Gujarat is situated on the western periphery of the Indian Subcontinent. It's known for its vast salt plains and cultural richness. Mountain Biking terrain however is one of the unexplored vistas of the state. When I got a call from Uphill EMG
www.uphillemg.com to check out the Polo Forest for a reconnaissance of the topography, I was more than stoked. There's a certain amount of excitement when you are unsure of the kind of riding you are going to find in a place which had never seen mountain bike rubber. The goal was to scout 151 kilometers of trail for the upcoming "Impossible Race" in March.
Polo was an ancient city established in the Vijaynagar hills, an extension of the Aravalli Range (One of the oldest mountain ranges on the face of this earth) about 10th century A.D. and mysteriously abandoned by the 15th century A.D. Numerous cryptic temple ruins lie scattered all over the woods, making Polo a hotbed of intrigue mixed with trails which pump adrenaline.
Deep in the heart of the Vijayanagar hills, at the foot of the Aravalli Range, Polo Forest is hidden away from history books and modern travelers. It is home to various species of snakes, panthers, leopards, hyenas, bears, mongoose and migratory birds. Built around a river, and flanked by mountains on the east and west, the forest is cut off from sunlight for most of the day and transforms into a sinister valley after dark. The Impossible Race couldn't have asked for a more adventurous setting.
Flying to ride in uncharted territories on the first day of the year. Not a bad start I suppose.
The first glimpses of the terrain were rather intimidating.
I could not help but begin exploring the moment we reached the forest.
Our guide/main man Kerav suggested we first hit a temple and get blessed by the Gods. It's an Indian thing. The temple was built in the 12th century A.D. That's what caught my fancy.
Just working at my office.
The long flowy trails....
Are often accompanied by relentless climbs...littered with loose rocks and boulders.
The landscapes and dirt are both diverse here.
Little natural kickers on the trails are an added bonus.
Engaging in gestural communication with "kaka", the man who knows the trails here like the back of his palm.
Ruins of temples from the 10th century A.D.
Some of the long hikes along the way.
Followed by gnarly trails where gravity gets on your side.
And it is all fun , until this happens.
Because of too many of these. Most of the vegetation in the region comprises of thorny bushes, so flats are inevitable.
It's always nice to see the local village kids commuting on bicycles. Hopefully someday they get to shred their backyards.
The trails take us through some villages too, which have completely different dynamics.
Bikes stir up quite an intrigue among the locals.
You may also run into the nomads of the region. They are always on the move with their livestock. Locally known as the "Banjaras"
Pristine hills, ah the Aravallis.
After surviving on energy drinks and power bars, delicious Gujarati food was always a welcome sight for us back at Base camp.
Branches are another thing the riders will have to take care of while racing.
And the sweet trails....
Where the rocks could be a close shave.
Shallow rivulets criss-cross the trail at certain points.
We also had trail pups.
One of the many picturesque dams around Polo.
Rocks, anyone?
The versatility of the terrain under your tires is immense.
Even the base camp has features to have fun on.
After spending almost nine days scouting trails, getting lost, hiking and riding, it was time for us to hit civilization for a few days. The myriads of trails, ancient ruins, the welcoming culture and eerie history of Polo has a certain mystique about it.
mtb.theimpossiblerace.com Registrations for the impossible race begin on the 20th of January 2015.
Dates: 13th-15th March 2015.
Till our next update from the trails, Ride On!
I need to do some travelling!!!