Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

Thread approved.

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

Beautiful captures!

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

So Here it goes.....
DAY 0 : I would say that DAY 0 is basically a 3 months tenure wherein we arranged everything for the ride.
Ex- Getting accessories, ticket booking, Bike ready, negotiating with GATI travels, places to visit etc.
I used Michelin tires for my DUKE 200 and used 3 inch cushion for my and pillion seat.
That's the only modification I did on my bike.
The other requirements are very well available on xBhp inclusive of the medicines and all.

DAY 1 : June 7, 2017 : Pune to Mumbai to Amritsar - Flight
Took the flight from Mumbai to Amritsar. Reached the hotel "Country Inn and Suites By Carlson".
Immediately after check-in went to get our bikes (KTM and P220) from GATI. Its better to arrange petrol in a bottle beforehand.
By God's grace, the packaging was superb and didn't find a single scratch or dent whatsoever.
At 4pm, went to Wagah border PRAYING, that we should get the entry. However, we were denied entry as we didn't have a pre-approved pass/reserved seats and we turned up late.
All the efforts were in vain. However, one army major told us that we can get pre-approved pass from the central unit which is on the road to Wagah.
Tired, went back to Hotel, had dinner and immediately went to Golden Temple for inner peace.





DAY 2 : June 8 : Amritsar to Pathankot - Local Sightseeing - Wagah Border - To Pathankot : Distance - 150 kms
We went to the SHQ office at 9.30am, to reserve our seats & get VIP pass. All you need is your aadhaar card and just mention the aadhaar number and nos of people accompanying you on the back side of aadhaar photocopy.
Plus you have to write an application for VIP pass to the DIG SHQ BSF. It's very simple and immediately they will reserve the seats for you and your people.
I am attaching below the format as well. Takes hardly 10 mins & it's free. You don't have to enter inside the SHQ premises, thr is a small cabin before the gate.
The army person sitting over thr will do that for you.

FORMAT for VIP pass. Just write whatever is written here, ignore the grammar.



After reserving our seats, we were chilled . So planned to visit Jallianwala Bagh and paid our respects to the martyrs.



Did some shopping at the nearby market and had some food.
After relaxing a bit, went to Wagah border. This time we were punctual.

Wife and friend dancing with foreigners at Wagah.



Our proud army and canines at the parade.



SPG unit marching towards the Gate.



At Sunset, flags down for both countries.



After saluting our army and flag, we headed to Pathankot to meet the rest of team who were joining us.
On the way from Wagah border to Pathankot, just after the exit, one can buy original Army boots, clothes etc from army shops located on the right side of the road at a very cheap rate.
We took 2 hrs from Wagah to Pathankot and at 9.30 pm reached our hotel at Pathankot "Hotel Pushkar Dee Pee Residency" on the highway.
Had awesome food and went to sleep.

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

Thank you so much..

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

Love those shots man <3 <3

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

DAY 3 : June 9 : Pathankot to Srinagar , Distance - 340 kms (The day chaos ride started with the group)

As I mentioned, the previous night we reached the hotel late night. The rest of the group which included mostly RE riders were already relaxing in the hotel.
We met them and went to sleep. The ride today was supposed to start early morning may be by 7am, that's what I thought. But we actually started riding at 10am.





Most of the time went in paying the hotel for breakfast and stay. I was little irritated as I wanted to drive early and reach early.
The news about Srinagar bothered me at the back of my mind, since thr was some chaos at Lal Chowk the previous week, so curfew situation.
Somehow riding just after an hour or so, one of the RE broke down. Again we waited till it got fixed.
Anyways, almost after an hour, we started riding again. The newly inaugurated tunnels and bridges were so beautiful. It was like a dream watching the valleys and greenery all around and riding on the smooth tarmac was magical.






My wife took the arduous task of capturing videos and stills while we were riding throughout the journey.
Some images are attached below showing her effort clicking pictures while maintaining posture on Duke 200.






The roads were super smooth but it was getting late and most of us were riding for the first time in this region.
We stopped for lunch midway just before the famous newly opened Chenani-Nashri tunnel. We gorged on some yummy rajma chawal and parathas.
It was a beautiful spot with deep valleys and curvy highways enticing us to extend our rides further.




Now, we were passing through a really horrible patch of road with heavy traffic. Duke picked well and I was able to overtake the 100s of trucks but rest of the guys were pretty far behind. I stopped ahead after clearing the traffic. My group was crossing but somehow Sudam was left behind.
I gave a go ahead to the group but was waiting for Sudam, after almost half an hour thr was no sight of him and his wife. I was getting little worried and thought of going back. But few mins later they appeared from down the curve. I felt relieved as it was getting darker as we were moving uphill.






Just as we were about to cross the Jawahar tunnel, one of the RE got a puncture on its rear tire. The issue was only 2 bikes were left behind and rest all crossed the tunnel.
Since the tunnel is controlled by army and at a time a single passing line is only allowed as its one way. We waited on the other side hoping them to come. But sooner we got the info that the tire is punctured and no way they will be able to find a puncture wala at 630pm in that region. They managed to get help from the army and used a pick up truck to load the bike and reach close to Awantipora in a different hotel.
Although precious hours were again lost , we were happy that they at least got a hotel.



After passing the tunnel, we were into the beautiful Ghats of Kashmir. This was the first time we saw the beautiful snow clad mountains and lush green fields.
We stopped and clicked few snaps before moving forward.





On the road to Srinagar, thr was total chaos. A truck was looted by some vandalism activity at around 10pm on the highway and bottles were being thrown here and thr.
I was really scared at the moment, I had only 1 thing in my mind which was to cross that zone and reach Dal Lake asap which was our stay for next 2 days.
My Duke helped me in maneuvering thorough the mess and I maintained a good speed to cross the trouble zone.
Later at around 12 midnight we reached our Dal Lake boats. The boat was very beautiful and they helped us in getting our luggage and made food ready for the team.
The food was yummy. Sooner we hit the bed after getting freshened up.

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Thank you ...more coming up for you bro

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

Well done and must say Im impressed by the smooth roads. The tunnel video was nice.. Ride safe

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

Beautiful!
waiting for the rest!

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

Sorry everyone. Will update the rest of blog sooner. I was on holidays with family.

Regards
Goutam

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

DAY 4 : June 10: Srinagar - Local Sightseeing and REST

After reaching Srinagar late night, everyone deserved some rest. Well, the plan was to have some local delicacies, shikara ride, some shopping and local sight seeing.
The morning we woke up pretty early though. The view from our house boat was amazing. We did some shopping from the local boats, then went for a Shikara ride along the breathtaking view of Dal Lake.
We hired a local taxi for 6 of us and keeping in mind the hours left, we went to Shankaracharya Temple, Mughal Garden, Lal Chowk and Hazratbal.



Some views of Dal Lake









View from Shankaracharya Temple




Some snaps from Mughal Garden














Hazratbal view from the garden simply amazing




The day ended with a nice dinner at Mughal Darbar. Mouth watering local cuisines, must try here.
We discussed what an amazing time we are having with all the comforts, whereas the real adventure & harsh conditions were supposed to begin from tomorrow.
We went to sleep keeping in mind with the real ride coming up from the next day.

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

Great!
Carry on!

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

Beautiful captures. Btw how much did you pay for shipping your Duke?

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

Hi
Thanks for the comments. I paid 7.5k each side from Pune to Amritsar and then from Manali to Pune. Also the bike was picked from Manali to Mandi. All cost inclusive.

Re: Ride of my Life: DUKE 200 with Pillion - Pune - Amritsar - Srinagar - Kargil - Leh - Manali - Pu

Hi Goutam,

Amazing ride and pics. Can you share more details about the stuff you carried? and a pic of the loaded bike if possible.

regards,
Kinshuk