Thorong La is not covered with snow all year. I've walked it, and the path was entirely snow-free, as is normal during the season (±November). However, there is certainly some degree of threat of bad weather or snow cover throughout the year. I'd also be concerned about the altitude, were I riding quickly rather than walking slowly over the course of a week or two.
I have no idea whether the higher section can be ridden, either legally or otherwise. The thought does depress me: if Thorong La, then why not Everest Basecamp, or Mustang, or....? But then again, I'm not Nepalese, and not reliant on porters and mule trains for food and consumer goods.
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