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**naveen1322** · 06-24-2014, 12:10 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

Salute your energy levels sir! you are surely an inspiration. can you please let me know about the road conditions(any specific stretches to be vary of) as I would be riding to ladakh via the manali-leh highway in the end of july.

**hage bhai** · 06-24-2014, 12:19 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

lol...gs150 beating a dual purpose triumph!!,must been a sight..honestly,you should be on the Suzuki ad sirji,not salman khan

**Hoodibaba** · 06-24-2014, 05:45 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

Thanks all for this huge response.

By July end Roads at various stretches would be a bit more difficult. Presently due to snow on Rohtang Pass, Baralacha, Chang La huge water streams with really great force flow for long stretches especially in the evening making it really challenging to cross, even for cars. REs/Bulleteers really had a difficult time because of heavy load added to the weight of the bike itself.

When I crossed Tanglang La it was completely snowed and it was a lifetime experience (wait for the complete story). But on the way back, there was hardly any speck of ice on Tanglangla.

More to come shortly. As I said said there are twists and turns till the end, please bear with me as I am still under medical observation ???????

.

May be By late evening I will post first day's write up up till Koksar.

I have also videographed the whole ride. But I am working on Windows 8.1.
When I get time I will make 3-4 movies in Window Movie Maker and upload in due course.

Now please enjoy a couple of snapshots for the time being. I will be back.

This is on the way to Koksar from Rohtang

Near Baralacha where I had crossed easily to this side but this foreigners team on 10-12 Triumphs had to be guided by myself initially

**ankit mishra** · 06-24-2014, 06:16 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

Sir, it was really nice to meet u over a cup of tea at baralachala
Waiting for an inspiring travellogue

**Hoodibaba** · 06-24-2014, 09:51 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

"Hage Bhai

Lol...gs150 beating a dual purpose triumph!!,must been a sight..honestly,you should be on the Suzuki ad sirji,not salman khan"

Usko Apna kaam karne Do. Hum Yahin Theek Hain.

"ANKIT, MY HOLY COW I LOVE YOU. MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH LOTS OF LOVE AND STRENGTH."

**AmoghDox** · 06-25-2014, 02:53 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

Excellent, awaiting for photos, bring it on!

**Hoodibaba** · 06-25-2014, 10:55 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

Day 1 - Ghaziabad to Koksar (10.6.2014)

2014 has not been so dull for me. I have already made two solo trips (though not in early winter) but my last ride to Sangla and Chitkul was a satisfying experience. Besides I have made some 1 day rides with new groups as well.

My big solo ride to Ladakh in 2014 again is still not due. May be in September I will get leave. With the new government taking charge, work schedule has extended un-proportionately. Am leaving office at 9 or 10 p.m. quite often. Lot of new developments are taking place.

The weekend is round the corner. Don’t know, I would get the benefit to stay at home or attend office this week as well. Suddenly, I smell there is some buzz in the air. Some change of guards is taking place in the office. How will it affect me ? I might get a new Boss. No, it is not a good Omen for me. The present Boss (a very high ranking officer) and myself been working together for over 5 years with perfect tuning.

By evening it is confirmed that my boss has to leave. I need to reflect on the new development. Need to get away from the sudden onslaught of new working environment. Have to take leave now for few days so apply leave to my present Boss and the leave is approved.

Bid good bye to each other for one last time (on Sunday).
With heavy heart reach home. What to do, how to spend the leave, where should I go ?

Went to ATM and got some handy money. By late evening I make up my mind to leave for Ladakh. Manali-Leh route has just opened the day before. More challenges, more adrenaline rush, I need it badly. No time to get the bike serviced. Badly needed to change the tyres but no time to get it done. Experience should count. Pack some necessary stuff as also the Quencha tent, Matt and Sleeping bag. Prey to Lord and set out on 10^th night waiving to my family.

Soon I am on GT Road and within an hour crossed Delhi on NH 1.

Not much to write about NH 1. It is routine for me to ride on NH 1. Get into the hills at Kiratpur and by afternoon enter Manali. Pay 100 rupees at green barrier check post. The traffic policeman ahead directs me to SDM office for getting permission to cross Rohtang. I argue that permission can be sought at Gulaba but he contradicts my information. Was not prepared to leave bike with luggage unattended but with no option get into narrow lane to SDM office and park the bike unattended. The Almighty will take care. Enter Office on second floor. They have no blank copy of form. Bull shit. Typical govt. Apathy. Told to get blank copy from photocopier shop down below. Rush back and fill the form. I ask the clerk could it not have been obtained at Gulaba. She confirms “yes, I could”. Pay 50 rupees and get the permit with a receipt. Rush back to check my bike. It is safe. The permit is valid for one day only, which you have to mention along with other details of bike and yourself. Ask for direction from a biker for Rohtang as it is already past 3.30 p.m. He is a bit surprised that I am moving towards Rohtang at that hour. Wishes me good luck.

Not much problem on the way. Reach Gulaba and the permit is checked at few check posts. Move ahead. No issue of checking the overweight of bikes at all. Cross Marhi. The tourists are allowed only up to Marhi, I observe. So not much traffic now onwards. Moving smoothly- as smooth as one can on way to Rohtang J. But, one thing is certain there is not much slush as only two days have elapsed when the Rohtang was opened. Now I find snow walls on the way but not big water crossings. But there is certainly one negative Omen, the sky is getting overcast. Have to move on, no option. Soon it starts raining, but I have almost reached Rohtang after crossing Ranny Nallah. Thank God there is no tourist rush so far, no Tea stall, no tent at Rohtang. All over there is snow and snow tunnels at various points. It is really beautiful. Want to stop but no it is raining.

The situation gets worse on the other side. Have to cross huge water streams, there is slush as well. Have to drive carefully as my tyres are flat. There was no time to change them. Slowly and steadily, turn after turn, I am inching closer towards Koksar.

Before sunset, I have made. Reached Koksar. Checked for room and barge into my room immediately. Not many bikers have opted this route till then

Time to appreciate the beauty of Himalayas:

Gulaba check post

Towards Koksar

**manjuadiga** · 06-25-2014, 11:14 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

Nicely explained. ..fantastic:thumbup:

Sent from my GT-I8262 using xBhp Connect mobile app

**harikeshpk** · 06-26-2014, 02:35 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

great going there. all the best for your future rides.

**itsmevini123** · 06-26-2014, 03:44 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

Amazing sir, wonderful write up and pictures, I saw your post in after noon on FB that day when you got approval of your leaves, I was not expecting that you are really going to leave in really short time same day evening

Waiting for the rest, hooked to thread...

**shashank ashwin** · 06-27-2014, 12:54 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

Amazing Sir, following with deep inspiration and admiration. What a display of love towards the road and resilience. Hooked.

**Repsol Blade** · 06-27-2014, 02:54 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

Hats off Sir. Awesome pictures. And a salute....

**itsmevini123** · 06-27-2014, 04:36 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

Sir, Can you please post the complete route map through Google maps in detail, so that it will help us those who are planning to Leh next year, like me

**Hoodibaba** · 06-27-2014, 04:48 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

Originally posted by itsmevini123 View Post

Sir, Can you please post the complete route map through Google maps in detail, so that it will help us those who are planning to Leh next year, like me

Vini Dear

Pl. log on to my fb page Ladakh Return started recently by me exclusively for Ladakh Rides. U will get lot of relevant information about Ladakh ride on this forum,

**Bindass Axomia** · 06-28-2014, 02:09 PM

Re: Ladakh 2014 - The Most happening ride of my life till the end

Fantastic, waiting for more

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