October 16, 2009 was, is & will be one of the most precious days of my life. It was the day when I was introduced to My Soulmate, My Partner-In-Crime & My very First Love of My Adolescence Life. The One I am referring to was named 'Spartan' by me & he is none other than my most proud & precious possession till date. Exactly three years ago 'Spartan' graced my life with his presence & turned it upside down quite literally as I discovered a new 'Soul' within Myself. Spartan is formally known to rest of the world as a 'Yamaha FZ 16 - Limited Edition' motorcycle.
The first post of this blog is dedicated to Spartan as its his third Birthday today & He has already fulfilled one of the biggest task that he was born to do. The blog is about my Ride on Spartan from Mumbai to Leh (Ladakh) & back to Mumbai. Together we covered more than 5750 kms of distance in less than 15 days. The highlights of the trip were 8 different states that we rode across on our journey, travelling through temperatures ranging from 45 degrees to sub zero freezing cold weather, Worst Roads ever imaginable to the best of National highways, Arrow straight never ending roads to unimaginable twisties all around & plenty more. It was simply the best trip for both of us. Three years & almost 30,000 kms later, Spartan is still game for more.
From L - R ( Aatif/Hero Honda Hunk , Kuldeep/Bajaj Avenger, Argha/TVS Apache 160, Myself/Yamaha FZ 16 LE, Mukul/HH Karizma, Yuvi/Yamaha Fazer, Vinod/Honda CBR 250R
5754 kms of riding through seven states of India
Maharasthra,
Gujarat,
Rajasthan,
Haryana,
Punjab,
Himachal Pradesh,
Jammu & Kashmir
& the capital of India (Delhi)
Most of the West & North India was part of our journey
Carrying my world around with me in 3 large bags tied up on my Spartan.
Thank you Mr Anup Abraham for lending me the Saddle bags & Percy for the other huge bag
Tasting the local delicacies all over on our Journey
Home like Daal, Rice, Sabzi somewhere 100 kms away from Leh
Awesome Nimboo paani at a Gola stall in ahmedabad - To Beat the Heat
Traditional Kathiyawaadi Lunch in Vadodara - Gujarat
A traditional glass of lassi on Rajasthan Haryana border
Superb garma garam alloo parathas with dahi & makkhan in Kasauli (Near Shimla)
Local extravaganza - Bread Omlette in the heart of Manali
Hamaari Manali waali Maggie :)
Spending nights in lavish hotels of Gujarat & Rajasthan
Himmatnagar
Jaipur
& sleeping close with nature in basic tents at himachal Pradesh.
At Pang
Covering almost 1000 kms in 20 hours &
Spending a night Sleeping on bike parked at a dhabha in middle of nowhere.
Somewhere a dhabha on Chittorgarh Kishangarh highway of Rajasthan
I slept on the small bike seat itself too.. A good 2 hour sleep
Brakes Failed, Tyres punctured, Carburetor choked, Fuses blown off right in the middle of nowhere & still getting away with it.
My baby getting treatment for AMS after reaching Leh
Completely worn out CBR brakes leading to a minor accident as well
Vinod's CBR getting new brakes in Kullu
We all Screwing up Argha's punctured rear tyre near Upshi, Leh
Removing Yamaha Fazer's Air filter to help it cross Chang La without loosing its breath.
Riding our bikes on Best of the Highways in India
NH-1
Udaipur to Jaipur (Via Chhitorgarh Highway)
To worst ever imaginable roads.
Somewhere befor Tanglang La
Rohtang La
Three non-injurious but game changing road accidents of My Co-Riders.
The CBR gives away.. But gets back on its feet again
Crossing freezing cold rivers with our bikes,
Yuvi dazzling across one of the Baralach la river crossings
& riding across tons of fresh slush in heavy traffic.
A very usual scene on Rohtang La - Manali
slippery out of control skidding tyres over fine ice due to no traction whatsoever.
The mighty Baralach La - Thaught our bikes to skate
Touching Natural ice for the very first time in my life
Raala falls - Completely frozen
Riding in Extreme heats of Rajasthan varying from 40-45 degrees in afternoon.
to freezing in Bone chilling near zero temperatures of Leh region.
Best moment of my life
Felt like Ninja on the move with ICY swords
Best view from Khardung La
Exploring buddhist & Tibetan culture in Leh, Ladakh.
The Shanti Stupa - Leh
Unfortunate split of the group & being left alone on my own in Leh, Ladakh at one point of time.
Myself bidding goodbye to Yuvi & Vinod on a cold sunday morning in Leh & a hard return back to the hotel room finding myself all alone left on my own
Riding to the world’s highest Motorable Road, Khardung, La situated at 18,380 feets above sea level. A dream come true.
A dream fulfilled - Myself on my Spartan on the World's highest motorable road
Collecting Souveniers from World's highest souveniers shop,
having black tea & Maggie @ world’s highest Cafeteria.
Passing through World’s Second highest road Tanglang La at 17582 feet above sea level
& shocked by meeting Japanese Couple cycling all the way from Delhi to Leh. ( and till then We were thinkin that we are the one's doin a tough job )
Making through the most difficult & coldest of all, Chang La, the third highest road in the world at 17350 feet above sea level.
Riding to one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Pangong Tso, situated at about 14,270 feet above sea level.
Staying for the night in the Hotel where Amir Khan, R.Madhavan, Sharman Joshi & the 3 Idiots crew stayed while shooting at Pangong Tso,
Experiencing Beautiful Animals in their natural habitat
Completing 25000 kms, silver jubilee on my beloved Spartan somewhere in the middle of Nowhere.
& Riding on a road passing through 10 feet of ice walls on both sides.
Admiring the marvellous beauty of Kashmir Valley after witnessing the splendid serenity of Ladakh region
Riding through the road ‘Under Enemy Observation’
Felt like a True Indian once again.. Being so close to the border & never felt so safe with the Indian Army around to protect us
Spending a few hours with the brave Jawans of Indian Army sharing their stories.
Shaking hands & being wished good luck for our ride by a soldier to a Lieutenant of Indian Army.
Being generously offered to stay a day at Indian Army Base Camp near Srinagar.
Emotional & heart filled visit to Kargil/Drass war memorial for knowing the true history of epic battle.
Making new friends on the way from all over the country.
75+ yrs & still adventorous = Aunty at Khardung La Cafeteria
Riding our bikes from Dusk to Dawn Every Single Day.
A descriptive emotion wheel showing almost all the variations of emotions encountered by us throughout the trip.
Teaming up with 6 perfect strangers whom I’d remember for the rest of my Life.
I made a smal compilation of images of our Journey with a song which best suits our endeavour.
Song - Dreams & Disasters
Artist - Owl City
The Lyrics
We, were alone, on the road, driving (Riding) faster
So, far from home, we were chasing disaster
Pour, on the gas, til the car(bike), caught on fire
We, had to laugh, as the smoke, billowed higher
I wanna feel alive forever after
And you say, you say you wanna feel alive forever after
And I, and I, and I say
Fo-o-ollow the li-i-ine through the dreams and disasters
Fo-o-ollow the li-i-ine to the edge and the after
We won't turn around
We will not slow down
Fo-o-ollow the li-i-ine through the dreams and disasters
Think, of the sun, and the sound, of it rising
Still, on the run, with our eyes on the horizon
I wanna feel alive forever after
And you say, you say you wanna feel alive forever after
And I, and I, and I say
Fo-o-ollow the li-i-ine to the dreams and disasters
Fo-o-ollow the li-i-ine to the edge and the after
We won't turn around
We will not slow down
Fo-o-ollow the li-i-ine to the dreams and disasters
I just wanna feel alive
I just wanna feel alive
I just wanna feel alive
I just wanna feel alive
I just wanna feel alive
Fo-o-ollow the li-i-ine through the dreams and disasters
Fo-o-ollow the li-i-ine to the edge and the after
We won't turn around
We will not slow down
Fo-o-ollow the li-i-ine through the dreams and disasters
Spending over INR 50 K of hard earned money..
& it was worth every single penny for the priceless unforgettable memories I brought back home with me. A Dream come True in real sense.. Especially a big achievement for myself to get back home safely without as much as a scratch to Myself or My Spartan. Finally done with my dream ride.. A ride to regain by Sanity.. Or just the beginning of Real Insanity.
