Let’s Go For a Bike Ride

We woke up early Thursday morning at 5:30 AM for a 6:00 AM pickup to start our bicycle ride through the dark, quiet streets of Jaipur. Our first stop was to feed cows—a beautiful experience. We then cycled to the Palace of Winds, where we enjoyed taking photos without any distractions, as the streets were still empty.

Next, we stopped for a cup of masala tea at the same spot where the Indian Prime Minister once hosted French President Emmanuel Macron for tea. Refreshed, we continued our ride and paused at the City Palace for more incredible photos before heading to the bustling vegetable and flower market. There, we each received a fragrant lei of flowers.

At a nearby park, we joined a group of older men for some exercises, including stretching and laughing yoga—a truly unique and joyful experience which ended with us all tossing flower petals. Afterward, we visited a Hindu temple to observe a morning service. A short walk later, we had breakfast, and at our final stop, we enjoyed a lassi, a delicious drink made of yogurt, sugar, and ice.

The bike ride, organized by Le Tour De India, was fantastic. As the city came to life, our four guides ensured we were safe from Jaipur’s chaotic traffic. I highly recommend this adventure!

After returning to our hotel by taxi, I managed a quick 90-second warm shower before we checked out and hit the road. Our first stop was Patrika Gate, built in 2018 and a favorite spot for wedding and engagement photos.

We continued to Dhula Bagh, where we stayed in platform tents for the night. After a lovely lunch, we set off on our second bike ride of the day at 3:50 PM. This ride took us through Dhula Village, where dozens of children ran up to greet us, waving, smiling and calling out “hello.” We stopped at the home of one of our bike tour guides for more masala tea and were entertained by his charming young son.

Both rides were relatively short—just over 4 miles in the morning and another 3 miles in the afternoon—but thoroughly enjoyable.

Before dinner, our guides lit a fire. After our meal, we gathered around the fire again, huddling close as the night was cold. Our tent cabins had no heat, so as I write this, my fingers are feeling a bit chilly (have internet now to send this).