DAY 13 Khardung La MotorBike Trip: To The Top of the World.

DAY 13

July 8th, 2008

Story:

Sun comes up in Leh city very early. It was 5am and already there was light like its noon. And the market wakes up after 9am. So what to do, had to wait for 3 hours or watch TV till 9am.

Till then also told the reception to get our permits ready for the ride to Khardung La. You don’t need to go to the DC’s office. You can obtain it from your hotel receptions on payment of Rs. 100 per person. Its better than getting in line in DC’s office.

We had our breakfast and checked up the bikes to see whether its in condition to make it. Mine was all fine. But Rohit’s engine oil was little over the limit so his exhaust was giving white smoke. Extra oil is burning up. So it was decided that he will ride pillion with me.

By noon we started ride to khardung la. Read the first sign board ‘You are on the road to highest motorable pass’. Usually riders get joy reading that and feel the challenge to reach the top without a single fall but I was concentrating on my riding because Rohit and I weight pretty much the same 80 – 80 kgs. So my ride to the top was a tough one. I’m riding karizma and not bullet that it will take weight.

But thanks to my all off road experience in Maharashtra it helped me here. He had to get down just ones on one inclined curve.

The road to the top is halfway in great shape and then no road at all, just track. But ride was like riding to heaven.

Within couple of hour we were at the top.

Finally we were there where every motorcyclist in the world dreams of doing it one day.

KHARDUNG LA – Highest Motorable Pass in the World 18380 ft.

After some shots at the board, we moved inside the cafe to chew on something.

For an hour we were in the cafe. Had some tea and noodles. Already I and rest started getting the heat. Due to that height UV rays were affecting our skin. Some ones lips were burnt and some ones skin. Even my hair I think got damaged because when I came in back to Mumbai, for few days I was having hair fall problems.

Anyways after eating we moved to the souvenir shop. We all bought those ‘Khardung I was here’ T-shirts and some cups.

Carrying it down back to the hotel was no easy as we were not carrying our bags.

Some how managed to put in this and that pocket. And after 2 and a half hours at the top we started ride back to our hotels.

Getting was easy. Just after the dirt track I started accelerating down fast and faster. Rohit kept is balance perfect and in less that hour we were at the bottom of the hill.

Rode quickly to our hotels and I started applying so many sunblocks on my face. My cheeks were burning like hell. I was feeling some intense pain. After couple of hours it went down. I went for a small nap in my room. At this time rest were roaming in the market and few were at the garages on the airport road to get their bikes fixed.

By evening I go up and got to know few have decided they are now couriering their bikes back to Mumbai and 8 guys are catching train from Jammu. Will hire a Scorpio ti take them from Leh to Jammu. And 2 other will take the flight to Mumbai. But I Rohit Gauresh and Varun we are riding back to Mumbai via Leh – Srinagar highway.

At this time the problems in Jammu were little minimized.

I will say our timing was perfect to cross from that side.

By late evening all went for shopping in the market area. Night Leh was a neat place. Not so quite not so loud.

After walking up and down the market we headed out at a cafe for dinner.

The food was just amazing in Leh city and cheap too. Only stay and shopping is a bit expensive.

After a very nice day we all headed to our hotels and I don’t know about the rest but I enjoyed a nice jackie chan movie till I dose off.

Good night Leh.

Log:

Best Road: Leh to the first check post on Khardung La road.

Worst Road: After first check post.

Total kms covered: 85

Average speed: 50km/hour

My Expenses: Rs. 100 Dinner, Rs. 100 Breakfast, Rs. 160 T-shirt, Rs. 180 for 3 cups, Rs. 340 T-shirts, Rs. 250 on bike (New oil, chain setting and lubrication of brakes)

Memorable Events: Ride to the world’s highest motorable road.