Re: Riches to Ruins run

Rich biker's travelogue Approved

Part 1 - Delhi to Tanagaji

June 2012, I met with a road accident and got my right shoulder dislocated. It's been a long wait since then, to get myself to riding. Doctor had advised to strictly keep off from any jerky situation, which could dislocate the shoulder again. Obeyed Doctor's order and stayed away form 2 wheelers. I missed my bike touring in the past 1 year. Been a regular reader of all the lovely blogs on Touring section of Xbhp during this time. Lived the joy of touring through these blogs as I couldn't ride myself. Thanks to all who had put up their blogs. It is inspiring to read all those stuff and I would love to ride those routes some day.

Went through numerous physiotherapy sessions to regain strength in the shoulder. In Mar 2013, finally doctor gave a nod to start riding again. Thanked god for giving back the riding oppurtunity, as it could have been worse in the accident. Been a regular commuter to office on bike since then. Slowly and steadily gained back the confidence of riding 2 wheels.

From that point, my next aim was to get back to the habit of touring on 2 wheels. Finally, 19-May-2013 turned out to be the day when I could do a long run. As I had only 1 day in hand for the trip, from the week start, started to look for route options, which I could cover in single day. Wanted to have some good ride. Ruled out option of going to hilly places like Lansdowne or Nahan, which I had done on single day rides in the past. If I have to go to hill stations, I would rather prefer to do a 2 day ride. So, that you could stay overnight to enjoy the cool climate. In single day rides, one misses it. If I have to ride in plains, in this hot climate, it better be the ride worth it. So, finally decided on Delhi - Alwar - Bhangarh and back route. Mainly, because half the route, Delhi - Alwar section, I have been twice. The road is good, traffic is less and gives one comfort on known route, when you are riding after a long break. The second bit, Alwar - Bhangarh section looked interesting on google. As it said, it runs through Sariska Tiger Reserve national park. Been through Rajaji national park and Kalesar national park on trips to Mussorie and Chakrata, which were interesting sections on those trips. So, expected similar stuff through Sariska. Also, you get to see Aravali hill ranges almost throughout this route. So, one wouldn't miss hills much.

The route I followed was Delhi - Gurgaon - Sohna - Nuh - Firozpur Jirkha - Naugaon - Ramgarh - Alwar - Sariska - Tanagaji - Kishori - Ajabgarh - Bangarh. Around 252 KM one way. Took the same route back.

Started around 5 AM from my house on Sunday morning. Sunrise on the way, somehwere before Sohna.




From Delhi upto Nuh, it's a 4 lane road with dividers. 2 years back, when I was on this route, section between Sohna to Nuh had some deadly speed breakers. These looked like huge sleeping Ds. Had to be very careful, else it would scrape the under part of Ninja. This time around, these have been smoothened to looked like a triangle. So, had plenty of slope to avoid scraping, while going over them.





Nuh to Alwar, is 2 lane road without dividers. It runs through fields with view of low Aravali ranges in distant. The total Delhi to Alwar, 160 odd km section is a good fast run with less traffic.








Reached close to 8AM at Alwar. Settled for break fast and a 45 min break.

After Alwar is when the real fun begins. Next stop is Sariska, 30 odd KM from Alwar. Plenty of trees on both side, Aravali hill range runs closer to the road.










Route runs through Sariska Jungle, lots of trees (eventhough dry), gives you the wild feeling. Past Sariska, one runs another 10 KM through the national park to reach Tanagaji.





"SHARP CURVES", that's what I am looking forward to.











Alwar to Tanagaji section was good as expected. Particularly the last 15 KMs.


Will upload more soon.

Part 2 - Airway strip and Bhangarh

Let me continue the story from Tanagaji onwards. There was more fun in store.

From Tanagaji, need to take a left turn towards Kishori and Ajabgarh. After Tanagji, the road becomes single lane damaged road. If a 4 wheeler comes, one is forced to off road. It was good fun riding through this. As it had been long long time riding on these types of road. Gave the feeling that you are on a road trip.








Some 30 odd KMs riding on damaged single road from Tanagaji, reached a village called Dera.





Suddenly out of no where a sign boards shows up saying "Hawai Patti" (Air Strip). My eyes popped out on seeing the board. The road in the village is close to non-existent and it has a Air Strip.





Quickly, diverted Ninja to the Air strip. It was roughly a 1 KM stip. No soul around. Ripped the Ninja few times up and down to get that free bird flying feeling. Ever since, I saw the XBHP - Grand Indian Road Trip snaps of air strip. I also wanted to rip on an air strip. Finally, my wish had come true.








After some time, a villager comes by and says "This road does not lead anywhere. Are you lost? Can I help? It's an air strip and used very very rarely when any prebooked flights or VIPs come from Delhi". To which I smiled and replied excitedly "Yes, I know exactly that this is an air stip. Saw the board. I am also from Delhi. I got my own pocket rocket (pointing to Ninja). So, I could also rip few times and get some clicks here. Right?" He smiled back, clicked some snaps for me and left.








After the refreshing ripping session, came back to the dirty road and continue my ride towards Ajabgarh.





Some snaps at Ajabgarh








Road few kilometers before Ajabgarh and upto Bhangarh is nice. Not that broad, but good tarmac. It runs through villages, forests and close to Aravali range.





Last 5 KMs before Bhangarh is superb 2 lane road again.


Reached Bhangarh at around 11:50 AM. Took close to 7 hours one way. Parked the vehicle and went inside for a visit. Nothing spectacular like the Sawai Man Singh palace in Jaipur or the Agra Fort. But, a quiet and ok type of scenic place in my opinion. Spent around 60 to 90 minutes roaming and clicking snaps in this estranged Fort.






































Finally, started my way back around 13:00 and reached home at around 7:50 PM. Did a couple of more runs on the airway strip of Dera village on my way back.

One thing, which I felt odd was, past Sariska, sign boards are in Hindi only. Nothing written on English. If someone, doesn't know Hindi, then it would be difficult to get the route.

The temperature was very hot as depicted in my watch snap at the start of the thread. The bike drank around 17 litres of Petrol and I, the biker drank around 10 litres of liquid (6 litres of water, 1.4 litres of Soft drink, 600 ml of Lassi, 800 ml of pineapple juice, 700 ml of Sugar cane juice).

Overall it was good fun. Felt good that I chose this route. Once again thanked God for the opportunity to be riding again.

Re: Part 2 - Airway strip and Bhangarh

Very nice Travelogue Sir,

It is very hard to choose these kind of destination in this weather condition however it is surprising that u did it alone.

Re: Part 2 - Airway strip and Bhangarh

nice pics
i have been to bhangarh.. people say its haunted.. and the guards don't allow entry after dark..

Re: Part 1 - Delhi to Tanagaji

[MENTION=12904]n_venki_2001[/MENTION] : terrific fotos there... especially the ones that depict the ninja & the bhangarh ones... i must compliment u on venturing out in that hot a climate for this kinda destination
indeed cynical & mesmerizing, both!
ride safe my friend & keep it coming!

Re: Part 1 - Delhi to Tanagaji

Good Photographs. Keep riding and clicking

Re: Part 1 - Delhi to Tanagaji

Yes, it was a very hot. Especially on the way back. Had to take lot of water drink breaks.

I had to do it alone, as even though I decided to do this route. But, was not really sure that I would be able to do it on that weekend as there were 2 production releases in my job. If all went well, I would have Sunday to go. If I had asked someone to accompany and backed out last minute, they would have felt bad. As god would have it, all fell in place.

That's what I also read on internet. But, nothing felt strange during day.

Thanks whymail.

Thanks John.

Re: Part 1 - Delhi to Tanagaji

Ya, during day time, its just like any other fort..
didn't got the chance to visit after dark..

Btw, the pics are superb

Re: Part 1 - Delhi to Tanagaji

very nice photographs!! About the haunted thing ... anyways in such hot climate the ghosts would have gone to some cooler place. After all they don't need a lift to move when they can fly.

Re: Part 1 - Delhi to Tanagaji

Very nice log and nice pic's specially in this hot weather. I cant even think of it in this hot summer

Re: Part 1 - Delhi to Tanagaji


Wherever this is, lets go here!!...

[MENTION=12904]n_venki_2001[/MENTION] : Dude!!...Beautiful & Wondrous Pics!! Keep Riding n Clickin!

Re: Part 1 - Delhi to Tanagaji

superb man.. keep going

Re: Part 1 - Delhi to Tanagaji

Killer picto-ride-logue! Brilliant pics. Unbelievable that you went alone. But it must have its own feeling.