Day ride to Darjeeling

The 104 days of strike not only damaged our economy, peace and normalcy but also a lot of machines.

Obviously because of the strike, the movement of vehicles/bikes were restricted and also all shops shut including fuel stations. Most of the machines got damaged because it was not used regularly. On the other hand some like me, managed to take a ride every once in a while however I was buying petrol in the black market which was mixed with kerosene maybe. Really bad fuel but had to still buy them even if was overpriced.

That horrible fuel killed my machine, finally after the strike being withdrawn I visited maila daju’s workshop. He’s garage is definitely the best place to go for Enfield bike maintenance. Shrawan, immediately started work on my bike and did all the necessary maintenance.

Took a day ride to Darjeeling yesterday, with the weather not being favourable, I got into my waterproof gear. The first ride from Kalimpong to Teesta, downhill all the way was fun. Got a bit of rain but that was alright.

Soon after I was making the climb up to Darjeeling via Lopchu. Loved the feel of how the bike was working, shifting gears navigating the steep turns, going full throttle on some patches felt incredible. Can’t beat the feeling of having the crisp wind hit your face.

Just a little ahead, saw this accident that had taken place. I couldn’t figure if the vehicle was going up or coming down when it crashed. I do hope that the people survived it though.

The steep curves & gradient make it an interesting and a challenging ride/drive to some extent. Guess it’s not everyone’s preference of roads to enjoy. Surely, you can’t be drinking and riding/driving on these roads.

The views got more scenic as the clouds started to clear. I had to make a quick pit stop to take a

moment to enjoy the mountain views. The high peaks of the Kanchenjunga himalayan ranges were just about visible.

As I sat on the bike, the weather got bad again. The fog set in, reducing the visibility to almost just 5 metres. It was a slow ride then, concentrating on the road and vehicles coming from ahead. The moisture in the air didn’t do good either as my glasses kept clouding. It’s just an eerie experience of not being able to see anything ahead of you, covered with thick fog and riding through cryptomeria forests. All in all the ride to Darjeeling went well.

Coming back I had the same problem to deal with, a blanket of thick fog for half the section. The steel downhill didn’t go well with my bike as by the time I had descended, it started to choke. Something was not going right, with the fuel injector I suppose…as it would not throttle at a single go without choking. I had to drain out some fuel and it finally kick-started after that. The uphill ride continued to Kalimpong and the bike was as good as ever.

All in all was a good day of riding! Jai Bullet!

Riding Glory

It had been while since i planned a riding getaway, finally with a long weekend in hand, i could manage a riding break. Bags packed, bike and spare parts checked, started the ride in wet and rain condition. After about an hour, it finally started to clear up. By then i was riding past rural villages and farmlands. It was quite a long ride of 300kms from Delhi to reach my destination Churu. However, the scenic beauty and being on the road was so much fun that soon enough i reached without thinking much of the tiredness of the journey.

Enfield and feet at rest

A common sight – rural Rajasthan

Churu, a small city in Rajasthan is considered as the gateway to the Thar desert. It was once home to merchants who built and lived in beautiful havelis with wonderful fresco paintings and some fine chhatris. Sadly, most of them are now vacant and locked and in a very bad shape. Most of the owners are living in other parts of the country and it seems as if they are not interested in the condition of their havelis (or coming back to their hometown).

View from the Haveli rooftops

Some of the few remaining havelis that still stand tall

Portraits of family members on the main arch

A local family has taken up one such haveli and have wonderfully renovated it and run it as a hotel. Malji Ka Kamra is a great place to stay in Churu and relive the glory days of these havelis. The staff were friendly and professional, it was a great stay and a nice place to do nothing.

Renovated Haveli – Malji ka Kamra

Interiors of Malji ka Kamra

All lighted

While at Churu, i did visit many havelis and even though it was sad to see it falling apart, it was still a treat to see the frescoes and chhatris and appreciate local art and artisans. I also managed a ride to Ramgarh and its amazing to see the havelis and frescoes there as well. It’s almost like a deserted place and feels ghostly.

Chhatris at Ramgarh

Churu’s Jain Temple

Beautiful rural setting – Ramgarh

It was after a good weekend of exploring a new region, i rode back in the heat and dust to what i call home Delhi.