The Dawn

We all woke up early morning with heart full of excitement and tended to our natural business.

Post that wore our gears along with the riding glasses. We were not able to understand how to secure the glasses but after a couple of tries we got it that the strap should be worn over the helmet so that glasses stay in place.

Came out and purred our bikes to life.

It was still early morning and I am sure neighbours around would have been irritated by all the khat-pat that we were making (If they were awake :grin: ).



Pre-ride preparations.

A biker does not just sits on the saddle and zoom away. He prepares himself for the day ahead, sorts out million thoughts going in his mind and then focus on only one thing, the RIDE AHEAD. This may sound bit over the top but everyone goes through this phase and it's important to master it as it makes a difference of paying for the beer or at the clinic at the end of the day.

I had already told everyone about the riding positions and the warning signs to be used on the highway in different scenarios. Still, re-iterated everything and bored them for 10-15 minutes.

Got on our bikes, dropped the gears and started the journey which shall be engraved in our memory till we die. Not willing to take any chances

Waiting for Neetu Bhaiya.



Prateek taking out the pressure gauge to check the tyres. We just loved doing it I am sometimes not able to comprehend as to how the bonds between the humans weave through a common interest even though they do not share the blood running in their veins or spend a lot of time together.

This man whom we just know for an year and meet just couple of times a day left everything aside and came to our help for a reason which was plain stupid. In the process he incurred a loss which he has to cover by working day and night but still waves us smiling and good wishes in his heart.

A salute to all the people in this world who make us feel that goodness has not left the mankind.

The ride was amazing. Cool air, greenery all around and great tarmac just made it more enjoyable. We were cruising at the speeds of 70-75 kmph.



This red bag was carried through out the journey in the similar fashion and everyone who sat as pillion dreaded to carry this bag.Thank God I was not a pillion at any point of time :grin:

Just to break the monotony we used to shuffle the riding positions but majority of the time the riding positions were same as described above.



Notice how the trees merge at the top. Purely magical as if mother nature has herself crafted this.

Such roads and good company just puts you in a zone where you hope that it does not end. But aisa kya kabhi hota hai ??

Never

My father always teaches me that after a bad time always come a good time but you learn with experience that after good time bad time comes again.


And the experience was not far away !!


I was chatting with shashank and suddenly

Maestro at his work.



Time for a photo shoot . tube of tractor tyres. Paid him off and got back on the road.

While riding I was feeling a small bump with every rotation of the rear wheel however, it was not which was pestering my mind. All I was speculating was : are we even going to make it to leh will all these issues and rising costs.

I was sure that the tyre would cost around 1500 and it would not just imbalance but topple our already dwindling budget.

All I could hope for was that prateek would manage some money at later stage. )

Had breakfast in the city and zipped around to merge with highway towards manali.



The weather Gods were gracious as the sun as well as clouds were playing hide and seek and it resulted in perfect riding conditions.



A regular sight on single lane highways.

Reached a particular stretch where Beas river was parallel to the road. I guess Sundernagar. There we saw 2 riders taking a break in full gears and cramster colt on their FZ and Electra sharing a smoke. We were just awed by them. We waved to them and they waived back to us.

( I thought to myself that I will come like this to leh again later when I will start earning !! )



Prateek trying to ventilate his inners :twisted:

After a short break resumed our journey.





A temple within the nature's lap.

The sun had called it a day and as we were approaching manali we were feeling the chill in the air and it just made us more cheerful.





Appetizers . Bread pakoras and tea.

At night somehow 6 of us adjusted on 1 double bed and dozed off.

The first Chill - Part 1

This was the day when we will actually start the trip. What lies ahead is a total mystery and I was really looking forward to it.



Leh, Here we come :grin:



( And this went on every morning till the last day of our trip. There are some people who are lazy and then there are some who are Manish )



Nitin still not willing to leave the hotel



Manali waking up.

Anyhow everyone got ready, checked out and secured the luggage on the bikes. Post that tripod was set, poses were flaunted and then pictures were clicked.



Prateek setting up tripod.



Shashank with the basketball bat.



Finally Shashank gets to ride.

Reached a nukkad wala for the morning chai and breakfast (Omelette).



Want some ??

Meanwhile Prateek called his home and told his parents that his trip has extended and he is going to Rohtank. (This is known as ). He told me that his dad will deposit money by the end of the day. I was relieved.

My parents had given me a postpaid Dolphin SIM because during my research I had found out that BSNL has best networks ( if any ) during the ride to leh. Also we needed at least 1 postpaid number so that we can be in touch with our family so I switched the SIM.

Post the breakfast started the ride to Rohtang. In between came across the riverside and masti creeped in everyone. We parked the bikes and went to the riverside.









The cold water was really refreshing and we all enjoyed a lot.

A look at watch made me realize we are behind schedule and then we resumed our journey.

The roads were amazing and so was the scenery. Mountains looked so beautiful. I and rishabh were chatting along and were living the moment.












As we were climbing the fog was welcoming us with a great hug. The temperature began to fall and the excitement kept on rising.



The cleaning of this landslide ate up lot of time.



At the rohtank top the crowd was huge. Lot of cars and bikes could be seen.



Slowly and steadily the chilly air was accumulating on us as a frost and the visibility was deteriorating. We decided to wear our local rain coats to stay dry.



Frost accumulating on my eyelashes.



Gearing up.

There were lot of restaurants but we knew that we cant afford them and hence moved on.



We were really tempted to have food there but maybe next time.

However after some kms we found a bhutta wala on the road side. So we stopped for our lunch .



Chef of the day : Bhutta wala bhaiya. A snapshot of the road.

During this movement we came across a platoon of Indian army truck. Somehow at the turns first 3 bikes could cross them.

But I was left behind. It was getting irritating riding behind the trucks as we were short on time and riding so slow on the much was really difficult.

So I made up my mind and overtook that truck on that wet road. I still remember that scenario. The half of the rear tyre was dangling in the air and half of it was on the slushy road. Shashank grabbed his nails on my shoulder saying . I told him to let go of my shoulder else I will beat him if we were to fall and survive.

To be Cont.

The First Chill : Part 2

He some how let go of my shoulders and I asked him to grab the ropes which were on the sides of the truck. Honked numerous times (while murmuring gayatri mantra in my head) and as soon as I got an opportunity, accelerated and got out of that death pit.

Post that for couple of kms we both were silence. I stopped the bike where everyone was waiting for us, took a long breath, drank water and then resumed the journey.

Lesson learnt : Patience is a must !!

Smooth tarmac welcomed us and we started riding while the pillions were busy clicking the pics. ( And a lot of them came out hazy :grin: like the one below)



But then they were able to click better pics too .



The crosswinds were really taking the toll on the ride and we decided to test the speed in the desi way.



While doing our experiments the rain coats slipped from Manish's hands. Shashank had to run hard and catch it. I was relieved as he saved another unnecessary expense. ( Who cares if Manish gets all wet during the ride or not )

On the way we found a waterside and decided to get off the road and relax there for sometime. The offroad riding made us grin from ear to ear and upon reaching there we were just mesmerized by the beauty ( No pictures that we clicked can do justice to the actual beauty which we witnessed.)



A small break turned out to be a nap time for some :



Shashank at peace.

and an opportunity to showcase creativity for some:



Nitin making use of the pebbles to mark the name of our trip : LNL - Leh and Ladakh." Do you have money ??? "

US : Nooooo ...

Ok we will transfer. But keep us updating about your location and well being. ( We just love our parents, Don't we ?? :grin

US : Love you and all !!

After the call we looked at each other and then screamed in happiness.

Same room 6 buddies chatted for some time and really tired with the ride dozed off real soon.

Prateek and Saph having a gala time.



Another shot of wind testing.





The peaks.



Jia reaching a major milestone.



An exclusive parking spot.

The sand, the snow and the greens : Part - 1

Today I woke up with no worries at all. Our wallets were full (for the time being) and I was really looking forward to the ride as we were going to encounter snow at Barlacha la. \\/



With the day break, our stomach gurgled and we looked around for food as soon as we were all geared up. Enjoyed the Thukpa along with bun omelette and some tea.



I have noticed this at a lot of hilly areas that the locals prefer bun over bread. Couldn’t figure out why

As per our maps there won’t be any mechanic between keylong and Leh so we moved to the mechanic’s place for routine check up.



Mech's Shop



Saph getting her pedicure:grin:

Got the chains checked and then 4 of us headed back towards tandi to re-fuel.



Tha famous (Or infamous ) board.
This is the reason why you will encountered bullets and higher capacity bikes fitted with those side cabinets to hold more fuel for the journey. But we just required a full tank. And our Mini-Bult didn't even require a re-fuel as we were sure that it will make it to leh. :twisted:

Meanwhile Nitin and Manish were at mechanic who was tending to our “Mini Bult” as she felt out of breath at high altitudes. He made some jugaad and added a small copper wire to the carb so as to give a bump in the lower torque (I believe he just increased the Fuel to air ratio ). All in all he did a great job tending to our ladies.



Nitin and Manish supervising the Mech.



Now that's called creativity. Great suspension and comfort.

Today's ride was very relaxed one. Even though we were behind schedule we didn't pushed ourselves and rode at leisurely pace.






Came across this beautiful stretch just before jispa. Nitin amazed by the beauty.



Delhites will definitely want to escape all the cacophony of the city and spend some time in this small and beautiful town.







Smooth tarmacs, amazing scenery, full tank bikes and close friends. What else a biker wants.



And that's how you take a Butt-break on the move. :yawinkle:

To be cont.

The sand, the snow and the greens : Part - 2

After crossing the Jispa (which was the green), we encountered Darcha (the sand).



It was noon and every one was asking where would we have lunch. During the ride we came across a string of tents and we stopped there.





Shashank opting for a natural recliner.



And so are they.



Resumed our journey post lunch. ( Maggi and coke )







We started to feel the chill and hence layered up our clothes.





The beginning of the snow laden surroundings.







Manish Lost.





Putting Baracha la behind us.



Indian Robocop ?? :minigun::rip:

Finally we reached Sarchu. And the only option to stay here was the tents. We looked around. Found 1 big tent which was on the sharing basis. Since a single tent which could accommodate all 6 of us was just a tad expensive we opted for that.



Snapshot of our gear.

And Sarchu had a hidden surprise for us. There was a liquor shop artyman:. I said that it is very cold and to survive we must have rum , so Old monk it was. Bought some chakna and then retired to our tent.



The gang

Post a liquor session me, Nitin and Manish came out and an amazing sky view was awaiting us. A sky as clear as water in a bucket with loads of stars and 1 big moon. That day I noticed the twinkling of the stars 1st time after my childhood.

Drunk and happy we talked at length and when we could not bear the frost filled air anymore went inside our tent. All were snoring, but that day sleep evaded me. The tent was bit inclined and I felt blood draining out of my head.
Felt nauseated, cursed myself for drinking and tried my best to get some rest.