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India 2010

Day 7, 22nd October 2010 - Final day. Rishikesh to Delhi 250km

Thankfully the rainstorm had passed overnight and we spent the night on a beach next to the river.  In the morning we were woken up by glorious sunshine rising over the mountains and filling the valley floor. Mike and Rob braved the cold and took a dip in the fast-flowing river, but it was all too cold for Raj who only managed to dip his toe in! However, it wasn't all great for those two.  Unfortunately the 'Delhi Belly'
eventually caught up with both of them. 

We left camp at 8.30 and headed back into the town we had passed through last night to get petrol only to discover that one of the bike's sub-frames had completely split.  With it repaired in half an hour, we battled our way through various towns and villages dodging the usual chaos of lorries, buses, people and horses and carts. We've lost count of the number of cows simply lying in the middle of the road!  They must
know that they are sacred animals to do that!  

After lunch we thankfully found ourselves on the 'highway' to Dehli and with the traffic building up the closer we got, all of the bikes started to overheat and stall. Nevertheless, we battled through and after another 12 hours of riding, we made it to our hotel in the city centre after dark. Well, only Mike & Rob made it after 12 hours, Raj decided to make it after 13.  Unfortunately, after some 1300km, we lost half our group including Raj at the very last junction leading to our hotel meaning that our guide Matt had to go out and find them. Despite this, we all managed to arrive at the hotel safe and well, but tired and very sore.

The last 6 days has undoubtably been the most challenging but it has been truly epic trip. It has taken us through some of the most stunning scenery we are ever likely to see and meet some of the most friendly and welcoming people at the same time. 

Little did we know how demanding it would be before we set off, however, the feeling of completing the challenge successfully was immense, but at the same time slightly, and perhaps perversely, we are disappointed that it has come to an end. Especially given the support we've received from everyone back home before, during and after, Thank you

SIA Tour of India October 2010- Done!

Raj, Mike & Rob.

Day 6, 21st October 2010 - Chail to Rishikesh 320 kms

It was pretty cold this morning when we set out at 6.30am to make our way down through the mountains and onto the plains.  The road was very rough with plenty of potholes and in large parts the mountain roads had been completely washed away due to the recent and heavy monsoon rains, making progress slow and literally painful.

After lunch, we stopped on the roadside to speak to Louise and Jamie for their breakfast show on BBC Radio Wales for a 5 minute interview.
Whilst Rob was doing the interview the rest of the group were introduced to the owner and family of the farm that we had pulled up alongside; we even helped push-start the farmer's tractor.  Everyone we have met has been extremely friendly and welcoming.

As we continued on our way, two monkeys ran out in the road in front of Mike, he managed to avoid the first one but the second collided with his foot.  Unbelievably, the first monkey came back and pulled the stunned monkey off the road to safety!  Due to the numerous bike breakdowns and volume of traffic through a number of the towns, for a second day we ended up travelling into the night which was made even worse by a treacherous thunderstorm.  The mountain roads were pitch black and we came across more land-slides which meant we had to cut across water in badly affected areas. We got to the campsite on the banks of River Ganges wet and exhausted but looking forward to our last day's ride to Delhi.

Raj, Mike & Rob.

Day 5, 20th October 2010 - Manali to Chali 270km

Started off the day at 6:30am to get to Jalori Pass a mountain range some 3000 meteres high. On our way up, Raj managed to drop his bike again. Sorry Raj three strikes and your out, and you are now out!! On our way to the top the road was non-existent and we had to ride up a rocky steep dusty track for several miles. It was well worth it though when we reached the top beacuase the view was spectacular. Snow-capped mountains as far as the eye could see.

After lunch we headed back down the mountains onto what should have been the main road to Chali. However, due to the recent monsoons and mud-slides, a lot of the road had been washed away leaving just a rutted track. It took 5 hours to travel 75 miles; a total of 12 hours on the bike today. We are really tired and we've got another early start and 12 hours riding tomorrow, but looking forward to it.

Raj, Mike & Rob.

Day 4, 19th October 2010 - Bir to Manali 180km

The day didn't start to well, Rob dropped his motorcycle helmet and is now viserless!! The roads were a bit dodgey, narrow and potholed with pretty nasty cliffs to one side, we were all pretty nervous. Luckily we have had enough time with our bikes and are used to their individual characteristics. They've taken quite a battering already on the rough routes but they are holding up.

We're doing the trip with seven other guys so we are all looking out for each other, as we started our ascent into the mountains in the afternoon, the scenery was just breathtaking. The roads are getting very twisty and narrow but well serviced resulting in the best riding experience we have all ever had! Although in the way down Mike decided to have a little game of motorcycle dominios and knocked over one of the guides bikes. However, this was topped by RAj, who fell off his bike at 0mph fortunately only bruising his ego, another strike Raj!!!!

We are faced with another tough day tomorrow as we are all starting to feel the effects of spending 8+hours a day on a the bumpy roads on a motorbike. No rest up early again for a 6:30am start!!

Raj, Mike & Rob.

Day 3, 18th October 2010 - Dharamsala to Bir – 80km

Started the day up in the mountains and visited a Tibetan Monastry.  Before we left we all spun the pray drums for goodluck, Mike didn’t think that was enough luck and decided to stand under a bird which duly poopd on his head!!  Thankfully the ride to the hotel was without any incidents.

We were supposed to be camping at a site owned by and Indian ex-Colonel in an apple orchard however all of the tents were full so unfortunately we had to stay in the hotel, on soft mattresses.  During the evening we went to a paragliding site but it was really foggy so only two brave people launched off that day.  The night was spent around the camp-fire discussing the days events over a few well earned beers.  Early start tomorrow to travel 180km to Manil.

Raj, Mike & Rob.

PS no delhi belly yet!!!!!!

Day 2, 17th October 2010

After a bit of a restless night, we left our hotel at 7:30 to join the the Monday morning chaos feeling pretty nervous as to what we would encounter. The plan was to cover 130 miles today. After 5 minutes one of the guys that we are travelling with almost fell off; it wasn't the greatest start on record

We all managed to get out of Amristar in one piece. There are no rules, no right of way. The only way to get through the traffic is to find a gap, sound your horn (constantly!) and go for it. It like a massive real-life game of dodgems.

A few of us had some narrow escapes. Bus drivers want to run every motorcyclist off the road. They head straight for you and they expect you to get out of the way which on a few occasions meant we had to literally get off completely off our side of the road.

Mike almost took Rob out going over a pot hole. Having almost disappeared down a pot-hole and just about managing to keep going, Mike's water bottle bottle flew off the back of his bike taking out 3 others in the process!

Our route meant that we had to cross a river but the bridge collapsed 3 years ago. For the first time we all had to go off road which meant riding over rocks and sand.

This afternoon we started to climb into the mountains. It had been really hot and humid until this afternoon. We had to avoid plenty of cows all of which are sacred but all seem to have a death-wish and want to walk out into the road as we're going passing. As we got close to the hotel, Raj decide to meet and greet the road falling off the road stationary! He may be down but he's definitely not out.

We're staying at a hotel some 2000 metres above sea level. The views are amazing!

Raj, Mike & Rob.

PS no delhi belly yet!!!!!!

Day 1, 16th October 2010

Today we started off going to see the Golden Temple at Amritsar. The temple is the centre of the Sikh religion but anyone is welcome. The temple is in the middle of a large lake but before we could go in we all had to buy bandannas to cover our heads. We've got photos to prove how stupid we all looked. We also had to leave our shoes/flip flops at the entrance before entering. The place was packed and some of the men were even swimming in the lake.

We were taken for a tour of the kitchens within the grounds everyone eats for free. The saucepans were the largest we have ever seen around 10 foot in diameter no kidding! On our way around the locals were asking for photos with us even stopping and gatecrashing our own group photo. On our way back to the hotel, we even saw 3 cows in the middle of town one of which was sun-bathing in the middle of the road.

This afternoon we got our hands on the Enfield Bullett (motorcycles) which was quite an experience and very different to what we are used to. Thankfully, we all managed to stay upright and in one piece. Although Rob came close to a cropper!

This evening we went to the closing ceremony of the road boarder between India and Pakistan, bit like a football match with thousands of people on opposite sides chanting for their own country. Very elaborate spectacle that takes place every day at sunset.

We start our real ride at 7am tomorrow morning in the hope that we avoid the bedlam that will be rush hour.

Raj, Mike & Rob.

PS no delhi belly yet!!!!!!