This is how it started.....
This is the reason plan got changed.....
Final list of riders:
Joshi(Referred as Nitin above.. On his RE Machismo)
Ankit(On his RE Machismo)
Mehta(On his RE Thunderbird)
Narendra(On his RE Thunderbird)
Amrendar(Praji.... On his RE Machismo)
n Me ( On my Bajaj Avenger)
Route:
Route from Delhi NH1 to Pipli via Panipat and Karnal; state highway to Bata Pul via Ladwa, Yamunanagar and Khizrabad; NH72 to Herbertpur via Paonta Saheb; NH123 to Kalsi via Vikasnagar; state road to Chakrata via Sahiya
Note: Road from Kalsi to chakrata is hell bad of a road. Rather there is a alternate route after reaching kalsi when you go towards chakrata there is a diversion towards Yumnotri. You can take this route this is a better route in terms of road and scenery.
Day 1 (17th May 08)
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We all decided to meet at Karnal bypass at 4:20 am. I was supposed to meet Narendra at Shahdra border. As decided we both met there at 3:45AM and started off for Karnal bypass. On the way we met Ankit near ISBT. Joshi came along with Praji n Mehta. As decided we all met at sharp 4:20 AM at Karnal bypass. We had a small introduction session. Got to know there are few issues with Praji's bike. Anyhow we decided to move on. Intention was to cover as much distance possible early morning. I had to struggle a bit initially as my bike was not going above 80. I was not using my bike regularly from last 6 months. So I decided not to push her hard initially.
Initial few kms were with narrow road and heavy truck traffic. As we moved ahead 6 lane highway started. Drive was pleasure here. We have to take a very early halt as praji found a mechanic to investigate the bike. But it was a unsuccessful attempt. In the mean time we had chai break.
We started again and crossed Karnal and had to wait for sync up with the group. We crossed Karnal and pipli was just 30 KMS from there. From Pipli we were supposed to take a right turn off the main highway. Praji found a mechanic but he could not resolve the problem. After unsuccessful attempt he gave reference of a Enfield mechanic and let a boy go with Praji to his shop. We had to wait 2 hrs or more before Praji came back but this was another unsuccessful attempt. We could not take this bike along with us so we finally decided to park the bike at bus stand. Praji has to sit as a pilion with Mehta.
After this we hardly stop any where. Crossed yamunanagar and start heading towards ponta sahib. After reaching tajewala came a road in between the jungle towards herbartpur. I can say only one thing... wow.. what a drive that was, road with almost zero traffic and we all were just enjoying it. Reached herbartpur/ponta sahib and finally reached Kalsi.
We stopped at Kalsi for hardly 5-10 mins to collect the permit to stay at forest resort at Deoban. If anyone planning to stay at deoban then you need to take permit from Kalsi. From Kalsi we headed towards Chakrata. After driving a few kms started a patch of bad road. The road was so pathetic that few of us didn't want to continue. There was no other option but to continue the ride.
Started again and after few kms the better road started and even the scenery. Everyone was enjoying the ride and we didn't stop anywhere. Finally reached chakrata and you can feel the difference in temperature. Had a tea break. Some of us were quite tired and thought of staying at Chakrata itself. But hard luck none of the hotel has rooms available.
We had no other choice but to go to deoban(Dev-Van.. Gods own Jungle). We were aware of the fact the if we have to go to deoban we need to carry our own cooking stuff. Went to Chakrata market and Praji was the one who was taking the lead for all the shopping. He had to as he didn't even had breakfast. We did breakfast when he went for bike repair. As soon as shopping was done we headed towards deoban. After around 5-6 kms from Chakrata there is a kuccha road which take you off the main road toward deoban. This was not a road just kuchha road.
Finally reached deoban what a place that was. If you are looking for a peaceful place this is the one. Every one was so tired here Praji's josh survived us. Since he was hungry his josh was up to cook the food. We first had maggie and eggs. Praji made chicken as well.
For us it was difficult to survive here another day. As there was a shortage of water supply and I don't think we had enough energies to cook food next day as well. So next morning we decided to move back to chakrata.
Day 2(18th May 08)
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I along with Joshi got up early at 5:30 AM. It was beautiful morning. Praji also waked up. We witnessed a beautiful sunrise. Ankit and Mehta took their own time to wake up. We had tea and a light breakfast and started our move back to chakrata. Reached chakrata and booked rooms at Snowview hotel. We didn't wasted further time and decided to go Tiger fall. We didn't expected much from this place. But it turned out to be a worth experienced, although walk back from tiger fall to main road was difficult for some of use. Had to struggle a bit and realized how much stamina we have loosed. While coming back from tiger fall rain started. What compliments rain is chai pakoda. We missed our lunch but 6 plates of pakodas were good enough to survive till dinner. We didn't wanted to stay at chakrata next day so were planning to go to massourie. Ankit and Mehta were in favor of going back to delhi. But majority wins.
Day 3(19th May08)
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Whole night it was raining and even in the morning it was raining. Decided to move as soon as rain stops. Had breakfast and moved from chakrata as soon as rain stopped. This route was much better compare to Kalsi -> Chakrata and recommended as well. Reached Yamuna pul and found that there is a river rafting camp there. We thought this is a better option compared to massourie. Everyone was in mood for doing rafting. So decided to stay at this camp and do rafting. It was great fun to do rafting. Mehta/Narendra/Me were newbie as well as non-swimmer guys. Praji felt off the raft twice and said this after second time "Abb to Aadat Si ho gaye hai :))".... After reaching back had dinner along the side of Yamuna.
Day 4(20th May08)
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Final day. We need to ride back to delhi. Luck was with us as we got to know a bit short route back as well as it was raining so no more riding under sun. My bike was giving problem as it was getting stop out of sudden. Faced this issue on day 3 as well. Bike was getting over so it was getting stop. After reaching pipli praji picked his bike and we started back on delhi-chandigarh highway. After crossing karnal my bike again stopped. Talked to a mechanic in motor garage he told me to go back 2-3KMS in karnal market and get bike checked at Bajaj service station. Narendra was with me and rest of the guys moved ahead. I went to the Service station and the mechanic fixed the problem. Joshi and Ankit were waiting for us while they asked Mehta and Praji to keep driving as Praji's bike was not driving too fast. Finally bike issue got resolved and we met Joshi and Ankit again. After this Delhi was some 102 KMS. We didn't had any break after this. Finally met Mehta and Praji just before entering Delhi. Since group was about to split from here had final words with each other.
After coming back from Pune this was the first ride I went for. I must say this was truly an amazing experience. 4 days with office out of mind and with so many thrilling experience it was worth an experience.
Trip Stats:
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Distance Covered: 768 KMS
Highest speed clocked: 110 kmph
Trip cost: Around 3.5K (Includes stay,food,daru,petrol)
Some of the pics:
odo/trip meter before starting for ride
Josh on his Bull..
Resting after the pathetic drive from Kalsi
My bike...
Milestone ...

Trying our luck to get something cook at deoban. Praji's enthu saved us.
Sunrise at Deoban(Dev-Van)
This was road to deoban from chakrata

At tiger fall..
Me,Praji,Mehta,Narendra,Mehta(From Left to Right)

Tiger fall...
Bikes resting...
Ready to go for rafting....
Camp site at yamuna pul...
Praji...
Posted by:
Dinesh
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