Archive for June 2016

Home Archive for June 2016

Dream Ride - Bombay-Spiti-Leh-Ladakh Introduction

1st June 2016 to 20th June 2016

Leh-Ladkah has always been dream ride of Bikers who are passionate about riding. Apart from bikers it’s also a dream destination for other travelers. Many choose to visit Leh- Ladakh but few choose and dare to visit Spiti Valley. This is where your passion for riding comes into picture. To add more thrill and adventure as Avid Travelers and Riders we choose to start our Bike ride from Mumbai itself.

Pre Riding Preparation for Mumbai-Spiti-Leh-Ladakh

Started our research work 3 months back, Read lot of blogs, watched all the Spiti Valley and Leh-Ladakh expedition videos on YouTube and most important spoke to seniors who have visited in the past. Trust me these are the one who will guide to properly.

Most Important Pre-check is your Bike. Get it serviced and checked thoroughly. Change of Oil, Oil filter and Air filter is a must.
With regards to Extra Spares – Clutch Wire, Acc Wire, Air filter, Brake shoes and Spark Plugs. If you are on Bike, Your Toolkit should have these items.
We would recommend keeping your bikes in stock condition as much as possible. You can have changes in Exhaust and seats that doesn’t matter. Avoid extra Lights as it will have extra fittings and chances are high that it will come-off due to high vibrations.
Tested Rynox Nomad Saddlebag and Rynox Optimus Tank bag, it’s worth investing in these items. Crossed many water- crossing and our luggage was safe inside the bags with no extra covers from outside.
Got Bolt Bike Charger installed on our bikes for charging our Gopro and Mobile phones. One more item worth adding on our bikes.
Proper Riding Gears is a must for Riders and pillions.
Take a BSNL Postpaid connection. Don’t go for other cellular networks.
Pair of thermals, Jacket and other woolen items like Gloves and Cap.
Carry a Personal Medical kit and have a medical check-up before the ride.
Gum boots are must for all.

We finalized our itinerary and locked our dates. As we were visiting the valleys for the first time we decided to outsource our hotel bookings and backup vehicle for Spiti & Leh region. We made our costing chart to fit everything in Budget. Here we go…

Cost incurred for Saddlebags, tank bag and spares etc – 10k
Cost incurred for Hotel, Food, backup and Mechanic – 40k
Petrol Cost for a 350cc Bike – 9k and for 500cc 13k
Cost of transporting bike from Delhi to Mumbai – 3500/-

DAY 1 – Bombay to Godhra - Gujarat

With blessing of Almighty God and Parents we started from Kandivali-Mumbai at 7.00 am. Soon our bullets were roaring on NH8, with high on Spirit we decided to hit Surat non-stop. We had our breakfast at Surat and started again after refueling. We were running on-time and with One Mantra

‘’Less breaks and Ride Safe’’

As Sun was on top of the head took regular water breaks so keep ourselves hydrated. Electral powder helped us to maintain body fluids and keep going. Riding on Gujrat highway was fun and we reached Godhra @ 5.30pm. We stayed in a decent hotel on triple bed sharing basis.

Stats:

Start Time: 7am

End Time: 5.30pm

Total kms covered: 453 kms

Take Off Time

1st Halt Surat

Calling Time

Mumbai to Godhra Kms

Awesome Dinner in Godhra

Karan

Jags

DAY 2 – Godhra to Ajmer – Rajasthan 

In the morning the most challenging job was to pack our bags and again get it on bulls. This task made me feel like Roadies. Jokes apart, we started @ 6.30am from Godhra and our next halt for breakfast was in Samalaji, which is 130 kms from Godhra. As the temperature was going up we targeted our next halt as Udaipur. Had sumptuous lunch in the ‘City of Lakes’ and had to bypass another beautiful city. Roads are pretty awesome. Good curves after we passed Udaipur. We reached Ajmer at 7.00pm. Browsed some hotels on Trip advisor app and checked into a hotel. Due to the heat we were totally exhausted and got late to visit the Holy Shrine. Decided to visit it next day in the morning and leave for Delhi our next Mega stop.

Stats:

Start Time: 6.30am

End Time: 7.00pm

Total kms covered: 504 kms

DAY 3 – Ajmer to New Delhi 

Now the excitement builds up as we are reaching Delhi. We started visualizing Ladkah while we were riding to Delhi. Today was really hot, Temperature was above 45 degrees.

Ajmer to Delhi is 400kms but you will be surprised how we covered those 400. Let me tell you the story.

Well I am from Mumbai so Traffic is very usual to me. Sometimes we take 3 hours to reach from one place to another within Mumbai so I thought I can be cool about it when I am in Delhi.

It took approx 6.5 hours to reach Delhi from Ajmer BUT from Delhi border to our destination Karol Baugh we took another two hours. So if we calculate 400 kms in 7 hours and 30 kms in 2.5 hours within Delhi.

Got our bikes checked in RE service Station and they were ready to roar again.

Stats:-

Start Time: 7am

End Time: 4.30pm

Total kms covered: 400 kms + 30 kms (2 hours)

Breakfast at Jaipur

Kadi-Kachori and tea

The moment when we realise "Dilli dor nahi he dosto"

DAY 4 – In Delhi (Rest day)

After 3 days of continuous riding, we decided that we will take a halt in Delhi and do some sightseeing. Early in the morning we made our way to Delhi station and enquired regarding Delhi -Mumbai bike transport. Heat and pollution levels were so high that we didn’t dare to take out bikes and decided to travel by Auto and Metro. In the evening visited India Gate, Red Fort and the Karol Bagh bike market. Had our dinner in Chandni Chowk and a day well spent in Delhi.

Mumbai - Delhi KMs

Delhi traffic Sucks

New Friends in Delhi

Dinner at Delhi

DAY 5 – Delhi to Narkanda via Shimla – Himachal Pradesh 

All set and all three were excited to enter Himachal Pradesh and getting closer to Ladakh. Started at 7.00 am from New Delhi and had a lovely breakfast in Pahalwan’s Dhaba. After Ambala, Mountains welcomed us and it was Blithesome. Crossed Shimla and while we were heading towards Narkanda rains also welcomed us and the terrain became more tuff after the sunset. Though we got drenched a bit we were enjoying. At the same time we rode with lot of difficulties like no lights on road, rains, fog, less visibility and we were shivering while riding due to temperature and rains. We got sigh of relief when we saw our Hotel from far.

Stats:-

Start Time: 7.00 am
End Time: 8.00 pm
Total kms covered: 390 kms.

DAY 6 – Narkanda to Sangla (Kinnaur) – Himachal Pradesh (170 kms) 

After yesterday’s climatic condition, we prepared ourselves for the upcoming terrain and adventure. One needs to be mentally prepared for the conditions which were about to begin. Today we entered Kinnaur Valley, Our riding skills test began today, Total off-roading, driving in valleys with two-way traffic and Breathtaking views on the sides. If given a chance I would have stopped after every 15 minutes. Climate was changing after every 4-5hrs and making it more difficult for us. Night stay in Kinnaur camps with lovely Born Fire to end our day.

DAY 7 – Sangla to Nako – Himachal Pradesh (190 kms) 

We started at 8am, Yes this was bit lazy morning. Decided to visit Chitkul Village which is one of the last village on Indo-Tibetian Border. Roads are very bad, actually I should say there are no roads. If you are soft hearted, pampered and cannot stay in difficult conditions then you must not do this terrain. As we are moving ahead conditions are getting tuff with rains, water-crossings and No Roads to ride. Had a great experience in Chitkul with lovely breakfast and Photo-session. While on our way to Nako, witnessed the confluence of Satluj and Spiti River. Reached Nako, which on 12000 feet and view of the valley was Fantabulous. Sky and Mountains changing its Color with Rainbows adding to its beauty, cannot put it down on papers.

DAY 8 - Nako to Kaza – Himachal Pradesh (120 kms) 

Nestled deep within the Trans-Himalayan cold desert of the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh is the tiny village of Gue which is relatively unknown and unheard of in the traveller circuit. The village of Gue is situated at an altitude or around 10,499 feet above sea-level and is only a few kilometres away from the Indo-China border. Gue also houses India’s only known naturally preserved mummy. Had our Lunch in Tabo Monastery and then visited the famous Ki Monastery. A day well spent by visiting these monastery’s which are preserved and taken care very-well. Monks in these monastery are helpful and will enlighten you with the history. Reached Kaza which is said to be the head-quarters of Spiti Valley.

DAY 9- Kaza to Jispa – Himachal Pradesh 

It was the toughest day, Were all our riding skills, experience, patience and endurance level were tested to the core. Reached Kunzum pass which is located on 15000 Ft and temperature is below 5 degrees. Took blessing of the Goddess and started our journey again. We knew this was going to be tuff with lots of water-crossing and meandering roads. Reached Tandi and refueled our bikes as next petrol pump is after 365 kms. Ensure that you don’t miss this fuel pump.. Riding in Spiti Valley was a dream and we were riding on terrain which we have seen on Discovery Channel and was feeling proud that We finally conquered it….!!! Reached Jispa and the stay was worth here on the river banks of River Bhagha.

Stats:-

Start Time: 7am

End Time: 9pm

Total kms covered: 120kms (Extremely tough)

DAY 10- Jispa to Sarchu – Himachal Pradesh (100kms)

After yesterdays die hard ride, had a good sleep today and checked out in the afternoon. ZingZingBar and Bara-lacha-la interesting patch to ride. Riding on ZingZingBar was totally a fun and the roads are very good. E After crossing this one more dangerous pass makes his presence i.e. Bara-lacha-la. Located at 16040 Ft, you will definitely get snow here. You can also have a halt on Suraj Tal Lake and have a photography session. I would recommend avoid taking a night halt in Sarchu. Nothing to do here and stay is also expensive.

DAY 11- Sarchu to Leh (225 kms) 

Entered J&K today. On our way to Leh crossed 21 Ghata loops, when you reach on the top you will witness all the loops together and a must have Click on your camera. After crossing Pang, you will reach Moore Plains and this the road where you can put down your gears and shoot up. After such a long journey you are about to reach 3rd highest motorable road in the world i.e. Tanglang La 17480 Ft. You will witness snow and snowfall as well. Click pictures and move as oxygen levels are low here. Finally reached ‘Paradise of India’ Leh Ladakh and had a sigh of relief.