Ever dreamed of riding a bicycle on 75 degree steep uphill turns and fast uncharted downhill paths of the Himalayas? Guess what? Portuguese biker Luis Leao Pinto has done all this to win the MTB Himalaya Race this year. This is Luis' second year of getting the top spot in Asia's most prestigious bicycle race. Earlier in 2013, the biker had won the title.

The 600 kilometre long steep race is done in seven grueling stages. The bikers have to cycle over a total elevation of around 50,000 feet and cross countless natural obstacles to find their way to the finish line. The top spots in solo men's category were shared among Pinto, Andi Seewald and Pau Zamora.

The difficulty through which the riders have to go through is remarkable. In other competitions such as Tour de France, riders have to pedal on tarmacs, meadows and soft land. But here, they have to endure life-claiming climate and make their way through stony paths, single tracks, dirt patches, snowy roads that skid and low oxygen supply. Out of the registered 68 riders, 54 have completed the race this year.

The Himalaya has been famous for such adventure sports. Adrenaline junkies and thrill-lovers from across the world have visited the highest points on Earth time and again to feel the rush in their veins.



Let's take a look at some of the famous adventure activities in the Himalayas:

1. Trekking: It is understood that this is the most famous activities in the mountains. Trekkers and tourists from around the world gather at the foothills of the Himalayas. It is not a matter of joke to scale the highest mountain range in the world. However, more than 10,000 trekkers come to the Himalayas to experience the serene place

2. Skiing: This is one sport that has gained immense popularity among young travel enthusiasts. Skiing in the Himalayas has become one of the must-dos in every traveller's checklist. Many ski spots have come up in Jammu and Kashmir, the hills of Kumaon and parts of Himachal Pradesh giving wide range of options to aspiring skiers



3. River Rafting: Plethora of rivers have originated from the Himalayas. From Ganges to Brahmaputra, the mountains have been riddled with streams and brooks. Most rivers have dangerously uneven riverbeds that offer the perfect setting for river rafting. This particular activity has become a major attraction for the travellers



4. Biking: The most challenging and dangerous mountain activity is undoubtedly the high road biking. Be it bicycles or motorcycles, riding a two-wheeler 20,000 feet above sea level is probably the best adrenaline-inducing activity one could come up with. The MTB Himalaya Race is considered to be one of world's most difficult biking events



5. Rock Climbing: This often comes hand in hand with trekking. However, rock climbing is not just about putting a tent and enduring the harsh climate, it's about testing one's physical and psychological capability. Rock climbing and that too in the Himalayas is one activity one should do only under the guidance of experts.