For many long-distance cyclists in India, completing the Kashmir-to-Kanyakumari (K2K) route is an ultimate dream. This epic journey spans approximately 3,600 km, tracing a line from the northern tip of Kashmir to the southernmost point of Kanyakumari. Cyclists have tackled this route for years, predominantly traveling north to south, though some have chosen the reverse direction.
Cyclists typically take anywhere from three weeks to several months to conquer the K2K route, depending on their pace and purpose. Fast K2K attempts prioritize speed, often utilizing highways to cover 150 km or more daily. These rides focus on minimizing costs and completing the journey quickly. On the other hand, slower rides emphasize exploration, allowing cyclists to immerse themselves in scenic landscapes along the way. These longer tours may involve overnight stays in hotels or camping, with some riders choosing to travel unsupported, while others are accompanied by a support vehicle.
- Planning: Ensuring comfortable and safe accommodations daily while cycling long distances is a demanding task.
- Road and Traffic: Varying road conditions and traffic levels across states, especially on highways, pose significant challenges.
- Health: A single unhygienic meal can cause health issues that may jeopardize the entire ride.
- Packing Decisions: Balancing essential gear such as cycling shorts, jerseys, t-shirts, and spares without overloading the bike.
- Time Management: Covering daily distances while still enjoying the sights and experiences along the route.
A Self Supported Bike-Packing Adventure
Key Highlights:
- Self-Supported Adventure: A self-supported bike-packing tour covering the length of India.
- Distance and Duration: 4,100 km over 25 days.
- Route: Starting from Kanyakumari and ending in Kashmir, avoiding highways whenever possible.
- Scenic Path: Passes through villages, forests, mountains, and coastal areas.
- Non-Competitive: The ride is challenging but non-competitive.
- Daily Start and End Points: Each day has a defined start and endpoint.
- Schedule: Daily rides start at 5:00 AM. Aim to finish by 6:00 PM (strictly no riding after dark).
- Route Maps: Cyclists receive specific GPX route maps for each day.
- Accommodation: Daily rides conclude at comfortable locations for dinner and rest.
- Luggage: Riders carry 3-4 days of essential luggage, with additional luggage available at designated drop points.
Cycool K2K embodies the spirit of bike-packing, where riders navigate independently between daily start and end points. Carrying essential luggage, they will cycle an average of 160 km daily, covering 4,100 km in total. The route, designed to prioritize cyclist safety, stays off highways and ventures through scenic terrains like mountains, forests, seashores, and villages, promising breathtaking views and unforgettable memories.
This rural-focused path means fewer access points for spares and accessories, making it vital for both rider and bike to perform optimally. The non-highway route also introduces challenges, including elevation changes and longer distances compared to a direct highway ride.
- Start: January 25, 2025 (Day 1) at Kanyakumari, "The Last Land of India in the South".
- End: February 20, 2025 (Day 26) at Dal Lake, Kashmir.
Riders are responsible for their own travel and accommodation in Kanyakumari before Day 0 and post-ride stays in Kashmir from Day 26 onward. A day of rest in Kashmir after the ride is highly recommended.
The tentative routeincludes
- Kanyakumari
- Virundunagar
- Tiruppur
- Chamarajanagar
- Hassan (Drop-Bag Point 1)
- Ripponpet
- Gokarna
- Pernem
- Ambolgad (Drop-Bag Point 2)
- Chiplun
- Devnhave
- Nashik
- Waghia (Drop-Bag Point 3)
- Rajpipla
- Lunawada
- Udaipur
- Bhilwara (Drop-Bag Point 4)
- Krishangarh
- Kotputli
- Charkhi Dadri
- Pehowa (Drop-Bag Point 5)
- Phagwara
- Pathankot
- Katra
- Banihal
- Kashmir
Routes and Stopovers are subject to change based on climate conditions or emergencies or accomodation changes
- Approximate Cost: ₹79,000 per rider (includes twin-sharing accommodations, dinner, and luggage transport).
- Exclusions: Travel to/from start and end points, daily food and hydration, bike repairs, and personal expenses.
- Reservation: A non-refundable deposit of ₹10,000 is required, with the balance due five days before Day 1.
- Riders must wear helmets at all times while cycling.
- Reflective jackets are mandatory in low-light conditions such as early mornings, fog, long tunnels, or evenings.
- Carry powerful headlights and tail lights on your bike at all times.
- Any human-powered bike is allowed, including road, gravel, hybrid, MTB, or recumbent bikes.
- E-bikes are not allowed.
- TT bars are not allowed.
- Carry valid ID proof at all times.
- Bring mechanical spare parts specific to your bike, either on the bike or in your luggage.
- Riders' luggage will be split into 5 numbered drop bags, accessible every 4th day or after approximately 600-650 km.
- At each drop bag point, the current bag will be collected, and the next bag handed over for redistribution on the bike as needed.
- A vehicle will transport luggage from Kanyakumari to Kashmir but will only be accessible to riders every 4th day at pre-disclosed points.
- The vehicle will not transport riders or bikes in case of health issues or mechanical failures.Assistance will be provided to locate the nearest repair or medical facility.
- If a rider decides to quit, assistance will be provided to find nearby transport options (auto, bus, railway, etc.), but no refund will be issued.
- Riders must reach the daily endpoint by 6:00 PM.Repeated delays beyond the 7:00 PM cut-off (more than 3 occasions) may result in disqualification at the ride director's discretion.
- Assistance for bike packing at Kashmir for air travel can be arranged at the rider's expense.
- Uber XL typically allows 2 bike boxes and 2 riders for hotel-to-airport transit; plan accordingly.
- The ride director's decision on all matters is final.
Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime
At Cycool, we conduct cycling and other sporting events for individuals and organisations. With this, we hope to build a culture of health, fitness and well-being. Every Cycool ride is planned and organised by our expert mentors who ensure that all participants get maximum support and guidance in their quest to perform better.
We design our events to challenge your limits while also keeping things fun. We believe that, neither cost nor a lack of support should form barriers to riders pushing their boundaries.
