As if driving through the Nilgiris isn't divine enough, the cycling Tour of Nilgiris is back for its eighth year, with no signs of stopping. As per usual, the tour kicks off on December 16 and will wind its way from Bangalore through three of the region’s wildlife sanctuaries – Bandipur in Karnataka, Waynad in Kerala and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu. And while we aren’t fit enough {yet} to be biking up the hills and vales for 800 kilometres, we certainly urge you to get pedalling and join the adventurists. Unfortunately registrations are closed for 2015, but will open in May for the 2016 session.
While it will really be a test of endurance, physical strength and even mental perseverance, we cannot wait for the riders to bring back pictures and videos of the Blue Mountains in their glorious manifestations. To make things that much harder {as if an almost vertical climb is not enough}, there are individual time trials in different categories – the Kalahatti leg being the most difficult of the lot. The last section will see riders free-wheeling from Aliyar to the finish line at Pollachi on December 23. Just in time for Christmas, eh! And what a deserved turkey dinner that will be.
If you are keen on being a part of the tour, sign up for the 2016 edition here.
Find them on Facebook here.
Check out their website here.
Featured image via: Tour of Nilgiris/Breakaway Sports