Cycling to Everest Base Camp in 1986 with James Baile (Re-visited)

Back in 1986, two Englishmen in their early twenties flew to Delhi with brand new mountain bikes and a paper map, and set off to ride through the Himalaya. James Baile takes us back nearly 40 years to a trip that saw him carrying his bike over three high mountain passes, reaching Kalapattar at 5,545 metres as one of the first cyclists ever to do it, and crossing into India solo after his riding partner's frame gave out.Highlights from the episode:Two 20 year olds, no maps of their own making, no local language, and a bike that had barely existed as a category three years earlierTwo weeks of carrying rather than riding, before the terrain eased into Namche BazaarReaching Kalapattar at 5,545 metres, among the earliest cyclists to have done itThe transition from cycling with a friend to riding solo across northern IndiaThe hospitality of strangers shown throughout the journeyFive days in McLeodganj giving Tibetan kids bike rides outside the Green HotelFollow along with James' future adventures via his instagram - @JamesB.AdventuresThis episode originally first aired on Feb 01 2025.  Check out the Elkhorn Rack from Old Man Mountain Support the showBuy me a coffee!I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:👉  CycPlus– ePumps (enter code STR for 5% off!)👉 Zorali 👉 Helinox 👉 Ombraz Follow us on Social Media!Instagram - @SeekTravelRideFacebook - Seek Travel RideYouTube - @SeekTravelRideSeek Travel Ride NewsletterLeave me a voicemail message Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music