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**manjuadiga** · 07-19-2014, 01:13 PM

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

Everything in this log is superb. ..it might be a wonderful ride for you...

Sent from my GT-I8262 using xBhp Connect mobile app

**Hoodibaba** · 07-22-2014, 11:04 AM

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

Day 8 Leh-Khardungla (one more time)Some more Pics of Pangong lake

My quencha tent

Photo courtesy Bipin

Vivek, Amit and Bipin have to leave early

Morning pics of Pangong Tso Lake

Panorama on the way back

Khardungla ride

Following two Photos courtesy Bipin

Following 3 Photos courtesy Vivek

Keep logging and post your comments.

**Hoodibaba** · 07-23-2014, 02:31 PM

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

My personal thanks for all for appreciating this travelogue and having continuously logged on for the update.

For those who want to have a virtual ride with me to Khardungla, here is the link of the video on Youtube:

Keep logging on there is much more.

Waiting for your comments and feedback.

**itsmevini123** · 07-23-2014, 05:51 PM

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

By those super amazing video we can imagine the terrain there sir...

, very useful...

**Hoodibaba** · 07-23-2014, 07:13 PM

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

Thanks everyone for continuously riding with me (virtually) on this trip.

Now time to move ahead as I am getting a lot of calls and also over face book to upload my travelogue further.

Especially Aslam here is the next days post

Day 9 – Leh to Pang

The sky is clear and the riders are ready to return after spending so many days in this beautiful world.

After a brief stop at Karu for breakfast, we move on and cross Upshi. By 10.00 a.m. we are just 24 kms from Tanglang La and the ride to the second highest motorable pass is about to start.

Photo courtesy Vivek Jain

My memories of Tanglang La are still too bight in my eyes and am a bit apprehensive what is in store for us today. The road and the weather conditions are quite favourable. Except some power loss, no rider is having any trouble. Cross some water streams and some huge ice walls on the way.

Photo Courtesy Vivek Jain

But no problem so far. Now we could see the Tanglang la Top at a distance. Would be there any time. No signs of traffic jam. All is well. So far so good. And now we have made it. We have reached Tanglang La. Oh My God. What a view. There is no sign of snow anywhere around the top. It has vanished completely. I sigh a big relief but a bit disappointed to see this vast change in the scenario. We spend some time at the Top and move ahead. The road condition is deteriorating and finding huge water crossing as well now. The big bikes get struck in these huge water streams time and again. They have to be pushed out manually by two or three riders to get them out of chilled water. A complete team work is required in these circumstances. Although in my opinion smaller cc bikes get out of water comfortably as I myself had no such problem and they riders did appreciate it openly how I manage it. May be it is the overload and heavy bikes issue that gets them in trouble in lower gear.

By afternoon reach the More Plains. Still almost every rider feels power loss in the plains. What a phenomenon.

As we reach pang, find thick cloud cover over the hills. Decide to stay in the tent at a makeshift restaurant. It is getting cold. By night it must be below freezing point. After a good tasty dinner we all go to our bed with memories of Ladakh ride still in our mind.

Still Working on combined video of Leh to Rohtang

**Hoodibaba** · 07-24-2014, 02:49 PM

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

Day 10- Pang to Koksar

The night is spent comfortably in that tent. But early morning it is still very cold outside almost near freezing point. A small stream flowing nearby is completely frozen. Find our shoes frozen with ice. The lady owner of the tent is courteous enough to light small fire to enable us to melt the ice from our shoes.

Photo courtesy Vipin Saroh

A few of the group members find it difficult to do daily chores in the make shift small tent due to freezing cold.!! Some decide to skip !!

Have our breakfast. Time to move. The lady had covered our bikes with tarpaulin to save our bikes from the freezing cold in the night. So have had no problem with any bike to start. Load our luggage on the bikes and move towards Lachungla Top. The road condition is not good. The snow along the road has washed the road completely at some places. But we are accustomed to these types of roads and reach Lachungla top. This part of the route is quite picturesque and hence photo shoot stops are quite frequent. Crossing huge water streams is now a routine phenomenon. We are enjoying it. Cross Nakela and riding down the Gatta Loops is a memorable event in its own way. Wish the numerous loops to finish soon but it will take its own time. Have to ride down cautiously. At few points the road is so narrow that have to stop on the side to let the incoming vehicles to cross over. At last reach the plains and again the view has become beautiful and the photo shoot stops delay our journey further.

By 11.00 a.m. crossing the Saarchu plains and there is chill in the air. More and more huge water streams welcome our bikers. The flow of water is more intense than the time when I had crossed them on the way to Leh. The ice is melting fast on the hills. Carefully and cautiously the bikers cross them. The gum boots of bikers does not provide any relief. Our feet are freezing and the bikers need frequent breaks to get some relief. As the group ascends towards Baralacha completely washed away roads welcome the riders. There is still huge amount of ice/snow all along the way. The riders are getting crazy seeing that much amount of snow all along. They are enjoying it.

They find it the most enjoyable ride of their life. Take their own time to cross Baralacha pass. Descend the Baralacha pass and on the way again cross quite a lot of huge water streams. The group stays close to help each other cross these water streams.

Photo courtesy Vipin

At one such water crossing near Zing Zang Bar after getting over to other side without help I heard a sharp voice “Hoodibaba Sir”, is that you. When I turn back, one young chap greets me and introduces himself as Ankit. Sir, I am from xbhp. I am from Mumbai. I am surprised how be recognised me in all that gears and in helmet. I appreciate his gesture and we have tea together and talk about his ride. He is on White Ninja. I ask how does manage that bike with all that fairing of Ninja with low clearance in such challenging circumstances and that too without carrying any fuel can. A commendable achievement indeed. As he has to join other group members. He moves ahead. Thanks Ankit Mishra, I now remember your Epic travelogue the “Holy Cow” which has got the maximum number of views in a year.

With Ankit Mishra
Photo courtesy Malvinder Singh

As Vivek has to reach Sundarnagar by evening, a few of the group members decide to move ahead and me and Malvinder plan to cover up to Koksar for the day. Malvinder has sufficient time now to capture the beautiful landscapes.

More and more water streams with huge flow of water are greeting us abruptly.While on my way to Leh on 10^th I didn’t find so many water streams !! This is Ladakh. You cannot imagine what is in store for you after every turn. This welcome by the huge water streams continues until we cross Sissu. Now Koksar is not far. By 5.00 p.m. Malvinder and myself reach Koksar. The weather is getting cloudy. Getting worried about other team members. Don’t know whether they have been able to cross Rohtang or not. Got to know from other drivers that the tourists cabs had been allowed up to Rohtang sine 15^th June and that has created a major traffic jam at Ranny Nalla. The cabs which had left Manali at 4.00 a.m. in the morning were able to reach Koksar by 5.00 p.m. only. Try to reach the team members over mobile but get no response from either of them.

We book a room at the same hotel in Koksar where I had stayed on the way to Leh on 10^th evening. Feeling relieved for the self but frequent calls to our team members are getting futile. It is now getting quite late. We have been trying to contact them for over 4-5 hours but no response. Don’t know what is in store for us for tomorrow.
We finally have our dinner and hit the bed. Hopefully this would be our last night of stay away from our home. !!!

Time to enjoy a virtual ride with me from Leh to Rohtang

Eagerly waiting for your comments and Don't miss the final days report.
The ride is not yet over.
Wait till the final word of this travelogue to WITNESS the MAIN CLIMAX OF THIS WHOLE RIDE

**Hoodibaba** · 07-25-2014, 04:22 PM

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

HERE ARE SOME SELECT SHOTS OF WATER CROSSINGS during this ride.

[Although we crossed a lot more water streams but it was not possible to capture every moment due to various factors].

Following three Photographs by Vipin Saroh

Following photos by Thiyagrajan Pillai

Photo by Malvinder Singh

This has been the combined effort of many riders/photographers of the Group I met in Leh, besides myself, that is reproduced here. Hope you will like it

KEEP LOGGING. THE MAIN CLIMAX TO UNFOLD SOON IN THE LAST DAY'S RIDE

**ankit mishra** · 07-25-2014, 09:29 PM

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

Originally posted by Hoodibaba View Post

At one such water crossing near Zing Zang Bar after getting over to other side without help I heard a sharp voice “Hoodibaba Sir”, is that you. When I turn back, one young chap greets me and introduces himself as Ankit. Sir, I am from xbhp. I am from Mumbai. I am surprised how be recognised me in all that gears and in helmet. I appreciate his gesture and we have tea together and talk about his ride. He is on White Ninja. I ask how does manage that bike with all that fairing of Ninja with low clearance in such challenging circumstances and that too without carrying any fuel can. A commendable achievement indeed. As he has to join other group members. He moves ahead. Thanks Ankit Mishra, I now remember your Epic travelogue the “Holy Cow” which has got the maximum number of views in a year. With Ankit MishraPhoto courtesy Malvinder Singh[/FONT][/SIZE][ATTACH=CONFIG]151743[/ATTACH]

haha, Thank U sir, actually i have been following your other blogs(bhutan) so i knew it would be you, and then... i was expecting to meet some of the rider pals from xbhp on the trip, chance happened, it was the ever courageous you.

**Hoodibaba** · 07-28-2014, 03:15 PM

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

Day 11 – Koksar to Ghaziabad

Early morning Malvinder checks his mobile. A message had been received from Thiyagrajan one of the team members from Manali. They had reached Manali at 12.00 night , delayed due to heavy traffic jam at Ranny Nalla. At last Malvinder and myself feel a lot relieved.

Now time for us to start. By 7.30 we pack our luggage on the bikes and move to Rohtang. Get through the traffic at Rohtang and move towards Ranny Nalla. Saw a large number of vehicles stretching to over a Kilometre stranded at rhe Ranny Nalla. The tourists’ vehicles had been allowed upto Rohtang a few days later when I had crossed it on 10^th. We get through the Jam with lot of effort and that too because we are riding on two wheelers. But a lot of time has been wasted. The team members who were waiting for us at Manali have moved ahead. Now only Bipin Singh, who had decided to accompany Malvinder to Amritsar would be waiting for us at Mandi.

We decide to skip Manali and preferred the Nagar route via New Manali to save some time as this route has much lesser traffic and that proves to be a good decision. As we reach Mandi, find Bipin waiting for us. Malvinder and Bipin turn over the bridge towards Amritsar route and I again a solo move ahead towards Bilaspur. By mid afternoon cross Swarghat and now I am descending the mountains. By evening reach Kiratpur and turn towards Banur. Now it is getting dark and am not feeling comfortable with the high beams of incoming traffic from the opposite side. So time to slow down a bit and now I have to be more careful. It is now around 9.00 p.m. and it is completely dark on the highway. Shambhu Border is not too far.

The Final ride …….. or Was it ?

As my watch struck 10.30 pm, I reach Shambhu Border leaving Punjab behind me and entered into Haryana. Need to take rest but there is no place worth to sit and relax. Light is too dim. I find a small shop selling cold drinks. Sit down on the wooden bench and try to relax for half an hour sipping cold drink. Already getting late and though tired and exhausted still had to cover 200+ kms. So got back on my bike and take left turn and enter Haryana. The street lights are better illuminated on this stretch. Soon got over the fly over and turn right towards Delhi.

Now I am almost on my home stretch. There is heavy traffic on NH 1 but I need not worry I have been on this road in similar situation a number of times already this year alone. I synchronize my speed with the other vehicles moving at high speed. I avoid the most outer (left) lane to avoid any chance of hitting any animal or a tractor trolley or in the worst circumstances a human in this late hour of night. That is why I prefer to drive either in High Speed Lane or the second innermost lane because I can comfortably ride at 80 to 90 kms the usual speed of other vehicles in this lane. Although the SUVs zoom past me from any side but I am not bothered.

I have just crossed the Toll Plaza at Karnal. But still around 160 kms to cover. My next stop over may be after crossing the last Toll Plaza near Sonipat. And I have crossed over Sonipat as well. Time to take some rest. Stop at road side shop. Time is around 1 a.m. Order hot Tea, may be this would be the last time before I get Home.
Start my final journey to be with my lovely daughter and wife after so many days. Now am riding in the innermost lane as some times had to weave through big trailers a number of times in the second and third lane. There are spots where the light is too dim, not unusual.

A big vehicle is moving at high speed on my left lane leaving too little space for me. You might have noticed small openings left on the central verge/dividers of high way to cross the vehicles on the other side. Suddenly I see one such opening and then a big stone right in my line of drive. I hit the stone right in the centre and feel a strong thud in my neck. Thereafter may be I lost control over the grip of the handle. I came back into senses within seconds and find myself lying near the central verge/pavement. The bike is lying right in the middle of the road just in front of an SUV. I recollect my senses and move towards the bike. I find my limbs are intact. I raised hands to stop the fast moving vehicles for help. Although it is too risky at that late hour of night but may be the almighty Lord Vishnu who has saved me from this almost fatal accident is still on my side. The incoming vehicles though slow down but no one comes to help me lift the bike. I do not have much time so make few attempts to lift the bike and at last succeed. The bike is in order and moving. The wheels are working fine. It is a big surprise. Somehow I push the bike to the left most corner of the road. First major risk of being hit by a fast moving vehicle is now over.

I stretch my legs on the ground and have a feel of the limbs. I am feeling excruciating pain in my neck and right shoulder. But looks no major injury or fracture on my body. I escaped major injury only because of special accessories which I normally use during ride like, riding pant, jacket, gloves plus the helmet which saved me. After getting into my senses I inspect the bike closely. I had very remote chance of finding it worthy of driving after such a big hit but to my utter surprise it starts on first attempt through self start. The headlight is also intact, the handle bar is intact though has moved to extreme forward position due to the impact of the hit. The only problem is that the bike is in 6^th gear and gear shift is jam. The RVMs have broken but the clutch lever and break leaver are intact. I mentioned earlier I am firm believer of Lord Vishnu. My Suzuki GS 150 R can start in any gear. The company may have never thought of this eventuality but today this engineering marvel/technology has saved my life.

I start my bike with great efforts and it starts moving slowly. I gain some speed although. By the time, I start feeling too much pain in my neck. But I have to move on, time is crucial. I am all alone, need medical attention immediately. Lord Vishnu is there all along. I support my chin/neck with my left hand and ride on. I spot lights on the other side. Stop on my side. It is Sukhdev Dhaba. Hope some biker would spot me who might be coming from long ride as well. Two bikers did cross over but may be they could not gauge the exigency. I felt the urge to relieve myself. May be this will ease some pressure. Somehow I managed. This may look a small matter but in those conditions it is a major difficult task in those riding pants.

The pain is getting worse. But I cannot quit. I am getting late and know my family is equally worried. Now I missing my mobile that I should have carried from my start. No time to waste, I again ride on supporting my neck with left hand. Saw the big sign board – Delhi 44 kms. It is a big relief. I am inching closer. Stop again at a roadside dhaba to take some rest and hot tea. Ask for the mobile to make a call but he does not oblige.

Time being the crucial factor to get help at home as the pain is getting unbearable I move on. Another sign board Delhi 33 kms. But now at the border there is too much traffic and I cannot move at very slow speed due to gear problem. Somehow squeeze through the slow moving traffic and got an opening. The road is now brightly lit. I look for the PCR van. May be I will get help. But, they are not there. Slowly reached the Mukarba Chowk and took the left turn on the outer ring road. Distance still to be covered 26 kms. I am inching closer to my family. There is major construction work going on all along the Outer Ring Road till Wazirabad Bridge. At one intersection I am struck behind a truck whose driver is looking for passengers to earn some money. The few minutes delay has stopped my bike and I cannot cross over the truck. By God grace it does not last for long. I can move again. There are too many speed breakers not to mention too much traffic coupled with traffic lights still working. Lord Vishnu comes to my aid. I almost got Green lights and as for speed breakers, find lots of them damaged. So crossed them without much difficulty.

Crossed Majnu Ka Teela Gurudwara and reached Chandgi Ram Akhara red light. Knew there is a side lane to bypass red light. Got over the bridge to Shahdara. Distance to be covered 11.5 kms. I am getting too much exhausted. The pain in right hand is getting unbearable. I cannot hold the firm grip on the handle. I feel that I can collapse any moment. Already I have to support my chin with left hand. But, I have covered 70 kms and driven for over 200 minutes. I cannot quit. I have to do it.

But, stop on road side pavement. Sit there for some moments. It is just 11 kms now. Help and hope everything depends if I make it quickly. It is already over around 4 hours since I am going through ordeal. I recollect my energy and called my inner heart Move Dinesh Move. Move Hoodibaba ! I get up. Take position on seat somehow. Start the bike and slowly gain speed. Now I am moving again. I can almost sense hope, I am almost Home. There are number of flyovers till Dilshad Garden which I have to ascend and cross over. If the bike stops at the foot of any bridge it would be difficult to start in 6^th gear at slow speed and cross over. There is traffic at every point but Lord Vishnu is with me. Now, I turn to right at Dilshad Garden round about and move over another fly over. Cross the Surya Nagar traffic light it is in yellow mode. Now I have to take left turn at next crossing. It is around 4.30 a.m now. After taking the left turn, my bike stops at a speed breaker. They are three in a row. Home is just around the corner just few hundred feet away. There it is. I have entered Ramprasth. The bike does not make trouble to start but have to make effort to cross the speed breakers in 6^th gear at slow speed with little push with the feet. Pick up some speed
and
I am right there in front of my Home.

In no time am pressing the door bell and the door is opens instantly by worried family members. Inform them the incident briefly and hit the bed to get over the excruciating pain. Don’t know when my heavy Riding Jacket and Riding Pant which have proved a big Saviour of my life are removed. I have made it. I have survived.

My ever reliable Bike
(with minor breakdown)

The handle bar had moved foward too much

As someone has rightly said ‘WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GETS GOING’.

I WILL BE BACK ON THE HIGHWAY SOON.

Looking forward to your valued comments

**prakashray412** · 07-28-2014, 06:55 PM

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

Sir, I have been mute spectator since the beginning of the T-log. After reading the log I felt like most of the time I was riding with you.
What an amazing narration and photos!!!
Helmets off to you!!!
Only thing that I have in mind right now is RESPECT.

**Vykier** · 07-29-2014, 03:42 AM

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

Such a thorough ride and an amazingly informative and well recorded experience. Spell bound with some of those nuances with getting Leh'd... gets goosebumps with vivid scenes flashing past picked from my own memory... Salutes to you for having undertaken and exploited Leh route. The write up and pictures are fantastic apart from being up to date and informative.

Thanks.

**ankit mishra** · 07-29-2014, 10:57 AM

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

hats off to your courage sir,

but i would suggest you to have planned night breaks,

Try moving to cars they are equally fun...

**Hoodibaba** · 07-29-2014, 12:19 PM

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

Originally posted by prakashray412 View Post

Sir, I have been mute spectator since the beginning of the T-log. After reading the log I felt like most of the time I was riding with you.
What an amazing narration and photos!!!
Helmets off to you!!!
Only thing that I have in mind right now is RESPECT.

Originally posted by Vykier View Post

Such a thorough ride and an amazingly informative and well recorded experience. Spell bound with some of those nuances with getting Leh'd... gets goosebumps with vivid scenes flashing past picked from my own memory... Salutes to you for having undertaken and exploited Leh route. The write up and pictures are fantastic apart from being up to date and informative.

Thanks.

Originally posted by ankit mishra View Post

hats off to your courage sir,

but i would suggest you to have planned night breaks,

Try moving to cars they are equally fun...

Ankit, Vykier and Prakash I am really thankful to you for your kid words.

I must thank all the readers who encouraged me from time to time with their positive comments/suggestions and being virtual co-rider with me in this great journey.

I am still working on my final video which would be a sum up of this whole ride from start to finish. I will upload the same in a few days.

As Ankit has suggested, I would like to have the concerted views of all the readers who have been following my travelogues to the following three questions:

1. Should I hang my Gloves and quit riding motorcycle for long trips ? Yes / No

2. Should I ride Solo or in Group ( If you say I continue riding)

3. Should I go in for a higher CC bike in addition to my present Suzuki GS 150R ? Yes / No

Looking forward to your suggestions

H O O D I B A B A

**animeher** · 07-29-2014, 01:34 PM

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

Hoodibaba Sir, deep respect for your amazing adventure

I am somewhat relating to you, as my first bike was Hoodibaba (Caliber115 in the signature green colour), and current steed is GS150R (first batch prior to your steed).

1. Should I hang my Gloves and quit riding motorcycle for long trips ? Yes / No

No. The way you had completed this treacherous journey, I don't doubt your ability. However, please make sure to take safer trips for a while!

2. Should I ride Solo or in Group ( If you say I continue riding)

What's the use of a group if you can't connect with them? What's the use of solo if you always miss people around? Depends totally on you.

3. Should I go in for a higher CC bike in addition to my present Suzuki GS 150R ? Yes / No

In addition? No. Keeping 2 bikes in garage is an involving job. In lieu of current bike? Yes. I think you can try for Inazuma (the logical upgrade from GS150R) or ZMA/ZMR if budget is about 1L. I think CBR250/Duke will not be comfortable position for you. More power will mean more flexibility to go farther distance with lesser stress. If you can, surely upgrade. It will increase the fun quotient.

**rx100.7050** · 07-29-2014, 02:25 PM

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

1. I don't think you should hang up your boots.
2. Again your personal opinion. You can try for solo or group rides.
3. Higher CC bikes do have their advantages and disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage being they would be heavier. God forbids but in case of a fall, it would be difficult for you to lift the vehicle on your own.

Sir, I would strongly suggest that you need to take proper breaks. You rode almost non-stop from Rohtang to Delhi-NCR without taking a proper 8-10 hours break!!! I would have not dared to do such a long distance travel !! Hope you understood my point. You just got too fatigued during your return journey. Ankit is right, night break is very important.

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