aargee

Holy Cow!!! Shashi!!! Are you professional photographer? Simply mind blowing pics!!! Keep them coming (without the EMI )...hope I deserve it

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Patience pays...The Vulture's virtue is patience and the bird always get it's food - Wise man saying

This is not a bakery. I don't sugar coat anything. If you ask for my opinion...then that's what you'll get. Don't be mad when it's not what you want to hear

lonelyrider08

wow.. awesome teaser pics to start shashi. now eagerly waiting for the log and all beautiful pics.

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MANDAR....

chicmagnet

Ah ha! I like I like! Keep em coming brother.

princesirohi

awesome pics man...........

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Tyre Sizes _ Spark Plugs

Pirelli & Michelin Tyres for Indian Bikes

Motorcycle Headlight Focus

ASHTAVINAYAK & SHIRDI BIKE TOUR WITH WIFE

jeyessh

nice photos

shashi_m8

Why?

A mechanical life in a metro & changes in personal life had put me off-gear by a long way; the urge to let all go was building up strong. After being in the midst of Himalayas almost 2+ years ago (it feels like decades ago though) I yearned for a new adventure to rejuvenate myself, but I could not see any light at the end of the tunnel. I needed some luck to change the situation.

With unexpected turn of events I had almost a week at my disposal with virtually whole of my office shutting down for Christmas/New Years. It was not that difficult a decision to finalise neither the direction of my travel nor the mode of my transport. Both raised eyebrows who ever came to hear of it.

Rajasthan has been a dream place to visit for a long time now. It was always right up with the Lehs & Ladakhs for me. The sands, the roads, the history of the place all adds up to make it a mystique place. I had read many articles/travelogues describing the amazing roads, desert, the people & the simplicity of the place.


- Robert Frost

The last phrase of this poem has been at my core & defined how I aimed to keep myself going throughout the trip.

What is a trip?

A trip is more than a touristy visit to any new place. It has a very deep connection into myself which at times makes me very philosophical & seek the path of self-discovery. I learned this only after I returned from my Leh trip, how much impact it had on me. This lead me to keep searching, planning, dreaming for new places even if I know there is no possibility of it realising even in the near future.

I was very sure I wanted to do this trip alone on a bike; but in the fear of being convinced otherwise I never discussed about my plans even with the closest of my friends nor family. All got to know just few days before the trip was supposed to begin; got an earful from most of them especially dad for this!!

With hind sight I can say only one thing “It was worth it”. Life is much more than everything you have known or experienced.

aargee

Shashi...stop the EMI flow, you owe us, can't wait more!!!

__________________
Patience pays...The Vulture's virtue is patience and the bird always get it's food - Wise man saying

This is not a bakery. I don't sugar coat anything. If you ask for my opinion...then that's what you'll get. Don't be mad when it's not what you want to hear

shashi_m8

Wow!!! thanks for the comments guys..really appreciate it

Have been pretty tied up for past many days with work & also planning for another travel (its official though)

shashi_m8

I definitely owe it to you all aargee!! Trying my best...hope to post the next part before I leave India!!!

shashi_m8

Planning:
With less than two weeks to start all preparations began at break neck speed; my mind and body were at least 3000kms apart at any given point during these days. The only question that kept me in doubt was the last two days; I had never ridden such long distances (1800kms). After reading many travelogues, I felt confident about it; but prepared myself for any situation, hoped to hitch a ride to nearest town if things get worse.

With flight tickets done, I booked my entire stay as I wanted one less thing on my mind. I didn’t want myself scouting for rooms at the end of a day long ride in the biting cold without knowing if I would get a place to rest.

Had got the bike serviced few weeks before hence wanted to get only the oil changed so that I could start the trip cleanly. Took it to the service station where to my horror, the mechanic found the oil to be burnt due to worn out clutch plate. Got it replaced & with some minor adjustments the bike was finally all set for the ride. I did not intend to carry any spares as my knowledge about repairing one was not great, picked only necessary tools & puncture kit.

Plan: Jaipur > Bikaner > Jaisalmer > Jodhpur > Udaipur > Pune > Bangalore with bike reaching Jaipur by train & me flying in.

Day (-1): Jaipur Express
Got the train tickets done at the last minute. The train was slated to depart Bangalore at 1.30PM, so reached the station by 9AM. Got the bike packed; the train arrived on time but the wagon was full with four Enfield’s travelling from Mysore to Jaipur. The loading person shook his head saying he wont be able to load my bike into it. I couldn't let it happen, so got in with him & re-arranged the bikes & made some space. Waited till the wagons were locked; left hoping to meet the riders in Jaipur & bikes to have a safe ride.

Day 0: Bangalore – Mumbai – Jaipur
After completing some last minute packing, was ready to fly to Jaipur. As I had booked connecting flights I had less worry about the delays due to fog situation in Delhi. Reached Mumbai by 6PM but the whole airport was a mess. No place to sit, only one tv screen showing flight status, no proper eating facilities with flight delays making hordes of people wait. Finally the flight departed 3hrs late & reached Jaipur at 11PM.


Reached Hotel Teej; was hoping to get some dinner but they had shut down by then. Dropped luggage in room & went out to find some food. Found a dhaba wala within walking distance who served some yummy dal roti. The room was small with not so clean facilities & horrible restaurant. But this helped me drop my expectations from my other bookings considerably.


The train was scheduled to reach the next morning, re-Checked the maps for route to railway station & nearby service stations just in case; slept off after a tired day hoping for a warm day.

No pics for the day as most of the day was spent in or waiting for flights.