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.
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.
Wooww !! 3000kms All alone...!!
ReplyDeletemust appreciate ur Patience first, Then ur Bike ! d :-o
Its such a beautiful Place to see' in those Pics. :-)
Despite al the Hurdles, i think this wud b d Most adventurous Soloride' dat u wud ever go. Keep Goin' but nt Alone again fr such Places :)
I got your link from a Cognizant mailer so assume you are working in Cognizant. Please let me know how you convinced your higher ups to make them agree for this vacation.
ReplyDeleteBravo Dude!! Keep up the spirit and explore India! You must do North-East trip, Niligiris trip in south. Add it to your ambition list! It will make your life worth! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWow!! What an adventure! Bravo! Against all odds. Seriously man.. Three Cheers for you!
ReplyDelete