Induni Unicycle Tour: Northeastern India 5-16 April 2009

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to inform you all that we have another Unicycle Tour coming
up in April 2009. I know lot's of you have been waiting in anticipation
for this...so here it is...(*drumroll* badabadumbadum )......The India
Unicycle Tour, or Induni '09 for short.

It's looking like it could be the best Adventure Unicyclist Unitour so
far, in terms of both riding and cultural experiences. This one has
scenery to rival the SINZ tour, and the cultural experience of Uninam
and Laos Unitour. It's taken many months to finalise and pick a route
we were happy with, hence the long delays!

If you are interested in this Unitour...let me know and I'll put you on
the Induni mailing list for updates and registration.

Numbers are limited to 30. We were over the limit on the last tour, so
get in early or you may miss out)

Cheers,

Ken Looi
Adventureunicyclist.com


__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________

INDUNI 2009: THE INDIA UNICYCLE TOUR
*Dates:* Sunday 5 April 2009 (Day 1) to Thursday 16 April (Day 12)

DESCRIPTION:[/b]
OUR TOUR TAKES US TO THE NORTH EAST OF INDIA TO A FANTASTICALLY DIVERSE
REGION THAT BORDERS BANGLADESH, BHUTAN, NEPAL AND CHINA, EACH OF THEM
NEVER MORE THAN 100 MILES AWAY. THIS DIVERSITY IS REFLECTED IN BOTH THE
LANDSCAPE, WHICH RANGES FROM THE STEAMING PLAINS NEAR BANGLADESH, TO THE
WORLD'S 3RD HIGHEST MOUNTAIN, KANCHENJUNGA, BUT IT IS ALSO EVIDENT IN
THE PEOPLE AND RELIGIONS WE'LL SEE. BENGALI TEAPICKERS, BHUTANESE
RELIGIOUS SCULPTORS, NEPALI CORN VENDORS AND TIBETAN PRAYER FLAGS ARE
ALL TO BE FOUND AT THIS CONFLUENCE OF CULTURES.

ALL THIS CONTRAST MAKES FOR PLENTY OF LEGWORK, AND STARTING IN THE
PLAINS, WE'LL WORK OUR WAY UP THROUGH TO THE FOOTHILLS UNTIL WE'RE
CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE SNOW-CAPPED PEAKS OF SIKKIM THAT IT'LL FEEL LIKE WE
CAN JUST REACH OUT AND TOUCH THEM.

*COST:*
US $1990 AND EARLY REGISTRATION PRIZE DRAW IF REGISTERED BEFORE 1 DEC
2008
US $1990 IF REGISTERED BEFORE 1 JAN 2009
US $2090 IF REGISTERED AFTER 1 JAN 2009 (YOU'RE BUYING BEERS FOR THE
WHOLE GROUP!)
US $2090, AND YOU WILL HAVE TO WEAR A RED NOSE AND CLOWN OUTFIT IF
REGISTERED AFTER 1 FEB 2009

NO FURTHER REGISTRATIONS WILL BE TAKEN AFTER 1 MAR 2009

*WHAT IT COVERS:*
SUPPORT VEHICLES, LOCAL GUIDE, TOUR LEADER, MOST MEALS, ENTRY FEES,
ACCOMODATION

*HOW TO REGISTER:* EMAIL KEN LOOI (KEN DOT LOOI AT GMAIL DOT COM), AND
I WILL SEND YOU THE REGISTRATION FORM AND PUT YOU ON THE MAILING LIST.
YOU CAN EITHER PAY THE FULL REGISTRATION FEE AT ONCE, OR A DEPOSIT OF
US$500 TO BOOK YOUR PLACE ON THE TOUR. DEPOSITS ARE REFUNDED IN FULL
IF YOU HAVE TO PULL OUT (LESS WIRE TRANSFER/TRANSACTION COSTS), UP TO 1
MAR 2009. AFTER THAT IT DEPENDS ON WHAT FIXED COSTS WE HAVE ALREADY
PAID FOR, BUT WILL STILL BE REFUNDED LESS THAT AMOUNT.

*HOW FIT DO I HAVE TO BE?*
THE FITTER YOU ARE, THE MORE YOU WILL ENJOY IT. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT A
RACE, AND IS A FULLY SUPPORTED TOUR. WE HAVE SUPPORT VEHICLES BACKING
FOLLOWING BEHIND US SHOULD YOU GET OVEREXHAUSTED/SICK/EQUIPMENT
PROBLEMS. ON PREVIOUS TOURS, WE HAVE HAD SOME OF THE TOP RIDERS IN THE
WORLD, AS WELL AS PEOPLE WHO HAVE ONLY JUST STARTED RIDING. WE'VE HAD
PEOPLE RANGING IN AGE FROM 12YRS TO 61. GENERALLY, WE AVERAGE BETWEEN
15-20KM/HR WHEN RIDING, AND THIS DROPS TO 13-15KM/HR WHEN YOU INCLUDE
REST BREAKS. WE AIM TO HAVE REST BREAKS TO REGROUP AND REFUEL EVERY
20-25KM OR SO. THOSE OF YOU ON PREVIOUS TOURS WILL BE FAMILIAR WITH
THE FORMAT.

*WEBSITE:* THIS WILL BE UP AND RUNNING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. IT WILL
HAVE PHOTOS AND A DAILY BLOG DURING THE TOUR, AS WELL AS A SHORT
BIOGRAPHY AND PHOTOS OF THE RIDERS.
CHECK OUT WEBSITES FROM PREVIOUS UNITOURS:
THE UNINAM UNICYCLE TOUR: WWW.UNINAM.NET
THE NEW ZEALAND SOUTH ISLAND UNITOUR: WWW.SINZUNI.ORG
OTHER UNITOURS: WWW.UNITOURS.ORG


*ITINERARY:
_Day_1_|_Siliguri_
The tour starts in West Bengal's second city Siliguri. We'll meet in
the evening for our first meal and an introduction to the tour.
_
Days_2-4_|_Lowland_Riding_
After a short transfer we'll commence the beautiful ride to the
forgotten city of Koch Behar. The ride takes us through jute fields and
rice paddies still farmed by ox-drawn carts, all within sight of the
Bangladeshi border. The following day we have a chance to check out the
Maharaja's grand palace and a bustling temple before continuing our
one-wheeled journey through the lowlands to the tea fields of Chalsa.
Day 4 is free to relax by the pool, wander amongst the tea fields or
take a jeep safari in the nearby Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary; if we're
lucky we'll spot bison, elephants and maybe even rhinos or leopards!
_
Days_5-7_|_Riding_to_Kalimpong_
Day 5 takes you on a long and challenging ride through the tea fields
and up to the foothills of the Himalaya. We overnight at a simple hotel
in a mountain village which enjoys stunning views. After the strenuous
uphill the following day is a shorter ride to Kalimpong. The following
day we have a rest day to enjoy the thronging market, take a hike or
maybe visit one of the town's many orchid gardens.

_Days_8-9_|_Riding_to_Pelling_
Our ride today takes us to the former Buddhist Kingdom of Sikkim. We
overnight in Pemeyangtse, and then have a day's rest to appreciate the
wonders of the region, whether that's taking a short walk to a nearby
monastery, or just soaking up the splendor of some of the world's
highest mountains.
_
Days_10-12_|_Riding_to_Darjeeling_
After our rest day we take a breathtaking ride through the mountains to
the charming village of Kaluk, nestled deep in the mountains. Our last
riding day is a gem, taking us down from the mountains, alongside the
Rangbong River which divides Sikkim from West Bengal, and then through
valleyside tea gardens before we transfer to vehicles for the
unbelievably steep ascent to Darjeeling. Darjeeling is the world's
premier tea producing town and is overrun with monuments to the Raj,
but the greatest monuments belong to nature; the world's third highest
peak, Kanchenjunga, is in plain sight of the town. The tour ends on day
12 - feel free to stay on in Darjeeling or perhaps join us for an
optional trekking tour back in the big mountains of Sikkim.
[b]
Total Distance:* Approx 400km

*Riding Days:* 7

*Unicycling Conditions*
Conditions will vary day by day with some days on well made flat roads
and others on badly maintained mountain roads. There are some big
uphills and downhills to ride but the support vehicles will always be
on hand if you find anything too hard. On most days we will need to
transfer part of the day by vehicle in order to link up towns with
accommodation and also to avoid some of the crazy city traffic.

*Sikkim Permit*
You will be required to obtain a Sikkim Entry Permit which can be done
when you apply for your India visa.


--
GizmoDuck

The Uninam Tour 2008.....Hanoi to Saigon!!! www.uninam.net

The SINZ Unicycle Tour 2007....South Island, New Zealand
www.sinzuni.org

The Induni Unicycle Tour 2009. Unicycle Tour of India. Email me for
details.
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Ok, just a quick update on Induni. We have several people signed up
already, many old faces and a few new ones.

The website is also online, although will be updated over the next few
weeks as we get rider profiles and some photos up.

www.induni.adventureunicyclist.com

If you are interested, we need to know bookings ASAP. Unlike previous
tours, there will almost certainly be no more late entries after 1 Jan,
because all the Indian Hotels need advance bookings.

Please let me know if you are interested and I'll put you on the
mailing list. If you are definite about coming, please register as it
helps us firm up numbers and accomodation bookings.

Cheers,

Ken Looi


--
GizmoDuck

The Induni Unicycle Tour 2009. Unicycle Tour of India. Email me for
details. www.induni.adventureunicyclist.com
The Uninam Tour 2008.....Hanoi to Saigon!!! www.uninam.net
The SINZ Unicycle Tour 2007....South Island, New Zealand
www.sinzuni.org
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Ok, we're fast approaching the end of the year. We are still taking
registrations for Induni, so let me know if you are keen. I need to have
confirmed numbers by January.

It's the best way to see India, ride in the Himalayas, and experience
different cultures at the same time.

Also, a few of us are planning on travelling both before and after the
tour. I'm quite keen to head to Kathmandu after the tour. If you want to
join me, let me know.

www.induni.adventureunicyclist.com

Ken Looi
__________________


--
GizmoDuck

The Induni Unicycle Tour 2009. Unicycle Tour of India. Email me for
details. www.induni.adventureunicyclist.com
The Uninam Tour 2008.....Hanoi to Saigon!!! www.uninam.net
The SINZ Unicycle Tour 2007....South Island, New Zealand
www.sinzuni.org
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I've just updated the Induni website with some of the riders coming on
tour, along with their equipment:
http://www.induni.adventureunicyclist.com/riders.html

This will be the final roll-call to anyone interested in Induni. Lot's
of awesome terrain, nice people to ride with, good food and a unique
cultural experience.

Let me know!

Ken

p/s I will even do a live demonstration of the thumb thing


--
GizmoDuck

The Induni Unicycle Tour 2009. Unicycle Tour of India. Email me for
details. www.induni.adventureunicyclist.com
The Uninam Tour 2008.....Hanoi to Saigon!!! www.uninam.net
The SINZ Unicycle Tour 2007....South Island, New Zealand
www.sinzuni.org
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Thought I'd add to the thread; this might be useful to some people.

How does one get to the start point?

Tiger Airways is currently having a sale and it costs about US$170 to
fly from Singapore to Bangalore. Is there anyway to get to the start
point from Bangalore?


--
fluxusmaximus

-------------------------------
http://www.thecollectiveus.com
http://www.streetjuggling.com
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Hi fluxusmaximus,

We'd love to have some Sinaporeans on tour! Let me know if you need
any more information.

Most of us are flying into Calcutta from overseas, and then taking one
of the local airlines to and from Bagdora. Bagdora Airport is only a
few kms from the start and 60km from the finish (catch a taxi there)

__________________
This tour starts in Siliguri in West Bengal. Siliguri is serviced by
Bagdogra Airport which is located only a few kilomtres from Siliguri.
• Indian Airlines - from Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata -
indian-airlines.nic.in
• Jet Airways - from Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata - www.jetairways.com
• Kingfisher Airlines - from Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata -
www.flykingfisher.com
• SpiceJet - from Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Chennai - www.spicejet.com
__________________

I'm probably flying Singapore or Thai airlines from Sydney to Calcutta.


--
GizmoDuck

The Induni Unicycle Tour 2009. Unicycle Tour of India. Email me for
details. www.induni.adventureunicyclist.com
The Uninam Tour 2008.....Hanoi to Saigon!!! www.uninam.net
The SINZ Unicycle Tour 2007....South Island, New Zealand
www.sinzuni.org
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All these airlines should have flights from Bangalore to Calcutta.
Spicejet and Kingfisher are the budget airlines. They should be cheaper.


--
Denali
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I'm uber tempted but just found out I can't get leave clearance for that
period

Will be seeing you guys at unicon instead


--
fluxusmaximus

-------------------------------
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http://www.streetjuggling.com
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