Team-BHP - Through The Wild Desert Mountains and Spiritual Awakening. Ladakh, 2007/09

Quote:

Originally Posted by girishglg (Post 3102287)

Better late than never! Had a chance to go through your previous journeys and have just one thing to say about your spirit and endurance-

:Cheering:HATS OFF!:Cheering:

Now coming to the latest journey seems appropriate if you start it off afresh in a new thread but then its yours and mods call completely.
That said eagerly waiting for more to come! Cheers and good luck!

It is NOT me, it is my wife Medini's last dying wish. She is a Ladakh addict.

:deadhorse

:Frustrati

The Mahabharat did it start on a fresh thread all Sundays x 2 years?

Wondering...

RIDE PLAN FOR LADAKH AUGUST 2013

There is no turning back now. The Air tickets from Pune to Jammu and Leh to Delhi have been paid for. My riding buddy and nephew, Ashim Ranadive will also arrive direct to Jammu from Brazil on 20th August.

My plan was to ride the Pulsar 220, 2 up with Medini. Ashim will ride the Duke alone. Unfortunately, while off roading the 220 on 24th April, I realized that the Pulsar 220 was not working out for me 2 up.

There was a consistent demand for my P-220 ever since my Duke arrived a few weeks ago.

I went straight to the show room, sold the P-220 and paid for the new Avenger 220 DTSI.

I did a test ride and knew right away that the Avenger was a winner.

The Cherry Wine colored Avenger will be delivered to me today evening.
That effectively solves all issues for the Ladakh ride.

We, Medini and I were 2 up on the Avenger for the Ladakh Ride year 2007.

Ashim Ranadive is a track racing rider. He rides a Suzuki GXSR 600 back home abroad.

ASHIM RANADIVE

Through The Wild Desert Mountains and Spiritual Awakening. Ladakh, 2007/09-ashim-ranadive.jpg

THE TIME LINE

12 Aug : Ship bikes to Jammu.
20 Aug: Arrive Jammu.
21 Aug: Ride to Patni Top.
22 Aug: Ride to Srinagar.
23 Aug: Ride to Sonmurg.
24 Aug: Ride to Kargil via Zijilla and Drass.
25-27: Ride to Zanskar Valley.

28 Aug: Kargil to Lomayuru.
29 Aug: Arrive Leh.
30 Aug: Permits. Visit Monastery and Shanti Stupa.
31 Aug: Pangong Tso .
01 Sep: Leh. Ship bikes to Delhi.
02 Sep: Fly out from Leh to Delhi.

Captain Nandu Chitnis
Master Mariner.

Hello Captain,

I am absolutely speechless. I just saw this thread & stopped all my work & went through all the pages in one go.

Hats off to your & your wife. You both are Grandparents at age of approx 60+ & you still have guts to do Ladakh on bike. I am out of words.

You both are more than inspiration for people like me. I am just 35 years old, but after an unfortunate accident while on a road trip to Rajasthan last year (http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...rajasthan.html) we are little afraid to undertake such adventures.

But your travelogue has re-ignited the passion in me. I am literally waiting to go home tonight & let me wife see your travelogue. She too will surely be inspired by Mrs. Chitnis.

Wish you all the best for your this years Ladakh Bike trip. We will wait for updates & photographs.

Thank you very much,

Regards,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jignesh (Post 3105793)

I have posted in your thread. My wife and I suffered a nasty accident before Ladakh. Helmets saved us, but she was shaken up. I told her that I will go alone to Ladakh. A great rider Ashwani Khanna of 60 kph, rang up Medini and told her to RIDE TO LADAKH.

We recovered from our injuries and then we rode.

Mistake was mine, on a bad road I was riding gear 5. Lost traction and fell. Our helmets cracked, furniture around nose was disturbed, knees were damaged. Army Docs and physios set us right.

Ladakh I was riding gear 2/3 on nasty tracks. Never had an issue.

We only live once.

Rest is history.

Respected Cdr Sir

Very inspiring thread. Here is wishing you and Madam all strength and great roads as you prepare to tackle Ladakh.

I was reading that you were part of the raid at KHI harbour during '71. I remember hearing about that daring assault in the All India Radio. Later we got to read the full details and its impact on the war.

Maybe you can write a “ travelogue” of that “tour” as a first hand account. It will also inform our younger folks about one of the most daring mission of the Indian Navy using equipment that were inadequate for the task. I remember the missile boats needed to be towed to staging area as they lacked range.

All the best.

Absolutely INSPIRING..........

This is truly a compelling example of what human will/determination & companionship is capable of achieving !!!
Take a bow......

Sir - while going through this thread in the last 20 mins or so , I couldn't help calling my wife that I want to stop behaving like a 80 year old !!!
We have been to Leh last year by road from Delhi , but biking at age 60+ is mind blowing !

I wish you all the very best for a safe & enjoyable journey ahead and hope that I really learn how to live life as you are...........
Cheers
Sid

Quote:

Originally Posted by drive_factor (Post 3110560)

Dive Factor thank you so much. Sorry for the late reply I am at sea and cant access the net frequently.

Yes I can write that but I am seriously strapped for time. I need a person to who I can dictate and she / he can type the draft of the GreT Epic Naval Action of Dec 5, 1971.

Rgds

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidwadia (Post 3177837)

Sorry for the late reply as I am at sea and cant access the net frequently.

Sid, I am not at all keen to ride a bike to Ladakh. It is my wife, Medini, who wants to do this.

She has been fighting hard at her physical fitness, where as I am lagging because of stormy monsoon seas.

I hope to sign off from the ship soon and get back on a physical fitness regime as also biking the Avenger which is still on temp regn.

We both need to practice off roading this new Bike.

I have a ride tomorrow morning.

Thank you for your support and kind words.

Rgds

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanduchitnis (Post 3177983)

Sir that was a fun travelogue! We enjoyed reading it as much as you enjoyed writing it. Kudosclap:

Will be following your August visit travelogue closely. Do tell us how did the Avenger 220 behave and how was it any different from the 180 you had taken on your previous trip? Some more pictures this time would be welcome.

All the best for your adventure !:thumbs up

Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironhide (Post 3182205)

Last Sunday we rode the Avenger 2 up first time to Lonavala and back. The new 220 cc Avvy is a hugh improvement on the old 180 cc Avvy. We can really LOAD this bike like we did last ride 2007. But we have decided to travel light this time.

The Pune-Lonavala ride with Dukes of Pune was some 160 kms. Did not get opportunities to RUN IN the engine on that ride. How ever off roaded off the main road and Summer Wine (the name of the new Avvy) did well.

My wife and I ...our backs held up well. She Medini swims 16 lengths of the pool followed by 1 hr walk 5 days a week. Regrets I am still on ship and nowhere near her phy fitness. :Frustrati

Some notes on Summer Wine:

1. Power to weight ratio is a plus.
2. Low GC is a concern.
3. Will she be walking on Banihal Pass because of sliding issues? Have to check that out.
4. Off roading performance in slush but firm ground was good.
5. Scared to ride 2 up on 14 kms Zojilla Pass. Year 2007 I did not allow her to ride pillion that 14 kms only. This time she says " I WILL NOT GET OFF THE BIKE!"
6. Have to practice that. She is not scared of off roading.

I am worried stiff because of my advancing age, she is NOT. There are so many issues for me to deal with.

Have arranged a Kirtan for Bikers 03 Aug at my residence to help me get rid of the fears that worry me.
:)

Rgds