Re: Mizoram Monsoon Sweep Ride

Day 11: Aizawl

So, my last night in Mizoram was finally here. As i laid down on the bed, i was recalling all the moments and memories of the ride. The rain, the roads, the sights, the food.. when i got a call from one of my aunties. She had just learned that i had come to Mizoram alone and was freaking out! She told me that she will come and pick me up from Silchar on my way back!! I was feeling so good and manly about almost completing the ride and riding all over Mizoram, and in one second my aunty made me feel like a small boy. hehe I told her i'll call when i leave and that i'll be back in two days. I left the next day. :P

Re: Mizoram Monsoon Sweep Ride

Day 12: Aizawl to Shillong

Met up with Naylin at 7:30AM and we headed back home together. It was drizzling when we left Aizawl and it never stopped until we got home. We had to pass through the same landslide that I got stuck while entering Aizawl, but this time it was much easier as we were going downhill.

We were going at a steady pace and we reached Vairengte in no time. I wanted to visit this place called Mothurapur in Silchar but when we enquired about the place, no one could give us proper directions nor was it mapped on GoogleMaps so we went pushed on ahead.

Crossing Silchar in the rain was quite a task. The craters were covered with water and you just didn’t know which path to take because if u avoided one, you would go straight to the next one. We tried riding from the edge of the craters but there were instances where almost more than half of the tyres were under water. Sadly I couldn’t take any pictures as it was raining and I didn’t feel like stopping and taking out the phone. We stopped at Kalain for a quick lunch and got back on the road asap.


We reached the Tea Plantation stretch again and this was all muddy and covered in water as well. Stretches like these made me fall more in love with my bike. I had been riding it for more than 1500 kms till this part on this ride and it had never showed any signs of breaking down. 85+kgs rider with a luggage of about 10+kgs and I had never really slowed down much on any of the bad terrains. I just put it in 2^nd or 3^rd gear, stand on the pegs and just comfortably glide through the bad stretches. The suspension setup is just amazing and the bike takes everything that’s thrown on it with joy. This bike has got a lot of potential with adventure tourers, offroaders and Motocross guys. If only the big guys in the company saw these earlier. Yes it lacks power but honestly I never really felt the bike being underpowered when I was riding in the hills when u can’t really go that fast. It’s only when you ride on the plains and the gentler hills, that you really feel the lack of power. A rear disc brake would have been a very welcomed option too as that consistent bite is much needed on long distance rides. The drum brake do work good too but after riding for a few hundred kilometers, I had to keep adjusting it; especially when it rains and you have to ride through puddles, slush and all, the brake just fades off.

We stopped for a quick break at the Sonapur Tunnel and just as quickly, got back on the road again. It had been raining continuously and the flooded potholes and craters made the riding all the more fun and disastrous at the same time.


About 10kms before reaching Jowai, there was a newly constructed road which comes out at Thadlaskein. We took this road and reached Thadlaskein Lake in about 10mins. It would have usually taken about 30-45 minutes if we had gone via the main highway. We had a short tea break at Thadlaskein and continued on our way again.

Naylin took the Shillong Byepass Road from Mawryngkneng and I took the Old Highway to Shillong. It didn’t stop raining ever since we left Aizawl and we were both drenched. The closer we got to Shillong, the heavier it poured. It was a good thing that the rain was pouring heavily as the road was clear and clean and not as slimy as the effect that drizzle have. We could ride as we did when the road was dry. The Ceat GRipp XL and the Ceat Vertigo on the back have been working beautifully the whole ride. I had been using the Vertigos on my previous bike and had a lot of confidence in them. They never gave up on any of the terrain and always held their ground.

I reached home at 6PM, after being gone for 13 days, 3 states, 1 foreign country, 1700+ kms and fatter by a kg or two – it’s the Vawksa, guys! Mei (Mum in Khasi) had got a big welcome bouquet for me and hurried down the stairs to clap and congratulate me for the ride. The things that mothers do .


It had been a great ride which brought many of my dreams to reality. I had been delaying this plan for so long, because of my lack of confidence in riding out alone. I had always waited for my friends to go along to feel safer and for company. But somehow, this ride made me realized many things and one of them is that, when you want something so bad, go out and do it – of course it shouldn’t be a dead wish or anything illegal; just follow your heart. Don’t wait for anyone. Your dreams will come true only if you work towards it.

I’d like to thank God for being with us throughout this journey and for guiding and protecting us always. To everyone who has been of great help to Andy and I on this trip, for helping us out with the accommodations and for the valuable time that they’ve spent with us. It made the trip more worthwhile. Thank you so much. My Family who allowed me (not so willingly at first :-p ) to go for this ride. Saphi, who has been ever supportive and encouraging of my rides and passion for motorcycles. My riding buddies who have inspired me to take this ride. Zaheer Bhai who prepared my bike before the trip and gave me endless tyre changing tips, tricks and lessons. Last but not the least, Lallooney for the corrections and suggestions. Thank you.

So my ride has come to an end for now, but this is only the beginning. More to come. Till then, ride on and ride safe.

And sadly, my memory card was corrupted and i lost a good amount of photos and videos. I have compiled whatever i could salvage from the memory card into a short clip which you can find in YouTube titled 'Mizoram Monsoon Sweep Ride'. I tried linking it here but it won't work. I Hope you enjoy it. Thank you

Re: Mizoram Monsoon Sweep Ride

Wow, the last post has come almost after 6 months!
A nice read though. Wishing you many such rides in coming days.

Re: Mizoram Monsoon Sweep Ride

Great stuff Mr Phillip.The mud on you, your bike proves that you became one with mother earth.😉 Its like Daddy Pig said " To jump in a puddle I must become the puddle."( from the Peppa Pig series)

Sent from my SM-G930F using xBhp.com mobile app

Re: Mizoram Monsoon Sweep Ride

Wonderful travelogue. Good to read and enjoyed the pictures of muddy motorcyclists.

Re: Mizoram Monsoon Sweep Ride

WoW!!!

Brilliant ride man.. beautiful place and an awesome tlog..

Re: Mizoram Monsoon Sweep Ride


Hahaha sorry for that @krishna77 .Was caught up with work and many other things.. (trying to sound busy here :P ) Thank you so much and i wish you the same as well

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Thank you @Globe Trotter . Hehe that's a very apt quote. I was the Piglet on my ride! hahahaa

Thank you so much @The Monk Sir

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Thank you so much @saikarthik . You should ride there too and experience it yourself

Re: Mizoram Monsoon Sweep Ride

Wow.... Nice journey

Re: Mizoram Monsoon Sweep Ride

Awesome brother.. Really inspiring.. Such an adventures journey.. Keep riding

Re: Mizoram Monsoon Sweep Ride

Thank you

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Thank you so much brother Glad to hear so. Ride on