Bikepacking Nepal: In Search Of The Forbidden Kingdom Of Mustang
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- In the shadow of the mighty Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains sits the village of Lo Manthang. This ancient walled city in Nepal’s Upper Mustang region was once the capital of the Kingdom of Lo. Foreign visitors were banned until 1992 and the kingdom ended in 2008. Si and Hank went to the Himalayas on an epic adventure from Kathmandu to this forbidden kingdom.
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What destination is top of your cycling bucket list? 🚴🗺 Let us know in the comments below! 👇
Madeira
I'm not into buckets, but please thank Simon and James for all this. I'm sure it has changed their lives that little bit. They are truly blessed to have travelled there.
Thank you team @gcn for visiting Nepal!
Norway, one of my biggest biking dream is riding to the northern cape... One day, one day...
This is now. How long did you guys spend on this trip?
This has to be the best video GCN has ever made. Ever.
Thanks so much! Have you seen our full Himalayas film? 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas
Amazing
Yes. I second that... absolutely best. What an adventure. Gorgeous 😍
Epic adventure guys. Wonderfully recorded 👍👍
For us it's tied with Manon's epid Gravel attempt!
As a Nepalese, living in England this video is very personal to me. Been watching gcn video since I started cycling. Gcn has taught me how to easy fix my bike.
Watching some of the familiar routes in the video bought me in tears. Thankyou gcn and team.
Nirajan.
I'd like Si to read my eulogy after watching this beautiful documentary. Big props to both Si and Hank, and the production crew that went with them.
Thanks so much! Really glad you enjoyed it
One could think Si’s tears were from his realization that the tea house wasn’t serving potatoes, but actually we all know it’s because our friend Simon is a sensitive man. Cheers to you Si and Hank for making this video inspiring on so many levels.
Watching GCN from Nepal for years.. and now you are here.
Crazy how good the GCN videos are. Thank you guys!
Thanks a lot! For more epic riding in the Himalayas, why not check out the film we made on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas
I'll second that. The GCN team - in front and behind the camera - deserve all the kudos they get. They're are super talented.
Roll on!
Have you guys ever got some sort of award or recognition for the quality of these productions? They really are breathtaking. Great cinematography. Great presentation and great stories. They feel like far more than cycling videos. They are in fact wonderful small documentaries of landscape and culture. Thanks so much.
love from our viewers is enough of a reward 🙌
I am going to say something that should NOT be taken lightly. With Clarkson, Hammond and May purchased by a billionaire and me liking bikes more than cars these days.... Si and Hank (and really all the GCN presenters) have filled the gap. Your epic ride and journey videos have been amazing and its so fun to come along. Thank you.
Love this! Nepal is a country close to my heart my aunt worked as a doctor there for many years, my dad took part in a hovercraft expedition up the Kali Gandaki river, my wife spent a year there (before we were married) working on micro hydro electric generation, my sister taught in a school there for a bit & I proposed to my wife on the lake at Pokhara.
Big respect to Si, Hank & support crew for making this... now to watch the full film.
Thanks again , to all of the people it took to do this !! Truly incredible . AND...2 things . Hearing Hank scream , while Si was eating was awesome , even if it was creative editing , and Si cries on EVERY ride ...poor bugger !
I like the direction GCN is going with increasing more of these glorious bike-packing travel adventures. it is so much more satisfying than the normal 'ride fast' and tech videos that are put out. Cycling is so much more than just speed and keeping fit. The bike can open the world in a way that no other medium is able to do.
Phenomenal, love this GCN episode! Felt like I was watching a National Geographic documentary! More of trips like this please.
Glad you enjoyed it! Check out the full film here 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas
I'm so jealous!! I've been to Nepal twice and haven't had the chance to do this. It brought tears to my eyes, it's such an incredible country. That's a brilliant video!
We are very lucky to get to do these trips! If you want to get the full in depth video head over to GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas
I did a mountain bike bikepacking adventure in Nepal last year. It was amazing! You summed up very well how Nepal feels!
Sounds like it would of been an epic adventure! Where did you go? 🗺
@@gcn It was for sure! The goal was to pass thorong la pass 5416m. (We were the test group for the video "No summit in sight" for Shimano).
Nepal is my ABSOLUTE favourite place. Love the journey that you guys had, looks amazing!
That was glorious.. thank you GCN.. and good to hear the genuine effect it had on Si.. best GCN video ever
Its a pretty overwhelming place. Once in a lifetime trip!
Great video! Not sure which was more terrifying, Hank's bungee jump or the traffic out of Kathmandu!
👀😰
I’m a massive GCN fan but this is by far the best video they have ever posted. Not about the tech but about the human experience of cycling. Superb video and narrative. I’m in awe!
Beautifully narrated Si - those tears made me have a wee greet.
I watched the documentary on GCN+ and absolutely loved it! One of the best so far! The cycling, the people and the friendship. Exploring this wonderful world with the people we like, on the bikes that we love. That's what life is all about isn't it!?
What a breathtaking film! I must say I was cringing a bit for Hank and his belly when he was drinking out of that garden hose! I'm glad you both made it safe and sound!
little inside knowledge for you... The hose drinking might of come back to haunt Hank later on 😉🤢
I was like “Hank don’t do that!!” #1 rule of being in developing countries: don’t trink untreated water…ever.
this is the climax of GCN epic documentaries so far! Even after watching the full movie twice this was awesome! Seeing you guys riding in this (maybe most beautiful and stunning country I've been so far) makes me jealous and happy for you in the same moment... looking forward for more to come from Nepal!
Hahahaha jealous and happy are what we are aiming for! 😂 Is there anywhere else that you would like us to ride? 🚴
@@gcn maybe you can give Thailand, the Mae Hong Son Loop in the North, a try.
I remember trekking the Annapurna Circuit and running into young mountain bikers on the high pass, Thorang La. I remember being a bit bewildered seeing them hand carry their bikes to the snowy summit, this quickly changed to envy seeing their quick and joyful descent. Now after a few bikepacking trips under my own belt, I envy their experience even more. Re-visiting the Annapurna region from the perspective of my bike is on my bucket list!
What an epic documentary of an epic ride of a lifetime. May the spiritual and religious influence strengthen you both for all of life's journey
Hats off guys for thiss documentary. This adventurous cycling will forever be in the part of your heart.! A big thanks to the GCN teams.
Nepal is a mysterious, undiscovered and underrated heaven 🙌
Kudos to the team. Kudos to the videographer.!!
And for sure.. A big thanks to these two guys.
Oh my goodness. It's been a while (before COVID) since I've watched one of these GCN epic destination videos. I've forgotten how good they are. This is the thing that made me fall in love with GCN years ago- kudos for reminding me why I watch. Cheers and good work.
Oh my god, three minutes in and I'm already jealous. What an amazing trip.
Glad to see you guys visit my country.... Purely rugged and serene
"It's not often cycling makes me cry" says Simon as he weeps on screen for the umpteenth time 😊
😍 I cycled all of Chile, Argentina & Bolivia, lots at ~4500m. Loved it & you would too! Please do Paso Agua Negra, La Carratera Austral, or La Paz a Corroico! Thanks - Loved every second of your vid
We'll add them to the list! 🙌
Hank showing up with the Kukri knife is one of my favorite GCN moments ever. Go Hank! Now it’s an adventure.
It doesnt come any better than this ,take a bow si and hank i think i went through every emotion just watching amazing country and people
It's a truly special place!
By far the most stunning video GCN has ever produced! Only Hank would fist pump a complete stranger on a moped!
As a new drone pilot, kudos to the amazing drone footage! The quality of this documentary is simply amazing and inspiring!
Thank you @GCN for showcasing our place on 2 wheels.
This has to be the best cycling video I have ever seen. ❤❤❤
You guys really have found cheat code in this life. Oh how I wish I could do what you do and enjoy trips like this for "work". Keep content like this coming guys. The views are simply breathtaking
GCN is really starting to nail these clips/docos. The footage is getting better and better, and the editing moreso. Please keep up the great work.
This is truly worthy of mainstream media for production values, but unlike them because it's actually interesting too. Great quality!
In 2009, I trekked in the Annapurna. I can appreciate those tears. Nepal is equalling rewarding and exhausting place to visit. There is a lot of endure, but it is one place from my adventuring I have promised myself to return. The videos do not adequately convey the dimensions and topography.
This is why I watch GCN. To see whats possible and dream about people and bikes.
What an episode... Just mind blowing ! Day 1 riding in city with all the trucks and buses having no road rules would have been just so scary. What an effort to reach Lo Manthang, vedio quality, Sai's narration and the Rice and Potato - Simply 11 / 10.
Saw Si and Hank when I was coming down from Muktinath to Pokhara after we did the Annapurna Circuit trek. They were riding up in the pouring rain. Mad respect. If I spotted it correctly, they had 3 support vehicles. Kudos guys, the cinematography is fantastic.
As an Indian we love the Himalayas. Such a wonderful documentary this is. How big was the team working behind the two of you? How many times have you fallen while climbing, downhill, and what injuries did you sustain? Give details of both your bicycles, What type of bicycle did you use for this trip? Thank you GCN. 🙏
I'll give it to you Hank bungie jumping not for me and I have over 400 jumps out of airplanes I don't have any trust in the bungie cords. SUPER NICE video to everyone involved in making it happen.
Makes me miss Nepal again. I was there for hiking but never thought about bringing a bike. Great Video
Hiking would be amazing in Nepal! Would you ever head back with a bike... more importantly what bike would you take? 🤔
I think Simon Richardson's writing is under estimated. GCN, you have knocked it out of the park with this little series. You are all to be applauded. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Absolutely incredible. I could watch 2 hours of this.
You can go to the highest most hidden places in the world and they know what a fist bump is, amazing
What a trip Keepemcoming
Love from Nepal... I'm following GCN on all social media platforms and watching most of your content. Seeing your country filmed by GCN is truly a blessing! One of the best I've ever watched !!
Thank you for this beautiful film. I went trekking there a few years ago, but made it only to Kagbeni and Muktinath, loved it, and I really miss Nepal. Thanks for reminding me how breathtaking the views are.
How cool would an hour plus episode of an epic GCN bikepacking trip be?!!!
That’s what is on GCN+. The ones where they do amazing stuff like this are really really good.
We have one! The full Himalayas film is on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas
Saw this a month or more ago on GCN+. Still great to watch again. The opening caught my attention. I don't know about others but there's nothing about "not daring" keeping me from the Himalayas. It's time and money; a lack of sponsors footing the bill for me. (Can't help noticing GCN is getting a lot of mileage from this footage!) Still great stuff. More of this and less of Manon's how to ride a trainer indoors lol!
Been there, done that - with a friend in 1990 on mountain bikes with no suspension and V brakes. Good times. Best place I've ever been. Met 6 other riders on the way to Jomsom, 5 Canadian mountain bikers and a crazy Frenchman on a touring bike. And back then the road ended about 20km from Pokara, lots of hike-a-bike to get to Tatopani.
This is a great documentary that showcases my dad's daily ride to school.
I am speechless. Not often that happens but how this was filmed made me emotional. How can we sum this up with words like epic or awesome? While true, this was other-wordly. Spiritual for myself as well. Thank you for showing us the beauty of Nepal, it’s people, places and of yourselves. Two touching, caring, kind, respectful cyclist travelers. Cheers. ❤. So well filmed and compiled.
I spent a year riding in Nepal in 2003 while serving in the Peace Corps. That was when I fully fell in love with cycling and made me the addict I am today. I did the Kathmandu to Pokhara route on a 90's hardtail mountain bike. Your bike setup looks like a Cadillac in comparison. You think the pollution in Kathmandu is bad now, at least they banned the 2 stroke tuktuk of old. Can't wait to get back to Nepal again with a modern gravel bike. So jealous, awesome video, thanks!
This channel is to cycling what Top Gear (Clarkie, Hammy, May trio), absolute bangers every upload.
Brought to you by Sir Edmund 'Hank' and Tenzing 'Si'
Thank you. Brilliant as ever 👏
This is the best GCN. Sid - you will live. To 200 years if you do this every year. Bike to Mustang and Annapurna circuit. We trek to Annapurna Base camp twice before the pandemic and thanks to your videos. I will bike to Mustang June 2024. thank you and Namaste. 🙏
Stopping about halfway though this. I gotta watch the full length version. This is just too good. Time for a GCN+ subscription.
Best video I've seen in a long long time. Biggest compliment I can give it is its a cyclists equivalent to a Peak Top Gear Special. 10/10
Man, this is a giant and breathtaking leap in terms of production, I am amazed by what you guys achieved GCN! Beautiful video!
Great to hear you enjoyed the video! If you want the full experience you can head over to gcn+ 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas
Just 2 minutes into the video ... and i could tell this trip and this video is going to be absolutely epic! While i have not been to Nepal, i have been to Bhutan, another magical Himalayan Kingdom, which always made me think that one day perhaps I can venture out to experience these extraordinary places on my bike. Hopefully GCN starts some sort of small group adventure tours to make it real for people like us 😀 🚵♀️
Wow! That's so far out of my comfort/skill zone, but how amazing.
Also, Si's face at James' knife! Hilarious!
I have been to Nepal twice. Great people, unmatched landscape and a bewildering religious culture. However, the driving is simply insane, and as for the pollution in the Khatmandu valley. A rich, rich mixture of burning wood, funeral pyres, diesel fumes, bullocks to name but a few things. But I simply adored the place and the people.
I managed to drop a lens cap in the lake at Pokhara. Let me know if you come across it.
Pokhara was hippy heaven back in the 1960s and 70s, with marijuana growing wild. It was the arrival of hundreds of long haired western drop-outs that triggered the introduction of visa controls into the place. Who can blame them?
nb. If you are after other amazing countries, a bit off the beaten track, try Ethiopia or Peru.
Great video guys. I cycled the Annupurna circuit in 2011 which was mainly a hiking route at the time and on cheap hard tail MTB's. We cycled, pushed and carried our bikes up to 5416 meter.. I too was over come with emotions when I sat in a small shack at 8am at the top of the pass drinking tea, having complete the 4500m of assent. It was by far the hardest and the best adventure I have ever had. If anyone is considering it, just do it, you will not regret it. Keep up the good work.
Absolut beautiful. Right mix of biking, nature and some deeper feelings.
I normally play GCN videos at 1.5 speed but this one needed to be savored.
Easily the best video on GCN+. Thoroughly enjoyed that video.
Thanks so much! Where else should we go and ride?
when hank pulled that gigantor knife out from behind his back... i laughed so hard. from what little i know about hank from GCN, it does seem like something he would do. hank - we love ya. never change!
and si - that look after you said "i love potatoes" - what a look into your soul, man. well, that and the scurry past the cows. perfection.
cannot wait to watch the GCN+ film. kudos to all involved, this is a wonderful treat.
Hank and Si are the ultimate power duo 💪
Breathless! Nothing can top this
Fantastic. Just fantastic. Epic journey!!!! Thank you GCN, thank you Hank and Si!!!!
Great video - one of the best from the GCN crew.
I left London by bike in June of 1992 and made it to Kathmandu by January. Popped over to Pocara to do the Annapurna sanctuary trek. Man, it sure looks different now. Makes me want to go back for another loaded tour.
I don't know how to thank you . I love the cycling community both the gcn and gmbn . I always wanted the cycling community to know about Nepal and it's unique as well as adventurous places . For me its like a dream come true . Thanks for coming to Nepal and I also hope that you will visit Nepal in the future and explore it's more places .
Awesome video! This was like a movie! Love you guys! Hank bungy jumping was hectic funny 😂
This is an awsome trip! Thanks Simon and Hank.
Oh. My. Goodness! What breathtaking views! Long Way Round vibes, on bikes:).
Radical terrain and culture and GCN captured it so well!
Thank you so much for sharing this incredible adventure! Si's narration stitched the scenes together seamlessly! Inspirational!
Not the place to strip your freewheel . Doubt Shimano have yet infiltrated the forbidden kingdom :). Awesome scenery once again.
Honestly this version is more emotional than the longer version.
AMAZING! Truly... This is the kind of cycling I'm the most attracted to in general, but the "magic" of this specific trip was really moving.
My drone operating fingers were twitching looking at that scenery! Geez you could point a camera in any direction and come away with stunning imagery
Hanks living the dream this year, first the mega, now this 👌. I’m Not jealous at all
I‘ve been mountaineering in the Annapurna region last spring. This video brings back so many memories. The road from Kathmandu to Pokhara is probably the best built road in Nepal and I remember thinking that it would probably take the same time by bike for the roughly 100km as it did for us by bus.
Absolutely freaking bonkers chaps ! First class job GCN. 👍🏼
Lovely footage. I got hungry everytime the guys tucked into some dhal bhat!
I did some of that Nepal trek on foot in the late 80s with my dad and visited Pokkara, and it was a fantastic experience. I'd love to go back on my bike!
This video is the best. Beautifully written, beautiful shot, great presenters. Bravo for the producer and GCN team!
Wow! This was, by far, the best GCN video ever!
Brilliant guys, massive respect. Epic ride. Epic film. Thanks.
Top of my bucket list has to be the Silk Road. Passing through the same valleys as Marco Polo or Alexander the Great did in the past.
As a video idea, you could do a bike transport on public transport in Europe (with Interrail). I have done bikepacking over the summer in Europe and USA (with Amtrak), but have avoided high speed (TGV, Eurostar). Could be a fun idea and more accessible to the average viewer.
Great video as always!
Also watched the GCN+ video. Absolutely STUNNINGLY, AMAZING!!!
Si should submit that for an OSCAR in the documentary category!!!
Seeing his speed on the climbs leaves mere mortals like me thinking these ride are only possible vicariously through Si, Hank and the GCN crews!
Thanks for such kind words! 🙌 We're super proud of this doc and can't wait to create the next one. We're not sure about an Oscar but Si deserved a reward for being stuck with Hank for so long 😂
The most increadible video on GCN! Thanks!
I remember travelling from Tibet to Nepal 20 years ago and seeing a bikepacker doing the same trip onwards from the friendship highway. Looked epic.
What a video- thanks for sharing that with us. I’m putting that trip on my bucket list and that Rab kit on Christmas list.
Did see on GCN+ but it never gets old. What an adventure.
Hank's bungee jump must have been incredible. What an experience.
I don't know what moved Si more, the journey or the food! Epic vid guy's