Thx buddy

yes sir...

Subscribed.....
Let it rain..............

Day 0 --> Mumbai --> Delhi --> Jammu (via flight)

Finally the day arrived and we were all set to ride to the Dream Destination. We had already shipped our bikes day before from Bandra Terminus to Jammu. For the 1st time, our bikes were riding alone and that too before us

Sachin had promised that he'll be coming to see off and will be getting his Tavera along to drop off at Mumbai airport. Punnet also joined in. Our flight to Delhi was scheduled at 0600 hrs and later another one to Jammu at 1300 hrs. So basically after landing at Delhi, there was an layover of 5 hours. Damn !!!

Once we got into flight, we were continuously thinking of as to how to spend the 5 hours. Finally we landed in Delhi and yeah there were no signs of rain... Sab sukha sukha

We were just hanging around at the terminal and 2 firungi guys (Jake and Eric) and 1 gal (Katie) came to me after seeing my riding gear and asked as to where we were riding. I told them our plan. They were to hire bikes from Srinagar and start the ride to Leh. We wished each other good luck and hoped that we meet somewhere during our ride...

Ab sawaal ye tha ki ye saala baaki ka time kaise gujaara jaaye Viraj wanted to use washroom and I was waiting for him in waiting area. 20-25 mins passed but no sign of this bugger returning back. I called him on his cell and he came back with an guy along. His name is Alok and upon introduction we found that the guy was in defense and was an biker and also an "xBhpian" too. His flight was also at around 1300 hrs, so he also had to pass time.

Kya timepass kiya hoga soch sakte ho Nahi Nahi, zyada mat socho. You can easily guess what conversation takes place when Bikers meet Well, the time passed away very good and fast and finally it was our time for Jammu bound flight. Alok also had to leave for Mangalore so we bid each other bye bye and left to our respective terminals.

Flight to Jammu was good. Once we landed in Jammu, pilot announced "Welcome to Jammu, hot as always. Current temp is 42 degrees" Damn !!! Viraj thought that the pilot announced 31 so he confirmed once again with air hostess and the pilot was correct. The moment we got out from flight, the heat was unbearable and we were sweating like anything.

Hired a taxi to Jammu railway station so that we can collect our bikes and start riding. Plan was to move away from Jammu and to ride for around 150-200 kms (Banihal or Patnitop) and find some good place for stay but it didn't work as planned. When we reached station, we started to hunt for our machines. Viraj found his machine and mine was nowhere to be found. One guy came to me and told that your bike will be coming next day at 11 am by next train. I was like WTH !!! We had been to Bandra Terminus (Mumbai) to ensure that our machines are loaded and yes they were loaded in front of us. I told him this and he was like... Arre haa saab, ek bike waha station ke end pe hai, jaao aap dekh ke aao. I walked on the 17 coach big platform in that scorching heat and when I reached the end, my bike was nowhere to be seen. I again walked to the other end and had word with the guy. He said, chalo aap mere saath, mai aapko dikhaata hu. Again the walk started from one end of the platform to other end. I was sweating like anything

When we reached at the end, he pointed towards end of other platform in opposite direction and told me that my bike is there. I went running and saw that my baby was kept in between some other luggage. I quickly grabbed her and took her on the platform. Again... yes again the walk from the one end to other end of platform started and this time it was not easy. I had to push my machine in that heat but happy that I found my baby. We cleared off formalities quickly, unwrapped our machines, saddled up but the worst was about to begin...

Since we had emptied our tanks, search for fuel bunk started. We had to drag our machines to the fuel pump which was 1 km away. Imagine dragging the heavy machine with fully loaded saddle bags and tank bag in scorching heat of 42 degrees. We were very very exhausted. Once we reached fuel pump, I literally sat down on the ground and asked water from the fuel pump guy. I drank whole 2 ltrs of chilled water and later came back to my senses. Viraj was sitting on opposite side of road and feeling dizzy too. We filled the tanks but decided not to ride on the same day.

We found an ac hotel and direct landed on the bed with ac to its min temperature. Slept like dead and woke up after 3 hours for dinner. Had some Rajmah roti and rice. Next day ride plan was to ride upto Srinagar...

Well no pics for Day 0. Fotos ki barsaat toh kal se chaalu hogi...

Is pic ke baare mai kya khayaal hai ???

Avinash you are breaking your tradition by mentioning delicacies and not putting up a photo of it. Not done. .
Anyways nice start, bring on the rest fatafat.

Greatpics there bro...and nice start too...keep it coming.

Oye shabaashe mere yaar !! Lagta hai ab to tere saath har trip pe aana hi padega. Pata nahi kab, kaun, kahaan aur kaise ..........
Bring it on mate , loving it.

this time it was just maggi and omlette bread. Have clicked few only as the major concentration was on the vistas. Oh yeah have clicked one close up shot of the famous Ladakhi dish "momos". Abhi chahiye to post karta hu orwise as you'll see it as log progresses...

Arre aaja bindaas, pata nahi kab, kaun, kahaan aur kaise tum bhi..........

Day 1 will be posted in few hours...

Day 2 --> Jammu to Srinagar

Today's plan was to start early so that we can escape heat and munch some good kms. We woke up early at 5 and started our ride by 6.30. Got some sound sleep and forgot what all happened yesterday and concentrated on today's ride...

Our babies all saddled up and ready...

Viraj's machine


My baby


We decided to ride empty stomach upto Patni top (around 107 kms) and later have breakfast there. The roads were all ghat sections and full of curves. The heat started increasing slowly and so also the traffic of Amarnath yatris. We weren't able to speed above 60-70 kmph. Finally we reached Patni top and took a break at an roadside dhaba cum tea stall. Ordered omlette and bread, relaxed for a while and continued the ride.

At the Dhaba


Yummyyy. Typical menu found everywhere


Climate was cool in Patnitop and it was awesum to cruise into curves surrounded by huge pine trees...



Few pics enroute...


















Spot the vehicles...



This lasted just for few mins. Once we started our descend towards Banihal, temperature started increasing and this time it was unbearable as we had our riding gear on. We weren't able to complete more than 30-40 kms in one stretch and the slow moving traffic of Amarnath yatris were adding to it.

It was becoming very difficult to tackle the traffic in this scorching heat. After few hours, we finally saw an road sign which indicated that Jawahar Tunnel is just few kms ahead. This meant that we will be entering "Kashmir" in few mins and the climate conditions will definitely change.

We were stopped by the military people for the regular security check and inquiry before entering the tunnel. Those guys were very friendly. Wished us good luck and we zoomed ahead. Once we crossed the tunnel, few kms away there was the Titanic View Point... It was the 1st view of Kashmir Valley. Felt like I was in heaven All people started gathering us and bombarded us with questions upon seeing MH license plates... Kahase aaye ho ? Kahan jaa rahe ho ? Ye kyo pehna hai (Riding gear) ?, etc. Answered all their queries and clicked some shots. Wanted to reach Srinagar before Dusk so stopped there for just 10 mins and moved ahead. Few pics...
















Yours Truly



We had earlier called up HVK sir at Patnitop during our break fast and he had advised to opt for Srinagar bypass h'way as there was curfew in Srinagar from last 2 days. We did take that route and the vistas were minblowing. Also, Kashmir ki kaliyaaam... Masha allah !!! Their looks, skin color, attire, etc... I was totally fida Viraj was way ahead of me but I was riding very slow and staring at those sweet n cute gals. Well, lemme not divert your mind, plzz concentrate on the log

Few pics of the Srinagar bypass hway...


















Finally we reached Srinagar at around 7pm. I wanted to stay in houseboat so we got an good deal of Rs.800 for two. Unloaded our luggage and went out in search of food near Dal lake. Had dinner at Kareem's and called it off for the day. Few more pics...

Our hideout









Next day's plan was to start early and reach Kargil before Dusk...

Good Night Srinagar...


To be contd...

Kya baat hai bhai :-)

everybody on leh

yeah absolutely

you seem to be a chic magnet... :P

Nice log... bring on the rest soon

firungi chicks...