Cycling through India is the best idea ever, and here’s why

A very brief guide to India in all its wonder, some grubbiness, and unexpected kindness

Carefree and pre-kids, the conversation went something like this:

Hubby: I’m going to go on a three-week cycling holiday with Bob* through India in January.
Me: Are you totally insane? You’ll die on those roads! No way are you going!

Five minutes into his planning conversation with Bob:

Me: I’m coming with you.

Six weeks later, on January 1st, we stepped off the plane at Bangalore airport and breathed in the dry, dusty, curry-tinged air of Karnataka for the first time. And so, our adventure began.

Cycling through any country is an experience in itself. You see so much more than you ever would by car, train or plane.

Cycling through India is a whole other level.

You talk to people, stop by the roadside for food, and get to cross a level crossing with cars, mopeds, bicycles, pedestrians, cows, and elephants. Hey, maybe even throw in a camel for good luck. For anyone who has visited India, just the smell and noise are enough to awaken the senses.

The plan, after landing, was to head to Decathlon on the other side of Bangalore to collect the bikes I had reserved with their Customer Happiness Officer (she was awesome). Bob was going to assemble…