..Wonderfull log there Manan bhai KUDOS..

This log is shaping up nicely. Good going Manan and Zayn. And I am glad to see you back on the road Manan. That is how it should be..Keep touring mate

And I thought it was a Typing error. I thought that its perhaps Mansi Ka Dhaba..... dcs thinking berserk this time.


@ Zayn: Believe me, not everyone can keep pace or tour with Manan Devil Chaturvedi in hills. I will think 100 times and then one more time before finally saying -Sorry Mate, you are too fast and furious, cant match your raiding/riding anywhichways. But its great to see that you managed it well with him, all cheers.

@ Manan: I appreciate you for taking relatively newer people to hills and bringing them back safely. Also, when you said that you were not the real Manan for more then two reasons, it made me stand up and salute you for your act. A sensible rider is the one, who keeps himself safe and also does not instigate his fellows to dangerously match upto him by doing death defying acts. But still, I would still not DARE to ride with you, after seeing the Video by Ken. I had my b@ll$ going haywire! LOL



to all: No matter how good you are with your riding, always consider the fact that your companion might not be half as good as you. Taking care of each other and respecting each other's capability is the essence of Group Riding. Manan and Zayn just showed us a wonderful example, let's imbibe this in ourselves.

Thanks a lot DCS, but you can think of touring with me, I am not that bad as well

@manan: We need to go for a ride together again, but you better ride sane with me!

I second that. For all his dare devilry, Manan is very skillful on the hills (Have chased his tail light around Garhwal and Kumaon)

@Manan: Get a cam man!! Its the appraisal season, arm twist any one of the employees, threaten him with poor increments.. anything

@Zayn: Nice trip buddy. We too did the karnprayag to joshi math stretch in the dark. It was freaking lonely :-)

....Log Continued

DAY 2 CONTINUED...

We initially thought that roaming on the roads will be a chellange as all the people were in Holi mood, so we decided to take a dog along with us ...no, we have not bought any, but as usual I got a dog close to me which started following us and barking on all those who were thowing colors, so we felt quite safe and started moving on the roads as if we are locals of the town. We spent good time exploring the market. Had some snaks, pakoras and delicious Jalebies.

Later we decided to move back to our hotel rooms and spent some good time in chit chat and went to sleep, with a alrm on for 5:00am as we decided to move on early next day, because next day was Monday and this is the day when it is actual Holi.

DAY 3

We got up at decided time and started moving towards our next destination. Now next destination that we decided was Bhimtal as we were not interested riding in the night time of Holi as it wuite expected that people would be on the roads with Happy Head under the influence of Alcohol.

Time we started was quite late as it was already 6:30am so we were wondering that we will get people playing Holi and will also stop us to forcefully play Holi with them. But Wallah! no one was on the road it was like we are on some haunted road of a Haunted village and to our surprise/shock it continued all the way to Bhimtal. I am still under shock what happened to all the residents of U.A. on the day when it was highly expected to find people on the roads with those colorfull faces with colors in their hand.

It would be really unfair if we dont discuss or discribe about this unique place and it's unique way of celebrating holi

The uniqueness of the Kumaoni Holi lies in its being a musical affair, whichever may be its form, be it the Baithki Holi, the Khari Holi or the Mahila Holi. The Baithki Holi and Khari Holi are unique in that the songs on which they are based have touch of melody, fun and spiritualism. These songs are essentially based on classical ragas. No wonder then the Baithki Holi is also known as Nirvan Ki Holi.

The Baithki Holi begins from the premises of temples, where Holiyars (the professional singers of Holi songs) as also the people gather to sing songs to the accompaniment of classical music.

Kumaonis are very particular about the time when the songs based on ragas should be sung. For instance, at noon the songs based on Peelu, Bhimpalasi and Sarang ragas are sung while evening is reserved for the songs based on the ragas like Kalyan, Shyamkalyan and Yaman etc.

The Khari Holi is mostly celebrated in the rural areas of Kumaon. The songs of the Khari Holi are sung by the people, who sporting traditional white churidar payajama and kurta, dance in groups to the tune of ethnic musical instruments.

And most importantly Holi is celebrated for 6 days in Uttranchal which is not found anywhere else.

Well, but we were lucky enough that we did not find anyone who would have stopped us to play a forceful Holi. But destiny was keeping something else in bag for us, I got a flat tyre. Luckily we were caring a foot pump, but again it was of now use as my bike got punctured and the source was missing so stopping the air was getting difficult and hence we needed to ride for other 30kms with the flat tyre. Though we got lot many villages en-route but all were like unde Curfew only we were on the road and no one else.

Soon one boy appeared as angel for us and he told us where we can get the puncture repair kit, it was just a 5 Kms from where we met him. He told us that it will be available in a place called Ghairsen, we had to look for the lodge there and in that lodge the puncture repair guy lives, so we rushed their and to our surprise it was a lady standing in the balcony of that lodge. We asked her about the puncture repair guy, to which she offered us the Puncture repair kit and asked us to repair on our own. We were glad that atleast in that desserted place she was carrying that puncture kit with her. and then we had a cup of tea there and moved ahead.

Now, from here onwards we decided to move on stop to Bhimtal, this route was not full of events other than just 2 small ones.

Firstly, finally we were stopped by a group of people to play Holi, where Zyan very bravely said NO,and they agreed as well, but I could not say no to them and they just put a small Tilak and let us go. Secondly, we missed the cut towards Bhimtal and reached Nainital, where we realised that we have taken the wrong turn and had to go back 10 Kms, which was quite annoying to me, as I never like to go back on the route. Well finally we reached Bhimtal and did not do much there and simply found the KMVN Rguest house and stayed there.

DAY 4

In the morning we decided to leave early at 4:30am as I had to reach office by 12:00pm, but allas we got late and woke up at 6:00am and started at 6:30am. I had it very clear in my mind that I have to reach home by 11:00am so that I reach office after chaning clothes and getting shower by 12:00pm. So decided not to stop anywhere. But, on the other side did not want to leave Zyan beind as well so we decided to maintaing the average speed of 75Kmph, which we successfuly done, and reached home on time with 2 small breaks as well, one at Rampur where we had our breakfast (Haleem Biryani and Biryani) and other one after Gajraula to have tea as Zyan was tired and feeling dizzy. Finally we reached home on time and I got ready to my office and left for it.

All in all it was an amazing rideing experience,a nd as said earlier this was the first ride where I have ridden not above 75-80 kmph, and I liked , however as it was something different from my style of riding it became quite tiring for me, but at last I liked this ride and will look forward to ride with Zyan in future as well...

Zyan, it was really nice riding with you and hope soon we will ride some other destination as well.....Just keep grooming yourself....

@ALL: I know expressing the ride in words is not easy, but I feel you would enjoy this ride experience with my words...

Sure sir! as you say.... I'll be waiting for the day when we will ride together again.

@manan bhai : Nicely written. You lucky both played holi with snow...

@Manan & @Zayn Great Stuff guys.. nice digi camera above 3.2mp would have added cherry to your hilli cake.. lol

Manan bhai i heard lot about you (dont worry all positive) would love to meet you some day some where. i really enjoyed seeing your doing acrobats. that was really daring & eye candy must say ..

Zayn i think your redbull incident has really given you wings.. he he that was really great .. and good to see you in action.. keep your butt up..

Best Wishes.

Wow!! Manan bhai fab travelog sure bhai we have decided where to go and you know that place... please Sunny bhai take me too..

2nd group...

Thanks....yeah sure we will meet someday...why don't you come to the Dhaba this Sunday....

3rd group..

Manan sirjee.. Humein bhi mauka de do aapke saath hills pe chalane ka .. I had asked Zayn to let me know when Auli plan finalizes, but ...
Anyway, look forward to riding with sometime in the near future.. you permitting, of course..