Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

Travelogue Approved​

Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

Sounds & looks delicious, bring the rest...

Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

Sounds amusing...... Waiting fr the rest

Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

The ride took place from 15th August 2014 to 17th August 2014

How can a Tlog in its entirety, no matter how big, or small it may be, can be a valid one without a selfie?

Therefore, I post it upfront

The Selfie:



The Riders:

When Shubham and I decided Kinnaur, the next task for me was to get Raghav and Amit on board. Amit paji was tied up with his family plans, and Raghav was too lazy to plan a ride himself . Shubham had 3 friends to accompany him, but they all dropped out for their reasons on last minute.

Anyways, floated the idea, and Raghav's eyes lit up and he was in. Paji had family comitments and did not agree first, but he was interested enough to participate in the Destination discussions we had, just in case his family planning didnt materialize.


The Desitnation Drama:

Obviously, I was in love with the half tunnels of Kinnaur, and wanted to go there at any cost, but Amit showed his discomfort for the place, the reason being the monsoon. Heavy rains could bring landslide and we could not afford to get stuck at one place, even for 24 hours. Monday was working. Then after 2-3 days of Kinnaur yes/no, Raghav also opted no to go to Kinnaur.

Now the delima, 'Where to go???'

Amit paji floated in 'The Moon Lake' idea, but it would have been all riding for 4 days, which we did not want. Then came Manali, but I did not want to go there because of the crowd.

Now again, the question stood tall, and big, like The Great Wall of China, 'Where to go???'

Then, Shubham consulted his friend and he suggested Jalori Pass. I was excited, because it would have been a hell of a ride. It was final, First day Chindi/ Tattapani, Second Jhibhi and Third Tirthan or Jibhi.

We started enquiring hotels. We wanted to book upfront, atleast the first night, we did not want to roam arround for stay, after riding 600 odd kms. So, we booked, Kissan Homestay Tattapani, which was charging 600/night.

Next, Raghav had coversation with Mr. JD, who is famous for his Latoda huts at Jibhi. He had rooms for 17th August, Sunday, but nothing for 16th, but he arranged us rooms for 16th also. All we had to do was transfer advance, which we did.

Now, after settling the destiation, preperations started.

Raghav didnt have a saddle bag, so we bought Rynox Nomad v2.0.1 saddle bag for Raghav's CBR.

The Nomad:




I already had Viaterra Velox.


The Velox:



Now days went by, and finally, a week before, Amit Paji said he was all in because his plans with family got cancelled, but the problem was that he did not get a leave on Monday. So, we cut short the last day.

Now, again days past by, and then came the news of cloud burst and landslide.

It had been raining in Himachal since 3 days, and you cannot go to a place like Jalori in such rains. It is prone to landslide, plus the roads gets slushy.

Day before the ride, we decided to contact Mr. JD a local, to get his opinion, and he honestly told us that we shouldn't risk it due to landslide in one side of Jalori and jams in Mandi.


Surely, we had to go somewhere, but The Great Wall of China emerged again, 'Where to go???'


And this question accompanied us till the first day of our ride, even after reaching Chandigarh, we were looking at each other and asking the same question More on that soon.

All text no photos, makes a log dull one, so some treat for the eyes

The Cloud Factory:





The Sun:



The Photographer:



Coming up- Day1, stay tuned

Cheers
Akshay

Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

True traveller indeed..... Did u really mean u got started wid the ride n yet u guys were still confused abt a destination???

Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

2 posts and the destination hasn't been finalized yet? Great :/

Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

The I Day was here, the first day of the ride.

The destination was not yet fixed, so we kept our plans flexible and decided that we can call Mr. JD to acess the situation of Jalori after reaching Chandigarh, and will take the final call there.

And even if we were not going to Jalori, we could go to Tattapani where we had booked stay and next day proceed towards Saharan. So, all in all, we had a rough plan in our mind, nothing concrete. All we had was our bikes, and lust....err..to ride


We had planned to leave early, meet at bypass 4.45 am. We all got up by 4 am. And, for a change, Raghav was the first to reach bypass. We were there by 5 am. Shubham had to join us at Zirakpur.

Next, I had to tank up, and we were runing by 5.25am.


We surely expected some rush, but boy o boy, it was like '99% off on every item' sale going on at NH1. Everyone wanted a drive. And were thinking- 'Crazy guys '. DL, UP, HR, all sorts of number plates blazing by, the Fortuners, the Cities, the Innovas. Hell yes it was an extended weekend, or wait....was everybody celebrating I Day by taking a short drive till Muthal??

Horrendous jams at Mandi answer that question well enough.


We were cruising at 80-85Kmph to start with, taking it lightly.

Soon enough we reahed Panipat toll and it was Christmas there already. We maneuvered ourself from the left of the left side, to the left side of the toll. Every DL, UP, HR was waiting in the queue

The first break came soon.


The Rush, Every Lane Full:



Had breakfast at Neelkanth Star dhaba at Karnal. Eyeballs were rolling on us, The Aliens, and our hero Raghav had to answere some questions, where to?, where from?


Moving on, the ride from Karnal to Ambala was really interesting. Lots of rush, and to add to it, the narrow road while crossing the diversions. The roads were so full of cars, that after going into diversions, we were ridng so close to the cars, I could peep into the cars and after 10-15 mins, I would start recognizing the kids and families. Lots of kids would wave as they crossed me and I crossed them. Super fun

Next up was our second halt, to meet Shubham. McDonalds Zirakpur it was, and again 'We the Aliens'.

Waiting for the fourth one:



Soon, Shubham joined us, and we again hit the road. After nearly 30 mins, we hit Himalyan Expressway, and it was photo time.


Touchdown, the first View:




The CEEBEEAAR:



The CBR and The Birdie:



The Duke and The CBR:



The Duke:



The light got green, notice the hoard coming at us:



The Sudden Rush caught their attention:



After the session, we started again, and mild rain greeted us, and traffic ofcourse, was all along us. We reached Dharampur, and Shubham was hungry, so CCD it was.

Mild Rain:



We stopped at CCD for about 1 hour, discussing our destination, but without an answer. Started from there, and halted at Lunch at Apple Cart Inn at Kiarighat.

Apple Cart Inn is a really nice place, with beautifull garden:



We called Mr. JD to know the situation of Jalori and he advised not to come as it was not all well, and now the destination was Tattapani. We started from Apple Cart at arround 4.45pm, and after 2Kms of riding when the Monsoon in the Monsoon Ride greeted us with open arms.


The rain, which would accompany us till the end of day was in its full blow. The visibility dropped, we could only see the taillight of the vehicle ahead. The water was ice, you know.

Monsoon greetings:




The Visiblity Drop:



Now we were approaching Simla, and I did not know the routes as I had not been here before, and I was quitely following Amit and Shubham, and suddenly these two dissapear. And in front of me remains the diversion, right one went to the Simla Bypass and the straight, or the left one towards Shimla, I took the bypass, others went towards Simla, and a call and a misunderstanding whether I went towards Mandi, we wasted 45mins (I did not have google maps).

Reunited we went to the bypass, and rain got heavier by the minute.

Due to continous rains, temporary waterfalls had emerged, some in the middle of the road too.

One small Waterfall:




Now Amit paji floated an idea to stay in Simla, he was wet, Raghav and Shubham too. The did not wear the rain coat over the jacket, I was having a rain liner in the jacket and situation was somewhat better. We all agreed, tried to ask some hotels, wasted 45 mins, but no use.
The road to Tattapani was unknown and would have been less travelled one, and the rain was making it worst. So, taking shelter in the tunnel, we caught hold of a guy, who seemed local and promised a hotel.


All were wet, and raining made it very difficult to scout for the hotel ourselves, and the long lines of cars made it evident that Simla was full. We tried tough, but every hotel, we asked was full. It was getting dark and we had no choice, but to follow him to a hotel. He took us to a place, 6-8Kms down towards a village, where there stood a lone hotel, place called Badash. The room was just adequate for 4 people. We agreed, going back 10 Kms and start over was not an option.

But by the end of it, we had some nice sleep.

Day 1 Ends, Coming up is Day 2. Stay tuned.

Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

We were unsure of the destination for the day. The plan was finalised at around 4.30pm on Day 1 when we got stuck in the rains and decided to keep it simple. God has its own way of making things turn up the way he wants them to, and we realised this that day.

Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

Loved it so far.. Keep it coming..

Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

Good narration and great photoes. Waiting for the rest.
BTW can you shed some light on the saddle bags of the Duke? They look nice to me.

Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

They're Velox from Viaterra, specifically designed for the Duke. Short on capacity, but they fit really well on the bike. I think @AkshayA should throw more light with his hands on experience.

Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

Thanks for the reply!

Re: Two Thunderbirds, a CBR250R and a Duke 200 - Into the Monsoon. August 2014

Following ....