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**Hoodibaba** · 07-12-2014, 12:10 PM

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

You live once.

Solo or in Group. It is the destiny that derives you to places.

So enjoy every bit of it till You breathe the last time.

And I have firm believe that WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GETS GOING

Time to enjoy Tanglang la in the following video taken the next day when I was there again to get my bike back.

Tanglang la

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPgtidnUF7Q

The weather condition was so bad that I had to leave my bike there and one taxi driver IMTIAZ belonging to Delhi Vasant Kunj provided me timely help and dro...

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**Hoodibaba** · 07-14-2014, 03:29 PM

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

Day 5 – 14.06.2014 Local visits

Got up early. The Trio – Gaurav, Alok and Raj are moving back to Manali early morning. They have packed their luggage and checked the bikes. Need to top up engine oil. I have half a litre engine oil which is enough for their bikes. By 6.45 a.m. they are on their bikes. Bid them best of luck. Am a bit worried about the road conditions we witnessed the day before. Hope all goes well.

Earlier, last night while talking over Gaurav’s post paid phone was informed by my wife that Malvinder of Royal Bull Riders had reached Leh with his group via Srinagar and when told about my presence in Leh was frantically looking forward to meet me. Now, when I am all alone, why not give him a pleasant surprise and show him the pics and video of Manali Leh route and by 9.00 a.m. I am at Siddhartha hotel, where they are staying. A daily briefing session is going on. They ask me about the Road status of Leh –Manali route. When they see the pics and few videos are excited. One of their team members is not well for a couple of days. He is advised to return via Srinagar the same day to which he agrees. They have decided to have a rest day in Leh with some local site seeing. I am also not in a mood to move to Pangong lake and decide to spend the day with them.

We move to Hall of Fame and spend some good time there. Some of their bikes need routine servicing which get it done at Tashi’s workshop. There is no authorised service centre for Royal enfields, the bike synonymous with Ladakh riders nor could they find 15-50 grade engine oil for EFI engines of 500 cc REs.

Evening is spent leisurely strolling in leh market. Tomorrow as advised by me they plan to ride to Pangong Lake since that route had been not operational during last few days and hope by tomorrow we would be able to cross Changlang la as I have witnessed clear sky for the last two days. Return to my hotel for the night where I have shifted my luggage to a single bed occupancy.

This Photo courtesy Malvinder Singh

Photos courtesy Vivek Jain

**joeantony** · 07-14-2014, 05:04 PM

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

Awesome tour Sir. Glued to this thread now.

**Vishal Rohra** · 07-14-2014, 07:34 PM

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

Excellent log Sir keep posting

**Hoodibaba** · 07-15-2014, 04:05 PM

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

Thanks all for virtually riding along with me in this ride and for your encouraging words.

Here is the link to video of leh city where haphazard construction is going every where. The city is losing its sheen. and looks no different than Shimla, Mussoorie with mushrooming of structures, choked roads, encroachment which might have resulted in minimal presence of foreign tourists, the main life line and source of income for local shopkeepers.

**Kajalvk** · 07-15-2014, 04:09 PM

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

Nice Blog Sir..It was really nice to ride with you over the Trip :-)

**Ankur1518** · 07-15-2014, 05:43 PM

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

Really it's. Encouraging for young riders like us.....
Sir Hats off to Ur spirit.....

**Hoodibaba** · 07-18-2014, 01:05 PM

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

Day 6 - 15.06.2014 - Leh to Pangong Lake

Got up early and have had a hot water bath for a change. A knock at the door and Malvinder is there. I am a bit surprised that he has made all his group members ready so quickly. There is a sad news also. One of the team members has to leave for Delhi same day as his little daughter has got injured. So he has already left. I join them at their hotel leaving my excess baggage in clock room.

Almost all except 2-3 riders were all set to ride their dream ride. We move in single formation up to the petrol pump in Leh and advise all to top up their tanks, if required, to avoid wastage of time. Of the three, two riders left behind also join us. As everybody is anxious for the Pangong Lake ride, we agree to move with one rider left behind to escort Bipin the only rider still left behind at hotel. Within an hour we reach Karu, the only stoppage before Changlang La where we had our Breakfast. Bipin and the escort rider have also joined us by now. But, Vivek Jain is having problem with his RE 500. He decides to leave the bike at the restaurant and pillion ride on Amit’s RE 500. The owner of the restaurant agrees to take care of the bike for the day as we had planned to return next day. The group moves on. Almost all of them are anxious for their first ride to Changlang la which had been closed a couple of days back due to bad weather and snow. The sky is clear and I assure them we would be able to cross Changlang la by noon.

Following two pics Courtesy Vivek Jain

As the ride continues all the riders start feeling power loss at some point of time or another. It is a common phenomenon. Now we notice traces of snow along the road and as we move ahead, it is more heavy now. At few places have had to cross heavy water streams with totally washed roads. Getting excited. This is what we had dreamed for and after riding for about 70 kms we have first site of Changang la with snow covered peaks. By 10.15 a.m. we are there at Changlang la, the third highest motor able road. The first timers are too excited to be there. Malvinder, the orgnaniser of this group who although been to Ladakh earlier, is showing symptoms of altitude sickness. He wants to move ahead to the plains leaving the group with me, a good timely decision. He moves ahead. All others are feeling fit and none of them wants to move ahead. Have had tea and Maggie etc. at the restaurant and some visit the temple.

Vivek and Bipin have some memorable moments of their life time, playing on the soft ice bed like small kids.

Almost after 90-100 minutes, we decide to move ahead. There is more snow ahead while getting down. Have to be cautious now. All cross the danger zone safely. We are now riding at around 14000 feet altitude. By 2.15 p.m. we reach Guru Ka Langar CHARDI KALA organised by Indian Army (Sikh Regiment) and have hot Bhaturas with white grams (Cholle).

Following 5 pics courtesy Bipin Singh

Now as we have to cover around 3/4^th of the distance and after crossing an iron bridge, feeling a new experience with our bikes. As we are moving towards Pangong lake and gradually gaining height we have to control the speed of the bikes as they seem to be gaining speed without acceleration. Earlier we have had power loss at various points but now even in 4^th or 5^th gear the bikes (some having pillion riders) are gaining speed and have to be controlled by applying soft breaks. It continues on for several kilometres.

By 3.30 p.m. we have had the first view of the Pangong Lake.

It is just 4 kms now left to be covered. After a small photo session on the way, we reach the mysterious Pangong Lake, the dream of every biker.

Almost all make a stop at the entrance point of the lake but a couple of riders in the group are not to be seen there. They have had a different plan and have already moved towards Marsmik La. Although they had not got permit for that Pass, I wonder how they will get permission to move further after the check post. As we plan to move further along the Lake as far as we could (since this time we are not bound to obtain permit up to Chusul, the last Indian check post up to where we could go) , some of the riders are getting exhausted and decide to stay there itself. Now the problem of difference of opinion has come to the fore front. Five of us want to move ahead but have to honour the decision of others as well. We agree to return at that spot after moving ahead as far as we could. So five of us – Malvinder, Vivek, Bipin, Amit and myself start riding along the Pangong Lake. Must admit it was a life time experience of our life riding along the Deep Blue Lake. As we cover another 10-15 kms the road is just disappearing. It is now plain off riding. We reach a cluster of tents and decide to call it a day as it is impossible to reach Chusul now as it is aleady 5.30 p.m. and decide to pitch our tents along the Lake. After pitching our three tents, three of our riders return to bring the other riders staying behind near the entrance point of the lake to stay in one of the rented tent accommodation along with us as they have had to stay there as well in a rented accommodation. After an hour the three riders return empty hands as the others riders were nowhere to be found. Must have booked an accommodation already there itself. As the night approaches, Malvinder, Vivek, Bipin and Amit decide to pack up their tents as they feared it would be too cold outside in our small tents and move to a rented big tent @ Rs. 2000 per night. I decide to stay in my own tent as it appears too comfortable to me. Besides, another group of four riders has also pitched their own tent just nearby.

Now time to have our dinner. Nothing to write about the dinner. Just basic food.

While coming out of the tent after dinner, saw millions of bright stars in the sky. Never in my life have I seen such a beautiful sky although it is almost a full moon night. After some time bright moon also appeared from behind the mountains giving a mind blowing effect to the whole scenario with cool breeze blowing. There is total silence all around. Any little sound appearing from far off tents appears to be coming from just few feet away. It is 10.30 p.m. but we could see the silhouette of high mountains at a distance and sound of water coming from the water falls. We sat there in the open. Pangong Tso in its various hues staring smilingly in the moon light. It looks totally mesmerizing. The night temperature is still comfortable. May be by night it will come to freezing point. Now it is time to capture the night sky and the night view of the lake with the bright reflection of moon in the lake before all of us go to bed.

Soon the speed of wind blow increased and the temperature also drops considerably. It is time to get into the tents but it is warm inside the tent. Feeling excited to stay in my own tent for the first time and that too at Pangong Tso. What a place to stay. Thanks the Almighty for giving me this opportunity of lifetime.

Attached Files

**itsmevini123** · 07-18-2014, 01:40 PM

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

Superb pics sir, Looking forward to ride with you some day

**theironhorse99** · 07-18-2014, 02:01 PM

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

amazing pics and write up.... hats off to your sir...

it will be a challenge for us souls to have zeal and caliber at your age to even ride a bike...

i finally did ladakh this year and graduated...

i always thought its once a lifetime trip... i doubt i will stick to that commitment... i will return... and i will return soon....

**Hoodibaba** · 07-18-2014, 05:03 PM

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

Originally posted by theironhorse99 View Post

amazing pics and write up.... hats off to your sir...

it will be a challenge for us souls to have zeal and caliber at your age to even ride a bike...

i finally did ladakh this year and graduated...

i always thought its once a lifetime trip... i doubt i will stick to that commitment... i will return... and i will return soon....

YES, once is not enough for this LAND OF HIGH PASSES.

Thanks Vini. Wish you a safe ride this year.

Here is BONUS ISSUE :

CHANGLANG LA

**Hoodibaba** · 07-18-2014, 08:32 PM

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

And here is a must watch video of Pangong Tso Lake

Do post your comments. I am waiting.

AND

KEEP LOGGING THERE IS MUCH MORE

**anand89** · 07-18-2014, 11:39 PM

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

Sir, your write up and pictures are awesome. It surely is a memorable trip for you.
You have proved that age is just a number! Your passion for long drives just blew me away. I hope someday I go out for a long drive...
I'm new here and this is in fact my first post.
Thank you for those pictures. Have downloaded some...

Sent from my Nexus 4 using xBhp Connect mobile app

**sanjanikar** · 07-19-2014, 09:19 AM

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

Amazing travelogue sir. Video makes it so much involved experience.

Seems like the road till Spangmik is build. I still remember when I was there in 2011 and they were building that road. I had to ride right by the water on non existent road to reach Merek. One should definitely spend a night at Pangong. Magical experience. Thank you for bringing back the memories.

**psychedelik** · 07-19-2014, 11:55 AM

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

superb write up and excellent pictures sir..keep it rolling..we are waiting...

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

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