Journey To Biker's Paradise!!!!
It is human nature to dream, but to dream, is one thing, and to achieve it is another. Take my word for it, Riding 2500 km at an average altitude of 16,000ft through 15 of Himalayan mountain passes and five of the worlds Highest Mountain passes Khardung La (18,380ft ) Worlds Highest Motoraible Pass; Marsemik La (18,634ft) Toughest of the lot and unofficially Highest Motoraible Road In world); through the lush valleys of Jammu and Kashmir, into the high-altitude desert of Ladakh, is an arduous task; and some thing that most will not even dream off.
For past few years, some thing of this sort had been doing rounds in my thoughts. Since The Roads are opened from June to September and remains closed for rest of year!! The season for touring to Himalayas only lasts for 4 months. Ladakh being one of the remotest places on earth, at a height of more than 20,000 feet, largely devoid of any creature comforts whatsoever; Add freezing cold winds, sub-zero temperature, and inhospitable terrain and being the highest and the coldest place of the world is about to test the mettle of any Man and Machine. It becomes even more challenging as there are no petrol pumps for 900 Kms during this journey of mine. A journey where there are no roads!! And the most important aspect of this expedition is; that I will be passing through the Great Himalayan and Karakoram Ranges where there is no human settlement, and having almost no means of electricity, communication or mechanic!!!
Moreover, I am solo where it’s hard pull of Ladakh trip without a backup vehicle; and one major mechanical problem can jeopardize my entire expedition; getting it fixed means back tracking for 100 or more kms. And most importantly in Himalayas, at an altitude 5000+ meters scarcity of oxygen can cause me ‘Acute Mountain Sickness’. Breathlessness, headache, dizziness, water retention in lungs are some of the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness. This can even prove fatal.
But Once my heart, mind and soul; is set on such a task, very few in the world can divert me from it. As the days drew ever so near for my longest and hardest trip yet. I knew I had something special coming. Soon I will make it to the Top of the world; After years of planning and preparation; I will embark upon a journey form 28 May for next 17 to 18 days to the vary heart of Himalayas, a place known as Heaven, to the Land of Passes!!!! Ladakh.
"Whatever happens will happen; But It’s Important that; U live; Cherish; and Value every moment of your life; Because U get to live it just once" Pavan!!!
For past few years, some thing of this sort had been doing rounds in my thoughts. Since The Roads are opened from June to September and remains closed for rest of year!! The season for touring to Himalayas only lasts for 4 months. Ladakh being one of the remotest places on earth, at a height of more than 20,000 feet, largely devoid of any creature comforts whatsoever; Add freezing cold winds, sub-zero temperature, and inhospitable terrain and being the highest and the coldest place of the world is about to test the mettle of any Man and Machine. It becomes even more challenging as there are no petrol pumps for 900 Kms during this journey of mine. A journey where there are no roads!! And the most important aspect of this expedition is; that I will be passing through the Great Himalayan and Karakoram Ranges where there is no human settlement, and having almost no means of electricity, communication or mechanic!!!
Moreover, I am solo where it’s hard pull of Ladakh trip without a backup vehicle; and one major mechanical problem can jeopardize my entire expedition; getting it fixed means back tracking for 100 or more kms. And most importantly in Himalayas, at an altitude 5000+ meters scarcity of oxygen can cause me ‘Acute Mountain Sickness’. Breathlessness, headache, dizziness, water retention in lungs are some of the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness. This can even prove fatal.
But Once my heart, mind and soul; is set on such a task, very few in the world can divert me from it. As the days drew ever so near for my longest and hardest trip yet. I knew I had something special coming. Soon I will make it to the Top of the world; After years of planning and preparation; I will embark upon a journey form 28 May for next 17 to 18 days to the vary heart of Himalayas, a place known as Heaven, to the Land of Passes!!!! Ladakh.
"Whatever happens will happen; But It’s Important that; U live; Cherish; and Value every moment of your life; Because U get to live it just once" Pavan!!!
Date: 16/06/2009.
Well This journey has been a GREAT holiday. Ooh Boy!!! I lived; Cherished; each & every moment of this Journey, Really it has also been a revelation; that by enduring on the road with a single minded focus on the goal, ordinary people with ordinary motorcycles can achieve seemingly tough feats!!!
Updating the Blog Soon!!!
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