North by Northeast ‘2 - Kangra to Roadside Dhaba Near Udhampur’

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Kangra – Dandiyara Bungalow HPPWD rest house – Papri Camp – Basohli – Roadside Dhaba

Distance this period: 318.55 km Total Distance: 809.23 km

Kangra – 0 km (Day 6)
Dandiyara Bungalow HPPWD rest house – 98.24 km (Day 7)
Papri Camp – 52.82 km (Day 8 )
Basohli – 55.62 km (Day 9)
Roadside Dhaba – 111.87 km (Day 10)

Rest day at Kangra was without any events, just rested in hotel room, washed bike & cloths.
Kms covered - 0
Total expense - Rs. 575/-

Resumed next day ride pretty early, after 13 kms took right turn at Shahpur on a freshly tarred all uphill road. Nice view from the top, very less traffic all the way up and then down to Sihunta. Touch the bridge after that bad surface starts to Lahru, then road up to Kakira, follow the steep down road to main road, Tanuhatti and 2 kms up to Dandiyara Bungalow HPPWD rest house on Banikhet road. I was not sure about this rest house, one gentleman told me about this @Kakira over a cup of tea. Today was one hell of a ride, spent more than 10 hrs on the saddle. Stay at Dandiyara Bungalow HPPWD rest house.
Kms covered - 98.24
Total expense - Rs. 600/-

Banikhet is further 10 km up, sharp left turn at the check post and you are on a fun ride. Khairi, zooming all the way down 23 kms, hit bridge, hit another bridge and you are into J&K. Police check post there, had a long chat with them. They advised not to go towards Bani Sarthal due to militancy, rain, road blockage etc. suggested Dhar Road. Registered my details and thanked them, packed some fruits from nearby stall, 14 km uphill ride to Papri was waiting for me. Tea at the top and took right towards Bani ignoring all advises policemen gave. But surface wasn’t good; after 2 km I gave up on the road and camped by the road side. Wow! first day of camping, fearful & excited. Kept my knife close by. Stay - camp near Papri.
Kms covered - 52.82
Total expense - Rs. 105/-

It rained all night, gave me a little window to pack my stuff in the morning. It rained all throughout the day; caused two back to back punctures on front, I was zooming on nice downhill surface couldn’t figure out the bad patches on those numerous water crossings. Made it to Busohli by 2 pm. Phone stopped working today and it won't until I hit HP again on other side of the hill. Hotel - Hotel Ambica near bus stand Busohli.
Kms covered - 55.62
Total expense - Rs. 390/-

I was on a link road today so as expected its a single lane bad road till Mahanpur t-point; where I joined nice Dhar road, less traffic, all downhill. Crossed a bridge, ordered food at roadside dhaba and stayed there for the night. Cyclists love freebies. Stay - Vaishno Dhaba by roadside.
Kms covered - 111.87
Total expense - Rs. 140/-

First view of Kangra

First view of Kangra.

 Lovely road, perfect weather for 

Lovely road, perfect weather for riding.

It was a tough climb to Bharwain from Mubarikpur.

Beautiful climb. I was panting on this climb, stopped and saw so many eyes staring on me from this bus.

Now it will be a routine; climb the hill to top and let the air soak all sweat on zooming down, hit the bridge and repeat again.

Greenery around

Road passing through small villages

A different kind of traffic.

No traffic road, just keep your eyes on the road and free the bike.

Took SH 28. I was thinking to go Chamba via Jot and continue to Sach Pass but looking at the weather turned towards Tanuhatti.

They would wait for me and then chase barking like maniac. As soon as I stop they too stoped and look around. And start again...

Tough climb to Banikhet. Spot the HPPWD rest house at the left

On the way up to Papri. Even this guy is wondering what the hell is wrong with me, why sweat when you can sit inside the car and have a beer.

 

Khairi.. Other side of the river is J&K.

Busohli approaching.

Waiting for rain to subsidies some.

North by Northeast ‘1 - Delhi to Kangra’

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Delhi – Karnal – Ambala – Nalagarh – Amb – Kangra
July 2nd to 6th 2015
Distance this period: 490.68km Total Distance: 490.68km

Original plan was to leave Delhi on 1st but then planning is like journey itself. Couldn’t leave on 1st, there were so many memories to leave behind. Finally 4 o’clock next morning I was all set to leave.

First day first show, made it to Karnal on flat road, rode 145.53 kms (longest, record of the tour) in about 8 hrs on a damn hot day. At Karnal bus stand found one hotel, called Hotel Dreemz. It was a long ride today and crashed after dinner.
Kms covered - 145.53
Total expense - Rs. 990/-

Second day; flatish road continued. nothing unusual. Before Ambala cantt. witnessed something cheary, army mens going and coming out of the bushes. On close inspection found some ladies down there doing their business. ;) LalKurti is the area in Ambala Cantt where you get cheap hotels, I found one, Hotel Sunstar.
Kms covered - 74.49
Total expense - Rs. 600/-

On third day I was riding on foot of the hills, which was pleasant. In Himachal, you must try tasty kadi-chawal on a local dhaba or roadside tin-shed eateries manned by a woman. Made it to Nalagarh, Hotel Shrikant.
Kms covered - 93.00
Total expense - Rs. 660/-

At Nalagarh, got news of Sach pass being open for traffic and also came the first change on original route plan, instead of going towards Swarghat, wished to visit Nangal Dam. So, continued towards Anandpur Sahib, famous Gurudwara. Had lunch there, the lady at the counter was not happy that it took me 4 days of cycling to reach here. Nice. Then it rained heavily. Found one raodside dhaba at Amb and a night stay there.
Kms covered - 96.21
Total expense - Rs. 370/-

Today was 5th day of riding. Lots of ups and down, the killing climb of Mubarikpur, had fruit chat at the fruit chat corner. Skipped Bharwain; I had promised a friend that I will meet him at his home but his nummber was not reachable so skipped. Made it to Kangra. Hotel Jai Maa.
Kms covered - 81.45
Total expense - Rs. 670/-

After 5 days of continuous riding, took a rest day at Kangra. Its my Birthday today.
Kms covered - 0.00
Total expense - Rs. 575/-

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photo-shoot of the gear[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] One of my such nights to come. for RS. 200/- it was a deal. The best way to find a cheap hotel room is to ask around for Bus stand or Railway station.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] After two days of humid and hot ride, now I was headed to foot of HP hills.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] First change, headed towards Bharatgarh, to Kiratpur Sahib. Placed nice parantha at dhaba, the lady at the counter offered it for free.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The X resting.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Some Gurudwara on the route[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] After crossing the Nangal Dam, some climb and back to HP. Crossed the border and entered Una.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Roads were beautiful, so was the scenery.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Tunnel Time zz[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Litchi time. Refreshing after such a hard ride.[/caption]