Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

Massive photo log approved!

Dada now that you've told that 4 superb photographers did the trip, expectations are touching the sky. I think we would see a lot of portraits and HDRs in the hundreds (my expectation) of pics you guys will upload.

BTW, I loved the 2nd pic!

Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

Thanks a lot for the approval buddy.
Yes there are loads of pictures, profile shots would be less but yes nature, mountains, bikes will compensate those.


Planning:

It was more than a year that I went out for a long ride to hills , last being one day camping ride to Rishikesh. But i wanted more, long, scenic ride with people who share the same thoughts towards photography and riding. Was waiting for the submission of my insurance policy and get the saved money for a second hand car and other important things. In the mean time me and Samrat did some assignments together and I saved enough for a ride. As soon as I got the cheque, replaced by bike's tyres and got it serviced.
But the destination was still not decided, nor the riding partners. I shared this with Samrat and Abhishek during our whatsapp chat, and they were all up for it. The decision of place was tough. So we three decided that we need to meet up to discuss about our future photography work (yes, we work as a team) and the ride. Me and Samrat went 40kms in scorching Delhi heat to meet Abhishek and decide about it. Here, Abhi showed us Hatu Peak pics which he clicked some time back and instantly we decided that we are going there. We called few of our friends, but some how they were not able to join us.
In the meantime , Accuweather, which played and important role in the planning showed that (2-4th May) is raining in Narkanda (H.P), so we decided to cut down the trip to 2 days to nearby place. But that too didnt work out (poor us). Then on 2nd May, we asked Abhishek that we are planning to leave on 7th and come back on Friday and resume daily routine from Monday after a rest for the weekend. As Abhishek had to give an exam on 13th May, he was 70-30 sure about the ride, but by Saturday evening he confirmed that the plan is "on".
In the meantime, I updated my Facebook and Rahul contacted us and showed interest in joining us and he confirmed on Monday.
Those 3 days of wait was testing my patience as I was eager to use my camera to perfect use.

Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

[MENTION=13887]prateek2210[/MENTION] : Waah! Loved that second pic! Baaki jaldi upload keejiye sirjee And do force other three to upload as well

Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

WOW!!
The second pic..
Waiting for more..

Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

FEW PICS TOWARDS JALORI PASS FROM ANNI THIS IS A HEAVY LANDSLIDE AREA WHICH BANNS TRAFFIC FROM ANNI TO KULLUA PIC WITH HERCULES MTB CYCLING RACERS..........really salute to these guys who rode in this uphill from Anni(EL.2086) to Jalori pass(EL.3146)Reached on topMedia persons with HERCULES MTB RALLY

Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

Thanks buddy, just editing next few pics. Continuous off roading took a toll on wrist and knee so this old chap taking his old sweet time

Thanks Pranav, next few pics in few hours
[MENTION=53053]NITIN SHARMA[/MENTION] : Would request you to start your own thread. I wish to keep this thread for our four logs and pictures. Thanks

Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

[MENTION=13887]prateek2210[/MENTION], Please post whatever you (and the other 3) have edited.

Rated 5 star already!

Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

Ride Day (Plains)
So 7th May was just a night away, we four were continuously talking on whatsapp with no sleep till 1.30am in the morning and we were to meet at ISBT at 4a.m in the morning. It happens with me all the time, a day before the ride, I just cant sleep. Went to Samrat's home as lives nearby. Helped him in packing the bag on his bike alongwith my and his tripod over the bag. Filled up the tank to the brim and started towards ISBT. As I took the round about flyover and reached the meeting spot. I could see Abhishek and Rahul coming but Samrat was not there. I waited for him for 2 minutes and then called him. He said that the bag fell of from the seat. It was already 4.30a.m and we needed to rush. So we decided to keep the two tripods in Abhishek's Viaterra Claw. We geared up and started again. It was eventually planned that we will take breakfast break at Karnal, but we were hungry so changed it to Murthal. As Abhishek had the fastest bike amongst us, he was leading most of the times. And here he did a small mistake. I told him that we need to take a round about for Karnal and he should watch for the signboard. But amidst trucks he missed it and went the wrong direction. I asked Rahul to wait and me and Samrat went to catch up Abhishek. Even after 10-15minutes of ripping our bike, Abhishek was nowhere to be seen, so I called him and as everyone's mobile was handy, he was asked to take a U turn. After few minutes he was there and we met Rahul and moved forward. Abhishek asked if there is any more turns, I said "no" and he again lead us and we stopped at Murthal for lunch. As usual tourers are attention grabbers and everyone was there watching us there like we have come from different planet. I being the biggest foodie and they all will agree to that, ate a heavy b'fast and started again. It was decided that if anyone is left behinf, he will meet others at Zirakpur Mc Donald's. We three met Abhishek there as he was 15minutes in lead.
The break was to have coffee so we dont feel sleepy as we were to enter hills. I met Kanika Sood here, a bikerni from Delhi. Had a small formal chit chat as she was heading towards Shimla to caste her vote. Yes she lives in Delhi and drove all the way to Shimla to use her constitutional right.
We started again for the by-pass towards Shimla. I didnt know the route as it was not there 4years back when I did Spiti so waited for Abhishek before it as he was filling up petrol. Yes KTM has a small tank and 390 has less mileage, so fuel stop was mandatory
We stopped at the start of the open by-pass for some photo session as we were to enter hills.

Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

The rmv pic is awesome.

Nice way to get away from the summer heat.

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Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

Yeah.....That was quite a ride after gap of almost a year (for me,at least)....we planned a hell lot before the actual trip happened....main guiding person was Prateek...no doubt on that...hats off to his technical knowledge,besides being a very good friend and a hard core Chicken Addict like me.......BONGS after all.... For all of us involved in making this trip a reality wanted a break from the concrete jungle we live in....we all had some common passions - Motorcycling (yes of course),Photography (oh yes),Love for the hills, love for adventure & the quest to do the undone & explore the unexplored.....after a good 2-3 weeks planning, we decided the route...Delhi - Narkanda...Narkanda was our base...& then from there...Jalori Pass & also Hatu Peak...Google is always our biggest friend in helping us with all the resources....Accuweather too....though at time we were not liking its predictions of rain during our visit....Prateek actually stopped looking at accuweather & found a diff website to check weather....but that was also showing the same thing more or less ......So I said.....lets go there...whatever happens ...we will decide on spot & take necessary action.....Dates now finalized as 7,8 & 9 th May...Prateek & me started from Dilshad Garden at 4 am...went to Kashmiri Gate ISBT,where Abhishek & Rahul were to join us.....while going there.. the Bunjees on bike snapped & my bag fell off the bike....thanks to the Auto drivers who helped me get the things back on the bike,from the road....after getting all that fixed....we started for our next stop...Gulshan Dhaba for the Breakfast.....post which we headed straight & stopped at the McDonalds at Zirakpur...after some coffee & ice tea sessions we then headed straight for our next stop,which was supposed to be Narkanda...however the ZMA faced some issues & we made a stop at a roadside bike repair shop...where we found a tea store made out an old jeep....Abhishek will post pics of that hopefully later,as he took some...& there we had one of the best roadside "chae"....we decided almost immediately that while returning we will stop & enjoy that tea again (& we did that actually)...& then we we rode straight to Narkanda...by the time we reached there it was drizzling...thankfully we did find a cosy & inexpensive home stay named "REHAN HOME STAY"...we checked in ....and undid our riding gears...attended some important calls from mother nature .....then went straight for pet (read stomach) puja....we literally dug across the menu & Prateek & mine's almost immediate favourite was the CHICKEN MAGGI.... aye hae.....what a tasty one it was.....and then we decided to shoot some star trails & milky way...& then slept finally at almost 2...God knows what all we discussed.....bt were laughing out LOUD.....next day it was a ride to Jalori Pass,post breakfast...we will never forget the Stretch at Rampur....as the road was wide & butter smooth....we all were thinking of being at BIC (especially me) & was were zooming by.....I was more keen on practicing leans & cornering the bike at high speeds.....I made a HD video from my "jugaad" Action Cam....which was my Samsung Note 3 Neo mobile connected to my Riding jacket in a small pocket (thanks to my Mom for making this)....it came out awesome unexpectedly.........& there were numerous other Photo Stops....has to be ...we call ourselves Photo~Riders....then after some bone breaking off roading we reached the Jalori Pass....where we had Tea & Maggi.....scenery was needless to say awesome there...snow clad mountains....though the snow was from last winter..and was quite a bit dusty when one looks closely....bt we were thrilled to the core....then from there we rode back to Narkanda...bt it was late for the Hatu Peak,the same day...hence we planned it for the next day morning at 3.30 / 4 am.....it was nail biting cold outside.....bt we were determined...& believe me or not the ride to Hatu Peak was more punishing as the road was very narrow & full of stones,gravels,mud....so it was a test of our riding skills & for our machines as well....as one will need to ride only in the first / second gear...and a little brake,if not applied judiciously,u will be thrown off the hill (300 ft a fall,that would have been,then).....once reached....it was pre dawn...and an absolute piece of heaven ...temperature was 7 degrees...& then after a roar of JOY & SUCCESS....our CAMERA SHUTTERS started all the talking & clicking.....every frame looked so picturesque !!! After spending almost 2+ hrs...we rode town back to base,Narkanda....had breakfast (yes Chicken Maggi & coffee again )..packed bags,filled up the tanks to the full and then rode back to Delhi...


I have attached a couple of pictures captured mostly by me,except one,where am standing in front of the snow,which was captured by Prateek...... hope you like them....this trip and all its moments will be cherished forever & ever..... Heartiest thanks to @prateek2210 , @Abhishek2255 & @rahulzzz


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Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

Ride Day (Hills)

As soon we entered hills, I was jumping on my saddle with joy and enjoying the leans to the most. In the mean time Rahul stopped and said his bike is having some issue. After checking I said its battery loose connection, but as I didn't know whether he is carrying tools, asked him to find a mechanic and get it rectified. In the mean time we stopped few times for photo breaks , thus adding more to our riding time. As Samrat mentioned, the tea at the road side was one of the best I had and we actually stopped on our way back to have it again. Plus I loved the attention we four were getting while on road. I will leave the rest on the pics now.

Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

Want to see more from you guys. ...:thumbup:

Prateek2210 sir your vision to mother nature is good , nice work with the lenses sir...

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Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

Wow. Beautiful pics. Waiting for more.

Re: Photo-Riders to Narkanda - Jalori - Hatu

Thanks buddy. Yeah it was a ride from 42degrees to 12degrees

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, nature and biking works best for me.

Few hours of wait for next lot