Cycling Amidst Ancient Monoliths

Day 60.

We rode out of Shillong to Mawphlang Sacred Forest like confident cowboys in the morning, but the morning traffic hit us like a bull on the rampage. It reminded me of the snarls outside Shimla, but the main difference was the respect and space we got from drivers, no honking, patiently waiting for us to take the steep turn. Ashim was a bit unwell so we keep stopping at wayside tea stalls to drink some sweet ‘red tea’ (not black). The roads were fantastic but the traffic eased only after 15 kms and the next 10 were peaceful and very scenic. We passed village after village, with lovely homes and friendly smiles. My Surly continued to be stuck with brake pad issues with the squeaking refusing to step. @iggy_the_bike_doctor recommended ‘doctors spirit’ to cleanse the brake pads. Nothing like a swish to get things going!

As we rode along I captured the life on the road as I always do. In two villages we came across the famous and mysterious Neolithic era monoliths that have an eerie resemblance to the Stonehenge in England. The monoliths of Meghalaya date back to 1500 CE and the exact history is unknown.