Vansh TiwariLast updated on November 17th, 2023 at 07:31 am
Reading Time: 6 minutes
You must get loaded with doubts as soon as you have read the title! Firstly, cycling downhill & that too from Asia’s Highest Paragliding Spot don’t relate. So leave everything, but how do you take cycles up there at 8000ft?
I Agree!
Stay with me until the end to clarify your doubts about this article.
Believe me! You will get filled with joy and thrill after reading this!
Asia’s Highest Paragliding Spot and World’s Second Highest Paragliding Point is Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh.
You might have heard about Bir Billing. It became popular in the past few years amongst youngsters and thrill-seekers.
An overnight journey can effortlessly reach you, commencing from Delhi to Bir.
Coming straight to the point –
Where to Take Cycles on Rent in Bir?
First and foremost, the words Bir Billing stand spoken together, but these two places are generally distinct.
Most simplistically, Bir is the Paragliding Landing point, and Billing is the Paragliding take-off point with a height of 5000ft and 8000ft approximately.
Bir Billing is also known for Mountain Cycling. So you will not be having difficulty finding the cycling shops as plenty of them are available in Bir.
I consider mountain cycling amongst the out-of-the-box things to do in Bir Billing.
Renting a cycle would range around Rs.300 – Rs.400 per day.
During my stay in Bir,
One fine morning, the hostel friends made a plan that let’s go to the Paragliding take-off site to watch the Paragliders and click photographs importantly.
A surprising idea came that we all take the cycles along and paddle it downhill on our return from Billing to Bir.
The idea sounded exciting!
But the main question was, how to take the cycles till Billing as it is the Paragliding take-off point & not the cycle stand?
It would be next to impracticable to cycle from Bir to Billing if you’re not a pro-level cyclist because cycling uphill is not an easy job.
How to Take Cycles Up till Billing?
You need to hire an open jeep to take your cycles up at Billing.
You will not find any trouble in getting an open jeep in Bir. The jeeps take Paragliding pilots and participants to Asia’s highest Paragliding spot. Therefore, Billing.
You can hire a jeep, disassemble your cycles, keep it behind, and sit in front.
That’s it!
The jeep will cost about Rs.500 approximately to take you to Billing.
The distance between Bir and Billing is 17-18km and will be covered in 45-50 mins.
Upon Reaching Billing Paragliding Take-Off Site!
The first thing we did,
Got our cycles Reassembled!
One of our friends is fond of cycling and was accompanying us.
He has made our cycles back in proper conditions.
Meanwhile, we started gazing at our surroundings.
No matter what, you will undoubtedly find a lot of people there.
Some might be doing Solo Paragliding, and others are doing Tandem Paragliding.
What is a Tandem Paragliding?
In Tandem Paragliding, there are two people on the Paraglider.
One would be the Paraglider pilot controlling the glider, and the other would be the flying participant.
As you can see here, the Pilot is helping the participant get ready.
Starting a conversation with the Pilot is the best way to make things appear clear. Meanwhile, the Pilot checks that everything is up to the mark.
It was an extraordinary feeling reaching at Billing again, but not for Paragliding this time.
My View on Visiting the Paragliding Take-Off Site Again
It’s been my observation that hardly any tourists visit again to the Paragliding take off-site after they did their Paragliding.
I feel that visiting the take-off site once more would be a different experience. This time, you would be free-minded, and the worry of wearing a harness and a helmet for Paragliding does not revolve around your head.
People from all over the world come to Asia’s highest Paragliding spot.
A Small Story of Dedication Towards his Passion
The person in the picture above had become our Friend in Bir. In fact, during his stay, he used to walk, hitchhike and anyhow managed to reach the Billing to Paraglide.
Insane! Just think he used to walk & hitchhike around 17km to reach Billing.
He stayed for around 20 days, and every day early morning, he used to leave for Solo Paragliding and remained in the air for about 2-3 hrs.
When we planned to cycle downhill, he accompanied us in the jeep and went Paragliding upon reaching.
His vibes convey that humans can achieve anything in life if they have that passion within.
Don’t be afraid to walk 100 miles for something that gives you a sense of accomplishment in life!
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It was like a flashback revisiting the take-off site.
I relived those moments when I was there with the Paragliding pilot. From the outside, I was showcasing everything was excellent, and from within, the fear of height making me sweat. Haha!
Seeing people paraglide that day, I got filled with joy.
We spent plenty of time admiring the colorful sky with Paragliders.
Few shops are there to enjoy the astonishing beauty while having snacks.
Back to the cycling downhill mission!!
The enthusiasm of visitors for the Paragliding Adventure Sport had boosted the young children of Bir to come forward and take Paragliding as a career opportunity.
It’s Time to Cycle Downhill!
Finally!!
Meanwhile, you can check out the Paragliding photoblog –
The time had now come to cycle downhill from 8000ft.
There’s a decent road, so don’t make any assumptions.
Now cycling downhill was more accessible as we had to apply the brakes most of the time.
It was butter on-road feeling, smooth!
But there were a few instances where we had stopped in between to glance at the surroundings.
The sky looked beautiful throughout the journey. It was a dream ride, to be honest!
There were sharp bends on the roads, so we used to stop our cycles at the corners and proceed when everything seemed clear.
That moment was pretty remarkable since I found a group of people that we all together had made this adventure of cycling downhill from Asia’s highest Paragliding spot possible!
Keeping everything aside,
You have to behave maturely and always keep an eye on the road.
Further, I had shared do’s and don’ts that would help you while cycling downhill whenever you try out this adventure.
Do’s & Don’ts While Cycling Downhill from Asia’s Highest Paragliding Spot!
I have tried to explain the points with the help of an infographic below.
I hope my adventurous experience helps!
Let me know your thoughts below.
Would you love to try this adventure someday?
That was a fascinating account of cycling downhill the paraglidins spots alongwith the stunning photographs!THANKS FOR SHARING?
Thank you sir for reading. Your feedback had made my day!
Vansh dear,I adore & gain a lot from yr blogs !Keep up the good work!Pl find time to comment on my blogs which mean a lot for me
Thanks a lot. Surely! I will take out the time to read and provide my feedback on your blogs.
Thanks dear! I will appreciate it so much ❤️
I’ve read almost all your blogs with astounding paragliding shots perfectly taken.
I hope to visit bir billing one day to explore it.
Keep up the good work! Go places!
Thank you Gourika for being a constant reader! Have an astonishing exploration ahead.
Ohhhh wow ??? this must be fun ??
Haha, Yeah!! I Hope you will experience this fun someday.
Noted, noted & noted in ‘Himachal to do’ list. I am not a air adventure sport junky but cycling opportunity in such an awesome spot – yes please!
Haha, definately! Mountain cycling had become my quite a favourite adventure after cycling downhill from Billing. Have an amazing journey Varnica!
I am kind of an adventurous person and para gliding definitely exists on my to do list! I wish I could go there! Cycling down the hill also seems fun!
All the best Khushi for all the things that you wish to achieve!
Thank you!