Bikepacking Nepal: In Search Of The Forbidden Kingdom Of Mustang

In the shadow of the mighty Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains sits the village of Lo Manthang. This ancient walled city in Nepal’s Upper Mustang region was once the capital of the Kingdom of Lo. Foreign visitors were banned until 1992 and the kingdom ended in 2008. Si and Hank went to the Himalayas on an epic adventure from Kathmandu to this forbidden kingdom.
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#gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #nepal #himalayas #bikepacking #adventure
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[@gcn]

What destination is top of your cycling bucket list? 🚴🗺 Let us know in the comments below! 👇

[@_Tp__]

Madeira

[@alinapopescu872]

I'm not into buckets, but please thank Simon and James for all this. I'm sure it has changed their lives that little bit. They are truly blessed to have travelled there.

[@gaurab7]

Thank you team @gcn for visiting Nepal!

[@Mo.Jo.MTB_101]

Norway, one of my biggest biking dream is riding to the northern cape... One day, one day...

[@jaredlash5002]

This is now. How long did you guys spend on this trip?

[@mikekelly1771]

This has to be the best video GCN has ever made. Ever.

[@gcn]

Thanks so much! Have you seen our full Himalayas film? 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas

[@ShannonSouthAfrica]

Amazing

[@jadsru1]

Yes. I second that... absolutely best. What an adventure. Gorgeous 😍

[@johnmccarthy115]

Epic adventure guys. Wonderfully recorded 👍👍

[@kathyjurgens7153]

For us it's tied with Manon's epid Gravel attempt!

[@WarHammerWH]

One could think Si’s tears were from his realization that the tea house wasn’t serving potatoes, but actually we all know it’s because our friend Simon is a sensitive man. Cheers to you Si and Hank for making this video inspiring on so many levels.

[@gunitheman]

As a Nepalese, living in England this video is very personal to me. Been watching gcn video since I started cycling. Gcn has taught me how to easy fix my bike. Watching some of the familiar routes in the video bought me in tears. Thankyou gcn and team. Nirajan.

[@DerWyldeZakken]

Crazy how good the GCN videos are. Thank you guys!

[@gcn]

Thanks a lot! For more epic riding in the Himalayas, why not check out the film we made on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas

[@BrianRPaterson]

I'll second that. The GCN team - in front and behind the camera - deserve all the kudos they get. They're are super talented. Roll on!

[@basudevadhikari22]

Watching GCN from Nepal for years.. and now you are here.

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Have you guys ever got some sort of award or recognition for the quality of these productions? They really are breathtaking. Great cinematography. Great presentation and great stories. They feel like far more than cycling videos. They are in fact wonderful small documentaries of landscape and culture. Thanks so much.

[@gcn]

love from our viewers is enough of a reward 🙌

[@PoserExtreme]

I'd like Si to read my eulogy after watching this beautiful documentary. Big props to both Si and Hank, and the production crew that went with them.

[@gcn]

Thanks so much! Really glad you enjoyed it

[@chrislehr07]

I am going to say something that should NOT be taken lightly. With Clarkson, Hammond and May purchased by a billionaire and me liking bikes more than cars these days.... Si and Hank (and really all the GCN presenters) have filled the gap. Your epic ride and journey videos have been amazing and its so fun to come along. Thank you.

[@cb6866]

Thanks again , to all of the people it took to do this !! Truly incredible . AND...2 things . Hearing Hank scream , while Si was eating was awesome , even if it was creative editing , and Si cries on EVERY ride ...poor bugger !

[@ptitjoueurtranquille]

I did a mountain bike bikepacking adventure in Nepal last year. It was amazing! You summed up very well how Nepal feels!

[@gcn]

Sounds like it would of been an epic adventure! Where did you go? 🗺

[@ptitjoueurtranquille]

@@gcn It was for sure! The goal was to pass thorong la pass 5416m. (We were the test group for the video "No summit in sight" for Shimano).

[@Biking360]

I like the direction GCN is going with increasing more of these glorious bike-packing travel adventures. it is so much more satisfying than the normal 'ride fast' and tech videos that are put out. Cycling is so much more than just speed and keeping fit. The bike can open the world in a way that no other medium is able to do.

[@r0bv123]

Phenomenal, love this GCN episode! Felt like I was watching a National Geographic documentary! More of trips like this please.

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it! Check out the full film here 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas

[@davidshardlow4369]

That was glorious.. thank you GCN.. and good to hear the genuine effect it had on Si.. best GCN video ever

[@gcn]

Its a pretty overwhelming place. Once in a lifetime trip!

[@marklong691]

Nepal is my ABSOLUTE favourite place. Love the journey that you guys had, looks amazing!

[@Longansrun]

I’m a massive GCN fan but this is by far the best video they have ever posted. Not about the tech but about the human experience of cycling. Superb video and narrative. I’m in awe!

[@davidwhitehead2298]

What an epic documentary of an epic ride of a lifetime. May the spiritual and religious influence strengthen you both for all of life's journey

[@Alex.R.Feyn.]

I watched the documentary on GCN+ and absolutely loved it! One of the best so far! The cycling, the people and the friendship. Exploring this wonderful world with the people we like, on the bikes that we love. That's what life is all about isn't it!?

[@chrispearson8163]

Great video! Not sure which was more terrifying, Hank's bungee jump or the traffic out of Kathmandu!

[@gcn]

👀😰

[@scubaboy1984]

What a breathtaking film! I must say I was cringing a bit for Hank and his belly when he was drinking out of that garden hose! I'm glad you both made it safe and sound!

[@gcn]

little inside knowledge for you... The hose drinking might of come back to haunt Hank later on 😉🤢

[@DB-sj8km]

I was like “Hank don’t do that!!” #1 rule of being in developing countries: don’t trink untreated water…ever.

[@philipplorenz9485]

this is the climax of GCN epic documentaries so far! Even after watching the full movie twice this was awesome! Seeing you guys riding in this (maybe most beautiful and stunning country I've been so far) makes me jealous and happy for you in the same moment... looking forward for more to come from Nepal!

[@gcn]

Hahahaha jealous and happy are what we are aiming for! 😂 Is there anywhere else that you would like us to ride? 🚴

[@philipplorenz9485]

@@gcn maybe you can give Thailand, the Mae Hong Son Loop in the North, a try.

[@hon1214]

I remember trekking the Annapurna Circuit and running into young mountain bikers on the high pass, Thorang La. I remember being a bit bewildered seeing them hand carry their bikes to the snowy summit, this quickly changed to envy seeing their quick and joyful descent. Now after a few bikepacking trips under my own belt, I envy their experience even more. Re-visiting the Annapurna region from the perspective of my bike is on my bucket list!

[@sudeepmypov360]

Glad to see you guys visit my country.... Purely rugged and serene

[@hxjay1971]

It doesnt come any better than this ,take a bow si and hank i think i went through every emotion just watching amazing country and people

[@gcn]

It's a truly special place!

[@derrickquintal]

How cool would an hour plus episode of an epic GCN bikepacking trip be?!!!

[@FlatSpinMan]

That’s what is on GCN+. The ones where they do amazing stuff like this are really really good.

[@gcn]

We have one! The full Himalayas film is on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas

[@janderson7562]

Oh my goodness. It's been a while (before COVID) since I've watched one of these GCN epic destination videos. I've forgotten how good they are. This is the thing that made me fall in love with GCN years ago- kudos for reminding me why I watch. Cheers and good work.

[@pp_diniz]

As a new drone pilot, kudos to the amazing drone footage! The quality of this documentary is simply amazing and inspiring!

[@Longansrun]

Totally amazing. What an incredible video. Bravo boys!!!

[@gavinm717gkm]

Stopping about halfway though this. I gotta watch the full length version. This is just too good. Time for a GCN+ subscription.

[@ryux]

Makes me miss Nepal again. I was there for hiking but never thought about bringing a bike. Great Video

[@gcn]

Hiking would be amazing in Nepal! Would you ever head back with a bike... more importantly what bike would you take? 🤔

[@frankrizzo367]

Fantastic. Just fantastic. Epic journey!!!! Thank you GCN, thank you Hank and Si!!!!

[@pcr1005]

You guys really have found cheat code in this life. Oh how I wish I could do what you do and enjoy trips like this for "work". Keep content like this coming guys. The views are simply breathtaking

[@nipheon]

Oh my god, three minutes in and I'm already jealous. What an amazing trip.

[@juancarlosriveros7194]

This is an awsome trip! Thanks Simon and Hank.

[@matthewphillips6766]

Brilliant guys, massive respect. Epic ride. Epic film. Thanks.

[@joerossa1112]

Hank showing up with the Kukri knife is one of my favorite GCN moments ever. Go Hank! Now it’s an adventure.

[@Asheesh17776]

What an episode... Just mind blowing ! Day 1 riding in city with all the trucks and buses having no road rules would have been just so scary. What an effort to reach Lo Manthang, vedio quality, Sai's narration and the Rice and Potato - Simply 11 / 10.

[@maxheadroom9014]

GCN is really starting to nail these clips/docos. The footage is getting better and better, and the editing moreso. Please keep up the great work.

[@SimonThornton-r8x]

What a video- thanks for sharing that with us. I’m putting that trip on my bucket list and that Rab kit on Christmas list.

[@nevillepretorius8948]

Awesome video! This was like a movie! Love you guys! Hank bungy jumping was hectic funny 😂

[@samteenoise]

Man, this is a giant and breathtaking leap in terms of production, I am amazed by what you guys achieved GCN! Beautiful video!

[@gcn]

Great to hear you enjoyed the video! If you want the full experience you can head over to gcn+ 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas

[@mitch_smith]

Easily the best video on GCN+. Thoroughly enjoyed that video.

[@gcn]

Thanks so much! Where else should we go and ride?

[@thenormaltraveler]

Just 2 minutes into the video ... and i could tell this trip and this video is going to be absolutely epic! While i have not been to Nepal, i have been to Bhutan, another magical Himalayan Kingdom, which always made me think that one day perhaps I can venture out to experience these extraordinary places on my bike. Hopefully GCN starts some sort of small group adventure tours to make it real for people like us 😀 🚵‍♀️

[@Mavrik-60]

You can go to the highest most hidden places in the world and they know what a fist bump is, amazing What a trip Keepemcoming

[@sherab2078]

AMAZING! Truly... This is the kind of cycling I'm the most attracted to in general, but the "magic" of this specific trip was really moving.

[@BrianRPaterson]

Lovely footage. I got hungry everytime the guys tucked into some dhal bhat! I did some of that Nepal trek on foot in the late 80s with my dad and visited Pokkara, and it was a fantastic experience. I'd love to go back on my bike!

[@cathnz9726]

Wow! That's so far out of my comfort/skill zone, but how amazing. Also, Si's face at James' knife! Hilarious!

[@jeffb9844]

Thank you so much for sharing this incredible adventure! Si's narration stitched the scenes together seamlessly! Inspirational!

[@deejayody]

This video is the best. Beautifully written, beautiful shot, great presenters. Bravo for the producer and GCN team!

[@respectedgentleman4322]

This is truly worthy of mainstream media for production values, but unlike them because it's actually interesting too. Great quality!

[@DB-sj8km]

This is the most epic trip doc GCN has ever done. Watched the full length on GCN+, and this one, and will probably watch the full length again. Brilliant work to all involved.

[@lblascano]

This is beautiful. Thank you, GCN!

[@mec_de_normandie]

Incredible work, guys ! One day i'll also own all these RAB clothes !

[@kishan792]

I am out of words for describing my emotions. Truly inspiring

[@alicat749]

Did see on GCN+ but it never gets old. What an adventure.

[@333wheeler]

Not the place to strip your freewheel . Doubt Shimano have yet infiltrated the forbidden kingdom :). Awesome scenery once again.

[@andrewosullivan4668]

Top of my bucket list has to be the Silk Road. Passing through the same valleys as Marco Polo or Alexander the Great did in the past. As a video idea, you could do a bike transport on public transport in Europe (with Interrail). I have done bikepacking over the summer in Europe and USA (with Amtrak), but have avoided high speed (TGV, Eurostar). Could be a fun idea and more accessible to the average viewer. Great video as always!

[@TundeEszlari]

Sensational video.

[@quekshio]

This has to be the best cycling video I have ever seen. ❤❤❤

[@obikedog]

Saw this a month or more ago on GCN+. Still great to watch again. The opening caught my attention. I don't know about others but there's nothing about "not daring" keeping me from the Himalayas. It's time and money; a lack of sponsors footing the bill for me. (Can't help noticing GCN is getting a lot of mileage from this footage!) Still great stuff. More of this and less of Manon's how to ride a trainer indoors lol!

[@damienconnolly]

Amazing video and journey! Fair play Simon and Hank 👏👏👏👏

[@spidersonme]

I literally cried with Si...Thank you GCN for another awesome video, loved it all the way!!

[@vstylie]

By far the most stunning video GCN has ever produced! Only Hank would fist pump a complete stranger on a moped!

[@ayushadhikari3234]

Hats off guys for thiss documentary. This adventurous cycling will forever be in the part of your heart.! A big thanks to the GCN teams. Nepal is a mysterious, undiscovered and underrated heaven 🙌 Kudos to the team. Kudos to the videographer.!! And for sure.. A big thanks to these two guys.

[@alinapopescu872]

Potatoes are life, Simon. Happy to agree with you there.❤ But those roads are death! And, having dodged (quite literally) the Grim Reaper on the road, James decided to plunge into his arms from an altitude of 200 metres. It's not the altitude, it's the attitude, as they say... 🤪

[@kathyjurgens7153]

This is the episode that will see us finally subscribing to GCN plus. We really want to watch the full documentary. Thank you, GCN, for making this segment freely available. Simon and James (Hank) have such great chemistry and their reactions and achievements are a joy to watch.

[@bobbyenglish7803]

Been there, done that - with a friend in 1990 on mountain bikes with no suspension and V brakes. Good times. Best place I've ever been. Met 6 other riders on the way to Jomsom, 5 Canadian mountain bikers and a crazy Frenchman on a touring bike. And back then the road ended about 20km from Pokara, lots of hike-a-bike to get to Tatopani.

[@jedisdad2265]

Also watched the GCN+ video. Absolutely STUNNINGLY, AMAZING!!! Si should submit that for an OSCAR in the documentary category!!! Seeing his speed on the climbs leaves mere mortals like me thinking these ride are only possible vicariously through Si, Hank and the GCN crews!

[@gcn]

Thanks for such kind words! 🙌 We're super proud of this doc and can't wait to create the next one. We're not sure about an Oscar but Si deserved a reward for being stuck with Hank for so long 😂

[@bbanga5542]

Epic ride documented beautifully in this wonderful production. Would love more of this if possible. Well done 👏🏽💪🏽👊🏽 and thank you!

[@moonwrasse]

Breathtaking. 🙏namaste.

[@patrickgrounds2157]

"It's not often cycling makes me cry" says Simon as he weeps on screen for the umpteenth time 😊

[@Kumar_Devkota]

Love from Nepal... I'm following GCN on all social media platforms and watching most of your content. Seeing your country filmed by GCN is truly a blessing! One of the best I've ever watched !!

[@TheBridgee100]

Sensational scenery, and a very heartwarming video. I'd imagine it would have been a life changing trip. Thank you for providing a glimpse into your experience!

[@beachbum0014]

The best video I've seen from GCN. Bravo! 👏

[@gcn]

Thanks so much! Watch our full film here 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas

[@newttella1043]

This is amazing and so beautifully captured. The spiritual experieence really came through.

[@prameshmalla7715]

Thank you @GCN for showcasing our place on 2 wheels.

[@JourdainColeman]

Amazing to see... great footage 👌🏼

[@Rohan7ish]

As an Indian we love the Himalayas. Such a wonderful documentary this is. How big was the team working behind the two of you? How many times have you fallen while climbing, downhill, and what injuries did you sustain? Give details of both your bicycles, What type of bicycle did you use for this trip? Thank you GCN. 🙏

[@mbrs011]

Love all of the Epic rides material that you guys publish, would like to see more. It would be great to have more information on how you plan your routes overnight stays, etc. So maybe one day I try myself. Cheers.

[@blackt0wer]

This channel is to cycling what Top Gear (Clarkie, Hammy, May trio), absolute bangers every upload.

[@jasonfenech5347]

I have tears in my eyes by just watching this video. Truly wonderful and inspiring. Well done guys, keep on doing such great content.

[@hopehendrickson-wb5tw]

Wow! This was incredible! What an amazing experience.

[@hoser7706]

I am speechless. Not often that happens but how this was filmed made me emotional. How can we sum this up with words like epic or awesome? While true, this was other-wordly. Spiritual for myself as well. Thank you for showing us the beauty of Nepal, it’s people, places and of yourselves. Two touching, caring, kind, respectful cyclist travelers. Cheers. ❤. So well filmed and compiled.

[@SMcA86]

Best video I've seen in a long long time. Biggest compliment I can give it is its a cyclists equivalent to a Peak Top Gear Special. 10/10

[@lightningll2991]

I'll give it to you Hank bungie jumping not for me and I have over 400 jumps out of airplanes I don't have any trust in the bungie cords. SUPER NICE video to everyone involved in making it happen.

[@remdehair.]

This is crazy, respect🙏🏼

[@davidhenner9367]

I normally play GCN videos at 1.5 speed but this one needed to be savored.

[@vatsan_tube]

Amazing, love it! More of such bikepacking videos, please :)

[@gcn]

Cheers! Check the full film out here if you haven't already! 👉 gcn.eu/Himalayas

[@cpshoot1146]

One of my favorite GCN series! Though some more babbling and comments from Si and Hank during their journey wouldn’t hurt!

[@kc8563]

Outstanding effort and production.

[@gcn]

Thank you!

[@NZWozza]

Better production than any travel show on tv. Beautiful camera work. I think I would skip that first day though. 😂

[@gcn]

Thanks so much, that means a lot!

[@raykleiner3151]

Amazing adventure, absolutely stunning video, brought back so many emotional memories! You were both brave to ride gravel bikes on this terrain, it was challenging enough on a mountain bike! Altitude is something you cannot prepare for but is compensated by the fact you are riding on the roof of the world. Well done Si and Hank, you made it special.

[@guantou2520]

Leaping Tiger Gorge, Did it on foot a few years ago, always said I would go back and bike it, its absolutely stunning.

[@truthseeker8273]

Why is this only 20 min long? This deserves a documentary length. Agree with the comments, this ist the best video GCN mede.

[@alex_t77]

Your best video so far hands down. Hank is the Beast! (His Bungee Jump scores 10) Now I challenge him to learn how to wheelie road bikes and document the process for all of us. Cheers

[@238949]

Fabulous video, loved this so much, from Hank's silliness on a bungy rope to Si's emotion , truly inspiring x

[@Shaibur-w1e]

Just an amazing video… it’s great to see you guys embracing the culture

[@IsaqueGaldino]

Oh boy! This is the best GCN video I've seem! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You did great!

[@6ft8incyclist]

Watched on GCN PLUS very much worth the cost Fantastic it has been on my list of a place to explore on bicycle.

[@NorthLincsRatting]

Hanks living the dream this year, first the mega, now this 👌. I’m Not jealous at all