Easy access to Google Doc links for Leh trip

Hi guys,

I have changed my signature. Now, it features the three Google Doc links for the Leh trip. Ride safe!

@Maneesh: That's an awesome thing you just did! Will be really helpful to make sure everyone refers to the same (updated) link.
Really excited about getting everything in place for June. First deadline-ticket bookings on march 10th!
cheers!
Kaushik

Bangalore to Jammu

Hi,

In the GoogleDoc I saw quite a few people starting from bangalore. It would be great if couple of them could share their travelling options. After a significant amount of research, I have narrowed down a decent option to be:

Rajdhani or Karnataka Express from Bangalore to Delhi on 7th evening (thursday)
Shalimar Express or Jammu mail or Rajdhani from Delhi to Jammu on 9th evening (saturday)
I personally like the idea of chaining Rajdhani as it is less travel time and convenient boarding timings but also means large waiting time in delhi.

Another extravagent option is to parcel bike of in GATI a week earlier and fly to jammu on 9th :P

Please let me know your opinions on the same. In any case our booking will be open on 9th march and not 10th!

Answer in blue

Cross Thread Update

Hi Maneesh,

Thanks for sharing your trip schedule. We have decided to ride all the way to Leh and back to mumbai. Our revised schedule is on the first post on my thread. Kindly suggest any point which you may feel is missing from our schedule as you have good knowledge about Leh and surroundings.

We are doing some offroading practice on 24th March in Rajmachi. It will be great if you guys can also come on 24th. Let me know.

Hi

Hi manish i going to leh with hoodwind for Mumbai i am riding my 3year old HH Hunk i already change tyers going to change chain do i need change the clach plate

Hello aatifs,

It depends upon
1. How much the bike has run and more importantly

2. How you have treated the clutch!

Best to take it to the ASC and get it checked out.

thanks

thanks manish before big ride i am going to do full check up of my bike in may

Leh Schedule - Some Observations

@Icemang, my two-pence (for whatever its worth),

1. D1: Jammu - Pahalgam.

(a) You need not go to Pampore & Awantipur for heading to Pahalgam. From Khanabal, take the Khanabal - Pahalgam Road (KP Road) and head towards Pahalgam. If you go towards Pampore/Awantipur, you'll have to return to Khanabal. There is no road from Pampore/Awantipur to take you directly to Pahalgam.

(b) You'd be reaching Pahalgam by dusk. There isn't much traffic on the KP Road at dusk. You wouldn't be able to appreciate the natural beauty of Pahalgam as you would be planning to leave early morning for the next day's ride. Pahalgam is on a limb. It is not on the main route of your chosen journey. Srinagar, in my opinion, is a better place to halt for the night. Remeber, D1 - most teething troubles would get noticed on the first day and would need fixing.

2. D2: Pahalgam to Kargil. Pantha Chowk - B Bagh - Dal Gate - Ride along the Boulevard - Nishat - Shalimar - Nasim Bagh - Pandach - Ganderbal is what I would recommend. B Bagh - Lal Chowk - Rainawari - Hazratbal - Ganderbal doesn't make sense. Lal Chowk is definitely not on the route. Go through downtown Srinagar only if you have someone who knows the roads well. The route which I suggested has lesser traffic, is more scenic and will take lesser time, albeit its a few km longer. This is the route that the convoys would take a little more than a decade ago. Things might have changed. It would be prudent to check and re-check.

PS - I wish i could have joined. I should be moving out from Delhi in the next couple of months. The uncertainty of not knowing where and when i'm going next takes care of any long term planning. A long time ago someone told me that one shouldn't plan more than six hours ahead. Icemang, i'm sure you get the drift.

Dear Raj,

Thanks for the clarification; I had planned this route on Google Maps, haven't served in that specific part.

And yeah, I get the drift big-time

Hello

Can I join you guys on Srinagar/Pahalgam - Sonamarg leg of the trip? Would love to ride with you guys.

We (the bangalore riders) should sync up and coordinate plans.

Hello Mohsin,

You are welcome to ride with the team, Mohsin. We are getting feedback that Srinagar would be a better place to stay than Pahalgam. Yet, join the gang, man!

Regards,

Maneesh

Thanks Maneesh

I think Rookieraj has a valid point. There is no fun staying in Pahalgam if you reach there at night and leave early in the morning. It is better to stay in Srinagar. You will also have more (read cheaper) staying options.

If you need any help regarding anything in and around Srinagar, I will be more than happy to help.

Hi Manish,
Which train ticket are you guys booking? I read somewhere you'll be booking on 10th March. From which booking station and what time you'll be there? I want to send my son for my train booking and want him to meet you guys so that he can get some help from you guys regarding booking.
My son is in Pune.
Henry