2011 Leh/Spiti [Planning & Discussion thread]

[spiderweb]

In peak winters the roads beyond Ka are only fit for 4 wheelers and heavy vehicles. There's a lot of black ice around Nako and Maling. But mid-march on, bikers can make it through provided they avoid riding post sunset and very early in the mornings.

Snow stays around beyond Kaza (towards Losar) for a little longer, especially around Kyoto and Hansa. Pin valley also has snow till mid April.
.

And what would be Spiti like in mid-JUNE...???

[Old Fox]

And what would be Spiti like in mid-JUNE...???

Snow only around Kunzum Pass and in the Batal - Chattru section. And this latter section is pure 'adventure' for a biker . Meltwaters form a virtual river all along the route as you ride between walls of frozen ice. See Kurt's ride thread from last year or so.

Nako, Tabo and Kaza are all snow-free.

This is the thread i believe

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/tourer/8069-spiti-marathon.html

[Abhishek B]

Abhishek: You, LP and Lovish had a good ride this March. Did you guys manage Pin valley too. Asking cause the first few kilometers past the Attargo bridge, the road faces north, gets very little sunshine and so stays iced over for long. So is the case at a few other places on the way to Guiling. But Pin valley is a lot prettier with snow than without it.

It was Me, Lovish & Shaantonil who went to Spiti. LP returned from NAKO for some reasons. We couldn't manage PIN valley due to reasons already made explicit by you Sir. I rode for some distance but didn't find it wise venturing further.

My plan had almost thwarted due to bad weather at the start of March but thankfully the whole trip went fine.

I think, purely think, it's worth giving a shot to Spiti by end of Feb. I'm assuming that black ice would be manageable at that time & ride would be more satiating.

[Ananz]

That's great news Abhishek...

You all are going to love this one.

http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/manali-leh-highway-status-2011-snow-clearance-starts/

It's not a dumb question at all Ananz. The route to Spiti is open almost whole year apart from minor niggles.
I rode to Spiti a week back. The roads were open & perfect to ride. The valley was totally snowed out though.

By end of april.... there would be no snow though.

[Ananz]

Dude, after reading your super awesome Leh thread, I am your fan !

Are you seriously thinking to do Spiti this summer? ... If so please let me know in advance !

thanks for your kind words Rony ... as discussed we'll get in touch soon.

[neilv]

Hey guys,

I have created a very rough plan of the route. I will be leaving from Mumbai on 24th of May. I have attached the plan image.

Do i need to make any changes in this rough plan?

also, can you suggest me some cheap hotels to stay in all the cities?

Also, if anyone wants to come along with me, you can. Need some company.

Thank you

Neil Vyas

[tourer_kashif]

People going/went to Leh/Ladakh raise hands

xBhpians who are planning to visit the Mecca to motorcycle touring can register here.
The purpose of this thread is not to discuss the travel plan or ask for travel partners here but to maintain a list of xbhpians who are visiting Leh this summer for the following benefits:

1) To get the information on road and climate conditions from those riding ahead of you.Before we start the ride we can take the contact numbers of some of the people riding ahead of us.

2) Those looking for partners can contact people from the list over PM or other medium.

3) Over a period of time this thread will act as a database of Le hied xBhpians. They can attach the link of their logs and the exact route taken in their post after the ride is over. This will really help those planning their rides in coming years.


This is not a discussion thread so I request everyone to post your details in following format and keep this thread with as less post as possible


Name/Names(in case of group ride):
Ride Dates(tentative dates can be put but that should be updated before the ride):
Plan(If Available):
Vacancy For more Riders: Y/N
Travel Log link:

Moderators: if you like this idea and but think that the same message can be conveyed in better words, please modify the content.If you think this thread does not serve any purpose please delete it.

[tourer_kashif]

Hey guys,

I have created a very rough plan of the route. I will be leaving from Mumbai on 24th of May. I have attached the plan image.

Do i need to make any changes in this rough plan?

also, can you suggest me some cheap hotels to stay in all the cities?

Also, if anyone wants to come along with me, you can. Need some company.

Thank you

Neil Vyas

Out of 20 days you will be riding in plains for more than 8 days as per your plan. I would suggest you take your bike on train and start from Jammu or atleast Delhi.You really want to do this?

[neilv]

actually i really want to ride all the way to leh. will make the journey very interesting. also, i will get to test myself and the bike

[tourer_kashif]

Manali to Delhi can be broken in chadigarh.
Manali to Mandi is around 100 and Mandi to Delhi is 400+

Also, June 3 looks too hectic, Pan gong deserve more time.You can also do Marsemik La next day if you stay back at Pangong. Marsemik La is highest motorable road and much tougher than Khardung La.


To test yourself and your bike there are many challenging things in Leh/Ladakh. The current plan of yours is the minimal itenary of Leh

But anyways enjoy the ride

[Rony]

Also, if anyone wants to come along with me, you can. Need some company.

Thank you

Neil Vyas

If it would have been Spiti, I would have loved to join you neighbor (me stay at Andheri ) ... Anyways, all the best for this EPIC ride !

[sunilg]

Guys,

all those who are planning to get Leh'd this year or in the future, xBhp has something very exciting in store for all of you.

The upcoming, April-May, issue of xBhp magazine, we are carrying a guide on how to get 'Leh'd. It a very exhaustive and extensive article telling you how to prepare yourself mentally and physically, how to prepare your bike, all possible routes to Leh, all excursions in and out of Leh, very detailed informative maps, tips and tricks, tips on how to avoid AMS.

A lot of hard work has been put into the research work and overall completion of this guide, and we promise that it would be 'The Ultimate Guide' to get Leh'd and you wouldn't have to look for any information elsewhere if you planning to visit Ladakh.

So grab your copy of xBhp magazine April-Issue, on your news stands pretty soon.

Basically, this 30-pa

[MG]

Thread made Sticky

[lijok]

Guys,

all those who are planning to get Leh'd this year or in the future, xBhp has something very exciting in store for all of you.

The upcoming, April-May, issue of xBhp magazine, we are carrying a guide on how to get 'Leh'd. It a very exhaustive and extensive article telling you how to prepare yourself mentally and physically, how to prepare your bike, all possible routes to Leh, all excursions in and out of Leh, very detailed informative maps, tips and tricks, tips on how to avoid AMS.

A lot of hard work has been put into the research work and overall completion of this guide, and we promise that it would be 'The Ultimate Guide' to get Leh'd and you wouldn't have to look for any information elsewhere if you planning to visit Ladakh.

So grab your copy of xBhp magazine April-Issue, on your news stands pretty soon.

Basically, this 30-pa

The impatient wait for the mag started since sunny posted about this article in FB. My heartfelt thanks to all those who took the efforts to bring this guide out! In advance!

[Sachinnair]

I checked your itinerary. I would advise you to delay the plan a bit. Baralacha la was not open till end June, last year. Also, you are planning to head off to Chandertal on the 12/13 June I think. No point, as it would not be snow-cleared. In 2009, I could not ride up to it as the road was snow blocked. Last year, it opened up late as well.

On Day-13 you are doing Pangong - Pang which would be Pangong - Karu - Upshi - Tanglangla - More plains - Pang. A long ride, and in June prepare to find tonnes of snow/mud/muck on the road. I would suggest, head off back to Leh and the do Leh-Pang/Leh-Sarchu the next day.

Kurt, Thanks for your inputs. Dates are fixed and cannot be changed but all the suggestions discussed are taken into account.

xBhpians who are planning to visit the Mecca to motorcycle touring can register here.
The purpose of this thread is not to discuss the travel plan or ask for travel partners here but to maintain a list of xbhpians who are visiting Leh this summer for the following benefits:

1) To get the information on road and climate conditions from those riding ahead of you.Before we start the ride we can take the contact numbers of some of the people riding ahead of us.

2) Those looking for partners can contact people from the list over PM or other medium.

3) Over a period of time this thread will act as a database of Le hied xBhpians. They can attach the link of their logs and the exact route taken in their post after the ride is over. This will really help those planning their rides in coming years.


This is not a discussion thread so I request everyone to post your details in following format and keep this thread with as less post as possible


Name/Names(in case of group ride):
Ride Dates(tentative dates can be put but that should be updated before the ride):
Plan(If Available):
Vacancy For more Riders: Y/N
Travel Log link:

Moderators: if you like this idea and but think that the same message can be conveyed in better words, please modify the content.If you think this thread does not serve any purpose please delete it.

Here's the list from my side who are going to get Leh'd this June.

Name/Names(in case of group ride): Sachin, Deepan & Puneet
Ride Dates(tentative dates can be put but that should be updated before the ride): 28th May to 19th June
Plan(If Available): Shared on the 1st post
Vacancy For more Riders: Y

Guys,

all those who are planning to get Leh'd this year or in the future, xBhp has something very exciting in store for all of you.

The upcoming, April-May, issue of xBhp magazine, we are carrying a guide on how to get 'Leh'd. It a very exhaustive and extensive article telling you how to prepare yourself mentally and physically, how to prepare your bike, all possible routes to Leh, all excursions in and out of Leh, very detailed informative maps, tips and tricks, tips on how to avoid AMS.

A lot of hard work has been put into the research work and overall completion of this guide, and we promise that it would be 'The Ultimate Guide' to get Leh'd and you wouldn't have to look for any information elsewhere if you planning to visit Ladakh.

So grab your copy of xBhp magazine April-Issue, on your news stands pretty soon.

Basically, this 30-pa

April-May Magazine is a must buy for all the guys who are planning to get Leh'd.

Cant wait for the next issue.