After the below entry (day 3) we lost touch with the bikers for 3 days. They were in areas that had no coverage for telephone services. It was slightly worrying as they were meant to reach Leh
on Friday afternoon and we expected to hear from them then.Finally, late Friday night, we got a call from a guy in Leh who had met them in a place called Pang (picture on left). As you can see, it's not exactly what you would call hospitable Apparently their jeep had broken down and was refusing to budge. They asked him to get in touch with us. We were relieved!
It was a tough time in Pang as two of the men, Ashish and Rajan, got altitude sickness and had to be given oxygen.
Saturday afternoon we got our first phone call from them. Four of the riders, Martin, James, Steph, and Jeff had carried on to Leh while three, Sanjiv, Rajan and Ashish made a difficult decision to head back to Mainali with the broken down jeep in a truck. There was no way to repair it in Pang. I think Sanjiv and Ashish are enjoying being together in Mainali and getting some of the father son time they were looking forward to,
The group will reunite tomorrow and begin their journey back to Delhi day after. The Jeep is still in the workshop-with a major engine job required.
The men will arrive, Thursday afternoon, and be there for the music hangout, Friday evening! So if you're free we would love to see you there too.
Day 3
Checked the bike yesterday-rear brake drum rubbers melted, brake shoes smooth as ice, brake drum dented! no wonder we had no brakes-they started to jam today but the nearest mechanic is 360 km ahead at Leh-just hve to use the gears and front brakes!
Ashish and James like pillion riding-even though their bums must be sore bounced around like crazy. Sons and fathers, we must be crazy. None of us still believe that this is for real!
Started of 5 am today-wet roads which got progressively worse until it was just mud, slush, rocks, stones for a 25 km stretch. We stalled 5 times, but just about managed not to fall-I had to keep repeating loudly 'don't look ahead' and 'keep the bike handle straight', psyching myself on! Didn't have time to get scared, but am petrified thinking of going downhill in slush and stone on the return trip.
A gruelling tough ride to Rohtang, the cup of tea welcome here.
The ride got better choking now and then in dust thrown up by truks in army convoys which shouldered us aside. Breathtaking scenery-we were in between snow capped peaks above and a raging river below.
Keylong at 1 pm-shower and lunch, then to tthe market for a much needed head massage-Ashish got two from different shops.
Dinner time shortly and we leave tomorrow for the 2nd highest pass in the world-so they tell us.
Ashish and James like pillion riding-even though their bums must be sore bounced around like crazy. Sons and fathers, we must be crazy. None of us still believe that this is for real!
Started of 5 am today-wet roads which got progressively worse until it was just mud, slush, rocks, stones for a 25 km stretch. We stalled 5 times, but just about managed not to fall-I had to keep repeating loudly 'don't look ahead' and 'keep the bike handle straight', psyching myself on! Didn't have time to get scared, but am petrified thinking of going downhill in slush and stone on the return trip.
A gruelling tough ride to Rohtang, the cup of tea welcome here.
The ride got better choking now and then in dust thrown up by truks in army convoys which shouldered us aside. Breathtaking scenery-we were in between snow capped peaks above and a raging river below.
Keylong at 1 pm-shower and lunch, then to tthe market for a much needed head massage-Ashish got two from different shops.
Dinner time shortly and we leave tomorrow for the 2nd highest pass in the world-so they tell us.
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