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Riding a 200cc to 17800 ft across the Himalayas Riding a 200cc to 17800 ft across the Himalayas
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Ride Tales Post your ride reports for a weekend ride or around the world. Please make the first words of the title WHERE the ride is. Please do NOT just post a link to your site. For a link, see Get a Link.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 23 Dec 2016
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Riding a 200cc to 17800 ft across the Himalayas
It was my 200cc Motorcycle never meant to be ridden amidst the Himalayas, never meant to be taken to India's highest lake, Gurudongmar. Yet, I had to. The traveler inside me could not stay at home anymore.

So, I rode out for the mountains that were calling me for a long time. I thought I should share my journey as I derived inspirations from numerous experienced motorcyclists here.

Here's the whole journey in bits:


And, Day 1 starts here - The 600 km ride from Kolkata to Siliguri
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  #2  
Old 23 Dec 2016
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Inspirational film, thanks for posting, what time of the year did you do this trip?
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  #3  
Old 23 Dec 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley View Post
Inspirational film, thanks for posting, what time of the year did you do this trip?
I did it in November end, this year.
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  #4  
Old 24 Dec 2016
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Post Day 2 | Siliguri to Okhrey | Starting on the Mountains, gaining altitude


Please let me know if you like my vlogs. If I should share more info or am I making them boring!!

Your feedbacks will help me make better ones tomorrow.
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  #5  
Old 25 Dec 2016
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Riding across Sikkim | Day 3 | Okhrey to Hilley-Varsey
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  #6  
Old 26 Dec 2016
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Far Away in the hills
Very good post, I am enjoying your adventure. It is good to see a series by a local Indian rather than a European for a change, well done.
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  #7  
Old 28 Dec 2016
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Riding across Sikkim | Day 4 | Okhrey to Pelling
It was a day riding from Okhrey to Pelling in West Sikkim, a North-Eastern Himalayan state in India. It was an easy ride compared to the distances and treacherous terrains covered for the first few days. I rather enjoyed the company of my friends who were in a car behind me, tasted the Rhododendron wine and Chaang, which is a Sikkimese local drink. It was my birthday and I was more into thoughts for the upcoming days when I had to ride to Gurudongmar, the lake at an altitude almost equal to the Everest base camp. The big day was approaching soon.
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  #8  
Old 6 Jan 2017
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Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 5 | Pelling to Gangtok
Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 5 | Pelling to Gangtok
Started the day with a puncture and had to repair it myself. Later, a puncture repair guy found some issue with the valve. Overall, it was a good ride from Pelling to Rabongla with the Kanchenjunga Falls and Ziplining in between. Roads were good with some extremely bad inclined patches. A powerful motorcycle really better here. In this journey, it was nice to get acquainted with a fellow 200NS rider.
Before leaving for this journey, there were a lot of speculations about getting robbed/cheated/duped on the way. Instead, I got to meet nice people throughout. I guess, sometimes the world is way better than we think.
At Gangtok, John was ready with the permits for the next day when I would travel to North Sikkim. It was my first long ride to an altitude of 17800 ft and it was going to be exciting as hell.

Motovlog for the day:


Detailed Travelogue for the day - One Living Life: Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 5 | Pelling to Gangtok
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  #9  
Old 20 Jan 2017
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Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 6 (Till break) | Gangtok to Mangan
Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 6 (Till break) | Gangtok to Mangan

So, day 6 started early, as I had to get my permits for Gurudongmar from Gangtok. My front tire had zero air pressure and I had been dealing with this problem ever since I reached Okhrey on Day 2. None of the puncture repair guys could find an issue but every morning the tire would have no pressure. I rode from Gangtok to Mangan on the way meeting a bad cop who wasted 30 minutes of my time.

Permits from Gangtok


The 4 permits for 4 checkposts in North Sikkim


One of the permit copies


Meeting Siddharth on the way back


Somewhere in between...


Tagged as one of the unforgettable lunch breaks of life...

Motovlog for the day:
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  #10  
Old 27 Jan 2017
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Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 6 (After break) | Mangan to Lachen
I tried to make it to Lachen before darkness and thankfully I could make it. But!! Oh boy!! The roads!! They were treacherous. I hoped that my tire could hold well till the end. Let the vlog explain it in a better way.

Motovlog for the Day after break:



The detailed Travelogue for the Day - One Living Life: Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 6 | Gangtok to Lachen
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  #11  
Old 7 Mar 2017
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Day 7 - Lachen to Gurudongmar & back
Waking up at around 3:30 am, the way below Zero temperatures made my bones shiver. This ride and this day was by far the toughest ride ever till date in my life.

Motovlog from Lachen to Gurudongmar:



The detailed Travelogue for the Part - One Living Life: Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 7 - Part 1 | Lachen to Gurudongmar


But, when I reached the top, it was indeed a heaven on earth. You are just there to stay spell-bound!!! When I reached here, I was so happy and so thankful to many experienced motorcyclists at xBHP and outside who gave the insights and know how on how to do this.

Motovlog from Gurudongmar to Lachen:



The detailed Travelogue for the Part - One Living Life: Motorcycling across Sikkim | Day 7 - Part 2 | Gurudongmar to Lachen
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  #12  
Old 7 Mar 2017
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Well, Sir.

What can I say ???? just 1 word "Inspiring"
And great videos as well thank you for posting.
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  #13  
Old 21 Mar 2017
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Originally Posted by Nuff Said View Post
Well, Sir.

What can I say ???? just 1 word "Inspiring"
And great videos as well thank you for posting.
Thanks friend...
These comments are always encouraging.
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  #14  
Old 21 Mar 2017
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Day 8 - Lachen to Gangtok to start the Old Silk Route
Day 8 - Lachen to Gangtok to start the Old Silk Route
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