Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Dilemma

di·lem·ma  

1. A situation that requires a choice between options that are or seem equally unfavorable or mutually exclusive.
2. Usage Problem A problem that seems to defy a satisfactory solution.
3. Logic An argument that presents two alternatives, each of which has the same consequence.

Monday, January 16, 2012

The Pangi Valley


This amazing road through the Pangi Valley in Himachal was one I wanted to bag since 2007. Year after year, I was thwarted by bad roads and the weather, but in October 2010 when the roaring nullahs had become fordable streams I completed this recce in a Mahindra Thar. Starting from Tandi, the road follows the Chandra-Bhaga river till the town of Killar, from where one road continues to Doda and Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir, and the other takes a spectacular ascent to Sach Pass before descending to Chamba.


From Tandi to Udaipur, the Chandra-Bhaga cuts a wide swathe providing rich farming land on its banks. From Udaipur onwards where Pangi actually begins, for a 100 km the road clings to the side of a vertiginous gorge and the video clip is from this part of the road. At Killar, the road to Sach Pass crosses over the river and ascends rapidly, first through cool, dense forests of walnut, pine and Himalayan Birch or Bhojpatra before abruptly bursting out into a rock scree strewn landscape thrusting skywards.




For a motorcycling adventure this road has a few parallels. The views are fantastic but the road is tough and it will take eight hours to ride 100 km, there are virtually no dhabas on this road from Udaipur to Killar and no petrol pumps till you cross over Sach Pass deep into Chamba. Ill-prepared motorcycles will break down and so will their riders, but for those who finish this ride, the experience will resonate with a soul satisfying fullness for many years to come.



Sunday, January 15, 2012

3rd Breakfast ride - The end

Its been a great day of riding. It was great weather and to top it off breakfast on the beach how can a sunday get better. Now time to plan the next ride.

3rd Breakfast ride - Mr PPS

We came across Mr PPS from Royal Enfield out for a weekend ride.

3rd Breakfast Run - Beached

After huge breakfast of bhurji pao and poha time to kick back and relax.

3rd Mumbai Bikers Breakfast Run, heading back

3rd Mumbai Breakfast Ride, Kashid

Breakfast ride on route

Mumbai Breakfast ride

Mumbais finest have got us stopped yet again... Next time we will find a new way out of the city.

3rd Mumbai Breakfast Run, 6:30 am

3rd Mumbai Bikers Breakfast Run

Good morning... While most of Mumbai is out at the marathon we are out riding for our breakfast.