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The Return to Ladakh, 2010
Why?
Hence, I spared myself the agony and set aside the question to focus more upon the ride.
Archit, Prashant and I, eventually set off on a 10 day long haul to Ladakh on wee hours of the 4th June, 2010.
The progress was pretty swift. We reached Pathankot in 4 hrs, amidst to and fro calls from Sandeep Mohan as he was also heading this way this time of the year! Just after crossing Kathua, my bike suffered a puncture which we repaired at a shop nearby. In between we met Tanveer. Archit had brought a roll of thin polythene wrap which was supposed to be used to protect the stuff from the rain. We did a quick wrap and we were all set to hit the road at around 10:30 am,a good two hours after the Pathankot and just 20 kms!
The bypass from Dayalachak:
Just as we crossed Udhampur, it started raining. And I wished that the bags were safe. If only wishes were horses. Not only was I soaked (except the torso, where the DSG kept me water-safe) but the saddle bags too where drenched and the polythene was tattered and torn at places. The need for a fresh piece of water protector arose.
Maggi, eggs, a lot of eggs, and some more at Patnitop kept us occupied for the next 45 mins before we hit the road again.
Near Ramban:
Beyond the tunnel was a sight to remember. The weather had changed drastically. It seemed a different land altogether. Different, not appreciative, as the rain had turned more ferocious! We continued riding in the heavy rain for like 30 kms till the time everyone was wet to core.
Then we stopped. The place was Khanabal. The rent was 400/room.
A new dish to try which turned out to be eatable. Mind you, it was just eatable, I dare not say more!
Slept.
There are lazy people. And then there are lazy people who have ridden 600 kms the previous day, some of it in rain.
2 Cops
mis-directed into Old-Srinagar where we got stuck in traffic, and took us a whole hour to get to Ganderbal which in ideal circumstances should have taken 30 mins. After all, we had the winged stallion and the black dragon with us
Enroute Sonamarg:
We met up with 2 riders on a Mach 500 who were on their 7th Leh ride.
Had yummy paranthas at Sonamarg before we ventured out to scale Zozila. Now, it started drizzling just a bit when we left Sonamarg. The ascend was gradual and nothing to write home about. There were potholes but where easily navigable. At the top we met a few army guys who were simply frustrated at being posted in Ladakh and were venturing out their anger at the mountains. Understandable indeed.
Here is where the fun began! Just as we crossed, it started snowing albeit lightly, and then we stopped. For a good half hour we stopped and enjoyed the snowfall.
On the way to Zozila:
The army folks:
At Zozila:
Where we stopped:
BUT that was one of the most amazing ride I done in a long time and I was smiling wryly, glancing towards heaven!
It was 6:30 pm when we reached Drass. Thankfully, Gaurav(TourerSince), had booked us a room in the J&K tourism rest house, Drass, and the caretaker was very hospitable!
Drass:
And we got busy in the process of cloth-drying-indoors! The bungee cords came to good use and converted the room into a drying ghat!
Our stuff:
Now the time had come to make way with the polythene cover and get a good rain sheet to cover the luggage plus get ourselves some waterproof pajamas (I would be wearing these all through the rest of the trip, while riding!) and a good pair of thermal gloves to keep our hands within the sensation spectrum. The DSGs found their way in a deep corner of my saddle bag!
Drass is a cold place. And as the surrounding were wet due to the rainfall, I could feel the chill all the more. Even after nestling under two layers of quilt, my feet felt like ice! I had slept for a couple of hours and was quite content.
The sun would be up soon and I pray that the weather gods remain on our side.
...To be continued soon...
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