DAY 12 Bike Trip to Leh – Ladakh – Khardung La: The Final Push to Leh.

DAY 12

July 7th, 2008

Story:

By today morning everyone were acclimatised to the environment. We stared very early from Sarchu as we wanted to cover the next 250km to Leh city by sun down.

We didn’t left all together but two two then three three even single single from Sarchu.

All caught up at the 21 ghata loops which starts few kms after Sarchu.

Ghata Loops is not at all I found difficult but overtaking the trucks on those loops was a task. A difficult task. Already the road is not that broad and curves come almost every second. So had to be careful.

After completing the ghata loops everyone went ahead except I and Rohit. We were riding along with Gauresh. The next 80kms till Pang was some amazing site. What we were seeing was very impossible to believe that this is all in India. We were enjoying our ride. Climate too was getting pleasant.

By late afternoon we were at Pang. Here we got to meet the Royal Enfield Odyssey. They were returning from the Leh – Manali route. Some of us had a chat with them.

After having some noodles in Pang our next halt was Tanglang la. Tanglang La is the second highest motorable point in the world. Ride to Tanglang La was challenging. Climate was getting cold now. While nearing tanglang la there was even light snow showers. I was enjoying that but Sandeep was getting unconscious.

Ashish our doc came to his rescue. Gave him some injection which made him feel better.

After some tea we started ride for Rumste. Here onwards it was total descend. Climate even started getting warmer from this point. And just as the J and K border is crossed the road gets better and better. When asked a local how is the road ahead, he replies its just like your express highway of Bombay.

Only 5 of us reached Rumste first had food and waited for the rest. After an hour everyone arrived and gave us the news that Sandeep met a small accident. His pulsar 220 was damaged but it was still in good condition to ride.

From Rumste now next halt was straight at Leh city. The last 60km for Leh city was just something that my eyes could not believe. Pink mountains and pink atmosphere. It was truly heaven.

After taking some quick shots I and Sandeep ripped our bikes to Leh. He said he cannot stop now. He was tired and needed rest too.

We waited for everyone at the Indian Oil Petrol pump at the circle of Leh city. Soon after half an hour everyone arrived. There was phone network here now. Quickly I called up home at informed my stats.

Now next on agenda was to find stay. We rode till the market and started searching here and there. Here we split in groups. One stayed at a hotel down the exit lane and one at the market area.

I was not much hungry so I went to sleep quite early. Rest went to a near by restaurant.

Todays ride was a memorable one. Not too tough not to easy. Just perfect.

Log:

Best Road: Rumste to Leh

Worst Road: Loved the worst road too.

Average: 40km/litre

Average Speed: 90km/hr

Incidents: Sandeep met an accident.

Memorable events: Today’s entire ride.

Total kms covered: 255kms approx.