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**manjuadiga** · 07-02-2014, 11:08 PM

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

Obviously a classy ride....enjoying reading the log

Sent from my GT-I8262 using xBhp Connect mobile app

**santhoshkumar22** · 07-03-2014, 11:34 PM

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

awesome thread sir

you are indeed awesome xD wish i could hit leh like you one day

**Hoodibaba** · 07-04-2014, 02:54 PM

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

Yes ATHUL4R it. is Suzuki GS150R.

Special thanks to all for wishing me speedy recovery.

and for appreciating this travelogue. I will not disappoint you throughout this journey. Keep logging on.

HERE IS A PANORAMA SHOT

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

I am working on video of Baralacha. Will get back.

Here a sneak peak into the things to come soon (Don't ask me the place):

THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE KNOW

lot more to come

**Rider11** · 07-04-2014, 03:34 PM

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

Thanks a lot. For providing us with this wonderful travelogue. Salute you again.:thumbup:

**Ecstasy** · 07-04-2014, 04:19 PM

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

The pics above look awesome dude.

**pranav.k** · 07-04-2014, 06:59 PM

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

Wow.. Hats off sir.. Excellent pics with equally great words..

The frozen Suraj tal looks mesmerizing..

It's hard to wait after seeing the new teaser pics.. I think I guessed the place but might be wrong, there's too much snow..

**Hoodibaba** · 07-04-2014, 09:47 PM

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

Originally posted by pranav.k View Post

Wow.. Hats off sir.. Excellent pics with equally great words..

The frozen Suraj tal looks mesmerizing..

It's hard to wait after seeing the new teaser pics.. I think I guessed the place but might be wrong, there's too much snow..

Pranav

There is a hint in one of the pic. You might be close.

I agree.

Keep it to yourself for some more time. Let the game continue.

Enjoy

{if you wish do join me on facebook on LADAKH RETURN, forum started exclusively for Ladakh riders/lovers.

See you there as well

}

**Hoodibaba** · 07-07-2014, 12:04 AM

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

Am not able to upload the Baralacha Video. Still some job left. Will upload in few days. Time to move ahead.

Day 3 - 12-06.2014 – Saarchu to Upshi

This is the only time when I did not get up early. Took a chair and relaxed in the open. Morning in Saarchu is always too cold. But never have felt so comfortable sipping Tea and enjoying the calmness. There were small cluster of clouds moving on their way across the hills. Always been in a hurry during these rides. But today was different. I have plenty of days at hand.

But I have to move. Time to check the bike. Pressed the auto start switch and the bike comes to life. Packed the baggage. Time to clear the bill. The owner comes and I hand him Rs. 250, as finalized last night. To my amazement, hands me back Rs. 100 as he feels Rs. 150 was enough. What a man. I have never experienced such a deal. I tell him that to my knowledge Rs. 250 was finalized list night. But he said Rs. 150 is enough as I have not taken breakfast and had only 1 chapati last night. Finally I thank them, called them to have a group shot with these wonderful people.

Time to move. Reached whiskey Nalla. Three bikers having problem with their Enfield. The T joint which supplies the petrol has cracked. Ask for tools.

Stop there till I could get back the tools. They are also moving towards Leh. Another group of 3 bikers from Ghaziabad having problem with their XCD. Handed them the tools. The problem is with the chain which has to be tightened. Not big issue. Time to move. They also join me as they were also heading to Leh.

It is past 1 p.m. and we are riding in the famous Gatta loops.

Almost around 2 p.m. crossed Gatta loops. The roads are getting bad as we have gained height. Riding in group for the first time.

By evening reach More Plains. Took some crazy shots on more plains. It is a big relief over 32 kms of the 40 kms road in More Plains has been metalled.

Following 5 pics courtesy Gaurav Sharma

Only around 8 kms road to be finished although that too has been leveled.

Find thick clouds over the hills ahead. Should have stopped for the day at Tents in Chuha Ground.

Move over the hills, it is already snowing. Getting too much cold as we gain height. It is getting dark. No one stops. All want to cross Tanglang la. The snow fall has got too intense. Visibility is almost zero. But we are moving. Shear madness.

As we are reaching the top, it is getting too risky. Praying God. Two riders – Gaurav and Atul have move forward, can’t be seen, nor their bike roar be heard. Neeraj’s bullet slips. Oh My God. I myself finding it difficult to stop the bike and help him as my shoes are not getting grip on the road. Somehow Raj's Bullet starts moving. I am getting far behind since my bikes tyres are almost flat. Had no time to replace them in Delhi. Snow fall has got more intense.

And the worst nightmare just happens. My bikes loses grip and I fall on one side. Try hard to get grip on the ride but the worst nightmare has come to live. Shout for help in the dark but no one is around. Try hard again but cannot lift the bike. A public carrier comes from the opposite side. Help me lift the bike. The driver informs that my co riders - Gaurav, Atul and Raj are waiting for me. But I am helpless. They too also can’t come back to help me. What a nightmare. A Zen comes from that side. The same message.

Oh My God help me. I am freezing. I shout loudly “Oh God Save my Life”. It is sub zero. Am getting hallucinations. Not a good symptom. Must get help quickly. I am at 17800 feet, the second highest motor able road in the world.

Over 25 minutes must have passed. No help. Move forward and back to stay warm a bit. A faint light moving towards me. Raise both my hands. It is a car with Delhi number plate. Immediately the driver [Imtiaz mob. no. 09871732890] opens the door. Asks me to leave the bike right there and get inside the car quickly. Take one bag from the bike and immediately get into the car. There are passengers in the car coming from Delhi. They adjust themselves in the rear seat and I take the front seat. Immediately the driver starts the heater. The male passenger checks my pulse. Offers me water and chocolate. As we move forward, find my co riders on their bikes moving slowly down the hill. They ask about my health. Inform them to meet ahead at some comfortable place and the car moves ahead. It is raining heavily. God help them please. My condition is worsening, vomiting at regular intervals. The passengers are also getting worried. Somehow reach the plains. Rain has stopped. Find no place to stop. Have to continue moving.

Covered over 60 kms and reach Upshi. The driver stops the car near a restaurant-cum-guest house. Asks the owner about a room and carries all my luggage including Canon SX50HS, my money purse, and other baggage and helps me to the bed. The passengers in the car turns out to be an army doctor, he gives me medicine and after making me comfortable, these angels bid me best of luck and move ahead. Don’t know when I went into deep sleep.
It was a tough day. But, God saved me and sent these angels (who belonged to Delhi).

{Sorry no pics on the way to TANGLANGLA as it was snowing heavily followed by heavy rain on the way down}

A couple of day before checked about Imtiaz in Delhi over phone. By this time he is already in Leh again.

Attached Files

**Serene George Thomas** · 07-07-2014, 01:45 AM

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

i have an on- off relationship with xbhp.com, but it's people like you who make me come back here. A lot of respect and admiration for the spirit of touring.. as you said in the first post on the thread, solo rides and getting old.... both apply to me as well ... being from Kerala, there is no gettin leh'd without planning...I want it, but a million reasons are stopping me from doing it... primarily... going solo. ...but, you are an inspiration, sir. Keep rocking and i will be your devotee... that is a promise!

**ankit mishra** · 07-08-2014, 12:15 PM

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

hats off to your courage Sir,

earlier i just imagined the situation at Leh but now that i have done it myself, my respect for every rider who does Ladakh has increased.
And hats off to you again sir...

**Hoodibaba** · 07-08-2014, 09:16 PM

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

Yes Ankit, Ladakh is different.

Especially if you start just around the opening days of Manali-Leh route as on the way back after one week, the conditions had eased a lot.

Here is the video of Baralacha on 11.06.2014, 2nd day of my solo ride trip via Manali :

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVGj3cASTTw

Happy viewing, do post your comments. PLEASE

and

keep on logging, I promise you will not be disappointed

**Sid_dha_raj** · 07-08-2014, 10:43 PM

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

[MENTION=47733]Hoodibaba[/MENTION]

Sir, you put us youngsters to shame. Amazing write up. Mesmerizing pics.

Utmost respect.

**eliksir** · 07-08-2014, 11:57 PM

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

Great ride sir. Nice pics too.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Sent from my iPad using xBhp Connect mobile app

**Hoodibaba** · 07-11-2014, 01:02 AM

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

Day 4 - 13.06.2014 - Upshi-Tanglangla-Leh-Khardungla-Leh

It is early morning. Must be around 6.00 a.m. The night spent comfortably. The medicines have done excellent job. Feeling fit.

Now must look for some public carrier which can fetch my bike back. Ask the hotel owner. He refers to a person just opposite the hotel who has a Tata 207. Good. Immediately went to his room and he agrees to fetch the bike from Tanglang la. When asked the charges he calculates on his mobile as quotes Rs. 1200. Finally agrees at Rs. 1000/- but when I get back to hotel to get my money bag and Camera, he revises his charges to Rs. 2000 on the plea that he had miscalculated the distance. Cheap bugger. But I have no option as my quencha tent, mattress and above all my precious bike was still there at Tanglang la totally unattended and insecure. Asked him to move immediately. After driving for over one and half hour reached almost near the top. Find a long jam of about half a kilometre. Getting worried. It is still snowing heavily over the top. Visibility is almost zero. It is around 9.00 a.m. The diesel trucks are finding it difficult to move over the hard ice. God knows what was the real situation at night before when I got stranded all alone. No words can explain those moments of life and death.

Oh My God
it is 9 a.m. and it is snowing so heavily still

It is the Team work that keeps the wheels moving here

All the drivers are working like a team to get the wheels moving. They are digging mud and spreading over the hard ice to get friction on the road. I am getting worried. What if we have to return empty handed owing to bad weather. There are a thousand queries in my mind. Is my bike still there ? What about the luggage left behind ? It is almost an hour and we all are stranded here. At last the first truck starts moving. The second vehicle immediately behind has also started. Now see thick black smoke of other trucks following them. Thank God, out Tata 207 has also started moving now. Hope my bike is safe. Cross the Tanglang la Top and move to the other side. The Tata 207 is moving slowly due to thick ice on the slope. Oh, I can see my bike parked on road side at a distance. Now I can see the luggage tied on the bike. It is safe. Thank God.

The driver parks the Tata 207 after taking U turn near the bike. Now time to load the bike. God helps. A car comes from Tanglang la top. There are four young strongly built boys in the car. Ask them to help us load the bike. Immediately they stop the car and get out of the car and in no time the bike is loaded on the Tata 207.

Thank them immensely for their timely help. They move to their car and off they go. Now time to move down from Tanglang la as the weather is still bad. Any moment the situation can get worse. So without wasting any moment, move towards Upshi.

weather is still bad

Feel a bit relieved when we reach near the plains. After reaching Upshi, time to check the bike. It is completely O.K. After paying Rs. 2000, drive the bike to my hotel after about half an hour. Now time to take bath, brush my teeth and have breakfast as I am a lot relieved now. In another hour, pack my luggage on the bike. Time to move to Leh.

The bike is performing excellently. As I reach Karu, stop at a tea shop where a group of riders are having lunch. Ask the possibility of moving to Pangong Lake. The road to Changlang La is closed for last two days due to heavy snow near the top. Find a number of others vehicles parked all around waiting to get some positive signal to move to Changlang La. Saw a convoy of vehicles coming down from Changlang la. Asked the situation on the Top. They had left in the morning from Leh but had to return due to heavy snow on the Changlang la Top.

Cancelled my plan to move to Pangong lake and instead moved towards Leh as there is still time left to at least cover Khardungla by late afternoon. If all goes well, would be back to Leh by evening.

Crossed Shey Monastery and in another half an hour entering the famous and majestic Leh Gate. Turned right and started moving over the hills to Khardungla. There is clear blue sky. Reached South Pullu entered name, registration number of bike and place to be visited in the register. Just a formality. No need to get inner line permit for Indians even you have to visit Turtuk across Hundar. Now the roads gets rough, semi prepared. As I reach near the Top, a sharp voice stops me. There they are, Alok and Gaurav, my co-riders on the way to More Plains and Tanglang La, returning from Khardungla. They are too excited and happy to see me there. They ask me to meet them in their Hotel in Leh as soon I return from Khardungla. As I had already visited Hundar, in my earlier visit, I agree to stay with them in their hotel at night. eached Khardungla. There is hardly any ice at the Top. The Tea Stall is closed for the day as it is already 5.15 p.m. After taking few customary pics, start my return journey to Leh. Finding hard to locate their hotel. After a few frantic calls on the phone provided to me by a local, am able to reach the hotel, but only with the help of that gentleman who had provided me the mobile who asked me to follow his bike all the way to hotel. (I am not carrying mobile this time as it is pre-paid and would have been useless in Ladakh). As I enter their hotel room, Raj the third co-rider just hugs me too tightly with wet eyes. What an emotional attachment with a person who has met them only for few hours last evening.

They ask for my well being. As I explained my story, got to listen their part of the story of last night. They have also a horrific story to tell. Last night when they reached the Tanglang Top in that extremely bad weather, they had first decided to stay in the small temple for the night but better sense prevailed and they decided to move down whatever could the fate be. At some moment they also decided to leave their bikes and get lift in a vehicle. But, as there was no vehicle moving towards Leh they had no option but to move with the bikes. Alok was getting hysterical and had to be controlled by the two of them time and again. They all were sensing freezing death that night. But with no other option, the trio moved slowly down the Top. The snow fall had got too intense by now. At that moment, they found me in the car and with heightened spirit they also moved down the hills. As our car had been moving slowly keeping track of the trio, they were feeling a bit confident now. Half way down,, now in heavy rain they paced their speed a bit. Now our car had moved ahead and they stopped at an army camp. They had all praise for the Indian army personnel who not only looked after them extremely well but also provided dry fruits to each with hot tea. They were huddled into a room having heater and asked to remove their wet socks and shoes etc. Only when they were fit enough, they were allowed to move forward and these crazy boys moved ahead in search of me checking every hotel on the way. But I had moved 60 kms. from Tanglangla to Upshi as I could have got medical help only in Upshi. They stayed back at a hotel for the night and next morning moved to Leh.

WHAT A DAY IT HAD BEEN. A CLOSE SHAVE WITH CERTAIN DEATH.

Some more pics of Khardungla and last one of the Ghaziabad boys Raj and Gaurav in Leh market

Attached Files

**Vishal Rohra** · 07-11-2014, 01:56 PM

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

Amazing travel log Sir i am enjoying reading it very much and the pictures are awesome please keep writing .
My only advice to you is that when you ride to such places where the weather is unpredictable & difficult terrain please do not ride alone you have been very lucky this time
Keep Riding Ride Safe God Bless

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