Announcement

**ken cool** · 06-30-2009, 06:46 PM

1 hour to serve 2 paranthas!!! You would have reached Manali an hour earlier otherwise! But despite the slow corners and photo stops and Ganpati stops, looks like you guys did good time.

But I did not understand why they were singing "Ganpati"! Nor did you I suppose.

**Shivanshu** · 06-30-2009, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by ken cool View Post

But I did not understand why they were singing "Ganpati"! Nor did you I suppose.

I think they would have thought Kunjal's Hybrid to be some kind of UFO that they started worshipping it

as it is Kunjal in first pic was looking like an Alien dropped on ice with his space suit

(no offence there brother)

**dcs** · 06-30-2009, 07:40 PM

Ganpati bapa Maurya....Thats Funny...but Mate dont underestimate a Platina.... I know one platina that smoked my Zma out.....ok..ok, I was only on 100 that time. but believe me, A sardarji on Platina is as fast as dcs on Zma.
and Yes, its a common sight to see groups of People going towards Manikaran Sahib, though not in Gears but they again are Bikers....like you and me.... The Difference might be the Riding Jacket which is replaced by a saffron Cloth most of the times, but dare you look at the luggage that they Carry...... !

**Aryan** · 06-30-2009, 08:24 PM

@Abhishek & Kunjal: Congratulations on successfully completing the Manali - Rohtang ride.

As far as the pictures go, a little larger resolution would be better for me.

Text has been interesting so far. Waiting eagerly for the next 'part'.

@Kunjal: In the teaser pic, your pose looks real funny!

**Bhogvan** · 06-30-2009, 08:31 PM

Nice Writeup brothers...

Congrats for conquering the "Chota LEH" ... aka Rohtang...

**Olias** · 07-01-2009, 12:11 AM

Brilliant pictures. Looks like you're having a blast! Wish we had countryside like that here. Wow! Nice ride. Will do my best to follow this thread.

**blisteringintelligence** · 07-01-2009, 12:20 AM

Nice log abhishek. Dont make us wait for the next installments. The hybrid really is an eye catcher

Congrats for your trip

**Abhishek B** · 07-01-2009, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by blisteringintelligence View Post

Nice log abhishek.The hybrid really is an eye catcher

Hybrid is sure an eye catcher with Kunjal & his space suit on it !!

Originally posted by Ken

But I did not understand why they were singing "Ganpati"! Nor did you I suppose.

I didn't even try. We met the guy again while coming back & another funny story. It would be narrated later....

Originally posted by Ajay Meda

good photos and log...waiting for the next day's log bro....

Many thanks. Updation done bro....

Originally posted by Shivanshu

even I wanna go les see as it si its in my head to go to Rohtang this year so will let you kjnow when I leave

I suggest you go in the month of Novemeber

Originally posted by DCS

Yes, its a common sight to see groups of People going towards Manikaran Sahib, though not in Gears but they again are Bikers....like you and me.... The Difference might be the Riding Jacket which is replaced by a saffron Cloth most of the times,

I agree with you Sir.

Originally posted by Aryan

Congratulations on successfully completing the Manali - Rohtang ride. As far as the pictures go, a little larger resolution would be better for me.

Thanks. It was some problem with the comp loading larger pics. Hope you find the Day2 pics good enough !!

Originally posted by Olias

Wish we had countryside like that here. Wow! Nice ride.

It was a nice ride for sure Brother.

Originally posted by Bhogvan

Congrats for conquering the "Chota LEH" ... aka Rohtang...

Hey thanks. Chhota Leh... nice one

**Abhishek B** · 07-01-2009, 09:31 AM

Day 2....

This was probably the day I had been thinking of. Though Rohtang to many of my brothers here is not a big deal but trust me.... I was doing it first time & extremely excited. We had planned to leave at 06:00 in morning & got up at 07:30,

leaving the hotel at 08:00 am. First few kms were good till we reached Palchan and joined the league of waiters; not as in restaurant but people who were stuck in traffic jam waiting for clearance. I was aware of traffic scene but this much could have put Delhi's jam to shame. Got off the bike, checked for any possible way available for bike... NO. Kunjal had a chat with few people & was informed that they have been waiting for three hrs.

A truck broke down in middle leaving all tourists at the mercy of GOD. A lil application of mind, manual lifting of bike and we somehow could manage our way past the truck.... all bikers followed. 100+ vehicles were standing on the other side as well.OMG!!

Next 10 kms were fine with Kunjal leading, me following with two of our biker friends; who were from Bombay and were befriended when we cleared jam for them. They just rode with us till Rohtang. I thought Kunjal would be waiting for me somewhere (I was hungry!!) and so carried on in hope of catching him. What I got was another big traffic jam... Kunjal to be seen nowhere.

Did he fly past this traffic or his Hybrid launched toward space?? Called him and requested to please stop wherever he finds decent eating joint....assuring him that I'll reach for sure, though pretty late.

A funny thing - Big vehicles coouldn't find way so had no option but to wait. Bikes could manage their way out. A Mahindra PIK-UP stood in my way blocking the way for bike as well. Some bikers from Karnataka were trying to pass their way by carrying their bikes manually (P220, ZMA & RX100). One descened from the road to support from middle, one held it from back & one caught hold of the flairing of 220.... they were pushing it slowly through space not enough for walking.. The scene was if by any chance they lost balance bike would have gone straight into the valley down & by no means was anyone strong enough to stop it.
I can't do this with Avy !! Simple... I asked Mahindra wala to move his vehicle backward while I entered the space available between two trucks, he did so.... I found space & cruised ahead. P220 still struggling to get through, they saw me realising how futile their exercise is and immediately started undoing what they did till now?? I zoomed past.

4 kms ride & a jam again. How did Kunjal managed to pass through it?? 20 mins waiting, some way for Avy and I blasted. Reached Marhi where my friend was waiting for more than 40 mins.
I asked him, "Kya Bhai, traffic ke upar se aaye kya?" He teased me showing empty bowl of Maggi. Mann to kiya uthakar chokeslam kar dun Kunjal ko... but I've a big heart. 25 min for breakfast and we left for Rohtang which was 16kms now.
I wouldn't go describing the route here; it had landslides, extremely bad road, lots of stoppages & Kunjal doing dirt biking. I couldn't do it on Avenger so kept taking pics of everything.

Hybrid CBZ drew a lot of attention. It had nothing which normal eyes are accustomed to; be it parts of bike or rider or gear. I remember many people taking his pic as well. Next time I'm wearing his jacket.... koi apni bhi photu lega.

So reached Rohtang at 12:30 pm.... didn't stop but went further to find some isolated place to enjoy the view.

Some pics....

Our bikes in the morning

Hybrid Rider

From Manali

Manali ka Traffic

Bombay Wala

Avenger

Snow View

Beech mein se...

Scenics

At Marhi

Landslide... Clearing the way

Rohtang's 1st view

Let me Pose !!

Kunjal Posing

Yawning Kunjal

The Steeds

We didn't just want to get back from Rohtang. Rode further till time allows.... some 30 kms ahead and came back. The way just beyond Rohtang is mess for some kms & total descending.
We met two guys on our way who were in a brand new Mercedes SUV. They were coming from LEH & were putting the; to be launched Merc, to test. It was looking nice and depending upon the feedback from those guys.... I've made my mind to buy the new Merc SUV.

They took Hybrid's pic, Kunjal's pic & not mine because I was busy lifting my Avenger and cleaning the Helmet.

Why was I lifting the Avenger??
It so happened that I parked the Avy's front wheel in a lil snow for a good snap. Suddenly noticed that a ZMA rider with pillion lost balance and was about to skid in mud. Put the Avy on single stand in jiffy & rushed to help the ZMA. As soon as I held the held the accelerator of ZMA it stopped skiiding proving that I've enough strength,

I helped them come to normal stance and balance the bike on their own. THUD!! What's that??

Rotated my neck right and saw Avenger sleeping on the ground.... helmet licking mud.

I couldn't put the side stand properly while rushing to help ZMA and paid the bill. Mann to kiya ki Karizma wale ko fir se gira dun but as I told I've a big heart.

Hybrid rider saved his life for the second time as he laughed his heart out and I just controlled my hands from banging his mouth... BANG BANG!!

Photu session followed and within half an hour weather started playing games. Sudden change got me worried and we rushed back before we get merged in the snow. The cold wind shook the hell out of us.... it was spookey !! No more photos, no more break, just ride to Manali & both ride together this time. Descend wasn't an issue as we got empty roads & I for the first time was cruising on 60kmph on second day.

Reached back hotel by 8 pm.... extremely tired but immensely satisfied. Out for the day!!

Some Pics.....

Kunjal going ahead

Smart Boy

The Road

Hybrid Kunjal

Falling Avenger

The View

My New Car

While heading back

Log for DAY 3

**ken cool** · 07-01-2009, 10:00 AM

I really liked the "I was hungry" bit in the beginning. The narration of the Avenger falling was funny too!

Quite a few pictures you have taken that go well with your narration. Kunjal seems to be a fun guy to be with. Almost had a ride with him. Did not happen. Well narrated with a lot of humour.

Btw, which Merc SUV was it?

**Shivanshu** · 07-01-2009, 10:42 AM

Good write up bro... it was fun reading every bit of it ... Lucky you Kunjal...due to big heart u didnt get bannngggggeeedddd by Abhishek or else the Hybrid would have gone to stock

and nice pics

**Bestofrivals** · 07-01-2009, 11:37 AM

Nice write up abhishek with some tempting pics of hiils and snow

the SUV behind kunjal is Merc M-Class ,correct me if i am wrong

**dcs** · 07-01-2009, 12:06 PM

Excellent narration Abhishek, enjoyed every bit of it. For a Lot of us Rohtang May means nothing but ask someone from the plains or from the sweating heat of Delhi./........Rohtang is a dream destination, too bad that we get to see lots and lots of garbage at that pass.

Kunjal: You should thank your lucky stars that you choose to ride with Abhishek. It is not a very common sight to see a Big guy with a bigger heart. Any smaller than Abhishek's (I am still talking about the HEART) and your Hybrid, Your Jacket and your index would be kissing the tarmac of Rohtang...ooops..the snow,slush,mud,water of Rohtang.

**kirosh_03** · 07-01-2009, 12:29 PM

Kunjal's hybrid steed has become a hard-core touring bike. Thanks for sharing!

**torque_ankur** · 07-01-2009, 01:05 PM

Excellent narration Abhishek

, Waiting for more...

Announcement

Preparing for Studies - Ride to Rohtang....

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment