The Leh Enigma
The Leh biking bug bit me a few years back when I was in Manali with my family. Saw a few bikers who were doing the Manali-Leh highway and were facing a hard time nearing Rohtang Pass. I too was wondering why they were putting in so much effort to ride in such conditions. But, once I reached the Rohtang Top the Spiti valley on the other side just blew me away and it was just then when I had made up my mind. It is going to be Leh one day soon :)..
My plans from the past 3 years were not working out all. In 2010, got married :), 2011 joined a new company, 2012 sprained my back while playing cricket and Vidhi would not let me go with such a condition.
Finally, in 2013 I had made up my mind it is going to be now or never. Started jogging in the morning and doing some basic exercises just to make myself fit to endure this arduous effort.
My initial plan was to ride my Pulsar but at the last moment got a good deal for a RE Classic 500. So changed the plans in the final week where I would be getting the RE from Gudgaon and riding from there. Finally the D-day had arrived, 26th June 2013. Vidhi came to drop me off at the station and from there on it was a boring 28 hour long journey to Delhi.
Delhi was boiling, I did not even come out of the railway station and I was drenched in sweat.
Took and auto to reach my friend Tuhins place at Malviya Nagar. Had a nice time in the evening talking about the old times :).
28th June 2013
This day had to take the bullet from Gudgaon. Took a Metro to Gudgaon and within an hour had the 'Bull' in my hands :).. It was awesome driving the C5, it was just raw power. Drove back from Gudgaon to Delhi at about 1 PM and man it was hot as hell. I wanted to go Karol Bagh to get the Ladakh carrier for carrying extra petrol and the luggage. But, I just could not muster any more courage to drive in the traffic and heat. Headed back to Tuhin's place and thought I would manage without the carriers. But, I knew petrol would cause the problem when I would be riding the Manali - Leh highway. At about 5 PM just went to a welder and asked him to make a petrol carrier for the C5.
By the time this got ready got a quick check done from a mechanic. Now at 8 PM, the bull was ready and the plan for the next day was to leave at 3:30 AM to aim to reach Jammu.
Tried to sleep early at 9:30 PM to atleast get some sleep before tomorrows ride. But, could not get sleep with he whole excitement of riding tomorrow. Finally managed to doze off at 11 PM.
My plans from the past 3 years were not working out all. In 2010, got married :), 2011 joined a new company, 2012 sprained my back while playing cricket and Vidhi would not let me go with such a condition.
Finally, in 2013 I had made up my mind it is going to be now or never. Started jogging in the morning and doing some basic exercises just to make myself fit to endure this arduous effort.
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| Vidhi came to send me off |
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| A cute kid in the Train |
Delhi was boiling, I did not even come out of the railway station and I was drenched in sweat.
Took and auto to reach my friend Tuhins place at Malviya Nagar. Had a nice time in the evening talking about the old times :).
28th June 2013
This day had to take the bullet from Gudgaon. Took a Metro to Gudgaon and within an hour had the 'Bull' in my hands :).. It was awesome driving the C5, it was just raw power. Drove back from Gudgaon to Delhi at about 1 PM and man it was hot as hell. I wanted to go Karol Bagh to get the Ladakh carrier for carrying extra petrol and the luggage. But, I just could not muster any more courage to drive in the traffic and heat. Headed back to Tuhin's place and thought I would manage without the carriers. But, I knew petrol would cause the problem when I would be riding the Manali - Leh highway. At about 5 PM just went to a welder and asked him to make a petrol carrier for the C5.
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| The welder in action |
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| Finally got the ready. |
Tried to sleep early at 9:30 PM to atleast get some sleep before tomorrows ride. But, could not get sleep with he whole excitement of riding tomorrow. Finally managed to doze off at 11 PM.
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