Motorcycling Solo in the Grandeur!
01 June 2010 to 16 June 2010
Vahana: Bajaj Avenger 200 cc (2008 model)
PDG. Rtn. Dr.Prithvi Raval
Dental Surgeon and Prosthodontist
Photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drprithviraval/sets
There comes a time in life when spirituality makes sense. Religions have always been different in approach but spirituality is biocentric. And, then what better place is there in India that allows you to quench that thirst other than a visit to the Himalayas?!
Most people thought I was crazy when I mentioned Motorcycle and Badrinath but to me it was a challenge. ‘Solo’ is good on a spiritual journey, one needs to be with the ‘self’ and helps introspection.
Having decided to take my motorcycle on the train with me to Delhi, I left a couple of hours early to the station as the motorcycle needed to be packed and booked. Many thanks to my thoughtful friend Rtn. Ramdas Pai who was there to assist me and see me off at the Railway station, it made things easier. I was off on the KK Express at 7.20 pm with my bike in the luggage van.
Petrol Tank needed to be emptied at the station and some bribe to see that the bike is on the train with you, sometimes, they will send it next day. It was loaded nice and neat and there was no scratch or damage when I retrieved at the other end. I pushed my bike to the nearest petrol bunk and it started at the press of the button.
Sweltering heat at 43 degrees, Delhi was horrible and it was 12 noon! Nevertheless, I headed towards Gaziabad and Meerut. The industrial pollution as you leave is enough to make you sick! It’s construction all over and Delhi and the city did not appear to be the same as before anymore. By evening 6.30 pm I was at Haridwar and checked into the coolness of A/C room at Parth hotel. It was bliss, especially knowing that next 10 days would be the hills and cool riding!
Below is my journey details, and cities underlined are overnight halts. Some logistics on mileage done and gas consumption are also mentioned.
Delhi > Meerut > Roorkee > Haridwar > (221 Kms) Rishikesh > Devaprayag > Rudraprayag > Gaucher > (408 Kms) Karnaprayag > Nandaprayag >Chamoli > Pipalkoti > Joshimath > Vishnuprayag > Govindghat > Badrinath (544 Kms) Mana (549 Kms) Badrinath
Badrinath > Joshimath > Auli > Joshimath > Karnaprayag > Rudraprayag > (735 Kms) Srinagar > New Tehri > Chamba > Chham > Uttarkashi > (1002 Kms)
Uttarkashi > Gangotri > Uttarkashi > (1197 Kms)
Uttarkashi > Chham > Chamba > Narendranagar > Rishikesh >
Rishikesh > Haridwar > Lal Dhang > Kotadwar >Landsdown > Kotadwar > Najidabad > Rishikesh (1690 Kms)
Rishikesh > Vasishta Guha > Rishikesh (1726 Kms)
Rishikesh > Dehra Dun > Mussorie > Kempty Falls > Haridwar > (1904 Kms)
Haridwar > Roorkee > Meerut > Delhi (2185) > Bangalore station > Home (2192 Kms)
Total distance done 2192* Kms
* Local run of about 50 Kms included, done in Delhi and other places.
On the trip:
I was amazed to see the number of pilgrims set out, it looked like all of North was there, cars, vans SUV’s buses, all loaded with people. I must have seen atleast about 1000 motorcyclists, most of them with pillions. Especially from the Sikh community, who were traveling in large numbers to Hemkund Sahib via Govind Ghat.
The number of Sadhus walking from place to place doing the ‘Char Dham’ the 4 holy places in the region; Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath. Many of them were physically handicapped too. I did see a few women sanyasins as well.
Badrinath was very cold the day I was there, it had rained and no heating in the room. It must have been 8 degrees C. Enroute, about 25 Kms of the road is real bad, and lot of rock fall. Repair work and hydroelectric power work is in full swing on the Alkananda. Mana the last Indian village on the border is real cute and scenic, only 5 Kms from Badrinath.
Rudraprayag is beautiful as one can see the two colors of the 2 rivers joining up viz: Mandakini and Alkananda. Similarly at Devaprayag, the rivers Bhagirathi and Alkananda meet in a unique way. The grandeur of the Himalayas and the glaciers are simply fantastic.
Traffic is so heavy in some places that going 2 ways is a problem in some areas. Police hold up one side and let the other side proceed and alternate every 1 hour or so. Fortunately the motorcyclists get by these blockades. Some of the roads are real narrow and we need to be extra careful. Many times the opposing traffic is coming in our lane round a blind corner!
Food was not a big issue for me. Paratha, dal, fruits, curds and the local vegetarian stuff kept me going. Mineral water is a must. Leeches at Rs. 80 per Kg was superb. Not forgetting the Dosa meal at a dhaba at Dharali, way out in the wilderness !
While traveling to very hot and very cold places, there is problem of clothing, you have to carry both types, light and warm clothing. Also, protection from a good visor from sharper UV rays is mandatory. Uttaranchal dormitory guest houses are good at Rs.200.00 as and when available.
Auli, about 20 Kms from Joshimath is another cute place, should be gorgeous in Dec / Jan when skiing starts. Nice resort and cable car.
There were many vehicles at Gangotri, and a 3 Kms pile up, no place to turn closer to the temple. Bikes are great. Vasishta Guha is real quite and nice. The cave is real deep inside, serene non - commercial atmosphere.
Lansdowne, Dehra Dun, Mussorie and Kempty falls are usual tourist places. Plenty of scenic landscape and nice roads in the area. Weekend crowds and heavy traffic everywhere when I was there.
Return journey to Delhi, Bangalore was uneventful. I took the Rajadhani from H.Nizamudin station. This is better for booking bikes than the Delhi Central. Bike came in the luggage van without a scratch. Train arrived at 6.40 am and after some 45 minutes procedure, I was home with my bike at 8.15 am
It was a wonderful trip ! Touchwood I did not have any problems with my bike on the entire trip. It was fill gas and go. A dependable bike !
My Motorcycle is maintained by Bajaj Auto Service; BSK, Bangalore. My thanks to Mr. Venkat Shyam; Mr. Babu, the service engineer and his staff for all the pre-trip assistance they provided and procedures carried out.
Ride Safe !
Some Logistics:
Departure 01 June
Train: KK Express; Bangalore > Delhi
Time: 7.20 PM Arrive; June 03 at Delhi 10.40 AM
Departure June 14 – 2010
Train Rajadhani Express; Delhi > Bangalore
Time: 8.50 PM; Arrive June 16 at Bangalore 6.40 am
Odometer at Start: 11792 Kms
Odometer at Finish 13984 Kms
Total Trip 2192 Kms
Total Petrol used 56 Liter
Cost of Petrol 2820 Rs
Mileage obtained 39.14 / liter
