Day 1: In & Around Delhi

Day 0:

It was a very tough day at work. Faced some project related issues and it wasn't to be solved till 1900 hours. Came home and started packing, but still was to be on conference calls about the project delivery. Nothing was going right. Manager was very upset that i had to go on vacation in the middle of chaos at work. I could not help it. I just had my team work as a back up for what ever i was answerable for. 23 30 hours, The conference call was over and heaved a big sign of relief. Packed and cross checked whatever is required for the next two weeks. The happiness was tremendous and trust me - It was so different experience to know that i was going to Leh. I could see my nerves shrinking up in excitement. As though Something out of the world has happened.

Day 1:

The D-Day. 00 30 Hours - Still could not get to sleep. Had the mobile charged up. Kept alarm at 04 00 hours. I dozed off for a quick while. For a change, I woke up before the alarm rang. My Mom and Dad too were excited about my trip. They were more concerned of my safety & wished me a successful trip. Time passed by soon and I was still packing the Tank Bag with SLR, Point & Shoot and GPS i had put for charge last Night. Steve called up that he has already reached airport.

0530 Hours - I Leave for the airport, Parents on the door - waving goodbye. The taxi driver was zipping past the odd traffic on the highway and I reached airport in No time. Me & Steve went to the Counter and show up with a number of Bags, 8 to be precise. They were amused. They asked me to handover my backpack & the tripod bag as a check-in baggage and all others in Hand Luggage. They were Skeptical of allowing the helmets, but thankfully - we didnt have any issues with the Security check - Thanks to the HUGE crowd. There were atleast couple of hundred gentlemen waiting their turn for security check & it turned out to be a bit lenient.

0720 Hours - The flight took off casually waking up the lazy clouds and land up in a HOT & HUMID National Capital in few hours time. 1010 Hours - The flight landed smoothly - It took a while for the flight to be parked safe, and we were out looking for directions to Noida, to meet a Superhero called Born2Lead Delhi was HOT, It was so hot that we were sweating like Pigs! It was not comfortable and I wanted a AC Taxi. Booked one through Easy Cabs - Got into a Esteem, and another journey started. It almost took a hour to reach Noida, where we are to meet Imran. 11 20 hours - We reached Imran's house - and to much welcome I meet Imran again. After a quick round of introduction, we move in - there was his Ninja 250 welcoming us with a Smile What a way to welcome a guest - Ninja 250R on his Hall.

Madhu, Our friend from Chennai - Who just got transferred to Gurgoan joined us at Imran's house soon. We ordered some nice paratha's and Sabji's for Lunch.

Oops! Forgot to Mention the BAD NEWS! The ZMR has not landed in delhi, but Steve's ZMA R & Madhu's FZ were bough down from the train in Delhi yesterday. The ZMR could not be unloaded from the train and it was on its way to Dehradun and wont be back anytime soon! So we call up the transporter asking when the bike is expected, he said it could be there anytime - But when it comes he will give me a call! What the heck! Day 1 wasted!

We patiently wait, After Lunch we just relax in the Air Conditioned room - Imran was speaking of his Spiti trip & showed us the Panaromas from there. It was just Spectacular. No wonder OF Sir did it 9 times! Speaking of it, Imran called up Old Fox and We decided to go meet him at his Office, The Writers Hut.

1600 Hours - We leave up for The Writers Hut, and also to buy Engine Oil , and few other stuff for the trip. We spent some valuable time speaking about trips, OF Sir gave us a lot of tips, advices and so much gyaan about riding in the Himalayas. The Photos he showed of Pangong Tso, Chander Tal were just mind-blowing!! We had some Tea - Pepsi to quench the thirst and we later bid adieu to OF Sir and moved on.

The HH Showroom was closed, and then we tried speaking to the Transporter for any signs of the train coming in. He asked us to call after a hour or so as the train was supposed to be a hour late. Imran then asked us to come to xBhp Dhabha to meet a few friends over Dinner. Met quite a few members there and had a SPICY Panneer Fried Rice. Called up the transporter again, He said the train has arrived - But the Bike was sent from Dehradun on another train! I was just pissed up! Could not do anything, One full day was wasted in waiting! The transporter said he will give it early morning tomorrow without fail, as long as the train comes on time. I just prayed the Bike reaches Delhi & In shape!

We came back to Imrans house for the Night. Thanks again Imran for letting us stay and for wasting the lassi's & Parathas in your house With the Air Conditioner steaming for breathe we slept peacefully on a HUMID Delhi summer day, with dreams fully of leh, leh and leh! Damn! I havent even dreamt of my girl this much. Ladakh suddenly has become everything in front of me now! Hope the day changes tomorrow! We go off to sleeeeep...~!

Pictures:

Chennai - Delhi on a SpiceJET!



At The Writers Hut:



Onway to xBhp Dhabha:



Imran & Madhu's Rides:



Day 2: Finally, The Trip Begins!

What the ....??? I just can't believe this!!! Who were those people...err...human...err...humanly Gods? Worth mentioning their names.

Yes very much. God Bless them & their children.

I wish you narrate the incident Ananth.

That's so nice of you to mention this here..

I forgot to mention in the first post, I also wanted to thank this family we met in Shyok. They offered us Butter Tea, Maggi, Biscuits, Sweets, and what not! We rested there for about 2 hours, ate for atleast 300 Rs. and they didnt even accept a penny from us, Not to mention they were a not so well off family - living with the gains from a small shop in Shyok. Hats off to their love, affection and care for a by-passer like us. May god give them a wonderful future.

No Issues to the fairing / the Bike. The fairing is sturdy enough to withstand falls like these.


We stayed in Spangmik, 19th - We spent some 15 minutes in Lukung.

20th Morning, again we passed lukung - I tried Marsimik La and passed Lukung again by 3 PM.

But all this while, I never spotted a Off - Road P220! My bad!

Just Chill. Plan for next riding season and ride ON. There is nothing that could stop you if you want to trip. Good Luck for your trip next year !

EDIT:



This picture is taken near Marsimik La - May be a couple of kms before the top. After this, the tracks were covered with ice, atleast 4 - 5 feet of ice burried under.

Sorry for wrongly quoting it to be on the Shyok route!

Indeed Argee...actually it turned a few into Leh aspirers

@ Ananth & Steve :
You guyz must have enjoyed like hell...I dont have anything in my mind right now after going through the whole blog ,
From today, I vil get a full year of sleepless nights I think

Damn! Missed meeting you guys. After the call since I knew you guys would be coming, I was eagerly waiting. My bike was parked on the hillock to the right just as you get in to Pangong, right next to the white tents! I looked for your bikes in the morning, could not find them. Since I did not see any luggage with you guys, I figured that you must have left the evening after touchdown! What a pity!

Thanks in advance Ananth. Will be looking at this thread for any updates in the pics.

Loosing traction at 3kmph. Ooff..

Hope nothing bad happened to the front faring.

Thats the best part I love to see in the ZMR.

Thanks. The Tiny FI Unit made wonders in Ladakh!

Chill. There are MANY who have done the route before / after US. We were just part of natures lap for a short period of time

Just keep trying, You will eventually make it up

Sure Akhil. I took SICK LEAVE today, Let me transfer all the pictures first to my laptop and start writing logs day by day. Excuse me for the delay!

Lesson Learnt - The harder way. I followed your same reason for applying for leaves and even got it approved, Just that I should have seggregated - Office & Personal gang in FB.

Will do it today!

It lost traction at 3 kmph

ZMR / ZMA did not have saddles, But had a tank bag - ONLY from Nubra to Pangang Tso. We dumped the bags in a Fortuner, Who were also kind enough to accompany us and try the Nubra - Shyok - Pangong Road

My pleasure Ken. And i could not see any P220, But i saw a Jeeper waving at us after crossing Pangong - Thought it could have been you! Anyway, Missed meeting you in heaven

EDIT: The Third Teaser i posted in the first post is: MARSIMIK LA!!

First two pictures were post processed a LITTLE. All others are straight out of the camera. Reason: No time to install PhotoShop!

I was initially confused to hear 9 AM to 9 PM as an excuse to update the logs!!!

Anyway, are these pics processed or straight out of memory? They're looking flawless & simply awesome & I'm sure your pics will provoke the Leh aspirers.

I guess it was us.we came to pangong on the 19th evening and we stayed there on the 20th as well. and those are dunes from nubra. were you riding your 220?

These two are great shots. What location?

The third picture in your post seems to be road to Pangong.

Unfortunate to meet you guys.

Just a couple of questions...

1.Those dunes are from the Nubra Valley if I am not mistaken?

2.Did you guys go to Pangong for a short while. I saw a yellow Zma and another black bike arrive at Pangong on the 19th at around 1845hours and I waved frantically at the bikes!

@Ananth: Thanks for your timely reply. My plans went on unperturbed.

Really?

In fact only after you posted this, came to notice that the ZMR doesnt have saddlbe bags, tank bag etc in that pic..and me having no knowledge about the Himalayan region, cant even make a decent guess lol..
My lame guess(after reading various Leh threads over the week) would be Khardung la - North Pallu road..
Anyways, where was it shot Steve and whats the story behind it..

@cbz xtreme everyone needs rest.

@ all - guess where the 3rd teaser pic was shot(3rd pic posted by ananth).