Day 1
The
Mountain Bike Ride Bug bite me when Santosh getoffurass went in 2004.
The way they got their YAMAHA RD 350’s prepared went with extra
Tyres, Fuel cans etc made me wonder is it worth all the Risk then on
wanted to drive from B’lore. With Mum said No way so sent her by
flight to Delhi and on a VOLVO till Shimla Then on a MAXI CAB to
Manali-Rohtang Pass. She loved it.
Since
2006 it was my dream to go to Leh from B’lore on a MOTORBIKE and
finally everything fell in Place.
Well after
SERVICE of the HONDA CBR 250R @ CITY HONDA was all set had to mount
the SADDLE BAGS . Packing was done a week earlier the basic stuff I
had planned to carry Inner Thermals, Gloves, Woolen Socks had my All
Weather Riding Gear a pair of Jeans & Few Tees.
Munchies
like Peanut Masala etc wr also packed, A small amount of Home Made
Lime Pickles. To keep the Taste cuz up in mountains only Maggi &
Soups.
Started @
early morning 4 am hit the Highway The weather was gr8 until Sira Skies
opened Up thought for a moment should I turn back to B’lore but the
HONDA CBR 250R kept on Goin a few kms the RAIN stopped clear skies
and sun shone bright it was to reach Pune by evening. Had My
Breakfast @ Chitradurga xclnt Dosa & Hot Kappi. Reached Kagal Had
Lunch @ Hotel Mayur Palace food was gr8.
Rode a bit
Skies Opened Up near karad so had to STOP for Hot Chai and Rain
stopped No Bikes on the PUNE-MUMBAI XPRSSWAY so had to take old
hiway. Took a Room @ DESI TADKA had Dinner & hit the bed .
Day 2
Woke up
early had a Cup of Hot Kappi left Pune for Mumbai via Khandala. The
Sun Rise was gr8 It had Rained Heavily in the nite air was fresh and
loved the ride stopped @ Khandala for Chai. Shot a few pics of the
early morning Sunrise Lovely colors of the sky. Had to reach MUMBAI
via Panvel a early morning walker gave wrong directions by mistake
entered on the PUNE-MUMBAI EXPRESSWAY lucky had worn my Fluorescent
Jacket the guys there thought it was Official on rounds took the road
to Khopli came to Mumbai reached the HIWAY to Surat_Ahmedabad. Also
had a detour went to Diu & Daman the Fort etc was gr8 Portuguese
colony. Left for Ahmedabad a heavy lunch and by evening was dr Took
a Room @ APPLE INN close to Sabarmathi Ashram. Morning Got up went to
Gandhi Ashram saw the Sunrise lovely saw the Chakra & other
exhibits.
Left for
Udaipur on the way went to Akshradam Temple heavy security Bikers
don’t waste TIME cuz NO one takes care of ur Luggage after the
terrorist attack. So waste of time.
Entered
RAJASTHAN lovely Hiways had a Good Lunch @ RAO’s xclnt stuff .
Reached Udaipur by 4 pm had to get the Bike’s Coolant level checked
so went to the HONDA DEALER SAMARTH got the Engine Oil and Coolant
Topped Reached Udaipur went to CITY PALACE, LAKE PALACE saw the
Lovely Vintage Cars Rode up the Ghats to SAJJANGARH WILDLIFE awesome
Ride . Came back took a room slept Left for RANTHAMBORE in the
morning..
Day 3
Woke UP early left for Sawai Madhpur to Ranthambore National Park the Hiway is gr8 but lot
of accidents. Met up with Army Jawans who were on Training. Reached Ranthambore
by 5 pm went to the TAJ Group Hotel checked the Place awesome Property Rode to RNP well the Park is closed during
Monsoons so No SAFARI rode till the
Ganesh Temple Trekked up the Hillock and had Darshan of the Lord Ganesh on the
way back had a sighting of a Sambhar Deer which just came out of the Bushes
took pics got up early left for Delhi..
DAY 4
Left for
Jaipur in search of Breakfast South Indian Hot Idlys and Vada, luckily
DASAPRAKASH’s have a OUTLET rode 100 kms for this was sick of the
same stuff.
First time
caught by JAIPUR CITY TRAFFIC I entered the Highway which leads to
the City but No SIGN BOARD No TWO WHEELER ALLOWED had to explain to
the Traffic Policeman on Duty it was not my fault I had sked the
Policeman @ the Toll he said allowed they let me Go.
Rode back
to Agra saw the Taj again No takers for ur Bags . So saw from both
side Eastern & Western Gates. Hit the Hiway to Delhi. Reached
Buddh Intl Race Track by 3 pm saw the Races goin on TOYOTA ETIOS CUP
Was a awesome place and India has a F-1 Circuit gr8 and thanks to
Jaypee Group for this.
.Rode on
the YAMUNA XPRESSWAY was FUN. Full blast the YAMUNA XPRESSWAY has the
most accidents a TOYOTA LIVA just toppled after a Tyre Burst lucky
the Driver & Co-passenger had Seat Belts on saved their Lives.
By 7 pm
reached Delhi went to My Friends Guest House close to the PM’s
Residence 7 RC Road tight security was fun staying close by Had a
Hot shower left for Dinner @ Karantaka Bhavan super South Indian
Meals after say 4 days of leaving Namma Blore
all I had
was Naaan, Punjabi Graveys . was sick of it.
SO
Slurrped. in Delhi for 2 days went to Connaught Place, India Gate
Lotus Temple Sarojini market etc Had a gr8 Dinner Ragi Ball &
Chicken Soup tasted Like Home @ delhi thanks to Pandu the COOK.
DAY 5
Left Delhi and started my journey towards Manali, however reached Chandigarh and wanted my bike to get checked as its very difficult to find authorized service station once you reach manali. Had to halt for a day, looked around places in Chandigarh and started next day to Manali.
DAY 6
Left
Panchkula early to Manali the Highway wore a deserted look no Traffic
njoyed it but again Accidents . Scares the hell out of u. Saw the
RADHA SOMANI BEAS in full flow the Water was Full.Reached Kullu Then
manali the Tunnel Ride for 8-10 kms was gr8 scenic route met up with
Dipesh who has done This route 8 times a avid biker so went for Lunch
@ Apple Inn had Pizzas he left to met his pal Dcruz I went to Painter
Roerich House now a Museum lovely scenic view from the Balcony. Took
a Room @ BEAS MANALI awesome location to manali Town . Roamed the
town and had a good dinner @ the Hotel was Freezing. The Views are
Gr8 plan was to hit Solang Valley and do PARAGLIDING.
DAY 7
Woke Up
early went for a walk Old Manali Town saw the Hidamaba Temple awesome
place Very Peaceful place. Came back had a Shower Breakfast went to
Solang Valley to do Paragliding went up the cable car and it was
FREEDOM @ the Skies. The Landing
was BAD he
hit a rock which caused him a Lot of PAIN.
DAY 8
Started
Early to Rohtang Pass the Hiway is being widened Was very cold and
freezing stopped for Chai met with Doctors from B’lore & Salem
who work in a NGO chatted
and left
for Khoksar had to had over the Permit issued for Private Vehicle @
SHimla DC’s office reached Keylong had a super Breakfast then it
was ride all along kuccha roads the CBR was up to the task No
problems whatsoever climbed the Altitude @ ease U cannot speed cuz
one mistake ur down a Ravine 8000 feet.
The Last
Fuel stopped after TANDI warns no FUEL PUMP for next 365 kilometers
so TANK UP then it was Keylong,Darchu,ZINZING BAR GATALOOPS was gr8
then was Sarchu Pang was 88 kms well took a long time road was BAD
was grueling time riding. Made it to PANG by evening stayed @ SAJJAN
HOTEL A CAMP was freezing had Noodles and Hot Chai for Dinner. When I
slept was given 6 blankets it was COLD.
DAY 9
Well got
up @ PANG the weather was COLD got HOT water to Brush as I got out
of the Tent went cold but had to brush with Luke warm water got ready
had super Bread & Butter Hot Chai saddled up the bags etc . Then
the CBR wont start the Battery had discharged due to the cold
weather. All I did was PUSH went down a Road engaged 2nd
gear the Bike started kept it ON for 15 minutes met with Gurmeet &
Karen who had come on a CBR so we rode together till leh was awesome
cuz I let him lead played sweep . We stopped @ Tangalang-la 2 nd
Highest Motorable Road. Left for Leh reached by 1 pm had a several
check posts near Upshi to hand over the Permit issued by Shimla DC’s
office. Weather was gr8 hot and sunny. Went straight to DC’s Office
@ Leh for The INNE RLINE PERMIT since it was a Saturday had to get it
by 4 pm had downloaded the forms and carried Xerox Copies of Bike RC,
Id Proof got the ILP within 10 minutes took Photocopies cuz u have to
hand over @ the Check Posts. Stayed @ RAFICA HOTEL in Leh new hotel
since it was end of the HOLDIAY Season the city was a bit empty no
Tourist Traffic. Had a good meal went up to SHANTI STUPA saw the
River Indus and view of Leh City, Leh Palace in Town was awesome the
LADAKH FESTIVAL was in full swing. Dropped by RACNHO’s café movie
3 idiots was shot here nice school in serene surroundings. Came back
just strolled in Leh city was freezing in the nite No INTERNET
connection was down. The City is gr8
Tanked Up
for the Next Days ride to KHARDUNGA-LA filled petrol cuz it’s a
scare commodity so first u got to Fill Petrol and be safe for the
next day’s ride.Left early for Khardunga-La the ride was back
breaking made it to the HIGHEST MOTORABLE ride loved it had Lemon Tea
free @ the Military Canteen loved it spent some time took pics and
returned to Leh could not make it to NUBRA VALLEY becuz a Convoy of
ARMY trucks held up the highway.
Hit the
Hotel had a shower left for Tso Panggong got a Plastic Can For FUEL
again Tanked up @ Shey @ the Check post had to give a Xerox Copy of
the ILP’s after checking the papers he a gave a Token which had to
be returned after the Visit. Awesome ride the road was in Good shape
reached CHANG LA 3rd highest also the Temple guardian of
the Pass Changla baba spent time met with INDIAN ARMY Soldiers was
freezing u cannot stay for more than 20 minutes I had no problems
with AMS. Left for Tso Panggong loved the ride army has put huge one
liners NEVER GIVE UP etc lovely to boost the Morale of the soldiers .
Awesome jaw dropping lake up high Tibet to ur Left China to the North
the color of the lake Blue so serene spent time with Jawans @ the
Forward Post took pics On the return met with Teju & Gautam from
Blore had come on a PULSAR 150cc rode back to Leh went for Dinner @
PUNJABI Rasoi gr8 food Lassi ROtis, Dal Fry etc slurped walked back
to hotel . Left for Srinagar early.
Go PRO HD
was in full use njoyed the Bike Ride Videos .
Check out the below video link.. Ride to highest motorable road Khardung la
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFlBkp1gXOs
Check out the below video link.. Ride to highest motorable road Khardung la
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFlBkp1gXOs
DAY 10
Leh to
Srinagar
We started
early Teju joined me on his Pulsar . We reached Shanti Stupa spent
some time there early morning was Cold. We hit the Road To Leh
Airport which takes us on highway. No Traffic at all njoyed the drive
with River Indus on one side and the Hiway to the Rock Cliffs. Army
Trucks where coming from Srinagar to Leh.We reached the Highest Point
on Leh-Srinagar Hiway Fatula Point @ 13479 feet shot pics.from there
it was a stop @ Namika La @ 12198 feet Kargill for lunch @ the ARMY
CANTEEN gr8 Puri & Channa Sweets was Hot Crisp Jaleebizzs. Left
for Srinagar reached ZOZILA PASS @ 11649 feet met up with bikers from
Mysore Singh & Rahul on a Honda Splendor Zozila Pass the Roads r
in bad shape Ruts & Stones it was grueling ride. Reached
Sonamarg Heaven On Earth Two valleys with Pine trees on the Mountain
Slopes Hiway on 1 side twisty ghats njoyed was getting a feelin was
in Europe. Srinagar we stayed @ CITY HOTEL close to Dal Gate saw the
DaL Lake with Boats etc. The Stink was unearable had Dinner @ Punjabi
Dhaba hada Good sleep .
DAY 11
We started
early from Srinagar to Jammu was a good move becuz of ARMY Convoys in
the ghat sections could get stuck for hours. We reached jammu by 11
am Teju’s bike Front Tyre had a flat near Karat close to
Vashinodevi fixed and started to jammu had lunch @ PUNJABI HAVELI
super Tasty Food. Left for Jammu we reached JAMMU RAILWAY STATION by
4 pm had to send Teju’s bike by Parcel to Delhi and Delhi-B’lore.
I headed for Delhi first time did a Night Ride It rained Heavily near
Pathankot rain stopped from there into Punjab. Jalandhar-Ludihana-
Ambala- Delhi 485 kms to go stopped for dinner @ famous Dhaba owned
by Singer Gurudas Mann tasty food hit for delhi reached by 4 am
stayed @ Guest House Relaxed a bit. Next day early moring start to
Gwalior was hit by Rain near mathura Hiways wr full of water. Rain
stopped hit Bhopal Indore and stayed @ Indore had Dinner the city is
full of dust lot of Asphalt work goin ON.
Next day
left for Pune Hiways are gr8 u can just zip 4 lane.had the first Tyre
Puncture @ Malegoan Maharastra rear tyre fixed the Flat using the
Tubeless Repair kit from there it wasa Blast to pune by 6 pm.
took a
room close M G rd Went shopping @ Kayani bakery, Chandan Bandhu
Mithwale for bacarwadis had dinner @ Badshahs, Kareems for xclnt
Katti Chkn Rolls.
A single Puncture on my way back near Malegoan Maharastra.
Started
early for B’lore from Pune reached home by 7 pm super ride .
ONLY
THOSE WHO WIL RISK GOING TOO FAR CAN POSSIBLY FIND OUT HOW FAR CAN
ONE GO T.E.ELIOT.
Believe
in yourself and Trust your Motorcycle NEVER GIVE UP. u can DO the
Ride to Highest Motorable Road.
There are few video links which I have recorded during the travel have uploaded below, I am sure you would definitely enjoy it..
Leh - Kargil - Srinagar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRLv1SHb3LM