Leh - SrinagarMagnetic hill. A debatable point this is. Some say they mountain has actual magnetic properties while some say it is just an illusion.
The road from Leh to Lamayuru is in great shape. Not even potholes. Its a thin highway so if a truck comes from opposite side then one has to get off the road.
One also has to be sharp on this highway as there are less ghats but more blind turns. One does not realizes because for frequency of vehicle coming from opposite side is very less.
Within a span of 4 hours we were at Lamayuru. There is a bypass before it but we took the long way. It was more fun as it gives a aerial view of the Monastery in Lamayuru. By this point we met a guy named Viliam he is from Austria. He had some problem with his bike so he was riding along with us till Kargil. Must say he was a fast rider.
By 4pm we were at Fotu LaKargil.
We started ride by 9.30am with just a cup of tea. I was already feeling hungry as I can be.
The road from Kargil to Drass is very scenicsome photos with them.
They told us that from here onwards after 20kms the road will get better. Just as you come across the mountain of Sonmarg the tar road will be back under your tyres.
And my God what a massive mountain that was. The Sonmarg mountain is a huge one and the road curls around it several times. This is even curvy then the ghata loops.
Sonmarg is actually the base point for Amarnath yatra.
We took a small halt at the base of this mountain for tea and biscuits. This is also where Gauresh went for some rock climbing.
From here onwards the road was just like butterroad was gettingJawahar tunnel. We decided that we will take halt at the first hotel we see. The rains were too getting heavier.
At a point after the tunnel some guy told us that there is a small town ahead where stay options are available.
Wow that was a relief.
In less that one hour we were at that place.
Found a descent hotel and dumped ourselves in it. For food we went outside. We had seen a dabha next to it. They are the best options for food at this late hour. After dinner the same thoughts came in my mind that why its cold here and why there was a ghat then I remembered that I had taken a picture of this route and lets check it out and see where we are. May be that will answer my thoughts.
After looking at the picture got to know we were at Banihal Pass which is at an altitude of 8000m and there are more ghats ahead till Udhampur. Wow again.
We were tired. We slept the moment our heads touched the pillow.
Log:
Total kms covered: 310kms
Average speed: 90km/hr
Average: 46km/litre
Best Road: Sonmarg to Banihal Pass
Worst Road: Drass to Sonmarg
Memorable Events: I found batteries for my MP3 player
Incidents: Ripping and slipping in the Jawahar Tunnel.

it was delicious - expensive because we ate I think 10-12 plates but it was heavily food with combination of tea and biscuits.
From here onwards the road was just like a runway. But I was going slow and enjoying the site that I was seeing.
It was just heaven for miles and miles away. Also here at a point we had taken a halt seeing a guy writing something in Urdu. So we thought that why not get our names written in Urdusundown.
Now we covering as much distance possible was only option.
We I think covered around 100km and suddenly the road went bad, then it even went worst. From locals we got to know that road is not good for next 100kms. So we decided to take night halt at near by motel.
We found one hotel named Hotel Paradise which was not a paradise kind of stay but was ok for us who had no other option.
We were tired of not riding but of the potholes. The room was also a small one but we managed to squeeze in.
We slept as if we had rode for like 500kms but only half was what we did.
Log:
Best Road: Banihal Pass to Udhampur.
Worst Road: Udhampur to Pathnkot.
Total kms covered: 250 approx.
Average speed: 100km/hour
Average: 45km/litre
Memorable Events: Stay at Hotel Paradise.
Incidents: Stay at Hotel Paradise.









Day 18: Back to the Garage
July 13th, 2008
Story:
Today is back to the garage. Before covering any more greater distance all bikes needed some servicing. Mine less but more for the metal guys.
We left early as possible from that Hotel Paradise which was not a Paradise. Just after 30kms that miserable pothole road went away and we got a neat highway, a straight highway.
At this point I and Rohit we accelerated to the top of our speedometers. The road from here till Delhi was in great shape. Ripping on this road was a pleasure. It was long since we went fast as we can.
The next city was Jalandhar. At Jalandhar everyone got up and we noticed a Royal Enfield

DAY 19: On road to Mumbai - Zooming back to Home.
July 14th, 2008
Story
Today we start our run on NH-8. Zooming back to Bombay. We started a bit late from Delhi. I and Rohit we packed and checked out from the lodge around 10pm and headed straight to a barber as he needed a shave and face massage. I had already taken one back in Leh city and in Manali too.
After what I call hajamaat we started to exit Delhi. With just one couple of diversions and an hour of riding we were on the NH-8. We called up Gauresh and Varun and informed them to meet us at the McDonald on NH-8 which is just after Gurgaon. Thats where we will have brunch.
Before going there I and Rohit checked out the mall which is next to the Gurgaon Toll station. It is said that its longest mall in India - off about 2km stretch.
We went in and bought a few stuff from the reliance world store. I got a mp3 sunglasses and a fast track glares for myself.
We spent almost over an hour at that place and then slowly started moving towards McDonald.
Within 20mins we were there and within 40mins Gauresh and Varun also made it. We had a lot of items at McDonaldmutiple punctures and recommended that a new tyre will be good instead of fixing the old tube.
Now issue was Rohit had all the spare tubes so we called him and we got to know that they have left the hotel and will reach here in half an hour.
Till then just time pass is what we did. Also we were getting hungry as we have not yet had our breakfast.
Rohit and Gauresh arrived. The repair guy got the tube and fixed up the tyre very quickly.
As we are on the expressway, going fast was the only option.
We were riding at 110km/hr.
Just as we crossed of about 70kms we saw a cafe coffee day off the road. Without hesitation we all went in to have a bite and some coffee.
We had some good stuff but the only problem was it took a lot of time. We almost spent over 2 hours at that place. Also we stocked a lot of Red Bull.
After our stomach was full we started ride to Ajmer. Ajmer was not far now. In less than an hour we were in Ajmer.
Here when I and Varun took halt for Red Bull and thats when I noticed that my chain was little loose. So left ahead to find a garage to tight it.
In just 10kms I found one and got the chain setting done and even just in case got the oil changed. So now I was ready to head to Mumbai without and stops.
By the time it was done all 3 arrived and we left together.
Here onwards I decided that I will halt straight at Udaipur. But we took one small halt some where before Udaipur because Varun and I were far ahead.
There was a lake at this point, we were just admiring it till Rohit and Gauresh catch up.
After this point I accelerated far head and within couple of hours I was in Udaipur. In fact I had crossed Udaipur and taken halt at the other end.
It was now getting dark and still no one had arrived. After over an hour Varun was first one to show up

lizard and a squirrel together enjoying the view.
Now from this point ride to Ahmadabad is going to be non-stop.
After 5 hours of riding we were in Ahmadabad.
Crossing the city was irritating as there was traffic and pedestrian all over the road.
After exiting the city we took a small halt for tea and snacks. Also our legs got the much needed rest and stretching.
Now we were on Ahmadabad - Mumbai stretch. It was already 3pm so we again speeded over 100 to cover more distance quickly.
After an agonizing ride we were at Baroda bypass. We took late lunch at the hotel where we stayed on Day 1.
The food was just delicious as it was on DAY 1.
After food I and Gauresh left little ahead but after some time we got a call from Varun that his tyre got punctured. He said no need to come back, Rohit is there with him. So we will keep riding ahead but slowly.
In less than couple of hours we all were together.
By evening 6pm we were bypassing Surat. This is where we took last halt for fueling. And from this point there is going to be a continues traffic and bad roads till Mumbai. So riding in the night after this point was difficult. One will always have to be careful. In fact this is where everyday accident takes place.
After 5 hours of riding we were at Daman. It was 11pm. Just after entering Maharashtra border we took a halt for tea and biscuitsI, Varun, Rohit and GaureshTHIS RIDE WAS OVER BUT I WILL NOT SAY THAT IT WAS THE BIGGEST IN MY LIFE. I INTEND TO MAKE EVEN BIGGER RIDES IN DISTANT FUTURE. I WILL SAY THIS WAS ONE MORE A MEMORABLE AND CHALLENGING RIDE OF MY LIFE. I STILL KEEP MY RECORD OF COMPLETING ONE MORE RIDE (this will be my 50th ride) WITHOUT ANY SINGLE ACCIDENT. KARIZMA BACK HOME SAFE AND SOUND.
Log:
Total kms covered: Over 800
Average Speed: 100km/hr
Average: 39km/litre
Best Road: Udaipur to Surat
Worst Road: Surat to Mumbai
Memorable Events: Entire ride
Incidents: Entire ride.
My Expenses: Rs. 350 petrol, Rs. 100 drinks, Rs. 200 food, Rs. 400 petrol again.