Cycling, walking and trekking in clean and green Islamabad and the Margalla hills...healthy pursuits

[N.Siddiqui]

Yes done all the trails. Trail 6 is the easiest. Trail 5 can be long. This is where a couple of kids got lost and rangers had to go find them at night.

Trail 5 seems to have the water bodies and water streams in rainy days. Margalla mountain range, the green and wooded areas are what makes this city peaceful and serene.


About time to stop the extra commercialization and follow the master plan. Many roads has been widened at the cost of green belts, which could have been avoided.

More trees are needed in newly developed sectors to give it a look of 'closer to nature' city.

 

[Trango Towers]

 

[N.Siddiqui]

Adding here...


'Galiyat' region of Pakistan, just down the road from Murree, Pakistan

"Galiyat" is a narrow strip or area roughly 50–80 km north-east of Islamabad extending on both sides of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Punjab border, between Abbottabad and Murree. The word itself is derived from the plural of the Urdu word gali, which means an alley between two mountains on both sides of which there are valleys and it is not the highest point in the range. Many of the towns in the area have the word gali as part of their names, and are popular tourist resorts."

Localities in the Galiyat

Jhikagali (Punjab)
Ghoragali (Punjab)
Ayubia (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Baragali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Changlagali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Koozagali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Dungagali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Khairagali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Khanspur (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Nathiagali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Kalabagh (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Thandiani (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Darwaza Ayubia (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Toheedabad (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Dagrinaka (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

Dunga Gali

 

[padamchen]

Breathtaking!

Bro are you a cyclist?

With your permission I will share these on some of my cycling groups.

Cheers, Doc

 

[N.Siddiqui]

Bhurban Murree

 

[N.Siddiqui]

Breathtaking!

Bro are you a cyclist?

With your permission I will share these on some of my cycling groups.

Thanks a lot, feel free to share the pics with anyone you like, it's a common 'environmental concern' India-Pakistan, all the world.

I am not a professional cyclist, but occasionally do indulges in it. Will join a critical mass to promote such healthy activity.

More concerned about the environmental issue and rapid urbanization and depleting wooded areas and natural habitat though.

Thanks for sharing the common thoughts.

 

[padamchen]

Thanks a lot, feel free to share the pics with anyone you like, it's a common 'environmental concern' India-Pakistan, all the world.

I am not a professional cyclist, but occasionally do indulges in it. Will join a critical mass to promote such healthy activity.

More concerned about the environmental issue and rapid urbanization and depleting wooded areas and natural habitat though.

Thanks for sharing the common thoughts.

No one is a professional cyclist here man! But if you cycle at least 2-3 times a week, even 100 kms, then you are definitely a cyclist.

Nothing more liberating than a beautiful shady road and you and your cycle and nature. Preferably neutral gradient, most definitely no sun!

On my Strava currently, for the past 2-3 weeks I'm averaging 3 rides a week, approximately 260-270 km.

Cheers, Doc

 

[Rafael]

No one is a professional cyclist here man! But if you cycle at least 2-3 times a week, even 100 kms, then you are definitely a cyclist.

Nothing more liberating than a beautiful shady road and you and your cycle and nature. Preferably neutral gradient, most definitely no sun!

On my Strava currently, for the past 2-3 weeks I'm averaging 3 rides a week, approximately 260-270 km.

Cheers, Doc

Hi,

I am new to cycling. 100-150 Kms a month approx. Have a 2 year old Chinese mountain bike but thinking of getting a road bike now. Any suggestions people?

 

[N.Siddiqui]

Rawal dam

Newly developed camping pods and other camping/tourism facilities in Thandiani and other areas in KPK, Pakistan.

 

[padamchen]

Hi,

I am new to cycling. 100-150 Kms a month approx. Have a 2 year old Chinese mountain bike but thinking of getting a road bike now. Any suggestions people?

I'm doing my research for a roadie too currently. Have been pounding my 2002 steel 18 speed MTB hardtail and a newer and lighter 2016 alloy flat bar hybrid 21 speeder.

Looking at Merida, Scott, Giant, and Canondale mainly. Will also check out some specific models from Ridley, Trek and Specialized.

Not looking at a race or aero frame, but something that is more endurance inclined. More upright, for longer hours in the saddle.

Do share which bikes you are looking at. Photos would be great.

Basically buy the lightest frame you can afford. The components can be upgraded once they wear out.

A compact crank if a two chain ring one (50-34) or even better a triple chain ring crank would give you both speed as well as help up the mountains.

Getting the correct size is the most important thing. There are tons of calculators and tables online. If between sizes, the rule of thumb is go smaller if you want to ride aggressive, for speed. Go for the larger frame if you want more comfort at the cost of performance.

The choices would be priced upward depending on the groupset on the bike. Usually Shimano, sometimes SRAM.

This is the pecking order in terms of slickness and preciseness and speed of shifting as well as lower weight -

Tourney (7) < Claris (8) < Sora (9) < Tiagra (10) < 105 (11) < Ultegra (11) < DuraAce (11; mechanical and electronic)

Tiagra is the entry level for serious roadies. Though Sora is not bad for beginners or those who will not be cycling much. Or competitively.

I would personally not bother with Claris or Tourney. Too basic.

Till Claris you should get wide spaced 11-32 cassette for the rear. Tourney will have 11-28 only. Tough in climbs.

Hope this helps. Fire away if you have any questions. @Rafael

Cheers, Doc

 

[Rafael]

I'm doing my research for a roadie too currently. Have been pounding my 2002 steel 18 speed MTB hardtail and a newer and lighter 2016 alloy flat bar hybrid 21 speeder.

Looking at Merida, Scott, Giant, and Canondale mainly. Will also check out some specific models from Ridley, Trek and Specialized.

Not looking at a race or aero frame, but something that is more endurance inclined. More upright, for longer hours in the saddle.

Do share which bikes you are looking at. Photos would be great.

Basically buy the lightest frame you can afford. The components can be upgraded once they wear out.

A compact crank if a two chain ring one (50-34) or even better a triple chain ring crank would give you both speed as well as help up the mountains.

Getting the correct size is the most important thing. There are tons of calculators and tables online. If between sizes, the rule of thumb is go smaller if you want to ride aggressive, for speed. Go for the larger frame if you want more comfort at the cost of performance.

The choices would be priced upward depending on the groupset on the bike. Usually Shimano, sometimes SRAM.

This is the pecking order in terms of slickness and preciseness and speed of shifting as well as lower weight -

Tourney (7) < Claris (8) < Sora (9) < Tiagra (10) < 105 (11) < Ultegra (11) < DuraAce (11; mechanical and electronic)

Tiagra is the entry level for serious roadies. Though Sora is not bad for beginners or those who will not be cycling much. Or competitively.

I would personally not bother with Claris or Tourney. Too basic.

Till Claris you should get wide spaced 11-32 cassette for the rear. Tourney will have 11-28 only. Tough in climbs.

Hope this helps. Fire away if you have any questions. @Rafael

Cheers, Doc

Thanks for your detailed reply Doc.

Currently I have short listed few options that are available in Pakistan.

1) Specialized Allez e5
2) Bianchi via Niorine
3) Giant ocr series.

Canondale and Scott are available too but they are out of my budget.

All of the above are good entry level bikes are weigh around 9kgs. I am 5ft 6 inches and so guess medium would be the ideal frame for me. Weight is around 62kgs so that should not be a problem. Will be visiting Karachi this december and try a few before buying one In Shaa Allah.

How about you? which models are you looking at?

 

[padamchen]

Thanks for your detailed reply Doc.

Currently I have short listed few options that are available in Pakistan.

1) Specialized Allez e5
2) Bianchi via Niorine
3) Giant ocr series.

Canondale and Scott are available too but they are out of my budget.

All of the above are good entry level bikes are weigh around 9kgs. I am 5ft 6 inches and so guess medium would be the ideal frame for me. Weight is around 62kgs so that should not be a problem. Will be visiting Karachi this december and try a few before buying one In Shaa Allah.

How about you? which models are you looking at?

Driving home. Will reply!

Cheers, Doc

 

[padamchen]

Thanks for your detailed reply Doc.

Currently I have short listed few options that are available in Pakistan.

1) Specialized Allez e5
2) Bianchi via Niorine
3) Giant ocr series.

Canondale and Scott are available too but they are out of my budget.

All of the above are good entry level bikes are weigh around 9kgs. I am 5ft 6 inches and so guess medium would be the ideal frame for me. Weight is around 62kgs so that should not be a problem. Will be visiting Karachi this december and try a few before buying one In Shaa Allah.

How about you? which models are you looking at?

Specialized is really good. The serious fast guys favor it and Cannondale.

Bianchi is exotic. Good bikes. The Via Nirone is very popular here too.

But that and the SCR from Giant, as well as the Allez, are race geometries.

How old are you? How fit?

SCR 0 and 1 are both good. 2 is Claris.

I'm currently looking at mainly Endurance geometry bikes. Go fast, go long.

The Merida Ride series. 100 to 500.

The Scott Speedster series. 50 to 10 (there is an SE above that too).

The Giant Defy 5 and the new 2018 Contend series (only ones with 11-34 at back).

The Canondale Synapse series (the CAADs are full on racers).

The Ridley Damocles series. 5, 4 and 1. Not too excited by them to be honest.

Most of these are Endurance geometries. Ranging from 45k to 95k.

Cheers, Doc

 

[Rafael]

Specialized is really good. The serious fast guys favor it and Cannondale.

Bianchi is exotic. Good bikes. The Via Nirone is very popular here too.

But that and the SCR from Giant, as well as the Allez, are race geometries.

How old are you? How fit?

SCR 0 and 1 are both good. 2 is Claris.

I'm currently looking at mainly Endurance geometry bikes. Go fast, go long.

The Merida Ride series. 100 to 500.

The Scott Speedster series. 50 to 10 (there is an SE above that too).

The Giant Defy 5 and the new 2018 Contend series (only ones with 11-34 at back).

The Canondale Synapse series (the CAADs are full on racers).

The Ridley Damocles series. 5, 4 and 1. Not too excited by them to be honest.

Most of these are Endurance geometries. Ranging from 45k to 95k.

Cheers, Doc

I have seen Giant Defy 5. Its good but a little more expensive here. Can be considered. I am also looking more at endurance rather than fast / racing. What do you suggest? Cannodale / Scott over Specialized / Bianchi?

I am 30. We do not have Merida here. I am getting via nirone and specialized e5 in 90k PKR. Whats the price like in India?

Also, do you have any idea how can I take one in luggage if I buy it from UK as I am a frequent traveler?

 

[Path-Finder]

Beautiful sights.