^ No, its not like that..they never looked at us with suspicion(even to me as i having a tinted visor ). Army/truck personnel are extremely friendly and even do help in case of need.

But there're chances that they don't give space as well as look you with suspicion is it?

Its not that its a strict rule not to overtake them..if they give space you can go ahead.

Yeah, I heard it from Apar & Xinfii that one is not supposed to overtake them. Horrible!!!

At Zozilla, Mostly it is the trucks, carrying fuel most of the times. If there is a Army Convoy - Its just that you would have a very Bad day , Tucking behind the huge trucks for hours together.

Very very true!!!

Will keep this in mind & appreciate your feedback. Pls share the other hotel that offers Rs 1800+meals?

If I were you, I would do the same without bragain for one matter - SON

Are these the army truck or the ones carrying fuel?

Cool!!!! Oh I must say....COLD....CHILLED AND what not....!!!!

Day4: Departure from SrinagarI would have preferred a better beginning to the day but this prepared me for what lay ahead!500 metresThat is nearly calf deep mud for you. And that you are looking at one of the better patches!


The water was deep at times till the axle!This is the improvement done to the Zoji La


Pit Stop after crossing Zoji La to regroup


Next stop was at Drass for photos and lunch. We stopped at that famous wall built by the Indian army during the 100-day Kargil war when Tiger hill was occupied and people traveling by NH1D were shot at. Had a quick lunch of mutton curry and rice. It was delicious and affordable. We ate like our lives depended on it. I apologized to Brigitte saying that I did not expect such bad roads at Zoji La. And then I shut my mouth.

For the sake of posterity




KargilEOD

Nice trip this. Kashmir has always fascinated me, and I would love to go there sometime soon.

Brigitte has done a commendable acclimatisation to Indian roads and road users. Riding on Indian highways is no joke, and she seems to have taken to it pretty well.

Nice write-up Ken Da. Makes me want to plan a trip to J&K soon.
Awaiting the continuation log.

PS: Please give us some shots of your motocross P220.

A very interesting collaboration and seems like a wonderful trip. Hats off to Brigitte for undertaking this challenging ride.

I am tuned in.

Thanks for the input! Will keep that in mind in future endeavours. Yes, I realise it is important. The action bit!

Thank you.

Hey DD, thanks!

This is definitely an issue. Trying to cover distances and taking pictures at the same time. Each time some interesting vista crops up or an action photo-op crops up, stopping taking the gear out, shooting and getting along takes easily a good 20 minutes. 3 stops like that and you have already lost an hour! Do not know how to go about this. I have lost quite a few ops like that during this trip. It is a real pity!

However, if I stop to take a picture, then technicalities of f-stop, focal point and shutterspeed are not an issue. That works on autopilot! Of course the digital instant feedback helps! During the film days, it took a little more time to calculate the f-stops!

Brigitte is indeed a brave soul! No doubts about that. VERY VERY BRAVE!

Am glued...

Hi Ken,

Fabulous beginning to a much anticipated thread. If this is what the quality of the write-up and photography is already, right at the very beginning of this journey, I can only imagine what is yet to come.

You're photography is definitely getting better in leaps and bounds, as the days go by. I've noticed something slightly bothersome about photography during long bike tours. Despite the numerous photo opportunities, the amazing locales and the pre-planning and enthusiasm, taking good quality photos become extremely difficult during arduous and lengthy travels on 2 wheels, firstly because stopping to take photos takes away a lot of valuable travel time, and secondly, after a very tiring ride stretching upto 10-12 hours, the exhausted body and mind find it difficult to cope with going that extra mile to capture and focus for good photography. Hats off to seasoned tourers like you and many others, who seem to perform majestically on the photography front too, after a long and tiring ride! Am yet to figure out a solution to this, as far as my tours and photography goes.

Brigitte sure is a brave soul. To have travelled all alone to India, and that too for this tough ride to the Himalayas, it sure takes a lot more than just enthusiasm and passion. And as always, Mael is a pro. Being pillion for such long stretches demands patience and skill of a different class, and a pat on the back to him too.

Anyway, hope the updates come fast and in plenty. Cant wait to know what happened next...


.....Simba

Lovely Write Up, Even Lovelier Pics.

Thanks for the mail with a link to this thread, else i would have missed it too.

Nice pics, loved the paddy field pic. its got action. Now that you've got the story going, will keep track of the updates.

Thanks.

I took daily notes of her feelings and impressions. They will all come shortly. It would be difficult for her to write in English and post. I will keep doing that on her behalf. Besides you can directly get in touch with her on FB.

I will give you her impressions of the Avenger as we go along the days... quite interesting in fact!

Thanks guys. Will try to keep this going...