I know I owe BCMT this travelogue with all the information, innumerable photographs that made the Leh roads so familiar though it was my first trip, the maps, and the relentless response of Yogesh and many other members which I would mention at the end of the travelogue.
The intention of the travelogue is to instill confidence in other like minded people and encourage adventure spirit.
Day 1: Home – Waaranga Phata, Maharashtra
I do not know if I should call this trip a ‘Solo Trip’ as many would call it. But frankly, I was not alone, all along the trip I could feel the presence of God, he is leading and I am simply a pillion rider.
And then, the bike, felt like a living companion, poor fellow, never failed at any time on the entire trip. Not even missed a single heart beat. Not even a puncture.
So, the trip is made by three of us, the God driving, my loving bike, and me, a humble pillion rider resting my hands on the handle bar just to balance myself.
Two days before the start of the journey I was not sure if the trip would start off at all. Doubtful finances, original bike RC book not in my hands and what not. Finally, just two days to go, finances made available, leave however sanctioned and now, its sort of I am committed to the trip. My nephew, a young fellow of about 26 yrs who was to accompany me on this trip on his bike backs off. Never mind, somewhere in the corner, I wanted to do the trip alone. And the wish is granted.
Having read so many travelogues, initially planned to go for all the safety equipment, spares, Quechua shoes and what not. But, couldn’t get any stuff at all. Not even riding gloves. One way it was better, make the trip as simple as possible. Just got the bike checked in general, changed the engine oil, chain tension adjusted. Bought a spare spark plug, plug spanner, chain link, an insulation tape, and then the old tube from my attic. Of all these, nothing I used in the entire trip excepting the screw driver to tighten the left screw of my visor of the borrowed helmet.
Photographs: I know most would be interested in the pictures because, it’s a quick way to go through the journey. I carried a simple Nikon coolpix camera which is also a borrowed one, plus my own Canon powershot: not DSLRs or any such things. I am very bad at taking photographs. Most of the photos were ‘I – had – been – there’ pictures. Being alone, and being lazy to learn the self timer, the bike represents me in almost all the photos; which again a disaster since in most of the photographs bike covers most of the picture. So, the attempt is a disaster. I know its disappointing to most of the readers.
The photo psychic is; why the photographs in first place? Its not for yourself, its not even as a souvenir, because the experiences are so strong that you don’t need the help of a photograph. Also, let me know, how many of us have taken a photographs when they were experiencing the most memorable movements of the journey like water crossing, the slush, Zozilla or Rothang. Our total concentration is in demand to augment the situation so much so that we even forget that we carry a camera. So, either way, photographs have taken a back seat in my entire journey which I would try to compensate through description, provided that readers have enough patience to read on.
Start Odo: 53200
Time: 6:30 am
Time for alarm was set as 3.30 PM!! Instead of AM; the resultant late start. Simple mistakes on trips like this could lead to lot of inconveniences and even to problems.
Getting ready to start
Little prayer:
On NH7 Hyderabad 75kms to go
Crossed morning traffic of Hyderabad with ease. Soon I was on NH7 once again. 2582kms to go if I continue on NH7 which I didn’t though:
The intention of the travelogue is to instill confidence in other like minded people and encourage adventure spirit.
Day 1: Home – Waaranga Phata, Maharashtra
I do not know if I should call this trip a ‘Solo Trip’ as many would call it. But frankly, I was not alone, all along the trip I could feel the presence of God, he is leading and I am simply a pillion rider.
And then, the bike, felt like a living companion, poor fellow, never failed at any time on the entire trip. Not even missed a single heart beat. Not even a puncture.
So, the trip is made by three of us, the God driving, my loving bike, and me, a humble pillion rider resting my hands on the handle bar just to balance myself.
Two days before the start of the journey I was not sure if the trip would start off at all. Doubtful finances, original bike RC book not in my hands and what not. Finally, just two days to go, finances made available, leave however sanctioned and now, its sort of I am committed to the trip. My nephew, a young fellow of about 26 yrs who was to accompany me on this trip on his bike backs off. Never mind, somewhere in the corner, I wanted to do the trip alone. And the wish is granted.
Having read so many travelogues, initially planned to go for all the safety equipment, spares, Quechua shoes and what not. But, couldn’t get any stuff at all. Not even riding gloves. One way it was better, make the trip as simple as possible. Just got the bike checked in general, changed the engine oil, chain tension adjusted. Bought a spare spark plug, plug spanner, chain link, an insulation tape, and then the old tube from my attic. Of all these, nothing I used in the entire trip excepting the screw driver to tighten the left screw of my visor of the borrowed helmet.
Photographs: I know most would be interested in the pictures because, it’s a quick way to go through the journey. I carried a simple Nikon coolpix camera which is also a borrowed one, plus my own Canon powershot: not DSLRs or any such things. I am very bad at taking photographs. Most of the photos were ‘I – had – been – there’ pictures. Being alone, and being lazy to learn the self timer, the bike represents me in almost all the photos; which again a disaster since in most of the photographs bike covers most of the picture. So, the attempt is a disaster. I know its disappointing to most of the readers.
The photo psychic is; why the photographs in first place? Its not for yourself, its not even as a souvenir, because the experiences are so strong that you don’t need the help of a photograph. Also, let me know, how many of us have taken a photographs when they were experiencing the most memorable movements of the journey like water crossing, the slush, Zozilla or Rothang. Our total concentration is in demand to augment the situation so much so that we even forget that we carry a camera. So, either way, photographs have taken a back seat in my entire journey which I would try to compensate through description, provided that readers have enough patience to read on.
Start Odo: 53200
Time: 6:30 am
Time for alarm was set as 3.30 PM!! Instead of AM; the resultant late start. Simple mistakes on trips like this could lead to lot of inconveniences and even to problems.
Getting ready to start
Little prayer:
On NH7 Hyderabad 75kms to go
Crossed morning traffic of Hyderabad with ease. Soon I was on NH7 once again. 2582kms to go if I continue on NH7 which I didn’t though:
