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**sajalsheth** · 12-06-2019, 02:04 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

Originally posted by rajpal View Post

Stunning Pics!

Thanks for Sharing!

Thank you [MENTION=61751]rajpal[/MENTION] ji.

Thanks for reading this travelogue

**sajalsheth** · 12-09-2019, 11:43 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

1. INTRODUCTION :-

After riding Ladakh, Sikkim & Sandakphu, the next challenging ride pending for me was of SPITI VALLEY and Cliff Hanger Road. I started reading many travelogues & articles on Spiti Valley, Sach Pass etc . I read many helpful articles on these places on www.bcmtouring.com , www.devilonwheels.com & other helpful sites. Official website of https://himachaltourism.gov.in/ was also helpful.

There was a tourism exhibition at Bhubaneswar and many States had their counters there for providing information on State Tourism. I visited Himachal Tourism counter and met Mr . Ritesh (Tourism Development & information Officer ) (Mbl:-9736855600). |He gave me information and brochure on different spots of Himachal Pradesh. He also gave me physical map of entire State. I had detailed discussion with him regarding my bike ride and got very helpful information from him.

All these was till October, 2018. But just 5 days before my ride, sudden snowfall storm in Lahaul area spoiled my plan. Many tourists were airlifted due to bad weather & heavy snowfall from Rohtang, ChandraTal , Batal & Chhota Dara. So I had to cancel entire ride in 2018.

This is picture of my luggage before packing of OCT,2018.

I had completely checked up and serviced my bike with my Bajaj Auto Service Center at Khannagar, Cuttack by service head SABBAS BHAI. He is expert Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS mechanic also.

All these gone in vain, as I had to cancel my spiti valley ride of 2018.

I again started planning for 2019 for this pending ride. I selected September month this time, which is after rains and before snowfalls. All roads will be opened and repaired in September and I will see different color of Spiti during autumn.

I updated my itinerary also. I added Bhadrewah , Sinthan Pass, Triloknath etc in this.
I estimated this ride to be of around 19 days and 2800+ kms.

I read somewhere that Cliff Hanger Road will be closed after 2019 and Chhota Dara water crossings might not be there in 2020. These news made my ride plans more stronger.

And above two things of mine were confirmed later. I met the construction workers at Cliff Hanger Road, who were making new road above cliff hanger road and controlling traffic movement for that. They confirmed me that the cliff hanger road might be a one way road or might be totally closed after 2019.

This is news article of dt 14.10.2019 of Punjab Kesri News paper , which showed picture of bridge construction at Chhota Dara water crossings. After completing my ride, I came across this news article:-

So I felt myself very lucky that I could ride at both Chhota Dara water crossings and Cliff Hanger Road, as both would not have been possible in 2020 onwards.

2. PAST RIDES:-

I am riding since age of 16. So I have 37 years of riding experience & done many small and big rides.
These are worth mentioning:-

1) Solo ride from Cuttack to Ranchi & back: - 3 days ride for 1095 km.

2) Distance Is Not A Measurement For True Love Of A Father :- 8 days solo ride from Cuttack to Manipal & back for 3865 km, just to meet my daughter = Travelogue Link

3) Solo maiden ride to Ladakh and Zanskar for 19 days for 3987 km = Dream > Explore > Discover =Zanskar & Ladakh Bike Ride, June 2014 = Travelogue Link

4) Solo ride to Deomali -Highest peak of Odisha & Duduma - Three big waterfalls at one place - Three days ride for 1263 km = Travelogue Link

5) MahendraGiri – Second highest mountain peak of Odisha – Three days group ride for 750 kms = Travelogue Link

6) S 3 = Sohra , Sandakphu & Sikkim - 4464 KM for 19 days- Travelogue Link

7) Ride to NEHAsthan for 3630 kms for 6 days – to meet my younger daughter with a message of EDUCATE GIRL CHILD - Travelogue Link

Also done many other rides in Odisha for 200 km to 900 km.

3. PREPARATIONS:-

So booked train tickets in July 2019. 3rd September, 2019 was start date and 21st or 22nd September 2019 was return date. So I booked two return tickets taking into account uncertainty of mountain roads.

Now there were two important things to take care before start of ride.

As I was going to ride SOLO for around 2800 kms , I need to be prepared fully for the ride. So First one was to keep my Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS ready for the ride. I got my bike checked up and serviced. I fitted air seat in bike and mobile charged cum holder for GPS Navigations.

I also fitted Tibetian Prayer flags on my bike on 13th August, 2018.

Also performed puja of my bike.

Just to give an idea about the dates and months , when we should tie Tibetian prayer flags to our vehicles. This is recommended dates and months :-

Secondly I had to be fit enough to do this SOLO ride. I was doing cycling to keep myself fit.

This is picture of my luggage, before packing, for this ride of September, 2019.

Lastly, I went to SaiBaba Temple seeking His Blessings for success and safety of this ride.

Indicative MAP

[

Adding Map of SPITI VALLEY for travellers going there is future. This is created by Sri rkbharat (RAJIV KUMAR) ji.
(email to him at [email protected] to get a HI-RESOLUTION Copy of Spiti Valley Detailed Map.)

You may download these maps for your reference/record.

Coming up next…... loading bike in train and reaching Delhi

Click HERE for next updates.

**krishna77** · 12-10-2019, 09:48 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

Thanks for sharing the way the preparations should be!

**sajalsheth** · 12-11-2019, 01:38 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

Originally posted by krishna77 View Post

Thanks for sharing the way the preparations should be!

[MENTION=57323]krishna77[/MENTION] ji ,
solo ride need more preparations

**sajalsheth** · 12-12-2019, 12:15 AM

Re: Ride To KISS

**** next update after page changes

**sajalsheth** · 12-12-2019, 05:59 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

3.9.2019

Day 1 = Cuttack to Delhi on train

One day before boarding on Rajdhani Express from Bhubaneswar, I thought of booking bike at Parcel Office Bhubaneswar Railway Station. So I rode my bike from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar. Then packed my bike outside parcel office with the packing material provided by Mr.Avinash Prusty, Manager ofTriumph Motorcycle, Bhubaneswar, And Mr. Manish Ganeriwal of Jagadish Sarees, Naya Sadak, Cuttack. I am thankful both of them helping with packing materials, and thus my bike could reach New Delhi Railway Station safely without any damage.

This is picture of previous day (2.9.2019) after I completed all the formalities at Parcel office. Total cost including all was around Rs.3150 at Bhubaneswar. Out of this I got money receipt for Rs.2719 and rest was tips etc.

Next day I was ready with my luggage and came to Bhubaneswar Railway Station before time on taxi. Porters took my bike to Parcel / Luggage Coach.

They were very careful while loading my bike inside coach.

There were very few luggages inside coach. This is how my bike was parked inside luggage coach.

Rajdhani Express provides all time food to passengers. This was provided to me as soon as train started from Bhubaneswar Railway Station.

Train was almost empty. Out of 72 seats only 10 were occupied.

Soon it started raining and the greenery outside was looking freshly beautiful.

And this was my heavy lunch provided by irctc

I crossed a funny station named GUNDA BIHAR

And then came dinner.

I had tomato soup and was not in a position to eat more. Same was position of other co passengers. That time train was in some station. I took my & other passenger’s dinner and gave to two beggar girl roaming at station. They looked hungry. I gave those dinner packets to them and they had it as if they were hungry since morning. I felt very happy to see them eat.

I had ice cream and went to sleep.

4.9.2019

Day 2 = Delhi to Ambala

Total 227 kms.

Heavy breakfast was served in morning.

Train reached on time at New Delhi Railway Station. I took the delivery of my bike after small formality. Bike was fully intact. I gave removed packaging materials of my bike to a packing shop outside parcel office. I also requested him to keep it with him and I will take it from him after 19 days.

I loaded luggage on my bike.

Now I was ready to ride.

There is a BPCL petrol pump 600 meters far from Parcel Office. I filled up petrol there and the ride started for Ambala. It was around 12.30 PM then.

At around 2 pm I had lunch at Rasoi Dhaba, Sonipat on NH. I must say that all national highways in north India have lots of big dhabas / restaurants service good food.

Weather was good and at around 5 pm I had juice to refresh myself.

I had booked hotel Sunrise / Sunstar via MMT app for Rs.500 before starting from Cuttack. It was near New Bus Stand of Ambala Cantt. . I reached there at 5.30PM.

I had dinner with my friend PANSHUL MEHTA (of Seeking Himalayas) at his house in Ambala. In my Ladakh ride, I had stayed with him in 2014. But due to some confusion about his trekking dates, I booked hotel for night stay. But Panshul was unhappy about it. I promised him to stay with him while I return back after completion of the ride.

Rooms at Sunrise Hotel had less ventilation, so I shifted to Hotel Sunstar in next building. It was owned by same person, so no extra money charged. I went to sleep early as I was supposed to ride for 400+ kms tomorrow. I need to start early so that I can spend more time at Jot Pass & Khajjiar.

This was my ride map for the day.

Coming up …Next…Ride to Dalhousie via Chowadi, Jot Pass & Khajjiar

Click HERE for next update.

**Kapil Kumar** · 12-14-2019, 11:40 AM

Re: Ride To KISS

Amazing pics and story, keep exploring

**sajalsheth** · 12-14-2019, 01:59 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

Originally posted by Kapil Kumar View Post

Amazing pics and story, keep exploring

Thank You [MENTION=76584]Kapil Kumar[/MENTION] ji

**experimentalhead** · 12-14-2019, 10:44 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

Thank you sir for keeping the art of travelogues alive. It requires lot of passion, dedication and above all patience and true desire to share to put together a travelogues. Very nice trip and looking forward for more

**sajalsheth** · 12-16-2019, 12:58 AM

Re: Ride To KISS

Originally posted by experimentalhead View Post

Thank you sir for keeping the art of travelogues alive. It requires lot of passion, dedication and above all patience and true desire to share to put together a travelogues. Very nice trip and looking forward for more

Thank you [MENTION=49942]experimentalhead[/MENTION] ji for this appreciation. Only a TRUE WANDERER can understand this passion

.

next update soon.

**rajpal** · 12-17-2019, 07:16 AM

Re: Ride To KISS

Originally posted by sajalsheth View Post

next update soon.

Please hurry!

We're waiting with bated breath!

**sajalsheth** · 12-17-2019, 12:07 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

Originally posted by rajpal View Post

Please hurry!

We're waiting with bated breath!

[MENTION=61751]rajpal[/MENTION] ji ... sorry for delay... will update tonight.

**sajalsheth** · 12-17-2019, 11:09 PM

Ride To KISS : DAY 3 : Ambala to Dalhousie

5.9.2019

Day 3

Ambala Cant to Dalhousie

Total 407 kms

I was to ride maximum kilometers today for this ride. The ride was up to Dalhousie. But route from Pathankot will be different. I will be taking Chowari village route to reach Khajjiar via Jot Pass.
I started my ride at 6 AM from Ambala Cant. Just before start I applied chain spray and lubed bike chain with gear oil. That time weather was looking good.
But suddenly before Rajpura weather changed. It was around 6.40 AM, it started raining heavily. I stopped and covered my luggage and wore rain coat and gum boots.

It was a torrential rain. Highway was water logged at some places. I was riding slowly, but the trucks and cars crossing me, were showering rain water of road on me. It rained continuously for around 1:30 hours. Now I was feeling water on my cloths. Some water entered via rain coat’s zip also. It was difficult to cross lower areas on NH due to water on road. LED fog lights were broken due to riding in rains. Chain sprocket started giving weird sound as water level was above chain level at some places.
I was praying to God that shower whatever rains you want to give now only. But don’t give rains in mountains.
Just as I reached Ludhiana, rain stopped. I crossed Ludhiana, where there were lots of diversions on NH. There was too much traffic on NH and on diversions. After crossing Ludhiana, I stopped at Tourist Vaishno Dhaba. It was before Phillaur. I ordered alu paratha and tried to dry my partly wet clothes. I also lubed my chain again. It was around 9.15 AM then.

I repacked my luggage and rain coat etc back in luggage.
After that the road ahead was completely dry and I sound of chain also stopped. I could ride speedily now. I took a break at around 12 PM.

I wanted to have lunch in Pathankot and also wanted to top up petrol. At around 1 PM, I had my lunch at Hotel Arun & Restaurant.

I took Himachal Pradesh route which is on right just before Pathankot. This road goes along with Chakki River and its tributaries.

At around 2.45 PM, I was starting riding on small mountain side along with Chakki River tributaries. And now the game begins.

At 3 PM, I reached CHOWARI Village. This is a beautiful town surrounded by mountains and is completely green.

Now I had to take complete mountain road via Pukhri and Luhani to reach JOT Pass. As I started riding on ascend, I could see beautiful Chowari town from up.

I wished that I can stay in this green village someday. Here are some more pictures of completely green Chowari town.

There were clouds everywhere, after riding ahead on ascends. I was riding with clouds and the area was Pukhri.

The road was single lane but was scenic.

At around 4pm, I was near Luhani area and now I was riding above clouds.

At 4.25pm I reached JOP Pass at 7900 feet.

This was first mountain pass of current ride.

Felt good here to pose as there were too much clouds around.

I met two locals from Chamba. They suggested me to eat a special sweet of JOP Pass. It was SANDESH.

I parked my bike near that sweet shop and climbed hill top. View from there was very good.

This place on hill was true JOT TOP. You can see shops and hotel in background.

Felt good to reach here.

This hut was there at top.

And a selfie there.

These are two local bikers from Chamba who suggested me to eat Sandesh at Jot Pass.

Clouds were crossing the top and it was looking good everywhere. These are the steps to reach here.

After spending half hour there, I started riding down towards Khajjiar at 5 PM.

After riding for 40 minutes, I reached Khajjiar Lake.

I parked my bike there.

It is often said that Khajjiar is mini Switzerland.

It was totally lush green area.

Pine trees around and lush green area with a lake in middle makes this place special.

Time to pose to make memories.

It was evening time and there were not much tourists there.

This is famous Khajjiar Lake.

Clouds started to come near lake.

I also took two short videos there.

After spending half hour there, I decided to start riding towards Dalhousie. I had booked Hotel Megha View at Dalhousie via Goibibo App earlier. This is last picture before leaving for Dalhousie. Bye Bye Khajjiar.

Hotel Megha View of Dalhousie was 18 kms away from Khajjiar. I took one break on the way.

I reached there before dark. I got this Hotel Megha View (098169 34020) at Rs.600 from Goibibo. Where as they charge more than Rs.1200.

An old lady runs this peaceful hotel and it is well maintained with all facilities such as free wifi, hotwater etc. Each room has balcony with good view and all rooms are big in size.
At around 8.45 PM I had very tasty dinner at hotel.

This was Map for day 3

Coming up … NEXT Chamera Lake, Salooni, Padri Pass…. Reaching at Bhaderwah, Gupt Ganga, Vasuki Temple, Chandi Temple and Fresh Apples on road.

Click HERE for next update.

**rajpal** · 12-18-2019, 09:10 AM

Re: Ride To KISS

Getting better and better!

**sajalsheth** · 12-18-2019, 01:06 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

Originally posted by rajpal View Post

Getting better and better!

Thank you [MENTION=61751]rajpal[/MENTION] ji.

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