Adventures in Nepal: Nagarjung Forest Reserve 62

Hiking to Nagarjun or cycling?

My latest trip was out to Nagarjun Forest Reserve just outside the Kathmandu City. I must say I had plenty of fun and exercise as well. Well, to be trouthful, I hiked with my mountain bike up the hill and rode down hill.
I started early in the morning with some friends from Thamel. We rode to up til the Nagarjun Reserve entrance and rested while contemplating whether to ride or hike. It was about 32 km to reach the top and uphill, so we packed quite a number of bottled water in our backpacks.
At the begining, we all rode as the uphill was gradual and the road was metalled. But after the dirt-road started and the the slopes got steeper, we couldn't continue riding as we hadn't cycled for years and the heat was getting to us. We walked most of the way up and only cycled on less steep slopes. One of the guys had muscle cramps and had to stop for quite sometime before he was able to get up again.
By the time we reached halfway up to the top, we realised that we were out of water. Water! we were all exhausted and thirsty, no way we could make it to the top. After resting for some time, we decided that it will be best that we turn back.
Riding down the hills was a thrill after such a long gap cycling... but it was tiring as well as we had to grip the handles tightly and control the bikes going down at high speed on dirt-road. Luckily, no one had any accidents and all reached the exit of the reserve safely but thirsty.
As soons we got out of the reserve, we looked around for water, but only found a lady sitting by the road selling watermelon. What more did we need... this was the first time that i really enjoyed eating watermelon... imagine being thirsty for a few hours and getting to eat those juicy melons.