Perspectives // India featuring Micayla Gatto from Freehub Magazine on Vimeo.
Everyone views the world differently. As an artist and professional mountain biker, Micayla Gatto finds inspiration in her surroundings, be it at home in British Columbia, Canada or somewhere as distant as India. The chaotic cities, the surreal mountains, the kind people; each provide a beautiful and unique experience. On her journey to ride in the Himalaya, the unfamiliar environment is amplified with every pedal-stroke, taking her further into the unknown, closer to connection and toward the realization that perspective is everything.
Source: Freehub Magazine
About the film: Micayla Gatto in India
Perspectives // India is a short film from Freehub Magazine featuring Micayla Gatto, a Canadian professional mountain biker who is also an artist. Instead of a race or a bike park, the film follows her into the Indian Himalaya, where the trails, the altitude and the culture are all very different from what she knows at home.
That is what makes it worth watching. Micayla Gatto looks at the landscape the way a painter would, and the film shows how travelling by bike lets you see a place slowly, meet the people who live there and ride trails that very few visitors ever find. You can also read about the film on Singletracks.
Mountain biking in the Himalaya: what to know
Riding in the Himalaya is a dream trip for many mountain bikers, but it needs more planning than a weekend in a bike park:
- Altitude. Many routes climb well above 3,000 m. Plan rest days to acclimatise, drink plenty of water and descend if you feel unwell.
- Season. In much of the Himalaya the best riding is in spring and autumn. Summer brings the monsoon to many areas, while high, dry regions have a shorter summer season.
- Permits and local rules. Some border and protected areas need permits. A local operator will know what is required.
- Spares and repairs. Bike shops can be far apart. Bring spare brake pads, a derailleur hanger, tubes and the tools to fix them.
- Respect. Ride slowly through villages, give way to animals and walkers, and ask before taking photos of people.
Ride the Himalaya with a local guide
A local guide makes a Himalayan trip safer and much richer: they know the trails, the weather, where to sleep and how to handle permits. Browse mountain bike guides in Asia, including guides in Nepal, or search all certified mountain bike guides on MTB Guides and contact them directly with no booking fees.