Winter mornings in Delhi have their own charm, but they can also be unforgiving. The cold winds, dense fog, and low visibility often make stepping out a challenge. Streets that are usually buzzing with life seem almost barren. The silence is broken only by an occasional honk or a spirited stray dog.
But being an avid motorcyclist, riding in winter is a different kind of fun. It is quieter, purer, and almost meditative. Then there’s the call of the mountains, which is very hard to resist. So this travelogue is about me heeding to another one of those calls… during the winter, no less. I rode from Delhi to Mussoorie on my trusty Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6 shod with CEAT Gripp XL Plus tyres.
The Start of the Journey: Battling the Chill and Fog
The day of my ride started later than I had initially planned. The biting cold and dense fog in Delhi made an early morning start almost impossible. Despite the glaring streetlights trying their best, the white haze was too hard to pierce. Staring out was like staring into the abyss. So, saner heads prevailed, and I waited for conditions to get better before I started.
As the sun rose higher, the weather started to clear up a bit, and while it was still very cold, the visibility had improved quite a bit. With that, it was time to get going. I finally geared up, layering myself in thermal wear, my thickest riding jacket, warm gloves, and a full-face helmet with an anti-fog visor.
Despite all my preparations, the weather was declared the victor. The chill felt like a bunch of needles piercing my skin. But as soon as I thumbed the starter, it all started to dissipate as the excitement of the ride started to course through me. There’s a certain joy in kicking off a ride on a winter morning, the kind that makes you feel more alive with every breath of that crisp, icy air.
Navigating Through the Urban Chaos
Getting out of Delhi was the first challenge. The city was waking up, and the roads were a mix of morning commuters, vendors setting up shop, and vehicles almost spawning up on the road through the fog like a video game. The visibility had improved, but not as much. I was eager to get out of the city limits, but I decided to be patient and pace myself.
Moreover, I had faith in the CEAT Gripp XL tyres. The tread design ensured that even on slick patches and the occasional slippery stretches, I had enough grip to keep going without a hitch. To avoid the infamous congestion near Modi Nagar, I opted for the canal road, an alternate route that many overlook.
As soon as I veered off the highway, the atmosphere changed. The road, flanked by the Upper Ganga Canal, was peaceful and almost surreal in the soft morning light. Rows of trees stood still, their leaves heavy with overnight dew, and the occasional bird call echoed through the silence. It felt like nature was riding alongside me.
The canal road isn’t perfect; there are broken stretches, loose gravel, and unexpected potholes, but this is where the CEAT Grip XL Plus tyres truly came into their own. Even when the terrain got tricky, the tyres maintained impressive traction, giving me full control in sudden manoeuvres and uneven surfaces.
A Break at Jain Shikanji
No ride in this region is complete without a stop at the legendary Jain Shikanji near Modi Nagar. By the time I reached there, lunchtime was fast approaching, and my stomach reminded me that breakfast had been skipped in the morning rush. I parked my bike and took a few minutes to stretch my legs.
The place, as always, was buzzing. The aroma of spices, sizzling on hot tavas, filled the air. I ordered their famous Chole Kulche, served hot with pickled onions and green chutney, and washed it down with a tangy glass of Shikanji, cold, zesty, and refreshing even in winter. It was one of those simple meals that hits just right, especially when you’re cold and hungry from the ride.
The warmth of the food and the friendly chatter of fellow travellers gave me a fresh burst of energy. As I sipped the last of my drink, I looked at my Himalayan parked nearby, layered in road dust, yet standing tall and ready for more.
Climbing Towards the Queen of Hills: Mussoorie
Refuelled and recharged, I resumed my journey, and the landscape began to shift as I entered the hills. The plains gave way to winding roads, pine forests, and sharp bends ready to test the focus and skill of any rider worth their salt. The climb to Mussoorie is as beautiful as it is demanding. Steep inclines, hairpin bends, and unexpected potholes demand full concentration.
This is where both machine and rider are tested, and once again, the CEAT Grip XL Plus tyres proved their worth. Despite their ability to handle bad roads, these tyres hold their own on winding tarmac as well. The grip on offer is reassuring and consistent, which makes riding in the mountains easier. After all, in addition to the surprise potholes, the wildlife is also ever present to offer complimentary brake checks to the travellers. But thanks to CEAT Gripp XL Plus tyres, it all went smoothly and without any untoward incident.
The Royal Enfield Himalayan’s long-travel suspension absorbed most of the jolts, while the tyres ensured I stayed connected to the road at all times. The synergy between the two created a riding experience that was both thrilling and secure.
The Winter Wonderland of Mussoorie
As I approached Mussoorie, the temperature dropped further, and a light mist rolled in over the hills. The trees were dusted with frost, and the mountain air smelled of pine, wood smoke, and cold earth. Every breath felt fresher, cleaner, and almost therapeutic.
I stopped at a viewpoint just before entering the town. From there, the view was picture-perfect; snow-capped peaks in the distance, mist swirling around the valley below, and the faint outlines of Mussoorie’s rooftops peeking through. I took a few moments to soak it all in and capture some photos.
The parking area was slippery, coated with a thin sheen of frost. I noticed how stable the bike remained as I manoeuvred it into place, a final reminder of how crucial good tyres are in unpredictable conditions.
Final Thoughts on the Ride
This winter ride from Delhi to Mussoorie turned out to be more than just another road trip. It was a reminder of why I ride in the first place, the allure of the open road, the changing landscapes, the solitude, the conversations with strangers, and the quiet moments alone with nature.
What made this journey particularly memorable was the confidence I felt throughout. Despite the weather and road conditions, the CEAT Grip XL Plus tyres handled every challenge with ease. From slippery city streets to rugged mountain paths, they delivered consistent performance, allowing me to enjoy the ride without worry.
If you’re planning a similar ride or often find yourself exploring challenging terrains, I highly recommend trying out the CEAT Grip XL Plus tyres. Paired with the Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6, they make for a powerful, dependable combination that lets you focus on the experience, not the obstacles.
Tyre Review: CEAT Gripp XL Plus
I have already said a lot about the tyres, but there’s more detail in there. First of all, these tyres are not dual-purpose per se, but they do more than that. The grip is exceptional in both wet and dry conditions. The compound used and the profile of the tyres ensured that I had dependable grip not only on the straights but in the corners as well. Whether it is hard braking, hard acceleration, or hard bends, CEAT Gripp XL Plus tyres hold their own, making riding in the mountains a breeze. Then there’s the wet grip. Thanks to their tread design, CEAT Gripp XL Plus tyres are very good at dispelling water between the tarmac and the contact patch. This ensures impressive braking distances even in wet conditions, along with loads of traction when you decide to live by the quote ‘when in doubt, throttle it out’. What is even more impressive is that even on bad roads and mild off-road conditions, the Gripp XL Plus tyres do a commendable job. This is especially important because on a roadtrip, you traverse roads that you do not encounter regularly and therefore, the possibility of surprises is always there, especially in the mountains. In short, these tyres proved to be a perfect match for my Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6 and this roadtrip. If you have a similar motorcycle or a similar plan, look no further than CEAT Gripp XL Plus tyres.
