Tuesday 5 November 2013

My experience to ride from Bangalore to Leh solo on my bike


                                                       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









































  































































                                                             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