, we assumed it would be an easy ride. As in how high would a tunnel be, specially when it is meant to bypass Rohtang. Well pretty high. It took us a good 3 hours to ride up to the start of the tunnel.
The ride through the tunnel was pretty amazing. We probably were the first cyclists to pass through that and we ensured that we cycled in a single file with all our blinkers on. It was an amazing experience. Once on the other side, we got our identity documents checked (Covid protocols) still in place, and then after a nice breakfast/ lunch we proceeded on our way to Dalang.
It was a rolling ride through some villages by the side of the river and it presented some amazing views on either side. The campsite itself was located on a slope next to the highway. We settled in our first camp and waited for our daily dose of tea and snacks.
Evening was spent in walking down towards the river, and catching the last rays of the sun on the various peaks nearby. After a nice dinner and a briefing of the next day’s ride, we turned in.