gr8 write up OF, but couldnt see the pics as it gets blocked in office

Thanks Akhil. The subject's weight is keeping the power/weight ratio of his steeds constant. Wouldn't want to go too fast on those treacherous curves, would we?

And my next time in Spiti will hopefully be in your company!

Shivanshu: Thanks for the appreciation.


kurtrules: Thanks. Yes and hope things DO not change. 'Development' is a pathetically sad excuse for replacing green mountainsides with concrete. You've seen Shimla over the years .

ketan_r15: Thanks Ketan. Yes, do visit Spiti. Its 'un-missable' to create a new word.

Keerthi makes a fetish out of humility I guess going by his 'casualness' at his stupendous one-day matches.

Something HAD to change and the easiest was my 'weight'. As for remembering....will you ever forget the places you'd stopped to eat or drink during your ride to Spiti? Some things are not remembered...they get embedded in the ROM.

Look who's pestering me for more pics. I just had a 2Gb card in my P&S and I have started with these '20-odd' pics. Lets see what our friendly neighborhood 'road-runner' does with his 33Gb's.

It was wonderful riding with you young man! And admittedly, you are not fast, not dangerously so at least. Just quick and persistent with the pace. One who does loooong stretches at one go.

Doable...yes. As Keerthi says 15 days should suffice if the weather holds and the mountainsides stay off the roads.

Traffic rules in Haryana, Punjab and now Himachal require a blackening of the top quarter of the headlamps. Supposedly to avoid blinding oncoming traffic with the high beam. As most laws, not effective but can get you fined.

Keep riding and others will say the same for you a decade from now.

Thanks guys.

@niks: Yak ki aankh actually. yes, it was good on Kunzum.

I was waiting for this thread for quite sometime now. Lovely pics and the narration to go with it is OF standard 'fantastic'. Kudos to you sir!

I was great to meet you and rest of the gang while descending from Manali. And I cannot thank you enough for all tips you gave us before the start of our trip.

Spiti awaits me....I hope things don't 'improve' any time soon.

Improvement=more tourists== Oh Shit!

Srikeerthi, Leh-Manali in one day........How? is it even possible? , and you were telling me to slow down a few days back Wat time did you start from Leh and wat time did u reach Manali?

so the thread is up.
enjoying the pics.

nice write up...

loved each and every single pic.

@OF sir: STUNNING photographs! I am just gawking at them (and ofcourse the comparison photos). You look even more handsome back during the 70s and the 80s!

I am yet to read the text, but I am pretty sure it will leave me spellbound. Thanks for sharing it all, with us.

Don't believe him!

Amazing...! From my side of the country these places are only a dream.
Someday...
Kudos to you Sir...hats off to your spirit of biking...

Thats a better way to put it sir. I take lesser breaks for resting and maintain a decent pace. Else I dont think I ride beyond what I think is mine and my bikes limit.

@praful: 14 hours from Leh to manali (solang actually) with enough breaks and a traffic jam near marhi .. Doable in <12 hours for sure

@OF-Fantastic pics and write up...having worked 12 hrs today there isnt a better sign-off to bed dreaming of your Spiti sojourn...
Thanks OF Sir for making this day

Lovely write-up and wonderful photos there sir!
Loved the comparison between 1996 and 2009.

Ultimate write up Old fox sir..!!
esp. the comparision b/w 2 phases is simply awsome..!!
kudos

Awesome writeup and pics. I wish that someday i can write as good as you do.
And loved the pics where snow seems fresh on bikes.

Am I glad I do not have to keep pace with you!!!!

Its raining Leh trips this year i guess !!! and i am only being a spectator and reading all the threads .. thinking if i can ever do it !!!

Nice reading your 'fantastic' log and comparison of past & present.. u r really a LEGEND sir !