Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 8 | Lachen to Gangtok

PREVIOUS PART: Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 7 - Part 2 | Gurudongmar to Lachen
The winding mule track seemed to be the only way to reach the last house of the village. A few children playing at the end of the path created some disturbance for the owners around. As they shooed the children away, I tried to lift my head which was still feeling heavy. Lucky to have the fever down last night, I was in no hurry to start for the day. The route had already been traversed 2 days ago. I was aware of the bad terrains and the best places to stop. A hot bowl of noodles and a cup of coffee were the only things that I needed now. My bones and muscles felt a lot weaker than when I came to Lachen. Obviously, it was the cold and fever that aided this weakness. However, it was a solo ride and I had to take every step cautiously. Riding solo, you have to give your best efforts to avoid any untoward incident. And, most often a solo ride coupled with an untoward incident on these lands brew a deadly cocktail.

A snap from the way...

Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 7 - Part 2 | Gurudongmar to Lachen

260m away from Gurudongmar when my Motorcycle gave up

I could have left my motorcycle there and walked uphill for the remaining hundred meters but probably, it was an emotion attached to my machine that made me push it as long as possible. I thought it would be an easy task considering that I had no saddle bags laden. But, when the engine finds it so hard to breathe, how well can I?

Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 7 - Part 1 | Lachen to Gurudongmar

PREVIOUS PART: Day 6 - Gangtok to Lachen

 There ain't any single word to describe my feelings that day. A myriad of thoughts kept overwhelming me throughout the night. When you are on the verge of doing something you are too unsure of, the dark past recalls itself to stop you from stepping ahead. Flashbacks from the accident at Goa kept haunting me. Trembling amidst those dark moments, I could still feel the warm blood flowing down my face and hear my friend's painful cries. It had been almost 4 years since that happened, yet it felt so yesterday. I struggled to get some sleep in the biting cold.

Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 6 | Gangtok to Lachen

PREVIOUS PART: Day 5 - Pelling to Gangtok

I woke up before the alarm. It was around 5:30 am. On a normal day, it takes at least 3-4 alarms to get up. But, that thought was running through my head once again. Should I ride to Gurudongmar? 
I knew that the roads I had faced till now were too good to compare to the terrains that lead to the highest lake of India. Riding to an altitude almost equal to the Everest base camp, it was not amusing to think of the journey that lay ahead. Siddharth had completed Gurudongmar a day before and warned me about the conditions last night. There were almost no roads to that place. Rocks, gravel and black ice lay like a devil. No rubber could grip its surface with ease. On top of that, narrow roads, steep inclines, sub-zero temperatures and thin air made things worse. He had fallen four times during his ride. But, still had the zeal and passion to conquer the terrain. I wondered how my journey would take its shape. Could I do it? But, challenges are what brought me here in the first place.

Before all that, I had this day to make it to Lachen, the quaint North Sikkimese village from where I would start riding tomorrow and for that permits were needed.

At M.G. Marg, Gangtok (6 am) for permits

Kolkata to Leh Ride 2017 Plan

Plan is Finalized and joining the event is Free, of course.

Join the ride here - https://www.facebook.com/events/205261933270541/ 
Or, Scan QR Code below to join the ride:

People ask others, "lahaul spiti kiaa... killar kishtwad kiaa... gurudongmar kia... world ride kiaa.... lekin Laadaakkhhhh kia kyaa???"

So, now its time to ride to the Mecca of Indian motorcycle touring enthusiasts!!!

As for me, I am planning to ride from Kolkata (2.5 weeks plan) and join with my friends from Delhi (2 weeks plan from Delhi). But, if you wish, there are easy options to parcel your motorcycle to Delhi and start from there.

Full Plan (Kolkata - Leh - Kolkata)
Main Leg - (Delhi - Leh (via Srinagar) - Manali - Delhi)

Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 5 | Pelling to Gangtok

PREVIOUS PART: Day 4 - Okhrey to Pelling

 
While friends woke up early morning to see the magical Kanchenjunga from our balcony, treading outside the warmth of my blanket was out of question. Instead, I removed the curtains and peeked from my bed, keeping a balance between lethargy and curiosity. After sleeping for a few more hours, it was time to pack up and leave. Except Okhrey, the plan did not include halting at the same place for more than a day. Time bound plannings like these were too swift to enjoy the essence of a place.

Somewhere on the way...

Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 4 | Okhrey to Pelling

PREVIOUS PART: Day 3 - Okhrey to Hilley Varsey

For every day ends with an admiration... (View at the end of day from Pelling)

It was the 4th day amidst the mountains. As usual, I woke up before others to finish up the chores in time. That included cold starting my motorcycle, inspecting it closely, prepping the cameras, packing up and finally tying the saddle bags for the day's ride. Yes! I was a little bit jealous of how luxuriously my friends woke up, had their breakfast and got into a warm 'n' enclosed vehicle. But, then I remembered my hands on the grips and the curves of the hills. And, that... kept me smiling throughout the day.

"The toughest leg of the journey is still 4 days away", I counted.

Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 3 | Okhrey to Hilley-Varsey

PREVIOUS PART - Day 2 - Siliguri to Okhrey

As I opened my eyes, the gleaming sunlight had filled the room with warmth and a positive aura. I was a little skeptical to open the glass windows at first, remembering last night's cold winds but, the rays gave much hope.

It was as lively, bright and splendid as it could be. The cold and eerie Okhrey had now turned into a warm sunny quaint little village amidst the lap of the Himalayas. A Vodafone 3G connection still kept you connected to the world outside.

I did not think twice and ventured outside in my trousers.  The first view was amazing.

Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 2 | Siliguri to Okhrey

PREVIOUS PART: Day 1 - Kolkata to Siliguri

Although, a 600 km ride resulted in troubled bones and muscles, a good night's sleep over a few drinks ensured a fresh start for the day. Three of my friends (Sumalya, Ipsita and Duti) were to reach Siliguri by train at around 9 am. They had a car booked and the plan was to ride along with the car. Meanwhile, Siddhartha kept planning his route for the day. He was still unsure whether he would be heading to Gangtok or Mangan directly for a permit to Gurudongmar.

Starting from Siliguri
After a quick breakfast, I started off early to reach NJP Station and head to Okhrey with my friends. It was a packaged trip for 4 of us, apart from the car, since I would be riding my 'Black Beast'. A 2nd breakfast for the day with friends was always welcome and we stopped at Salughara for the same, just before leaving the boundaries of Siliguri.

Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 1 | Kolkata to Siliguri

As they say, '4 wheels move your body but 2 wheels move your soul'.

Nonetheless, being an avid motorcycle enthusiast, the 'The Black Beast' was to be ridden across the Himalayan state. It was going to be the longest ride till date. 2300 kms over 10 days. After many drafts and discussions, 18th November, 2016 became the date when I would be leaving from Kolkata. There were a lot of suggestions coming in, most of which you can guess. 99.99% of them consisted of advising not to go on a motorcycle because they cared for me. The remaining 0.01% turned out to be soulful motorcyclist like me who encouraged, suggested and helped identify the priorities. My parents were nervous as touring on motorcycles is not yet that common in our country. But, I thought of this tour as an opportunity to gain their trust.