Short Videos from the Pangi Valley Ride 2013

Mc Leodganj

Finally we reach Mc Leodganj our final stop for Helmet Stories Pangi Valley ride. From here Amber and Noel take off to ride to Delhi and Mumbai respectively. The bike I am riding is on its way to Manali so I will have to hop into a cab and make my way to Chandigarh but that's all later first it time to celebrate an awesome ride. Let there be beer !!!

Riding to Dharamahala

While riding from Dalhousie to Dharamahala we crossed this 112 year old bridge still in use. They are building its successor next to it but who know how long that will take.

Chamba Valley

Once we rode down into Chamba Valley we made our way towards Dalhousie. Where cold beers and a hot shower were waiting for us.

Setting up last camp

12 odd kilometers passed the police checkpoint we made camp. This was our last camp on this trip so we made the most of it. Our many professional cooks got to work and finally the dinner included pork shoulder, BBQ chicken, a dry mutton, a local mead to sip and a fire that burned all night.

Satrundi checkpost

The ride down from the top of the pass to the police checkpoint at Satrundi is about 10 kilometres and is mad it seems you are only riding on rocks the whole time. Thin ones, thick ones, pointy ones, blunt ones, round ones, flat ones, big ones, small ones you name it and its in your path.
At the checkpoint you have to enter your details and the cops manning the post take a video camera and take a small snippet of you and your bike.

Finally Sach Pass

The climb to Sach Pass

The climb to Sach pass is incredible it's steep and has all sorts of challenging road conditions all the way up to the top. Cant wait to go back again next year.

The base of Sach Pass

You have to ride down the mountains and over a bridge to the base of Sach Pass before you can start the climb. We made good time as we had started early in the morning so we got to the base by around 11PM

Refreshment break

We stopped at a natural spring to quench our thirst as it was a really hot day. Spent some time at that spot with our binoculars scouring the mountain side and forest for a pack of brown bears rumoured to live there.

An early start

An early start from Sural to ensure we get over Sach Pass by mid day.

Another awesome day ends

Sural Batori

What an awesome ride from GREF junction to Sural Batori. It threatened to rain and as we set up camp and the locals came to tell us it would soon start snowing so we should get ready for it but luckily it cleared and we were treated to a super sunset and an awesome evening.

GREF Junction

We came down from our camp and rode to Killar and further onwards to GREF junction where we turned of the Tandi - Kisthwar road towards Sural.

Moto wisdom from Pangi Valley

Came across some Motorcycle wisdom today - Of all the paths you take in life make sure a few of then are dirt. (Thanks to MotoLady for sharing it with us).
The Pangi valley ride is our take on the same.

Another view from my tent

What a splendid view from my tent.

Presenting the Helmet Stories Secret Camp site

Our very own secret camp site known to us and the people who ride with us to Pangi. Oh! Don't think the ones who have been will tell you where it is they have been sworn to secrecy.

The road to the Helmet Stories Secret Campsite

A little water, a little gravel, a little mud and a hell lot of rocks on the way to our secret campsite.

Tent With A View

The view from my tent at our camp in Raoli

Reasons to Ride Pangi Valley...

"We need sometimes to escape into open solitudes, into aimlessness, into the moral holiday of running some pure hazard, in order to sharpen the edge of life, to taste hardship, and to be compelled to work desperately for a moment at no matter what." - GEORGE SANTAYANA in The Philosophy of Travel

The HelmetStories Pangi Valley Ride was perhaps what Mr Santayana had in mind... starts 29 September, 2013
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY HARSH MAN RAI