@aatifs:
Thanks for that tip mate. I'll surely get one new for this trip (any online store u know of??).

@Icemang: Thanks for the prompt response sir. I will definitely look into my riding posture and learn some mechanics too. One more issue I forgot to mention abt the tyre was that when on my previous trip, I had to ride in this terrible stretch of around 20-30kms full of huge rocks and stones. At one point my front tyre skidded and a medium sized rock hit my alloy rim with a big bang. I stopped to see if it has done any damage but nothing was visible. I carried on and on that evening I found out that the air pressure of the front wheel had gone down drastically. I checked for any puncture but nothing was visible. I then spotted the air leak (using some soap solution) near the juncture between the tyre and the rim. To make things worse there was one more similar leak on the other side. I could not think of a solution for this and hence had to fill up air then and there for the rest of the trip which again was a little troublesome. I did not want to ride with low pressure tyre's as it's not safe, plus the FE would drop drastically.

Now how can one handle this type of situation?
The local mechanic now has changed the tyre into a tubed one. That has taken care of the problem but my question is whether or not, tubed tyres are better option for such rides?

Wish 25k was possible...that would be possible by: loading bike on train + sleeper class travel both ways which would save up considerable costs!
Though I really want to ride up all the way!

Icemag.... I may join in too.

Thanks for the Amazing Input. Now let me think twice before leaving on august. The greatest Problem is My leaves. I cannot have take off before august. If it doesn't work Well this year let me try out next year.
And By the Way are you still serving Indian Army? I mean Are you still on duty or retired?

August is not a bad time at all... actually its a good time for few reasons...
1) everything is cheap as its almost end of season. you can bargain on everything. rooms/tents are even available for Rs.100/night per head.
2) rains very less
3) not much traffic

but negatives are that you wont find snow at lower altitudes on the manali route...

so i will say you can plan anytime in august or till september end.

For all interested members,

I cannot stress more on the need to prepare oneself physically and mentally for the journey ahead hence this post.

I have served in that area for 2 years including 1 year in the general area of Siachen and 90 days on a post at 20,000 feet. High altitude treats you well if you are prepared for it. And you enjoy it fully when you are fully prepared for it. If you act funny, it will ruthlessly throw you into hospital with a multitude of life-threatening health issues. The saying "Don't be a Gama(buffoon) in the the land of the Lama" is a most apt one.

I have chosen the Srinagar on purpose so that we acclimatise gradually to the lowering oxygen content in the air, the reducing temperatures and poor road conditions.

There are still 8 months to go so bags of time to get oneself in shape for Leh.

Please do basic health checkups: heart, BP, BMI etc. Those who are overweight/obese, lose the flab else lose the trip. For people with known heart, lung and weight issues, it would be prudent avoid the road trip.

Any questions on a fitness program, please PM me with details of age, gender, height, weight, and experience of sports etc. I will try to help...

Hi Icemang
I just want to know whether I am fit or not. I do some warm ups like 60 pushups, 10 Pull ups and 30 reps of different kind of crunches. Other than that I don't have any heart or lungs problem. I am 5' 11'' and around 85 kg and 27 years old. What else I need to do to Prepare Physically. I am preparing My mind for the Past one year for that. What else I need to do So that I may not face any health issue to spoil my trip and which I can tell others also to do so.

Hi Vivek,

You are quite strong, I can see. What you need for this trip is cardiovascular strengthening which involves the blood stream - the heart, lungs and blood vessels.

You could go easy on the weights and include some more cardio training - long walks to start off with and then jogging and then finally running.

One routine which works for me (I have a 20 year old knee injury so cannot run much) is a 3 km walk at moderate speed then 1 km of jogging and then 3 or 4 100m sprints, all out (do or die type). In Phase 1 and 2, the large leg muscles get a work out and in Phase 3, the lungs are strained - just what is needed for high altitude.

A correct mental state too is essential. Do read up on all there is to offer on the Web about the place and its eccentricities; I am sure you will be an asset rather than a liability.

Another thing. Do check your BP and BMI - it should be correct for your age. Else, lose some weight; the BP and BMI will both imrove.

Hi Icemang
I just want to know whether I am fit or not. I do some warm ups like 60 pushups, 10 Pull ups and 30 reps of different kind of crunches. Other than that I don't have any heart or lungs problem. I am 5' 11'' and around 85 kg and 27 years old. What else I need to do to Prepare Physically. I am preparing My mind for the Past one year for that. What else I need to do So that I may not face any health issue to spoil my trip and which I can tell others also to do so.

This is a revised tentative schedule, based on inputs from Vishwas. As usual, it is likely to change as per our plans as they advance beyond this stage. So here goes:

03 Jun Sunday Jammu afternoon: Rendezvous of members, introductions, checks and prep for the next day.

04 June Monday Jammu to Srinagar/Pahalgam: Start from a place agreed to on 3rd. Pahalgam has been reported as a better alternative to Srinagar. We can decide in-situ

05 June Tuesday Srinagar/Pahalgam to Drass/Kargil: If Zojilla proves too time consuming, then Drass else Kargil.

06 Jun Wednesday Kargil to Leh via Lamayuru: Early start as members might want time for photography.

07 Jun Thursday Leh: 1st day of acclimatisation, sight-seeing, application for permits, bike and equipment check etc. Carb reset done here.

08 June Friday Leh: 2nd day of acclimatisation and sight-seeing if required.

09 June Saturday Leh to Pangong Tso: Onward journey

10 Jun Sunday Pangong Tso to Leh Via Chushul and Chumathang: Return journey.

11 June Monday Leh to Siachen: for me only. Members of xBHP who are also serving members of the Armed Forces might be allowed, no guarantees. The others can go to Chumathang, take in the Hemis Gompa etc.

12 June Tuesday Siachen to Leh: ditto as above.

13 June Wednesday Leh: Rest in Leh, prep for the return trip.

14 June Thursday Leh to Pang: self explanatory.

15 June Friday Pang to Keylong: ditto

16 June Saturday Keylong to Manali/Kulu: depending upon what people prefer

17 June Sunday Kulu to Ambala: for me as I will catch a train from there to Pune.

Total days on the road: 14.

Emergencies etc: 2 days in spare on both sides for travel arrangements.

Grand total: 16 days.

Dear Col.Manish, i hope the above schedule holds true till date. planning to join the group if i am getting leave. I am unable to access the excel sheet now. hope to submit once i am able to access the same.

I am planning to do this ....
DAY 1 : Leh - Panamik - Hundar - Diskit .DAY 2 : Deskit - Khalsar - Wari La - Shakti - Tangtse - Pangong TsoDAY 3 : Pangong Tso - Tso MoririDAY 4 : Tso Moriri - LehThe total distance that i am travelling is around 900 Kms ...
I can get Fuel pump at Leh only in between.
Is there any other option to get fuel there in between.
We are going with our Bullets.
There is one petrol pump at Hundar, but does that pump keep Petrol also

Hundar, Diskit and Nyoma have fuel in black, Upshi has a proper pump, AFAIK.

Because other wise we will be doing a lot of trekking rather than bikeing