lovely pics.
missed it this time too.....

Going by the profusion of words and pictures, everyone seems to have had a memorable time on this ride. Great! Thats the way motorcycling is supposed to be - memorable and FUN.

Good to know that everyone rode responsibly. Experienced riders in the group do make a difference towards safe riding but seen in its entirety, motorcycling is a 'solo' activity. Someone riding even a few feet from another cannot help him if that rider makes a mistake. Once on the bike and moving, you're on your own. And that is actually the charm of riding. Good decisions that, if they err, do so on the side of safety, are the mark of a mature mind. And it shows through each day thats spent on the road because the decisions need to come perpetually.

Vaibhav took a good initiative by suggesting a return via the back-roads of Himachal. And experiencing a mountain ride in pre-dawn darkness will ensure that this ride remains etched in the minds of those who rode. Formations look great. And this 'greatness' has to do with mutual respect shown by the group. In fact its respect and consideration for each other and for others on the road that shines through in the steadiness and consistent predictability of the riders riding in perfect formation.

I believe such moments elevate xBhp riders to a level that stands head and shoulders above all. We all look forward to lots of such exemplary rides in times to come.

PS: Aryan: the group photo is wonderful. You did manage to find a good vantage point .

@Kurt: It was a pleasure to ride with you; your company was fun to had! And the way you ride is unbelievable.

@Sunny: Thanks! This was the second "Ride Safe" ride, and I am very satisfied that it went so nicely.

@OF sir: Yes, I did find a good vantage point; your words were on my mind all the time till the time I found such a spot!

@all: More photographs coming up shortly!

@ Aryan - Superb shots there with the lens...i have always admired your style of subtle photography and the lighting which is seemingly closer to Sunny's and yet different in the fact that there lesser PP'ing..Ofcourse Sunny's pic's are outstanding no doubt abt that...

The initiative and the command and the text gives me a feel of what i could've been part of..nonetheless.. there's always next time.

@ Kurt - Vaibhav bhai... i guess i'll have to take ur advise and stop working for peanuts too..., but seriously I guess you should be nick names the Hill ranger or the Hill boy or something...

Your impeccable style of humble writing shows us the kind of person you are...i've never seen such a seasoned rider mention each of his co-riders in such good humour and detail along with an anecdote each....i respect your nature...

Great n simple ride report for the layman..again coming form you that is indeed a very nice gesture.

I am a fan of your down to earth nature... will definitely look forward to riding with you to the hills someday....i hope i love the Himalayas and get to ride as much too....but that's another story.

@ Abhishek 2433 - Congrats... thats 2 successful trips in 2 months... kudos...

@ Shivanshu -- The DEvil.....bro i think there's no devil in you.....people are defaming you...the write report is pure and straight from the heart...i liked it. hye btw your pics are kewl too.. i mean they seem clear and nice and more like from a normal guy's cam.. which camera do you use...i shud buy one of those too.. lack of a cam has caused me to miss many vistas on a lot many trips.. damn... good going...will meet up at the dhaba and discuss this..

@ Zayn - Dude.... tu to pura tourer ban gaya... nice to see you evolve into a seasoned rider... all the best

@ Addy- oye mate.. tum bhi gaye the... mubarakaan ji ... congarts sir...where r ur pics...??? i'm sure we can get some thorugh ur lens as well..

@Kunjal- I envy you bro... though i cudnt make it... you did.. tell me all about it when we meet..or better i'll call you bhai..

@ All riders - Congratulations on successfully completing the ride... I cant agree more with OF sir here.

Cheers n Ride Safe...

Saaki

The Monsters...


Through the Frame


Color Me! - a tree trunk draped in various colors


Day-end - the setting sun casts it's beautiful light on the lush green forests.


The Window...


The 'Course - the 18-hole golf course in Naldehra


Tranquility...


Green all around - a miniature jungle, amidst the lush green jungle


Vegetation - the wide green fields in Naldehra.




Contemplating


Lord of the Streets - Yamaha FZ16, my ride for this 800+kms. tour.


The Vistas








Seasoned Tourer - Kurtrules.

Looks like you guys had Loads of Fun

@Aryan Da : Fantastic Pictures Dada. Really mesmerizing.

@ Shrivanshu Bhai: Wonderful Pics and a Great Log, Made me feel that I also rode with you guys.

@rpmBoy, Zyan and Kurt : Superb logs guys, It was a treat to read through them

Enough thanks now Please POST some more pics, we all are really hungry to see them

The thread seems to be shaping up well. It's nice to read everyone putting in their experiences to words & that too with lot of enthu, which is explicit by the choice of words.

Apologies for I would need a little more time to write my side of story. But to sum it up..... I enjoyed company of each & everyone.

@Aryan - You are surely most sensible rider I've come across till date. The matured riding shows your solid frame of mind and approach towards touring as a whole. Register me as your fan. Respect & keep riding!!

@Kurt - The way you ride in hills makes explicit immense experience that you hold in such terrains. Riding with you was sheer pleasure. The conversation we had in Kasauli was, what I consider, just a string to a long tale which would develop with time. Respect, my friend.

@Shivanshu - It was my first ride with you & trust not the last, many to come. Pure pleasure on NH-1 at night & rest of the trip....

@Kunjal - We already have many rides in our kitty & this adds to it. Kudos to you & hybrid for taking it all with smile.

@Sarab Fi - I appreciate the fact that you did one side all alone (almost) just to be with group on return leg. You are an efficient campaigner in touring.... enjoyed your company.

@Addy - It was riding with you man. I hope you enjoyed your stint on racing streak.

@Zayn - You are gradually getting into a solid groove as a rider. Wish you all the best for all future rides.

@rpmboy - Your jokes made us all laugh. Your company is positive & essential at the same time. Very good!!

@Faster than the fastest - I respect your riding hunger.

@Anuj - The way you take those curves is impeccable. Goes on to show your experience.

Ah, finally the thread is up!!!

I was wondering the same, checking FB and the original thread time to time but don't know, how I missed this thread...

I'm really sorry for backing out at the last moment, most probably it was my last chance to ride with such a crowd. Don't know if any ride will come on my way during the next 2 months stay here in Delhi. Really really missed it. But did a right decision as my clicking finger got a minor surgery. Anyways.

And loving the photographs and logs.... Inputs from many people are still awaited and not to mention about our Mod Saheb's photography

@kurtrules: Sir you are like google map you know every point and direction on road.I like you soft spoken nature and explaining each and every point very calmly we all will be interacting with you at dhaba..

@saaki: Thanks bro..

@thechamp: I am glad that you liked it..

@Abhishek: Brother you were one of the sanest rider in hill.I like your riding style.You were looking member of hells angel on that cruiser.... and how can I forget your jokes and expression it was mind blowing love to do trip with you in future.

@Archi: What happen to your finger bro.We all seriously missed many riders in which you also comes.

A RiDe so Enjoying!!!

DAY-2, 11th April

This day started as early as you can think of. As heard by me in night that we would be moving by 3am in the mrng landed me in surprise. By 2 am I was awake and I was ready to roll by 2:33am to ride the bike down the lane. But to my amaze I found that I was the one of the persons who was knocking all the doors of other bikers , 1st being Aryan Da, 2nd Anuj, 3rd Shivanshu, 4th Kunjal. But found all of them still riding down the dream lane. So, I went back to the room keeping myself occupied by the sleeping angels . So, got an quick nap again ready by 4am.
Ah! finally by 5am or so (cant remember) all was set to ride down the hills in utmost dawn. Before starting we were all briefed by Aryan Da & Kurt Rules abt what not to do and what to do when going down the hills . As far I can remember the bikers were given Pole position like :-
Kurt(Leader,CBZ X-trem)<Abhishek(200cc Avenger)<Anuj(220)<Anshuman(180 DTSi)<Zatn(150DTSI)<Aryan Da(FZ)<Rpmboy(150 DTSi)<Kunjal(CBZ)<SArab(RTR 160 Fi)< Addy(R15)< Shivanshu(R15 )
I hope I not miss anyone .
So,there were we with all our bikes sitting to ride into new terrain and some of then riding hills during no-natural lights , including me.
Next was something which can be very less expressed in words which I can punch here , out of which I can only recall some of them only. Let me recall like this in phrases for all of you :- as below
bikes-lights on-all set-cool breeze-minimal opposite traffic-full concentration - keeping corners on target-watching tails lights-if found strecth then watching bikes -snaking down the- track-wish all could be more long kms- finally the Sun gave us an visit and all of the scene changed.
Most of the people who were doing those morning things(i mean brushing only) were amased to see that what the heck these bikes come from !!!!!
Reached Dharampur, and the group ,re-grouped itself and ventured for the plains via Kalka. Now, the temp reaching close to Delhi wala but what to do there can be no U-Turn back to the place we came from Naldhera .
<------ or Arrow straight roads from Ambala to Delhi meant that we were ripping our bikes and the speed range was hovering arnd 85-95-105 kmph.
We did stopped at JhilMil Dhaba inside the "AC room" gorged upon Mixed paroras & Lassi to cool us down for our way back to home & respectives rooms.
By Mid-day we reached ISBT and most of us had Lemon water more than 5 glasses which was sounding like Wine in an wedding party..... That Nimbu paani wala made good money while quenching our thrust with our efforts to save ourselves from Sun-strokes etc bla bla bla ...

So,folks all n all this was amazing trip and hope there be another trip soon in coming months of hated Summer or Delhi Ki Garmi !!!!!

Old Fox Sir: Sir something so positive from your side is always great and encouraging to read. Would always try to keep it that way. Thank you so much Sir.

Kurtrules: Brother as I wrote before you are a Gem of a person and it was an honour and pleasure to be able to ride with you. Looking forward to ride wit you too. God Bless you!

Saaki: Well the Devil is always there without Devil I dont exist hope you get the drift. Yeah my pics are straight from camera brother. I use Canon Powershot S3 IS

Aryan Da: Your pics are magnificent, seriously need to go somewhere far and then just be with you to see how you choose your pics

What are we waiting for, then!?

Aryan Da: wish I wont had to wait, would have got the servicing done and then left

well till then some more pics








Kurtrules aka Vaibhav aka Hill Boy



Moderator aka Aryan Da after accomplishing the pic mission



Abhishek2433



Kunjal



RPM Boy



FasterthantheFastest (Anshuman)



Addy



Zayn



Abhishek2433 with X



Kunjal and RPM Boy having Tea making X



Our Ride Partners resting



Last but not the least the person who never let us feel apart from home. Thank You



This was Naldhera

Very nice pics Shivi Bhai...





























More to come....

I have been in this thread since yesterday & been mesmerized by various vistas of the hills (damn I miss them so much everytime )

Delhi folks are really lucky to have himachal so closeby...

But I don't see any night time fotos.overnite G2gs at mumbai/pune are a hoot with more concentrtion on the place & entertainment rather than riding.

both have their equal share of fun though

shivasanu :I am sure you have some "special" captures