Pedals & peace: How Dharamsala became a global cycling haven

What started as a quiet weekend pursuit has blossomed into a full-blown cycling renaissance in Dharamsala — transforming the serene hill town from a spiritual haven into a globally recognised cycling destination.

Over the past few years, a passionate community of local riders has been steadily building something extraordinary. Through shared trails, GPS tracks and social camaraderie, these cyclists have opened up the Himalayan foothills to riders from around the world. At the forefront of this movement are three trailblazing locals — Dr Shubham, Jeremy Russells and Rohit Samuel — whose efforts have digitally mapped the scenic routes of Kangra Valley onto the global cycling platform Strava.

These routes now serve as a compass for visiting cyclists, from casual riders to hardcore adventurers, seeking to navigate the region’s dramatic terrain. Rohit Samuel, a familiar name in the valley’s cycling circles, often captures the landscape’s grandeur through photographs that echo across social media.

Speaking to The Tribune, he fondly remembered guiding a group of senior doctors from England in November 2024: “Jeremy, Dr Shubham and I led them across the valley — from misty mountain passes to bubbling hot springs. We wanted them to feel every beat of Kangra’s heart.”

More than just a physical journey, cycling here is an immersion into Himachali hospitality — from traditional cuisine and temple bells to the quiet call of meditation. Dharamsala’s spiritual energy now intertwines seamlessly with the rhythm of spinning wheels.

This magnetic pull has drawn cyclists from across continents. In the past year alone, four German high school graduates pedalled their way to Dharamsala, while a lone French woman made a similar solitary journey. One of the most moving arrivals was 64-year-old Philippe Cannard, a retired French civil servant who crossed borders on his bike, arriving just before the Wagah border closed. In Dharamsala, he found more than rest — he received blessings from the Dalai Lama, meditated at Tushita, and had his bicycle serviced for free by local cycling store Boulders.

Currently on a ride that’s winning hearts is Thorsten Bruce from Harrogate, England. Riding solo to raise funds for a children’s home, Thorsten’s journey is being closely followed on Instagram by Dharamsala’s cycling community, who now eagerly await his arrival this September.

From wheels to wisdom, Dharamshala is not just a stop — it’s a destination of purpose, peace and pedal-powered passion.