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Exactly 8 years ago, on this day, May 14, 2005, I woke up after going through a sleepless through that was spent dreaming about the things to come, and with a lot of anxiety. I didn't know then that what I was going to do that day would change my life so much.
Then I had begun my journey as a motorcycle tourer with a roadtrip in Uttaranchal with 4 of my new-found friends. That roadtrip got over in just 3 days and a 1000 kilometers, but the journey didn't end there. I am still riding on.
Presenting you the travelogue from my first roadtrip on motorcycle. This was done with 4 other xBhpians who are still with me as friends. The trip was planned and initiated on xBhp by some other member who unfortunately couldn't go on the roadtrip himself, but few of us hung on and the rest is history.
The travelogue and the planning thread were also there on xBhp, but we lost it in 2008 server crash. Thankfully, one of our co-rider, Sumit (Crimson on xBhp) kept the original travelogue on his personal blog. So I would like to share it as it was then.
Text & Photos: Sumit Bajaj / Crimson Visit His Origional Blog
Exploring Uttaranchal - Delhi - Nainital - Mukteshwar - Kausani - Ranikhet - Delhi
The Uttaranchal Explorers
After almost 3 weeks of planning finally five of us Sumit(Unicorn), Manik(P-150), Sunil(P-150), Shamik(Unicorn) and Deep(P-180) explored the beauty of the Kumaon region in Uttaranchal for 3 dayz covering some 1000 Kms in all.
Day 1 (May 14' 2005)
Shamik called up at 3:15 AM to enquire if the trip was on as scheduled. Met him at Ashram Chowk at 4 AM and then headed towards NH-24 to meet up with the other guyz. Manik and Deep were waiting at the Toll Plaza and by 5 AM Sunil also turned up. From then on we proceeded at comfortable speeds till we encountered a huge sea of Trucks and other vehicles blocking our way. We had to negotiate the 20+ Km stretch driving on the sides and in between the rows of trucks lined on the road. The average speeds dropped significantly as a result. That was when Shamik fell for the first time. There being lotsa loose mud on the sides there were no injuries. From then on we moved in a formation keeping Shamik in between. After a quick breakfast at a roadside Dhaba we moved ahead.
Stopped midway to buy some rope to tie the luggage and guess what? An old surd walks upto Shamik and the following conversation ensued:-
Surd : "Yeh nayee bike hai?"
Shamik: "Yeah!"
Surd: "Kitne ki padi?"
Shamik: "56K"
Surd: "Yeh diesel pe chalti hai?"
All: "Speechless"
The heat was making the ride uncomfortable now and it was only after Kathgodam that we finally began to enjoy the ride with rising elevation. Stopped for some drinks and I and Manik decided to rip for about 10-15 Km while the others followed at a comfortable pace. After some 15 Kms stopped for photos and waited for others to catch up.
Reached Nainital around 1 PM and checked into a hotel facing the lake.
After a little rest and lunch went to see the sunset. Chatted for a while took pics and discussed the plans for the next day. A little kid was jumping up and down in front of the camera and only relented after I took a pic and showed it to him.
Afer that rode back to town and roamed about the place. It was decided to head for Mukteshwar next morning.
Day 2 (May 15' 2005)
Mukteshwar(60 Kms from Nainital) was the first destination for the day. The roads were good and we ripped hard during the last leg of the ride. Stopped for some photos as we encountered the first view of the snow covered peaks.
Shamik took his first of the two falls of the day just a few Kms from Mukteshwar but escaped with no injuries and a bent brake lever and a few scratches to the fairing. The ride turned out to be the most beautiful so far with gr8 roads and awesome views of nature's beauty. By this time others had also began to comfortably rip hard in the mountains.
Mukteshwar with an elevation of 2286 Metres is the highest hill station in Kumaon and very much unlike the typical touristy places. Very quiet and serene where the pace of life is really slow. No crowds, just a few resorts and 180' Degree views of the major snow laden peaks.
The next destination was Kausani and we decided to take a short cut(a dirt track leading through the woods). Shamik was going to have a tough time and took another fall. He just collapsed and decided that he had had enuff of this offroading nonsense. Finally I drove his bike out of that dirt road and soon everything was normal. But Shamik still won't forgive me n Manik for taking that route.
The road less taken..
The road ahead towards Almora was further a broken stretch with work in progress. So again we proceeded at a slow pace and enjoyed the beauty of the hills. Uttaranchal is comparitively less frequented than Himachal and the roads were mostly empty with not a soul in sight. We could actually hear the sounds of the streams and the breeze.
Stopped for fuel at Almora and and then proceeded towards Kausani stopping only for some drinks and photo shoots. Reached Kausani in time to see the sunset and took some gr8 snaps of the evning sunrays reflecting off the snow covered peaks. The views cud have been picture perfect if the clouds had not blocked the views.
Day 3 (May 16' 2005)
Woke up in time to enjoy the sunrise with breakfast at the hotel terrace. Deep's bike had a flat and managed to inflate the tyre using a electronic pump provided by a helpful driver(It costs less than 500 bucks and is smaller and lighter than a footpump). The puncture was a small one and we were done with it in no time.
The last day of the Journey had begun and we headed towards Ranikhet. Took a small break for photoshoots in between. The roads were damn gud so far.
Stopped in Ranikhet and visited a temple wholly covered with bells tied by devotees. Made a few videos in Ranikhet while negotiating the smooth curves. It was getting late now and we proceeded at faster speeds. We wud take breaks, photos and even then overtake the vehicles in a few minutes. Crossed a few cars several times during the ride.
Bhimtal
We were late now and it was clear that we wud be driving after dark. So again we formed a formation with Shamik in between and proceeded with few breaks. Finally reached home a little after 11 PM.
Text and Photos Courtesy: Sumit Bajaj
Then I had begun my journey as a motorcycle tourer with a roadtrip in Uttaranchal with 4 of my new-found friends. That roadtrip got over in just 3 days and a 1000 kilometers, but the journey didn't end there. I am still riding on.
Presenting you the travelogue from my first roadtrip on motorcycle. This was done with 4 other xBhpians who are still with me as friends. The trip was planned and initiated on xBhp by some other member who unfortunately couldn't go on the roadtrip himself, but few of us hung on and the rest is history.
The travelogue and the planning thread were also there on xBhp, but we lost it in 2008 server crash. Thankfully, one of our co-rider, Sumit (Crimson on xBhp) kept the original travelogue on his personal blog. So I would like to share it as it was then.
Text & Photos: Sumit Bajaj / Crimson Visit His Origional Blog
Exploring Uttaranchal - Delhi - Nainital - Mukteshwar - Kausani - Ranikhet - Delhi
The Uttaranchal Explorers
After almost 3 weeks of planning finally five of us Sumit(Unicorn), Manik(P-150), Sunil(P-150), Shamik(Unicorn) and Deep(P-180) explored the beauty of the Kumaon region in Uttaranchal for 3 dayz covering some 1000 Kms in all.
Day 1 (May 14' 2005)
Shamik called up at 3:15 AM to enquire if the trip was on as scheduled. Met him at Ashram Chowk at 4 AM and then headed towards NH-24 to meet up with the other guyz. Manik and Deep were waiting at the Toll Plaza and by 5 AM Sunil also turned up. From then on we proceeded at comfortable speeds till we encountered a huge sea of Trucks and other vehicles blocking our way. We had to negotiate the 20+ Km stretch driving on the sides and in between the rows of trucks lined on the road. The average speeds dropped significantly as a result. That was when Shamik fell for the first time. There being lotsa loose mud on the sides there were no injuries. From then on we moved in a formation keeping Shamik in between. After a quick breakfast at a roadside Dhaba we moved ahead.
Stopped midway to buy some rope to tie the luggage and guess what? An old surd walks upto Shamik and the following conversation ensued:-
Surd : "Yeh nayee bike hai?"
Shamik: "Yeah!"
Surd: "Kitne ki padi?"
Shamik: "56K"
Surd: "Yeh diesel pe chalti hai?"
All: "Speechless"
The heat was making the ride uncomfortable now and it was only after Kathgodam that we finally began to enjoy the ride with rising elevation. Stopped for some drinks and I and Manik decided to rip for about 10-15 Km while the others followed at a comfortable pace. After some 15 Kms stopped for photos and waited for others to catch up.
Reached Nainital around 1 PM and checked into a hotel facing the lake.
After a little rest and lunch went to see the sunset. Chatted for a while took pics and discussed the plans for the next day. A little kid was jumping up and down in front of the camera and only relented after I took a pic and showed it to him.
Afer that rode back to town and roamed about the place. It was decided to head for Mukteshwar next morning.
Day 2 (May 15' 2005)
Mukteshwar(60 Kms from Nainital) was the first destination for the day. The roads were good and we ripped hard during the last leg of the ride. Stopped for some photos as we encountered the first view of the snow covered peaks.
Shamik took his first of the two falls of the day just a few Kms from Mukteshwar but escaped with no injuries and a bent brake lever and a few scratches to the fairing. The ride turned out to be the most beautiful so far with gr8 roads and awesome views of nature's beauty. By this time others had also began to comfortably rip hard in the mountains.
Mukteshwar with an elevation of 2286 Metres is the highest hill station in Kumaon and very much unlike the typical touristy places. Very quiet and serene where the pace of life is really slow. No crowds, just a few resorts and 180' Degree views of the major snow laden peaks.
The next destination was Kausani and we decided to take a short cut(a dirt track leading through the woods). Shamik was going to have a tough time and took another fall. He just collapsed and decided that he had had enuff of this offroading nonsense. Finally I drove his bike out of that dirt road and soon everything was normal. But Shamik still won't forgive me n Manik for taking that route.
The road less taken..
The road ahead towards Almora was further a broken stretch with work in progress. So again we proceeded at a slow pace and enjoyed the beauty of the hills. Uttaranchal is comparitively less frequented than Himachal and the roads were mostly empty with not a soul in sight. We could actually hear the sounds of the streams and the breeze.
Stopped for fuel at Almora and and then proceeded towards Kausani stopping only for some drinks and photo shoots. Reached Kausani in time to see the sunset and took some gr8 snaps of the evning sunrays reflecting off the snow covered peaks. The views cud have been picture perfect if the clouds had not blocked the views.
Day 3 (May 16' 2005)
Woke up in time to enjoy the sunrise with breakfast at the hotel terrace. Deep's bike had a flat and managed to inflate the tyre using a electronic pump provided by a helpful driver(It costs less than 500 bucks and is smaller and lighter than a footpump). The puncture was a small one and we were done with it in no time.
The last day of the Journey had begun and we headed towards Ranikhet. Took a small break for photoshoots in between. The roads were damn gud so far.
Stopped in Ranikhet and visited a temple wholly covered with bells tied by devotees. Made a few videos in Ranikhet while negotiating the smooth curves. It was getting late now and we proceeded at faster speeds. We wud take breaks, photos and even then overtake the vehicles in a few minutes. Crossed a few cars several times during the ride.
Bhimtal
We were late now and it was clear that we wud be driving after dark. So again we formed a formation with Shamik in between and proceeded with few breaks. Finally reached home a little after 11 PM.
Text and Photos Courtesy: Sumit Bajaj
I thought you were going clubbing or something!!!!
want to do Uttaranchal sometime soon.
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