4 Days 3 Nights Chicago-South Dakota-chicago Road trip (~2500 miles) ... her pennings !

Its been about an Year and 3 months since we (Me and my Husband) moved to US before we could make this trip. I always had plans to do road trips even when I was in India. But I couldn't for whatever reasons. We definitely traveled few places by flights , but this was Our first Holiday plan by Road.It was a sudden plan and things fell in place and we started packing things on Thursday for our Friday kick start. What to Pack ? I packed lots of winter clothing for both of us as we were expecting fluctuating weather conditions at Badlands.It was March end (30th) though it was the start of Spring season we were expecting it to get really cold at our destination. If u are travelling in summer be prepared for extreme hot conditions. This place is BAD-lands ;) We packed lots of snacks and home made dishes for our Friday journey just to avoid spending lot of time for dining or ordering food.You need sturdy boots if u plan to trek. First aid kit just in case.Gadgets,power banks and other travel needs. This place has lots of camping areas so pack ur tents if u love camping under the stars and the sky. He picked up the rental car ,double checked everything was okay with it and we Went to bed as early as we could. DAY 1 (Friday) ~850 miles(Chicago-sioux falls-Wall) We started off around 5.30 am in the morning from Chicago.We took couple of 10-15 m breaks to stretch .Didn't loose much time as we packed enough for the day.We reached Sioux falls around 1 pm in the afternoon. The falls didn't seem as great as it was in the pictures ,fall water looked little dirty (You can spend 1-2 hrs at this place or night stay if you are not used to travel for long hours)We took enough time to take some good pictures,buy souvenir's. We took sioux sculpture walk 45mins .Then we searched for some Indian hotels had dinner (1 Hour) and started off for Badlands around 6 pm.We also took AL's Oasis Exit 260 for their famous Lemon cheese pie. Cedar Pass was our option as i wanted to capture the sunrise from Badlands but it was closed (Opens April 15th) so, we had to halt at hotels in Wall .You can save your money here for worthy stuff if you opt for a cheap hotel which provides same amenities as the best ones.We reached around 10 pm filled our fuel tank to avoid early morning queues and had a sound sleep.(Also shop here for snacks and water for ur next day)
DAY 2 (Saturday) (Wall-Badlands-Mt.Rushmore-Devils Tower) We woke up at 6 am as it was extremely cold couldn't start early for sunrise had breakfast and entered Badlands National Park at 8 am.We stopped only at points we marked (I would highly recommend you to create a list of overlook points where you would like to stop) We took only Door and Window trail as it was very cold. I later felt i should have tried the Fossil trail. So,Plan what trails you want to take a day ahead. Don't miss the sage creek rim road ,We spotted some deers and other wildlife here.We left badlands around 12 pm.We took famous Wall drug exit 109 had lunch here .Good place to shop as well. Then started off for Mt. Rushmore. We had a snow storm when we were about to reach Black Hills so had slow down our pace but we managed to reach . spent about 30mins here and started off to Devils Tower wyoming (170 miles from Badlands) Had pizza for dinner on the way and took a hotel near by and slept by 11.30pm.(Remember u switch between central and mountain Timezones when u travel around southdakota). Badlands
Mt.Rushmore
DAY 3 (Sunday) (~400+ miles Devils tower-jewel cave-crazy horse-sylvan lake-custer park-Mitchell) Woke up at 6 am started around 8 am and reached Devils tower by 9am as the nearest hotel we found on way was ~70 miles away.We spent 30 mins here we didn't take the trail here and headed back to Black hills.Reached jewel cave national monument around 11am took their 1.30 hr guided cave tour to explore the cave.Was worth visiting.(call and Check their tour timings and for available tickets or u might waste time waiting there for the next hour scheduled tour).We headed to Crazy Horse memorial spent 30 mins here. This was again not worth as it was still not completely sculptured yet .you can skip this if u don't have time.Made our way to sylvan lake it was frozen not much to do with left this place in 10 m and headed to custer park wildlife loop road (45mins)We spotted lot of wildlife here like buffalo's, Bison's , Elks , hundreds of deers ,prairie dogs etc. and left to Mitchell.Had our dinner on way and took a night stay at hotels near corn palace. Devils Tower
Jewel cave
Sylvan lake
Bison
Elk ??
DAY 4 (Monday) ~640 miles (Mitchell to chicago) Wokeup leisurely reached corn palace by 9am . There was not much happening as this was off-season.Usually busy during seasons of corn harvesting.we spent around 1 hr here for icecream and stuff and kick started to chicago. Reached home by 8pm.This would be a great place to nightstay just to reach ur home early the last day when u are so exhausted. Would be of great help if u find someone to switch driving ur vehicle inbetween. But my husband managed this all alone :) Its doable .

How to get your motorcycle license in USA easily

Hi folks, Firstly, the thought of riding a motorcycle would seem like going for a suicide mission for many of the western people and others from many parts of the globe. So getting a motorcycle license to drive one wouldn't seem that lesser maniac effect. Being born and brought from one of the developing nations in the world, cycles(bikes) were the primary individual mode of transport in the early days and later motorbikes took over them when the standard of living became better. The sound of the engine and power of their acceleration would create instant euphoria in the hearts of every boy to an old man. So, it very usual that you see many people from their teenage, learning motorbike and start using them as the primary mode of transport and a budget fun time activity. Its pretty straight forward to get the license when you turn 18 years. Apologies for being nostalgia of our history, coming back to the topic , here in USA riding a bike is pursued with a passion or striking off an item from the bucket list. Hence we only see them during the summers or at any professional event. In order to practice riding on it, we have very limited options. There will be some motorcycle ridding schools in our city which could be handy. But I would suggest to opt for MSF course (https://www.msf-usa.org/). This is very useful not only to get license but also learn some of the best handling techniques which we miss learning practically. The basic rider course lasts 2 or 3 days amouting to around 20 hours and at the end of the theory and practicals, there would be a ride and theory test. Learn your basics and understand the trainers suggestions and it would be a breeze to pass them. They give a completion certificate and use it as a waiver for the actual motorcycle test at your local DMV. Hope this information would be handy for you, motorbike enthusiasts. Have a good day !

How to get your USA Illinois State Driving License in the first attempt (18+)

If you are an alien(not from other planet but from country other than USA) you could drive a car on the below terms.
1. If you have an IDP (International Driving Permit) which is valid for one year* i.e. you can drive only for 3 months within the state you are currently residing and rest outside the state.
2.Get a US driving license.
I will elucidate below my experiences in getting the Illinois license in first attempt. Just like most other countries, In US, one has to take a written exam followed by the driving test.
The documents required to take to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) are shared below:
1. Original Passport.
2. I-94 or port of Entry document.
3. Any other ID Proof like State ID card but asked optionally.
4. Fee of around $30.
5. SSN is asked optionally.
6. Address proof like Comed bill or house rental agreement.
Once you enter the DMV and arrive at the reception, the officers would validate your documents and give you a waiting token. When your number is announced go to the respective counter and provide the requested documents. The counter officer would ask you some DUI questions and take your eye check up test near the counter.
He would then print you a paper with the appropriate DMV service name and share it to the next counter where you pay the prescribed fee for the test. After that, you would be given the physical question paper.
There is no time limit. The test has around 36 questions with at least 16 signs symbols included and the passing score is 28 i.e. 80%
The exam tests your basic knowledge on the road and situational scenarios and gets tough when you don't crack the confusing ones.
You could crack in first attempt by following the tests in the pubic DMV website sample tests.
http://driving-tests.org/illinois/illinois-permit-practice-test/
Also additionally you download and read the DMV pdf available online.
There is also a cheat code document circulating around but mind you it doesn't have all the questions and you could end up failing by one mark unluckily.
So I would strongly suggest you to take the DMV sample tests and learn the signs and symbols which could make you pass in first attempt.
Once you have completed the test successfully, you would be given a Instruction permit slip and could take up the driving test the same day if you are confident or take driving classes mainly on the right side driving and then understanding and following the road signs while learning or driving.
I took a single class learning course and understood the minimum requirements for you to follow to pass the driving test exam from the examiner point of view.
Learn and confidently practice the below :
1. Know to use all the signals indicators, head movements always.
2. Check for the No left board before taking free right turns.
3. Check for the vehicles coming on the opposite side before performing the left turn.
4. Know what to do on the Stop-All way signal when multiple vehicles are at the intersection.
5. Parallel parking would be asked sometimes.
6. Know how to take reverse and join the traffic in the busy roads.

Confidence is the key to success. So practice taking rental cars on highway and downtown areas to get the feel of the road.
You can take a rental car on your name and proper insurance and drive to the DMV for the drivign test on your IDP. That is legal.
I could pass both the written test and driving test with full score.
Do share me your feedback and questions on the same.

More to continue...

A journey through the Western Ghats

Experience equips us with more out-sight but nature has its own surprises to shower upon!

Hi all , welcome to my blog , I have recently covered a new part of India, a bite of western coast which I was longing for couple of years.I thank my Office team,family and friends who were supportive for this ride. Being a Hyderabadi you need to travel ample triple digit kilometers to see the greenery or sense the places as a weekend getaway ride. Refreshing my memory of all those rides done till date , I'm penning down them for a better overview of my riding/driving experience.
2014 Sept - Nagarjuna sagar Group bike ride , done it double digit times ( 360 km to and fro ).
2014 Jul - Kuntala water falls group car ride (500 km to and fro).
2014 Apr - Suryalanka group car ride ( 700 km to and fro ).
2014 Mar - Maredumilli group car ride ( 800 km to and fro ).
2013 Aug - Ladak Solo bike ride ( 3200 km to and fro ).
2012 Sept - Nellore group car ride , done it couple of times solo before ( 1200 km to,around and fro ) .
2012 Aug - Kurnool Lunch dual bike ride (500kms to and fro) .
2012 Jun - Basara group car ride ( 400kms to and fro) .
2012 May - Badrachalam group car ride (450kms to and fro).
2012 Apr - Goa group car ride ( 1800 km to and fro ) .
2011 Dec - Chennai dual bike ride ( 1700 km to,around and fro ) .
2011 Jul - Bidar group car ride ( 250 km to and fro ) .
2011 Sept - Srisailam group car ride ( 550 km to,around and fro ) .
2011 Mar - Namakkal Solo bike ride Iron butt failed challenge ( 1200 km to and fro ) .
2010 May - Pune , Shirdi solo bike ride ( 1600 km to,around and fro ) .
2009 Aug - Vizag solo bike ride ( 2000 km to,around and fro ) .

And not to forget nearby city bike rides like Gandipet, Anathagiri Hills, Singoor dam,Sanga Reddy Manjeera reservoir, Medak church, Pocharam lake, reservoir ,Shamirpet lake , Keesaragutta ,Bhongiri and many more covering all corners of Hyderabad.
Having traveled to all the places mentioned above I wanted to explore a new far away place this time. I ride a 2008 Pulsar 150cc bike done more than a lac km under the speedometer.
Applied my leave in September but as my friend too wanted to join me this time I postponed it to October with additional more days available being the Dasara time.Sat one fine night and finalized on the destinations , routes and their dates. We are going to start on 1st October and deciding not to take additional stress traveling on individual bikes we made choice to go as single i.e. on my friend's '08 Avenger bike. Got it serviced a night before our scheduled start date with all the goodies it wished to have.
Being a Ladak conqueror in the same climatic condition last year, I checked all the essentials and equipment we ought to have during the bad times. I picked up my friend coming from Singapore at the airport on 1st Oct , thinking of the lost time(had to start in the afternoon). Anyways after all the lost time , we managed to start by 9pm from Gachibowli.

1st Oct 2014 - The agonising first night
We reached Mahaboob Nagar at 11pm , continued towards Raichur and then were invited by many potholes ,broken roads . My friend insisted to end that day's ride due to his constant drowsiness in those worst bad single lane roads also being night riding , we somehow managed to get to next town with my friend reaching in bus and I following it . It became 4am the next day and we wanted to take proper rest for at least couple of hours and hence traveled forth and checked into a hotel at 6am for 350 bucks covering hardly 200kms in that 9 hours time.

2nd Oct 2014 - The first feel of the Western Ghats
Woke up at 9am and started off to Go Karna . This route is one of the worst roads I have traveled due to being not only single but no sign boards and many sudden pot holes on the go which in one incident during the previous night , my friend's oversaw a pothole made almost lost balance of the bike and trip off. Doing nothing rather we continued our journey , ate breakfast at some Udipi named restaurant which was costly and not so great and reached Hubli in the mid evening where we had nice delicious upma, dosa which gave us instant energy , finally reached Go Karna at 9pm in the night . Go Karna hotels were fully packed with people and we were invited by the no rooms board at every hotel in that area , after searching for couple of hours luckily we could get an average room for a costly price of 800 bucks/12hrs . We fell as sleep that night and our day ended.

3rd Oct 2014 - The second best beach spot next to Goa in India
Saw Mahabaleshwar temple in the morning. The temple and the surroundings were quite unique and orthodox . I loved to be in the quite eccentric surroundings of the traditional Brahmins with their attire and was ogling at the women who looked like the best depiction of the Indo Dravidian Brahmin women. After the darshan it was the beach time , we went to a beach a few meters away and took couple of pics. There was a boat ride but we wanted to go to om beach and cover as many as places before the dusk sets in.Reached Om beach and took a boat ride where he covered the paradise, half moon beach which were all adjacently attached to one another forming a om symbol and hence the name. Came back the hotel room in the afternoon checked out of hotel and headed towards Udipi. We had lunch at a quite famous restaurant at the junction which deviates to Jog falls on the left and Murudeshwar to the right. After having sumptuous Manchuria,butter masala with naans , we thought to cover the Shimoga through Jog falls and reroute back to Murudeshwar and then travel back to Udipi covering everything we actually planned for. But as always throughout the journey we had bad luck being the ultimate winner , came till Jog falls took pictures and as it became evening by then we decided to go directly to Murudeshwar and skip the Shimoga. The road from Jog falls to Bhatkal was hill climb down road with loads of potholes and craters , we almost became fuel empty till we could find a local shop selling loose petrol and had put in 2 liters of it and finally reached Bhatkal at around 7 or 7.30pm. With no utter hesitation we traveled back to Murudeshwar and reached it around 8.40pm and as I said about bad luck the temple was just closed at 8.30pm after half an hour of extension. I was really cursing myself for what was happening all these days as I was not able to do justice to my inner instincts . I had even plans to abend this ride and going off home as I finally knew things might turn more ugly in the latter days due to the time lag all this while. I'm not ranting the lost time or my friend's leisureness though we already before did a Hyderabad - Chennai bike trip in two days I feel he got totally changed post his marriage. Being die hard fan of Mahesh babu , I always have this quote " Once you step into a battle , if you step back then you are not a man. " So I seriously took his words and planned to continue the rest of the journey. We took pics around the temple . I had two choices , either stay there and take darshan the early next morning or start off to Udipi and take rest there. I felt I would do this temple visit another time with family I skipped it and started towards udipi . On the en route we filled in petrol and also our bellies. We crossed Mangalore and finally reached Udipi in the night around 1am. Bad times happen always with us and again we were left with no hotels having a little place for us to rest. After roaming the Udipi all over we finally reached to a stagnant end and took rest in a bus stop at 3 or 4 am , waking up every now and then looking at our bags and cameras in fear of getting stolen. After sleeping hardly I woke up at 4.45 as I remember and felt sick of my stupid situation and started off to Mangalore and skip this place too . Just as we were going off after inquiring again for a last piece of hope a help came in the form of the hotel which their doors were open and I dont know why I asked my friend to inquire. To our heaven happiness he said there was an AC room which was just vacated couple of minutes back and we could use them till the morning for 1500rs/6 hrs. With no poking noses we straight away landed on their beds and dozed off the night sorry morning.
Places visited : Mahabaleshwar temple , Om beach,half moon beach, paradise beach,go Karna beach , jog falls
Places missed: Kudle beach, Mirijan fort ,Korthitha ,Murudeshwar temple , Shimoga

4th Oct 2014 - The sleep on the road night
We woke at around 10am , got ready and started off to Sri Krishna temple which had a very big line by then I already knew that temples were cursing me not be visited and the other places not allowing me to have in them . We took couple of pictures and there was this annadanam line which was having around 20 odd people before us and Udipi being famous for food we stood there for around 40mins as it starts at 12pm. Waited , waited and waited having no patience we came out thinking there is much distance cover to do and we should proceed further and we came out and there you see the line moved and every other guy who was in the last could go in. I laughed at my myself and went to Malpe beach and from there to St Mary islands by boat which ate us 2 more hours. After coming out , we looked around Kaup beach and reached Madekiri at night. Again the badluck, Madekiri is famous for the Dasara celebrations in the night. There were thousands of people roaming around and watching those celebrations. Agonising in frustration due to no accommodations we lost hope and sat at a shop near by and put our luggage in it and started searching for room but no luck. While waiting devastedly at the shop dreaming of shelter we met couple of regional language guys who too came in for the celebrations and over couple of talks they gave us a number which could help us if possible. We later called him up and he said no rooms and try to call him after couple of hours meaning it was around 1am by then. With no other option left we sat on the steps where the procession was going on. Even though it was very famous and noisy that was no match to our tiredness and drowsiness . When we suddenly woke up we understood that we slept for around 30-45mins and this was not the right place. After calling up again to the same number we tried before he asked us to meet at place i.e near the guest house and voila he asked to go in and could stay that night. Another happiest moments and cosy sleep for couple of hours too.
Places visited : Malpe beach, st Mary's island, Kaup beach
Places missed : Srikrisha Temple.

5th Oct 2014 - The Western Ghats of India
Got ready by 9am and visited Maheswara temple ,fort ,raja street and Abbi falls. There were couple of policemen looking for a body of one of guys who was drowned yesterday there. Next we headed towards Wayanad , the roads were good and better now and after couple of hours we reached Wayanad district. With no clue of where to stay with somehow communicating with the Kerala people in their language and using hand symbols we locked the next stop would be Bathery and finally reached Sulthan Bathery at 6pm that evening. We checked into a hotel at 400rs/night and as per his information all the tourist spots will be closed by 6pm. With nothing to do we roamed around the city checking for food places and finally ended up in decent ambiance hotel. The menu had everything but no veg. After more asking he told the only veg item was the ullapam and green peas , with no other option we gulped in couple of them and went directly to our rooms resting that day.

6th Oct 2014 - A glimpse of the wildlife
Got ready by early morning and we started off to Muthanga wild life sanctuary . On the way there was a diversion to chevalayam waterfalls and after going in further we found that it has been closed by the forest officer . We came all the way back and reached the sanctuary ,the ticket cost us 440 rs with another couple on a sharing basis . We could spot deers , peacocks but no ferocious cats . After the one hour safari we headed towards the Soochipara waterfalls and had breakfast containing boiled vermicelli and same parota and green peas. On the way we saw Kantappa water falls and then reached soochipara waterfalls and took couple of pictures. The edakkal caves was closed being monday as their regular closing day and was no surprise of what we were facing these all these while. From there we went around 10kms to fuel up the bike and reached Chembra peak just before the closing time. The scenery was awesome and sunset was just out of words. We almost spotted every 9 out of 10 ten people sported wearing a different facial and hair style and on inquiring they were all crazy for the Tamil actor Surya's recent look in the movie. We came back home and ate biryani and fried rice in the nearby by hotel and the day was done.

7th Oct 2014 - The sudden U turn
That night my friend got a call from his wife asking him to change the plan and head back to Tirupathi i.e his mother in laws home and he told me the same in the morning. Infuriated by his effects and off the schedule by way enough I just told him to go where ever he wanted to and I would proceed further to our next designated stop i.e Alleypey. I went to the nearby ATM and drew some money for him cursing myself how my journey took this kind of devastated route When I was about to reach the hotel I just though to myself If I was doing right leaving him all alone . I went directly to him and apologized for being rude and told him that I will join him to go back . I can again plan to go there It was just a selfish friendship break If I would have gone to Alleypey. We started off in the early dawn to Bangalore and crossed the Muthanga forest . We could see deers and peacocks on the road and the weather was just perfect of what a biker would wish for. On the way we headed to Bandipur wild life sanctuary and saw elephants this time but no luck on the tigers or lions. we ate nice dosas and Idlis and finally in the evening reached Hosur , my friends friends house and halted for that day .On the route we saw Mysore palace , extinct kingdom . We met couple of our college mates and had dinner in a chettinad restaurant . The dinner buffet was okay. Reached back to my friends house in heavy rain that day in the midnight and went back to sleep.

8th Oct 2014 - Nostalgic childhood memories
We got up little late , we started off to Tirupathi and ate break fast at anand bhavan on the route. The highway was pretty good and roads after coming into Andhra pradesh became a little worrysome with potholes and continuous downpour. On the route we rode through Chittor where I studied my 2nd class and cherishing those moments I spent at the home or at the school I captured them in my lens and took those memories with me. We went to Kanipakam on the way and it was closed too being amavasya that day. We visited my friends relatives house and finally reached his mother in laws home in the night. After eating dinner and speaking to them for couple of hours we took it off for the day.
9th Oct 2014 - A darshan of the world's favorite Hindu temple
In the morning we visited Gopalaswamy temple ,kapilatheertham and finally the Tirumala god and came out after 3 hours of segra darshan in the evening around 4pm. The rain started heavily and we could reach home by the night only. No more updates for today and it calls if for the day.

10th Oct 2014 - Somethings never change
We started off to Hyderabad in the early hours and munched nandyala took break and reached kurnool around 12pm . Thinking it would hardly take 3 or 4 hours to reach hyderabad I called up my office mates that I will come directly to office. Just after hardly couple of kms the engine started giving big sound and I understood that it was going to be a big problem.We got down from the nh-7 and went to a mechanic shop. To our utter surprise there was hardly around 200ml of oil left though we changed before coming to bangalore i.e 700kms back. It was castrol power one . This time we changed to valvoline and he asked us to ride for couple of kms and the sound would subside. But even after driving the sound began to increase. We checked with another mechanic this time and asked us to go and there wont be any problem other than just the sounds coming and no break downs. Feeling a little happy we started going again and just after a single digit km the bike halted ending us the journey. frustrated ,devastated and many other feelings as I still remember that day when I was stranded on the same highway couple of years ago and today's scene was no less than the same. I asked my friend to do whatever he wants and I just slept sad on the road . After couple of shots with the local trolleys we finally an auto trolley agreed to take us in for 2000rs till the requested bike service center. On the way all these days were echoing in my brain thinking of what I did and had to do this journey without any happiness or satisfaction. After coming to the outskirts I quickly changed my dress and went directly to my office and then after couple of coding issues sorted out I went back home in my collegue's bike.
Each and every journey in our life puts us in situations of taking different routes and leaves it to us what actually we are stand for

Other miscellaneous pictures:

Do check out my older posts of my encounters with the first homo sapiens progeny to be existed on our planet and an Iron butt failed challenge. Cheers!

The Journey of Lifetime ride a Biker could ever drool to do Solo in India!

Talking about the holiday plans,We see a lot of people in daily life who do trips planning well in advance and executing them with perfection,but other way round I always end up as a bad planner or is it that there is something that keeps obstructing me from doing it as planned.So,overtime I got used to this unplanned last minute helter-skelter life and felt this was much more exciting than the former . Ok,stopping this boring illogical things let me get you guys straight to the point. Guys,I've climbed Mt.Everest .No, not yet. That would be my current last wish as I have fulfilled my previous last wish which was about getting lehed.
Since couple of years,I've been reading many stories of people going to leh,ladak and sharing their memorable feelings of ever lasting orgasm attainment there.Apologies for using adult language but I couldn't find a better word which could aptly be coined for leh ride.
I'm a very much an adventurous person in doing all sorts of things trying to overcome fear,curiosity in what ever means I have been encountering throughout my life.Like many the risk free phase of my life was nearing to start('laziness') and I wanted fulfill my adrenaline wishes as fast as I could.In due course of time,long time ago in year 2007,I met this girl and fell in love with her for very first time.We dated for years and though she became my wife later on I treated her like my girl friend.We used to have loads of fun going to honeymoons traveling places all in and around my state.

To sum up ,
Tons of state rides.
Been to vizag with her.
Due to job location change, I took her to Pune and stayed there for couple of months did Hyderabad-Pune-Shirdi and then lonavala and then back to Hyderabad. Chennai and back couple of times.
And lastly not to forget our memorable Hyderabad-Bangalore-Salem-Bangalore-Anathapur couple ride which ended up a nightmare sobbing both of us even today as I pen down.

By now most of you might have figured out the catchy grin smile on my face I was trying to perplex you all about.Even If you are able to figure it out just like a Sherlock Holmes does,then remembering this line 'finders must keep their secrets' please refrain from letting out the secret in someone's ear.
Post that incident I felt I had put lot of pressure,endurance taking her along with me damaging her tender body parts and weakening her tendons and there were even times when I thought to part away with a sad note so she can live in peace and I in search of someone whom I can move on with mine.
As they say there's always something special in first love,no matter how many times I kept drooling at chicks when we were going along she never said a word but used to give a smile which made me loose my hormonal senses and open up her love strokes into my heart.But then,her health kept on deteriorating and no matter how hard I tried to get her back in one piece she used to struggle with some other problems of her own.
So, I decided on a mission to bring her back to life mentally no matter what ever I could do keeping her physical health at stake.Thinking of many options and possibilities I finalized a road trip which might be impossible for her to take it.After a abrupt sweet talk discussion,avidly she was ready to come with me no matter what ever could happen on the way.
Coming from software industry clan,we are always prone lo last minute plan changes due to project productions issues, SLA's , firing mails from onsite/client etc and the situation turned out exactly what I was sniffing out to be a show stopper of our trip.But then I didn't give up ,fought with my work and timelines to get all the issues solved right before my D-Day week ticked off and it again cost me valuable time of buying all the necessary things I had to shop for.Incredibly,somehow managed to buy and gather most of the things together when I could get a dime of the time.
All the luggage set and we were ready.Meanwhile,a friend dropped off from the trip , unable to postpone the dates to suit my other friend's leh plans dates online , we ended up going alone .
Due to strict compact trip leaves I was granted,we finalized to travel on train till Delhi and do the rest on road,then on 8-9-2013 the journey started...


To break the ice , I'm revealing that its about my bike I was talking of the love stories above! hahaha!

Teaser Pic:

Day 1 (8-8-2013): Hyderabad to Delhi in train
Helped by my friend till railway station , I was doing some morning exercise sit ups of the 20kg rucksack bag on my back along with 2kg bike stuff cover bag on right hand and 1.3kg LS2 helmet on the left walking staggeringly on the platform checking for the platform number .For the benefit of saving paper I settled with PNR SMS to my mobile ,and personifically felt it as a heroic act and then sheeeet happens!My phone which was in its last phase of life went dead that morning.With very dumb ideas revolving through my brain in finding my berth,my friend's I phone GPS worked like a charm after loads of SOS's pleading it.Finally got in AP Express @ 6.30am or so and settled in my seat like a donkey carrying luggage . Being not so fond of the boring train journey , I was trying to kill time planning the itinerary again other necessary stuff which I could buy in Delhi.I forgot to mention you guys that I have sent my bike the day before in Sampark kranthi train to Delhi just to avoid unwanted time delays.And then, hours passed and then the dusk was set in and I was standing at the door for some fresh air , suddenly there was a pat on my back and to my utter surprise it was my home friend who was also coming to Delhi for first time.We had loads of as usual chitchat crap talk and went off to our berths for some sleep and that night passed so soon.Ah!the next day for very first time I stepped in northern part of India and most popular city of India ,Delhi.What a nostalgia!

Day 2 (9-8-2013) Discover Delhi !
Discovering Delhi gave me many good and stressful memories to take back home.I was standing on the Delhi platform with my beefy luggage and called up the cargo person I had to meet for taking my bike.But to my utter distressed surprise I was said that my bike was at nizamuddin station which I had crossed couple of minutes back while coming to Delhi.I boarded couple of local trains with help of Delhi localities who were kind heart-ed in helping me out to reach nizamuddin.By the time I reached nizamuddin station a bite in the bullet came as in to go the cargo area which was about half a kilometer from here and I was totally exhausted dragging my massive luggage to the Cargo area .After I showed the receipt to cargo person another dismay came in the form of my bike lying 3kms away from here at civilian gate and not many auto rickshaw wallas knows that area very much to take me further.After waiting for 3 more hours around 11am and I had to travel in one of their customer's truck and reached the place and all of this trauma and drama came to an blissful end after I could see my beauty parked to a side there.I quickly unwrapped the gunny bags tied to it and placed my luggage on to bike with available bungee cords and pushed all the way again for 2 or 3kms to nearby petrol station.Ah!what a peaceful exhaust note to my ears It was after all happened to me today.Then drove directly to my friend's apartment in Gurgoan took a nice hot shower and slept like a log till evening.I felt very refreshed and roamed the streets of Delhi on my bike to the India Gate,Parliament,Chandichowk,Jantar mantar,counaught place and not to forget my day ended with nicy sumptuous aloo paranthas and burgers and distinct colder golgappe.


Day 3 (10-8-2013) Delhi - Amritsar 450kms (The Golden Mecca of Sikh's)
Woke up at 6am , did all the daily activities and got geared up ,packed my luggage on to my bike.There were lot of mixed emotions about my ride as this is my biggest solo challenge and my bike's transplanted heart to take this magnum opus task but as always I carried on to start my journey with positive thoughts in mind and heart. Though I had visually knew the route map to travel to my pit stop - Amritsar I had no clue to how to reach my next intermediate town or city.Again with help of friendly Delhlites I surpassed Ambala took a brunch break at a nice Punjab Restaurant and finally reached Amritsar at around 5pm . The roads near Karnal had lots of deviations with major work happening on the high lane roads and were very dusty. I landed in a not bad hotel for 500 bucks a night in Amritsar.As insisted by the motel guy I quickly got freshened up and started another 60kms to and back city ride to wagah border to see the 6pm parade between India and Pakistan.By the time I reached there were already herds of people waiting for the parade to begin.I stood at one of the TV sets showing the parade and took couple of snaps of the people and the pomp and grandeur of what Indian Military or Fauji is all about. Rode back to the city and took darshan in the Golden temple and visited Jaliawalabagh, ate Amritsar's kulfi and dhabeli food and crash landed in my motel room and that was the end of that day.



Day 4 (11-8-2013) Scary Ride Part 1 350kms (Amritsar - Bannihal)
I woke up , got ready by 6.30am and went to the Golden temple again to have a much closer view inside mandir darshan but by then the crowd were too many to surpass.So,I bid adieu to Amritsar and started off to my next pit stop Srinagar.I have refueled my bike on the way to pathankot and topped up my engine with engine oil which got evaporated to a large extent as suspected before.After I passed pathankot it began to downpour heavily.I took out my rain gear and covered my luggage tied to my bike with the tarpoilien covers and started off my journey again.After couple of kms it stopped and I reached pathankot-Jammu check post. I could see a lot of four and more wheeled vehicles stopped at the check post as police were not allowing any tourist or transport vehicles to pass through as there was curfew going on in Jammu due to some terrorist or religious hartals going in the city.Even the bikes were not allowed to enter the city and all my dreams were shattered then and there as I had to wait in Amritsar or pathankot for unkown number of days which was impossible for me to stay.I was waiting for any ray of hope to happen and then I could see few jammu bikes and mopeds allowed to pass their barricades.I quickly sneaked passed through the post camouflaged between the other vehicles and still was hesitant that I could be asked to back away on the coming unknown occurrences.To cause more agony to me was the rain which remained a greatest foe all throughout my journey making my riding uncomfortable and unenjoyable.On the way to Srinagar in Jammu I crossed many streets were people were burning tires and shouting slogans and policeman were asking us to go back.I followed along with the Jammu tourist localities through their inter min offloading paths and finally reached the other end of Jammu check post.I was stopped by the military men there and was forced to go back all the way or either stay in Jammu itself as there is shoot at sight happening in the city.I knew I was taking a lot of risk doing this ride in this way but I had no other option or I felt I was somehow enjoying this irresistible adventurous journey which I have never anticipated before.But sadly I tried all means to convince them to let me pass but I could see how adamant they are in following orders.Luckily again this time another military man came to me asking whole lot of questions to me in coming from South India with an AP registered bike.I goofed up things telling my friends were waiting for me in Srinagar and at any cost have to reach Srinagar.He got convinced and let me through and It relieved my veins of my heart and entire organs of my body that there's no other problem arising in me reaching Srinagar. Due to all these incidents I had lost loads of time and it became dark by the time I crossed Jammu outskirts.I have done many trips in the night but Srinagar route is all together baap of all roads.The roads are twisty curvy and had no proper or else I'll can definitely say that they don't have rails to protect the vehicles from falling into the valley due to sudden mishaps.I would really rate this journey as one of my top scary rides as I could see not a single other man or vehicle for at least half to one hours.There is me , my bike, its headlight which is all taking me through these death traps or if there is any puncture to my bike tire that would end up my story in may be another bitter note.So I carefully drove at slower speeds trying to chant all those Lord Sri anjaneya prayers which could boost my confidence to reach a safe place and halt for that day.Those gusty silent winds and the roaring water flow beside scared the hell out of me more than any other DTS sounds we hear in the movie theaters. After traveling for an hour I reached a small village and asked a shop guy for any hotels available near by, he told me to travel 60 or more kms to find them.I had to make a decision of either adjusting to take shelter in that guy's shop for that day or start my journey to that said place taking risk.Heart said don't worry lets go mind said don't go you fool,as like everyone I followed my heart and took it up as a challenge.There were many instances I had to brake hard as I couldn't fore see any road due to only my bike headlight distance throw.Any sudden ditch or curve end would have let me straight into the valley but I'm lucky that I was asked to live my life more than that day by the god. Finally I reached that small town called Bannihal.I took room in one of the hotels for a mere 350bucks and after couple of phone calls to my home ,called off for that day.A incident that echoed in my brain that night was a small young boy was hard slapped twice by local army folks when he was drinking army's water there.







Day 5 (12-8-2013) Scary Ride Part 2 107 odd kms (bannihal-Sringar)
Started my journey at again 6.30am and the drive was much pleasant and serene and I loved those riding through same twisties which gave me nightmares yesterday.There were battalions of army at every 400ms or so due to the curfew and these both days reminded me of the Bombay and Dil se movie scenes.Today I had this one scary part moment when I reached a tunnel called jawahar tunnel which is about 3kms big and though it has yellow light inside it was just inadequate to view the road as if it was kept for tunnel wall's inspection rather that the road path.I was alone when I took up that drive through and there are lot of places where water was leaking on the path making it even worse to travel in that no proper marking of the road and its divider.I tried not to get distracted and maintained steady pace and straight bike handle,one small mistake would land me on the deserted bad light road and it would have taken up all my energy to lift the bike with the enormous luggage I was carrying and by then there would have some vehicle hit me from back.There were numerous times my bike rear tire slipped after all this effort I somehow managed not to fall and continue going forth.Came out of the tunnel without a scratch either to me or to my bike and continued my journey.On the way I could lots of shops selling spices and saffron.I halted at one of those shops and bought 2gms of saffron for my sister.Being a gully cricket player I always wanted to buy one Kashmir willow bat when I get there but due to space carrying problems I thought there is still another time to do that.Finally I reached Kashmir,was a beautiful place it is.The hills and mountains are a treat to watch and you always feel to retire and settle in this place.As they say there some magic with these beautiful places which makes you feel that we are running in our lives busy doing things which couldn't give your fulfilled satisfaction.I halted at Hotel Mahajan for 400 bucks a night in front of the Dal Lake lane and got freshened up.I visited Mughal Gardens,hari Parbhat,Pari mahal on that day.Though I actually planned to stay at Srinagar for two days but I had no other places left to see there.I did some shopping for my family and myself that evening,went for the famous Dal lake boat ride,took some soverniers and other bike stuff like engine oil etc.Ate nice dinner and came back to my hotel room.This calls off for the day log.
No other pics in this route due to curfew.Adding the Tunnel sample video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXt_6SFZq3U.
Couple of Srinagar sight seeing pictures

Day 6 (13-8-2013) Scary Ride Part 3 200 odd kms(Srinagar -Kargil)
As told before , rain traveled with me all throughout my trip.After I got up today and started to get ready I could see the continuous heavy drizzle throughout the dawn time . With no other option of staying for more time I waited till 10:00am and called it for quick start .As usual covered my luggage with the tarpaulin covers and rice bag and me with a rain coat pant and a tee shirt and denim inside.The initial roads to Kargil were not so good with loads of streets to pass through but after couple of tens of kms they became good till Sonnamarg and by then the real fight for life started. After traveling for 80 odd kilometers in bone chilling snowy rain I got struck with hypothermia.To beat the cold I ate kasmiri dwowa and noodles on the way.I relentlessly carried forward my trip with lot of pressure and shivering for some more kilometers .My fingers shivering in numbness due to freezing rain though I had waterproof gloves they couldn't withstand the constant water seeping on my gloves and the rain coat was fully wet with water seeping through different areas of my uncovered body parts.To my super duper bad luck my bike engine was getting heated too much due to usage of half clutch as the roads were pathetic full of potholes while ascending the hill.I stopped on middle of the mountain trail and checked the oil level in the engine and there was no drop in it.Fore sightly I already bought Castrol power engine oil in Srinagar and really came handy now.Then after many huffles and schuflles crossing those irritating twists I crossed zozila pass.By now my body got totaled and I couldn't control the coldness running through each and every part of my body.I realized I would go to an unconsciousness state If I stretch myself more and thought to halt at next shelter place whatever it might be and like a boon there was a police check post.I quickly gave my details in their room and requested them to stay for some more time there.Looking at my utter deadly shivering they realized I was struck with coldness and insisted me to take off my clothes and wear new ones.I removed the wet rain coat and denim jeans and wore thermals and my bike textile jacket and it gave me soothing heat to recover.They offered me a drink but I hesitated as I need to cover more distance for that day.They gave me nice salt tea and asked me to sleep in their dormitories and by no time I was fast asleep and time flew without my knowledge.I woke up at around 3pm or so had another cup of sweet tea and body warmth started to grow and I felt I recovered my full strength.I spoke to the police folks over there who were very nice and down to earth human beings and spoke all chit chat of my journey and their personal life .As I was getting late I got ready and this time properly geared to start my journey forth.Started at 5:00pm still fingers crossed as it would get dark by couple of hours and there's still many more miles to munch.I started off bidding adieu to those police folks and carried all those memories which Ill be cherishing them for saving my life. I reached kargil memorial and went inside to see all those people who have died there for our country.I felt really proud and spoke to couple of bikers about the road conditions who have come from the manali route.Then I nonstop reached kargil at 8:00pm.Ah!another relieving and rebirth of myself at this kargil pit stop. I took a room pretty decent for 400 bucks/night quickly had my dinner in near by restaurant and crash landed on my bed. That's the end of today's day log.



Day 7 (14-8-2013) Lost in Leh (Kargil-leh)
Got up ,did my daily routine stuff and packed my luggage onto the bike.Previous day I thought of planning my next stop to be Zanskar valley,but the hotel owner suggested me not to opt for it due to much more worse bad roads . Plagued by bad roads and bad rains throughout this journey it forced me to change my next pitstop to be leh.Boringly the roads were bad till mulbak and then the super twisty curves have started.My energy levels grew tenfold and I felt I need a better track bike to bend and man oeuvre even more through the voluptuous bends I encountered.The weather was sunny and it gave manmoth strength to cross fotula and stopped at lamarayu. Lamarayu had its own charm with many tibet monasteries surrounding it.It is one of the best places for trekking too.I've seen many foreign tourists come in all sorts of transport modes on bullock carts,truck roof tops and start their expeditions there.I halted at a small refreshments stop ate some rotis and ignited my energy levels and there I went again.Reached Leh at around 3pm.Visited army's Hall of fame .It had our true real hero's of country's names ,photos,memorabilia's and videos featuring how they have conquered many battles with their border enemies very detailed and I went awe looking at their bravery. After a lot of roaming in the city looking for a decent cheap accommodation I ended up feeling I knew each and every nook and corner of the city.After an hour of searching,I finally ended up checking in Lunge Se Jung Hotel for rs 400/night.Do memorize these kind of antique Tibetan names cos it gave me nightmares in the next coming forth show.After unpacking the luggage I quickly started off searching for mechanic to look into my bike as I was heating up a lot and very unsteadily grunting to go further.I gave my bike to a mechanic called Amarjit on leh-manali road and he inspected and found out the vales and clutch plates went for a toss.He showed me how my newly replaced clutch plates before this trip have got worn out due to half clutch usage in the sloppy rocky hills I surpassed all these days while.I patiently waited at their repair center ogling at other bullet bikes which came for servicing and dusk was set out and it began to drizzle again.The mechanic asked for more time to bring my bike into new shape and I left for the day to my hotel taking lift from one of the bullet friends I met there.Addition to the heavy downpour there was no electricity and all the streets looked alike to me.It drained all my energy in traveling kms of distance in the streets of leh and every lane looked as if I reached home.Blame my stupidity in finding the cheap accommodation cost me perpetual idea of my hotel name and the way.Finally I came to a dead end and felt I'm done for life stranded here in middle of nowhere and no light.Luckily there was a small light at a distance and found out it was one of local people's house.Without any shy and lost temperament I knocked their door several times and pleaded for their hospitality for that night.Putting weird faces and a lot of multiple questions they let me in.Ah! What a relief it was as If it was nothing better I could have imagined that night to be.Those people were very warm and in spite of shelter they even gave me food to eat too.The rice was very big and sticky and the curry looked like potato sambar.Whatever that was It tasted like God's nectar for me and gulped till I regained my lost energy levels and slept thanking for their gracious warmth.So,this is one of my best moments in my life taking shelter in unknown persons house and how life and people would turn dramatic sometimes.

Day 8th (15-8-13)Reached Top of the world - Khardungla
I got up at 7:00 am.I thanked them and courteously gave 400rs as a token of thanks and started my search for the lost hotel.Morning freshness ignited my memory power and stepping into Sherlock Holmes shoes and yay I found it on the other side of the small city which I was pondering that whole night.I quickly did my routine stuff took bath and reached the mechanic store.My bike got ready after sometime and I headed out to get permits for local sight seeing.I reached the Leh Govt office and unsurprisingly It was closed for first half a day due to Independence day celebrations.To manage time I visited the Leh palace and took couple of pics there.The palace was architecturally wonderful made with many floors below and above land.Then I came back to the Office and joined the celebrations taking pictures of the events happening there.Took permits in the afternoon for Nubra Valley,Tso moriri and met couple pune riders there.We grouped in and started for Khardungla.On the way we faced bad roads near Khandla and finally reached Khardungla.What an epic moment of my life reaching the top motor able road on my personal bike which was aging from 6 years but never gave me up in between the trip.I cherished those sweet moments pinched myself and eating noodles at the army base camp on the top gave me goose bumps altogether.The temperature was very freezing and all our fingers turned numb and we almost free zed to become iceman. I still wanted to go further to Nubra valley but due to heavy snow and no company up further I dropped my plans and climbed down back to my hotel.On the way I bought a tee as a memorabilia,ate sumptuous dinner in a nearby dhaba and slept like a log.

Day 9th (16-8-13) Visited Pangong Lake - Mother of all lakes
I wanted to stay for one more day in leh but my mind insisted me to shift my base to next stop or stay at pangong lake.So packed my luggage onto my saddle , bought half a liter of engine oil as spare.On the way I went to one of Tibetan monasteries and tried to understand their motto and way of life.Took pictures around and started to my destination.Till shakthi roads were decently good. I reached midway Changla and it was freezing as usual.From here my irritation of riding has started.I felt sick and tired of riding in skin piercing rain ,bone chilling snow and worst roads made me loose my patience even more.There were around 3 river crossing.The roads were very scenic and then the show stopper view was the pangong lake at 3:00Pm.It looked very fresh bluish green.I took couple more pics and ate my lunch there.Mind wanted to start off but heart wanted to stay and mind won this time.After lot of thinking whether I'll be able to make it up to my next pit stop , at 4:30pm I started off rigorously munched more kms and reached back to Changla.But then I lost all my energy and became exhausted again.I wanted to abandon my ride and stay off in the army camp for that day.But they couldn't accommodate me due to army restrictions and staying there for people like us ,tourists for more than 45mins would make us more giddy.Rested for around half an hour there in their camp using heated stove and hot tea I started back in the dreadful snow,dark night and reached karoo.Phew! another scary night ride was accomplished in my life events.Took a room in the karoo dhabas and slept for that night.

Day 10th (17-8-13) Karoo - Tandi - Worst roads of my life.
Woke up morning to do my routine stuff but found out the bathroom was located close to river bed beside and it was one of the old type stinky types.Arrgh!forget it.Roads till Sarchu were very good,met couple of fellow rajasthan riders on the way .In between tangla there were lot of roads construction.Hope they would be ready on my next expedition.After reaching searchu at around 2 or 3 in the afternoon.There were 3 or 4 water crossings on the way. I took rest at tandi.This hotel was pretty new and the people very very warm in knowing about my hometown i.e south of India.

Day 11th & 12 (18-8-13 and 19-8-13) Scary Ride Part 4 Tandi - Tes Bareli & Tes bareli -Delhi
Filled up mu bike with petrol in Tandi.Roads were good.Near Rohtang pass there was traffic jam due to very slushy route and all the smaller vehicles including trucks very getting stuck and it was taking loads of hrs to get them cleared.I was waiting for the truck to pass as the road is very narrow for two of us to go at once.Due to the slush slippery the truck tires skidded and came on to me.I tried to manoeuvre front but my tire too skid and front part of my bike went into the valley.One wheel down and one wheel on the road I thought my life was over.But god's grace on me came in form of truck cleaners they quickly brought me and the bike on the road once again.I thanked those good Samaritans and god and started my journey forth.The ghata loops were awesome and reached manali.The twisties on the road to manali was another treat to my riding and shamelesly felt it as raping every twist I encountered on the way.I took a break there and did paragliding for 700rs,met couple of city riders on bullet.I wanted to strecth more and ride till Delhi but it became dark night by then and I abruptly halted at Tes bareli for 300rs. Next day reached Delhi in peak traffic at 1:00am and crash landed in my friend's room at 3:30pm.

Day 13th and 14th (20-8-13 and 21-8-13) I did left over Delhi sight seeing, gave my bike for Hyderabad parcel in train.Another sad moment was forgetting my 3grand helmet in the Delhi local bus.Next day packed up my luggage and boarded Hyderabad train at 5:30 and that pretty much ends up my best riding tours of my life.


Summing up my karchas all for this trip
It depreciated my bank balance by around 23,000 rupees for fuel,accommodation food and other expenses on the way. Another 20,000 for the bike jackets,bike parcel and other necessary things for the journey.

All together around or over 3000 kms of bike riding and infinite moments to cherish , learn and picturize broad outlook towards life , places and people of India.

Things I felt and few other I cherished:
Delhlites have very different way of leading personal and work life.
Driving and sneaking in between traffic using indicators as traffic signals,too much honking is pretty common scene in Delhi.
Delhlites are lovely food eaters.
Very neatly maintained Golden temple and Punjabi Sikh's were very friendly.
No driving or riding again in curfew that too in very sensitive areas like Jammu
Heavy rain riding will adversely affect your mental strength in reaching final destination goals.
Take a better bike next time to tame Jammu-Bannihal twisties.
Superb Srinagar mountains,should do this route next time in an open top Jeep.
Srinagar in all together a one time day stay place.Not many heart soothing places to see.
Always wear thermals and other necessary protection whatever be the climate or places.
Nice tar curvy roads to Leh and through magnetic Hill.Will stop my four wheeler next time here to check the vehicle movement.
Always worship and take good care of our bike.If it stops, your heart also might stop that time in middle of nowhere situations.
People in Leh follow Buddhism , more conservative and reserved but are also helpful.
Solo riding is good sometimes but not all the time.
Independence day celebrations in Leh.
Khardungla was better ride friendly than Changla or Tangla.
Stupid roads from Sarchu to Keylong.
Very good slushly rods in Rohtang Pass.Love to do this next time in a 4x4.
Paragliding in Manali road is an epic to feel the mountains from bird view.
Tandi guest House people were very good.Best recommended to stay.
Did a cheap fight issue in train with an old aunt which I shouldn't have done.I will not do that again.
Bike though old and crossed around 75000kms still took me through all the pain taking me places where the bullets died and scared to enter.All hail Pulsar!
Delhi gol gappa was cold and badly tasted .Pune's was awesome.
Famous Paranthas available in chandni chowk was not that great but OK.