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Breaking the Chakrata Jinx - Biker's Way!

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  • Breaking the Chakrata Jinx - Biker's Way!

    Foremost, I would like to mention that you won't find any 'teasers' or 'trailers' here. It's all here! I am more of an old-school writer, who likes to keep things simple, precise and 'to the point'. No use really to give everybody a teaser and make them wait for so long, that the thread itself becomes 'old school'!

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Breaking The Jinx - Biker's Way

    Heartbreak hurts. I have experienced it; I know it. But, when a few riders from xBhp decided to break a jinx, they had absolutely no idea how it would feel. Damn! Did it feel good or what! While some boys had decided to ride to Chail, I could not, unfortunately, join them as I had to work on Saturdays as well. But, some last moment pestering and sitting a little late on Friday, at office, ensured that I got the requisite off!

    The destination was always going to be an issue. Being in close proximity to the hills is not always a good thing, you see. At first, I thought of joining the Chail ride at the very last moment since I was not quite in the mood to ride solo. But then again, I was not up for a big group ride either. Hence, called up a few buddies,; they all seemed so busy. But I kept pestering them till the last moment to join me on this ride. A few joined, while some had prior committments because of which they could not. Last minute planning and rush ensued, after which we all unanimously decided to ride to Chakrata. The final list of riders (and pillions) for this 2-day trip stood as follows:

    1. Born2Lead (who, true to his name lead all through this beautiful[and not so beautiful] & scenic ride) on his red Pulsar 200.
    2. Jukebox and Priyanka on their black Pulsar 200
    3. DCS on his black Karizma
    4. DD & Shelly (the newly wed couple ) on an Yamaha RX100 no less!!
    5. Aryan on his blue Pulsar 200


    For the uninitiated, Chakrata is a quaint, little hill station situated 7000 feet above sea level, in the beautiful state of Uttarakhand. It is the unspoilt natural beauty and the wonderful vistas which made sure that we braved the wretched stretch of road we call the SH-6 (State Highway-6) between Pipli and Paonta Sahib, to reach Chakrata. It is basically a military cantonment and was established by Colonel Hume of the British Forces in 1866. The Cantt. has restricted access as it caters to Indian Army’s special forces and hosts commando courses as well. Hence, no foreigners are allowed in Chakrata.

    The major part of the ride was uneventful, except for the fact that some stretches of roads were so god damn hapless, that it made me question my intention of even thinking of visiting Chakrata. The bike took a good beating, not to mention the riders. But, once you catch a glimpse of the hills, believe you me, all the tiredness, all the inhibitons, all the doubts that might have crept in the minds of the rider(s) just vanished into the thin, fresh hilly air! We started riding uphill towards our destination. The roads, at places are butter smooth, while at places, it makes you feel,right here on Earth, how the surface of the Moon might be! At places, it had gravels that checked the limits of the already 'tremendously grippy' MRF stock tyres of the Pulsar 200 that I was riding, while at places, it was so smooth that it made me remember the wonderful, glowing face of Katrina Kaif!

    After an early morning start, after braving the pathetic stretch of roads, after leaning and bending and after innumerous breaks, finally, we reached Chakrata. Somehow, these hill stations in Uttaranchal (or rather Uttarakhand!) looks all the same to me, and Chakrata, frankly was no different. But, it is not really the 'difference' that you search for once you are in such a place. Serenity, peace, tranquility, unruffled nature is the name of the game. These, you can find aplenty here. Life in these quaint towns seems so glorious and resplendent that every splendid scenic beauty of the Mother Earth seems to have stood still in front of its symmetrical stature. It was really heartning to go on such a break after what seemed to be like ages...

    The evening was spent like it is supposed to be spent when one is in such a beautiful place. Just watching the sun go down is a wonderful, unexplainable experience in itself. No matter what words I use, I wouldn't really be doing justice to the wonderful colors that the sky changed in a matter of minutes as the sun went down behind those mountains. You can give your life to see such a sun-down ONCE in your lifetime; trust me on this!

    Enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, and the good, tasty food, we chatted till late at night. But, thankfully (for me, atleast) eventually everybody bid goodnight and we slept! "Thank you GOD", I murmerred and closed my eyes. I was lost; I was lost in the wonderful world of dreams, when suddenly JB's mobile's alarm started ringing and I was awake, while JB himself was sleeping like a pig! I take a peek at my mobile, and it's just passed 5am, and I thought I had JUST slept!

    However, it was not long before he was wide awake, and quite a few of us did what we had perhaps come here to do - click pictures! And click pictures we did, in loads. The plan was to leave for Tiger Falls (which also is the 2nd highest falls in India, I am told). I was pretty excited hearing this, only to be shocked to hear that a treacherous trek of 5 bloody kilometres(!!) needs to be completed to reach the falls. Another option was to ride 1 hour, and then trek for 15-20 odd minutes. The second option instantly cheered me up and I somehow influenced the rest of the guys (and girls) to take the second route. As everyone agreed, I grinned!

    Thankfully, we did take our bikes to the place where the trekking trail starts, from where we trekked down to the Tiger Falls. Now, this fall is as beautiful a fall as you could imagine. The pictures you would see here, or the numerous pictures you would see off the net cannot even begin to comprehend the actual beauty that this place is. Ask B2L, he would, I am sure, go all ga-ga about it!

    Water gushing down from high above with so much force as to even make a 6 feet tall person like B2L a couple of inches shorter. I didn't even dare go down below the rushing water. However, adventorous people are a crazy lot and B2L and DCS planned to shed their clothes for some 'nirvana'. They took to the water together though, THANKFULLY not two-gether (if you get the drift)!

    All done, after spending a good amount of time trekking down, enjoying at the falls and trekking up (which was really treachrous), we finally reached our hotel where we had lunch and started back for the long return leg at 3pm! The road snakes downhill and it is one of the most fun parts of the ride that I, as an individual would ever remember. Although there is not any kind of barricade, block, etc. to save you if you over do things, but experienced riders hardly 'overdo' things, you see.

    Finally, we hit Delhi by 1am after which eventually I went to bed by 2:30am only to be back at work by 8:30am the subsequent morning!

    With the successful conclusion of this 750kms. round trip, I have realized that 'breaking' doesn't mean it will always hurt...

    @B2L: You proved yet again your credentials - Mr.B2L. You are, in essence Born2Lead. It was sheer fun seeing you lead a trail of bikers, while mere mortals like the rest of us followed and tried to keep up with you!

    @JB & Priyanka: Yet another successful ride with you two. I look forward to more such escapades, ofcourse to the hills.

    @DCS: This was the first time I rode with you. You are a very good rider, but I would really like you to know the logic behind you zooming ahead of us only to go ahead and slow down and signalling us to go ahead. Then, again the same thing - what is the 'secret' behind this vicious circle (quite literally) of yours!?

    @DD & Shelly: DD, you are a seasoned tourer; one who has done Leh successfully. I really don't need to comment on your capabilities here. But, your wife, who has hardly been on a bike, forget touring on it, took the 750kms. round trip with sheer elan. This was an incredible thing to witness.

    @Shelly (DD's wife): I bow to thee!

    @Bandhav: Dude, two words - Missed you! How I wish you could also join us. But, destiny it seems, had some other plans.

    @All: Let's hit the hills again some-time!

    A few pictures from my side:

    Overloaded!


    The group


    The Vistas














    The Locals










    Standing Tall!


    Finally, it's all because of my Pulsar-200, because of my 'Lost and Found' beauty,that this trip was possible. Thank you Puslie!



    P.S: JB, B2L, DCS, DD: Please do share some pictures or a few lines about this whole experience, if you guys can. Please.


    Thanks,
    -Aryan
    Last edited by Aryan; 03-17-2009, 03:11 PM.
    :)

  • #2
    beautiful pics there Aryan....
    | Judging a bike by a cubic capacity yardstick is like judging a female by her bra size |

    My Leh 2010 Photo Log
    My GQ 2010-11 Photo Log

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    • #3
      Aryan, this was lovely read! I enjoyed every bit of it.

      Pictures, well are the usual superb quality stuff!

      Welcome back to riding, hope to see you ride more now!
      _________________________
      LoneWolfRides©

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      • #4
        I dont give a damn that what school of wrting you belong to, you do know how to write.

        Man and my pain is coming back, the heart wanna cry once again.
        sigpic

        Yes, i blog too..

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        • #5
          awesomely written, but gimme as sexy a pic of tiger falls man.

          know enough junta who went and got confused and ended up visiting some other tiny falls!
          http://www.bikenomads.com/wiki/index.php/Leh - All you ever need to know about getting Leh'd.
          My posting Philosophy

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          • #6
            Originally posted by aman_pulsating View Post
            beautiful pics there Aryan....
            Thank You Aman!

            Originally posted by prafultripathy View Post
            Aryan, this was lovely read! I enjoyed every bit of it.

            Pictures, well are the usual superb quality stuff!

            Welcome back to riding, hope to see you ride more now!
            Thanks for that huge appreciation Praful.


            Originally posted by BANDHAV View Post
            I dont give a damn that what school of wrting you belong to, you do know how to write.

            Man and my pain is coming back, the heart wanna cry once again.
            Thanks Bandhav, and do not worry my friend. Next time, we ride to ANY god-forsaken place. YOU ARE IN!
            Originally posted by hitanshu View Post
            awesomely written, but gimme as sexy a pic of tiger falls man.

            know enough junta who went and got confused and ended up visiting some other tiny falls!
            I have a couple of pictures, but those are somewhat blurred Tau. Perhaps, JB or B2L or DCS could upload a few. Rest assured, WE didn't get confused!
            :)

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            • #7
              hi

              aryan,i know if one haspassion to ride,he can tour on any bike.but i always doubted a bike of 100 or 125 cc can be able to ride to hillstation that too with a pillion.
              kudos to DD & shelly , but still aryan i want to know whether that couple travelled on rx 100 all the way to that hill station or they exchanged bikes with you friends?
              btw,just a curiosity,on what speeds they travelled?
              @ aryan
              4. DD & Shelly (the newly wed couple ) on an Yamaha RX100 no less!!
              5. Aryan on his blue Pulsar 200


              For the uninitiated, Chakrata is a quaint, little hill station situated 7000 feet above
              "If you care enough for a result,you will most certainly attain it."

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              • #8
                @ All the riders : Nice ride there fellows...!! The place looks to be very beautiful..!!

                @ Aryan : Nice pictures man..!! I still believe you have a lot more pictures but you are not posting...!

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                • #9
                  @FullMoon: Yes, DD & Shelly travelled all the way from Delhi to Chakrata (350 odd kms.) on their RX 100! They kept up with us, and as for us - we were keeping our speeds between 80 and 95 km/hr. So, there!

                  Originally posted by inder.cool View Post
                  @ Aryan : Nice pictures man..!! I still believe you have a lot more pictures but you are not posting...!
                  :)

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                  • #10
                    PP is wee-bit overdone in couple of pics but overall they look good and triplog is good too.Thanks for sharing

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by hitanshu View Post
                      awesomely written, but gimme as sexy a pic of tiger falls man.

                      know enough junta who went and got confused and ended up visiting some other tiny falls!
                      He he..The ever-so-eluding Tiger fall! The amount of gaaliyan i gave after the trek, humungous list!

                      @Aryan: good pics man, nice to see some1 who found water at tiger!
                      Last edited by kurtrules; 03-17-2009, 01:26 PM.
                      " I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not" - Kurt Cobain

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Aryan View Post
                        Thank you Puslie!
                        Nice write up! but Puslie ??
                        R.I.P kriss.

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                        • #13
                          Nice writeup!!
                          Looking at a few of your pics i got a sense of Deja vu... and then i remembered that i have the exact same pics!!

                          Anyways my pics are still processing so u guys have to wait for them!!
                          Till that time Aryan you should post some mermaid pics...or are they in B2L's cam?
                          www.siddharthsirohi.com

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by darth_lucifer View Post
                            overall they look good and triplog is good too.Thanks for sharing
                            Thanks darth!
                            Originally posted by kurtrules View Post
                            He he..The ever-so-eluding Tiger fall! The amount of gaaliyan i gave after the trek, humungous list!
                            @Aryan: good pics man, nice to see some1 who found water at tiger!
                            I can't believe that 'Tiger Falls' can ever go dry! I mean, the amount of water that was there was unbelievable.
                            Originally posted by sai_ace View Post
                            Nice write up! but Puslie ??
                            Thanks sai! Yes, Pulsie..
                            Originally posted by Jukebox View Post
                            Nice writeup!!
                            Looking at a few of your pics i got a sense of Deja vu... and then i remembered that i have the exact same pics!!
                            Yes, one or two pictures are the same, but yours would be better in some way, I know. Master is always a master.
                            Originally posted by Jukebox View Post
                            Anyways my pics are still processing so u guys have to wait for them!!
                            I am waiting for the pictures EAGERLY JB.
                            Originally posted by Jukebox View Post
                            Till that time Aryan you should post some mermaid pics...or are they in B2L's cam?
                            B2L's camera has those mermaid pictures! Damn!

                            @B2L: Please post those pictures.
                            Last edited by Aryan; 03-17-2009, 03:10 PM.
                            :)

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                            • #15
                              Chakaar Aata!!!

                              @ Aryan.......
                              Amazing Write up...amazing pics..... you left me without words

                              @ JB and Company: it was a pleasure to ride along you. Thanks for the wonderful time.

                              @ Born2Lead: though it was the first time I had the honour of having you as a company, but you never failed to impress me with your Almost next to Flawless Riding capabilities. Hatts off.

                              @Desi/Mrs. Desi: Your Rx was a head turner in the hills. despite the fact the we all were on three 200s more or less, your bike made the passerby realise that here comes the GANG!!!!

                              @ Mrs. Desi: Good to have you along side, you took the toll of 750kms..without any compliant!!
                              Its not about the BHP or the CC, its about one common religion called Biking!!!

                              Save the Tigers! Only 1411 (excluding ME) are left!




                              This is my entry in the blogging world!!

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