SPITI - The Mighty mountains and ME !!!

It was around early May when our riders club “The Bikerni “put up an ad which read “Ride to the Monkland”, I took a glance at it and brushed it away like any other WhatsApp message that holds no priority in my mind.  This specific message began to get repeated every other day and people started nominating themselves for the same.  I thought thru and smiled to myself that these are some lucky people who are making it. I almost then began ignoring these messages and moving ahead until early June where one day I was invited to be part of a panel discussion at the Design studio on St Marks Road. This discussion was specific of women riders sharing their experiences.  I took Maansi along with me for this meeting as I wanted her to see more women like her mom who love riding and get her exposed to the larger world of women riders.

I met my co riders from the club and this topic of the ride to the Monkland  - “ SPITI Valley” was brushed again .  This team my friend Minakshi who is the admin of the club , began sharing some interesting details.

The deal was to have complete safety for this ride , with backup vehicle, mechanic, a paramedic and experienced riders to help us navigate hard stretches. This sounded very interesting . Maansi was listening to our conversation and did not say anything. We finished the program and headed back home. It was almost 9.30 pm. In the Cubbon park traffic signal as we stood for the green light , she asked me  “ Amma, do you want to go for that ride ? “ . I told her it sounded interesting, but I was not sure if I could ever do it..  She then said “ I think everyone should live their dreams Ma “. If you think you can you should.  The bug had bit me now..  I kept thinking over this the next few days and spoke to Mina again asking her all questions about the ride and safety part..I must say She did a damn good job in explaining where I just got further sold to this .  I then had the next challenge in front of me and that was convincing my family to let me go for this.  Over a normal afternoon call with my husband, I just dropped the ball on him of this plan .  I was hoping for some abnormal reaction, but to my surprise he was quiet composed and cool and told me that if I had the confidence that I could do it , then I could go for it.  This surely boosted my confidence that I was heading in the right direction . Now came the real challenge, “ Mission Mother” convincing part of it.  As I sat after dinner in my balcony my mom came over and sat next to me. We went ahead with a general chit chat of daily matters and then I began to stitch a story of friends going ahead to the ride to the Monkland.  I got very descriptive of the goodness of the place and the easiness of the ride and just then when she said it is wonderful, I bounced the question if I could go for it.  She being my mother , knew well where I was heading too and reluctantly agreed for the same.  Post that day , my conversations about this trip did not happen much as I did not want her to get more inquisitive to know more details of the ride.  I became more regular going to the gym and started taking my fitness a bit more seriously .  This ride was fixed for the 9^th of Aug to the 19^th Aug. Days passed by and I kept busy as work being the peak period of our annual appraisals . June passed and it was now the 3^rd week of July and the traffic in the Whatsapp group specific for this ride started increasing. Tips on what to carry and all details related to the preparation started flowing. I wonder why butterflies of different variety started roaming freely in my stomach garden.  This child like excitement and fear all in one go . I must also make a special mention when I spoke about my plans at work, I received tremendous support from my colleagues and also HCL was kind enough to sponsor jackets and Powerbank for this team. These two came in so handy during this journey on the many unforeseen situations which I will narrate below.

I had done my ticket bookings , informed at work place of my leave during this period and started buying my little wants for this trip thru amazon and other outlets. Got an awesome trek backpack , shoes, gloves … my flight was on the 8^th morning to Delhi.  7^th morning Maansi gets up in the morning and begins to cry . She said “ Ma I m not able to believe your leaving me and going’ , by now the fear factor in me also had been steadily increasing . Conflict in my mind with the good over evil and finally I conclude its too late to back out and take time to talk to her and make her feel better. Looking at her my mom asks me “ do you really want to do it “ . It my accident two years back that left me bedridden for 3 months that left a deep impact on their minds..  I stand by my decision and talk it out that this is a trip of my lifetime and I would be very careful.

Finally the day arrives 8^th morning , I send Maansi to school and then head towards the airport and with a bit of drama for an Allen key in my bag, I do a round about with my luggage being taken back , putting this key into the checkin baggage and then I run for my flight.  Land in Delhi, weather is horribly humid and I just think of all the warm clothing I have packed in my backpack and what I was to do with it, if the weather continued this way and move towards the hotel.  We checkin and get to meet my other fellow riders who have come from other places and we set out to go to the place Wheelify where we are to hire our bikes for the ride.  With a bit of fuss on the quality of the vehicles and getting some repairs done , we take our bikes and set out to the hotel to get ready for the D Day.  I had taken my favorite Avenger Cruise 220 . Little did I know that it was a vehicle for the highway and not for the off roads.. but yeh interesting stories ahead..  So the team started to get ready for the ride Sameera was our lead and she had done SPITI before.  We also had Praveen who was there to guide us thru this journey.


The trail we were to follow was Delhi- Narkanda-Chitkul-Nako-Tabo-Kaza-Chandrataal-Rohtang-Manali-Delhi

Day 1

9^th Morning 5 AM Day 1 , flag off happens and the confident riders set out to achieve something that none of the women riders as a group have ever done before. The weather was hot even so early in the morning.  Riding jackets seem more of a burden but have limited choice but to have it on for safety .  Patches of rain , patches of sunshine and we reach the foothills to move towards Narkanda our first halt point. The roads on the way to Shimla are horrible.  Road widening was on and full of construction work making two wheeler ride a  horrible experience.  We were not in a position to pick up speed at any point either due to roads or due to traffic.  It was getting dark and also began to rain . We took a short stop for a sip of tea and as we started I realized that I have left my gloves behind.  I went ahead to get it and by then the team had started the trail to Narkanda. The weather got so foggy and the rains added to my agony .  I began to realize that my vision was blurring out and I could hardly have visibility for a few feet only . I started moving at a slow speed trying to figure out which side was the valley , the road and the rocky mountains.  It started to become very difficult for me to view and my heart began to beat a little faster .. At one point I wanted to stop the bike and give up , just then an Alto black car came in front of me . This car had the words  “ James” written at the rear window . This car started moving very slowly with the dipper lights on.  It was so hard for me to believe that this car was like a rescue car showing me the way through the thick fog. The driver of this car for some reason went very slow and I in all blind faith just followed the dipper lights of this car and moved ahead.  We went on for about 8 kms on this trail, till we reached the next human habitat and my fellow riders were waiting for me there.  After I reached the spot, I further did not see the car and just felt that Miracles do happen and we just need to see them .  We reached the hotel at about 10 pm in the night and all of us were exhausted. It was solid 13-14 hours of riding.  We all had quick dinner and crashed to bed with full confidence that next day would be filled with all possible aches and pains.

 

Day 2

It was around 3 am in the morning and I was not able to sleep any further , for a reason that my back was paining . Omni gel ointment and hot pack were something I did thru the night and by 5.30 am it was unbearable to lay on bed anymore. The sun had just begun to rise and I moved the curtains and what do I See… magnificent beauty of nature.  Dumbstruck for a moment. From the hectic Bangalore traffic sound to serene beauty and peace was a journey .  We all had an early breakfast and then saddled up for our ride to the next destination Chitkul “the last village of India “. Our initial ride thru the mountains was blissful with beautiful roads , lush green mountains small huts here and there and smoke coming out of the chimney all looked like fairy tale. This journey went on for a couple of hours till we reached a certain point of hard , muddy roads and from then on, did I least know that it would be a beginning of a hard and challenging journey.  The muddy river which was an outcome of the glacier melting from the muddy mountains continued to follow us . The tribe kept moving and at one point we saw a cattle herd. All looked normal and first four bikes moved ahead as well . As I started getting closer to make my way one adolescent cow began jumping and hoping all over and began running in the direction of my bike.  I was taken by surprise and on the narrow road my mind started to race thinking what should be my next move.  The cow had now inched closer to me and just when it had lifted its front feet I honked like a crazy freak in the bangalore traffic and all I did was closed my eyes tight. can you imagine what an action that was ..just praying for whatever best could happen of that moment. In a fraction of few seconds the cow decided to jump to the side and continued to run. I put my brakes , got my bike to a halt and just took a deep breath thanking god for the miracle again and for having survived the moment.  We continued our ride with a break in-between to get our bikes checked as the terrain ahead was going to be tough. We got our chains sprayed, our oils checked and air in the wheels intact. We crossed mountains after mountains and now they were more muddy mountains than green that we had just left behind. We crossed some amazing bridges and some patches the roads were so beautifully laid by the BRO (Boarder roads organization).  it just looked like these roads came out of nowhere in these dessert mountains. We were on these roads for a few hours and after a certain distance they only started to get narrower as we were getting closer to Sangla on the way to Chitkul. During this whole journey the backup truck that we had hired could not follow us from one of the bridges as the bridge had developed a crack and hence the truck had to take another route. We were already braving this journey without a backup vehicle hoping and praying that nothing goes wrong with our bikes. As we moved ahead a little we saw two vehicles stranded and as we got closer we got to see the first display of natures fury or naughtiness if I can say . we had huge stones fallen from the top of the mountain on the roads. These stones were of different shapes sizes and most of them were sharp too. We waited for a few minutes to see if more were falling and then were asked to cross this road. Sorry .. what road , there was no so called muddy road , but a path full of stones everywhere.  Mind kept racing to think how do we maneuver , and I began to see my fellow riders move one by one. We carefully moved the path and all thru just hoped we do not have more stones of love being showered on us by mother nature. We finally reached Chitkul around 7 pm took a snap near the point that clearly stated that we were in the last village of India about 14500 feet above sea level. The feeling of accomplishing our first milestone was just amazing. We then went to the hotel and settled down in our rooms.  We spent time playing Dumb Charades and must say thanks to Richa for popping up some names of the movies that I never heard ….. what was that name “ beheti nadi mein sukhi laash…”… what was that .. still cannot remember .. “ Don Muthuswamy “ wonder who even produced such movies.. but we had our share of laughter trying to get it right . We then also braved to try some form of weed (don’t quote me 😉 ) and had early dinner and crashed. the weather was cold but manageable.  Again the night with Omni Gel and hot pack to get ready for the next day . I was able to get some good sleep due to the tiredness of so much riding that I was never used to …and the sense of joy of having conquered a significant milestone.

Day 3

It’s a very bright and sunny day and we spent the early morning taking a walk in the village of less than 100 people. We visted the Devi Mandir, which I believe is several years old and attracts tourists. We then get started and our journey on the long , endless muddy, stony roads begin . The muddy river refuses to let go of us and continues to follow as if it were her responsibility to see us through these mountains.  Our next destination is to reach Nako , another village on the mountains with a beautiful monastery. All these milestone points are  less than 200 Kms but the ride is not easy. We descend the mountains from Chitkul and start our journey towards Pooh , and beyond to go to Nako.  Intermittent roads beautiful and most roads awaiting to test our skills.  I by now realize that I’m more the tortoise of the team keeping my speed a little slower than the others. I realize the challenge with heights is beginning to creep into me. Maneuvering a cruise is harder while most of my fellow riders had opted sports bikes. Looking down as I move on the roads, made me feel a bit dizzy. Not allowing my fears to creep in I continued to tread this path.  I looked at the mighty mountains around and just begin to relax my breathing and there at about 200 mts ahead, I see one of my fellow riders fallen on the road. Oops.. what was it and why was it .. no idea , by the time I reach there other riders are already helping Richa get up and are checking the bike.. We see there is a crack near the tank , which needs attention without which riding is not possible . With lesser choice and the night falling in , we decide to load the bike onto the backup truck and we head to Nako. It begins to rain and the weather goes chill and we reach the hotel with a bit of hardship finding the route.  We have our dinner for the night and go up to the terrace of the hotel for star gazing.  Post the quick showers the skies clear to make way for us to gaze at the astronomic skies.  As we settle down to sleep ,we get the information that there has been a landslide during the day towards kaza and the roads have been closed. The JCB’s ( heavy off highway vehicle ) are working in removing the debris and the roads would clear only by afternoon .  We all are anyway tired and feel a bit more rest would not do any harm.  Nako also had “the Lama” visiting them and a discourse in the monastery the next day and I hope to get a chance to see him .  With a hope for more rest and the fear somewhere still inside I hit bed .

 

Day 4

Early morning seems very refreshing and I call the hotel guy to give me a cup of tea but he is no where to be seen. Sumitha is awake and both of us decide to take a small walk in search of a tea stall to help beat the cold. As I walk in search , I meet a lady on the road , as I ask her the way she is courteous to invite us to her house for a cup of tea. As I entered the house what I realized was that the houses that look small and squarish from outside actually have huge spacious rooms inside and the setting in the hall for people to sit is called the  “ Baitak”  We get piping hot tea , and a chance to talk to these ladies . The are so feminine beautiful, shy and all smiles . The are in awe of us for the very fact that we as women are riding bikes… we then see beautiful ladies getting dressed to visit the monastery to seek the blessing of The Lama.  We also saddle up, get our bikes and start towards the monastery . After a brief visit and hearing The Lama for a few minutes , we then watch our clocks , it afternoon and we hope the road towards Kaza would be cleared.  We check with an army vehicle and they confirm the same and hence we all start moving up the mountain .  We reach a point where all the vehicles are at a  halt. We casually inquire what is the issue and get to hear the fresh stones are falling .  I was really not able to feel the intensity until after a few minutes , three lorries from the opposite side cross over to this side and head towards Nako.  In less than 5 minutes , huge boulders come down on the road . For a moment I did not understand what was  happening and when I did , trust me palpitation started.  All vehicle traffic stopped for another 20 minutes or so , the people managing the situation asked all the bikes to move first. This was to ensure vibrations were lesser and traffic movement could start.  It was 200 meters that we had to cross .  As we began to start our bikes, people started to say “ Jai Mata Di” ( Hail the goddess)  and for each one of us riders had very different thoughts in our mind for sure. We wished the very best to each other and got started.. 200 meters ride as I moved got me just the thought of my daughter .. I just kept saying “ Mummy loves you Maansi “ and my heart beats were heavy .  I did not have a guts to see my right where the boulders were falling, nor to my left which was the steep valley beckoning for a fall . I just kept thinking of Maansi and I moved . As soon as those 200 meters were over , coincidentally there was a board put up “ thanks”  with tears in my eyes, I just felt “ God! , its me who has to thank you . We continued our ride thru the mountains and finally reached Geu , which is a place of a beautiful monastery and a Mummified body of a monk of 565 years old.  We spent sometime , had maggi and then started to move towards Tabo.  Sam’s bike was giving some hiccups but we kept pepping it to make up for the way.  it was about 5 pm as we reached Tabo and our lead Sam kept warning us that we need to move fast.  The weather seemed fine and bright and shiny. About 30- 45 minutes look at this ancient monastery of 996 AD left us wondering how human habitat was established in this place with such harsh weathers. As we saddled again, the clouds started to coverup and it began to drizzle. Little did we know what lay in store for us . We crossed a village called POH and kept heading to kaza . When the rains got harsher, some of us had to put on our rain gears . We stopped for a few minutes at a shed and got ready . the villagers who saw us told us to rush faster or the roads would close. Hearing this we decided to keep focus and keep pace to cross over.  As we started to move I was the last but one person, a car in the opposite direction that came , stopped me to inform the roads were already closed.  The brainy person could tell me , but was not able tell Sam our lead who had already gone far ahead.  We were left with no choice but to chase up to Sam and inform to head back . As we chased the other bikes, in one of the turns , I could already see Sumitha’s Himalayan was already stuck . Other riders got down to pull the vehicle. The road in front of us now had almost melted with no road. We all turned around and now I was in the front along with Ramya and as we moved a shocker awaited. The road in front of us started melting and water stream gushed.. Sudden halt and a moment of numbness not knowing what to do next.  WE all halted, swtiched off our bikes and stood gazing at the road that was and the stream that had engulfed the road.   It continued to rain heavily and my clothes were wet to the last garment.  Except the upper body as I had my rain jacket. Along with us in the space were also two lorries who were going towards Tabo. We requested the truck driviers to give us some place to sit in the truck as the weather was cold, freezing and raining. I was unable to climb the truck and hence decided to force fit myself in the backup truck with very limited space.  I changed myself with some dry clothes doing all possible circus in the truck.. I just felt like the titanic heroine at the back of the car .. panting and breathing hard.. but the only difference is she had a good time and me a miserable one .  its about 4 hours since this had happened and the time was around 10.30 pm. All of us are hungry and with no food but for some snacks.  We are about to fall asleep when we see many torch lights coming from the hills . Looks like the gods had sent these guys to rescue us.  With all debate on how they got to know of our problem as there were not networks at all , we entrusted our lives to these strangers and started holding their hands tight to move . We climb up and down two deep streams and muddy hills and reach a road, where vehicles are waiting for us. Our bikes remain where they are and our backup truck and our driver Ravi have to stay back with the vehicles . We go back to POH village. The same village that we had crossed a few hours ago probably had more role to play in our lives.  We reach a house and are very warmly welcomed and the ladies of the village are already in the kitchen cooking for us.  Piping hot Dal chawal is what we are offered. God lies in the hands of those who feed the people and it was so true at the moment.  Our battered bodies needed some warm bed and our hungry stomachs some food . Both of this we got and thought we were blessed .  Next day morning as the call of nature beckoned , we just realized that this village did not really have toilets but only pits. Modiji came to my mind and the need why so much of ads keep coming up asking people to construct toilets. This place was a live example.  Not trying to recollect the horror , but getting passed that moment was indeed the most difficult point for me.  We then spent the day that too a fine Monday morning, with no network, no laptop just waiting for the roads to be cleared. This place had a lot of flies due to the season harvesting of Peas . In my literal 20 years of work life on a Monday morning I was hitting flies .. jobless.. never imagined.  I tried sending an sms to family stating I was fine and no network but it took me a few hours before accidentally the message did reach them .  I did not want to tell anyone at home what was on with us , as I m sure giving them tension with no help was not a great idea.  All of us were indeed worried and were thinking of what should be our next move. Should we go back the route we came in or should we wait for Kaza. Next day afternoon we prepared ourselves and started moving to the place where our vehicles were parked as we were told the roads were to open by 4 pm . As we started walking at one point I just stand to take a picture of the way our bikes are standing. I just feel, did we survive this fury of nature to see what was left for us.  We took our bikes and move towards the kaza side of the road hoping the roads to be opened.  The JCB’s are at work but as we waited to our luck rain gods decided to show up again and we decided to stay back at POH that night and leave next day morning.  We went back to the house we stayed as if it were our house and took the liberty to sleep. We were severed hot “ Khadi Chawal” . food never tasted better.  My mind kept working as this time I had to pass the test early morning in the man made pit .. and not toilet.. moment of such tension. This was a problem with many of my friends too and all dreaded to think of the moment when it would come..

Day 5

I must say I passed the test with the pits in that house.. God ! in sincerely wish people take all the initiative to have toilets in their house and we got ready around 6 am to ride the most treacherous path that was just battered by Rain for over 2 days.  As we moved we just realize that 6 odd kms road is completely battered and very risky to cross. We ride at minimum speed and too much stress on shoulders holding the handle firm  , applying front brakes even by mistake was just calling for trouble.  We take about 45 minutes but finally we cross it. Kaza is 22 kms away and we try to maintain some decent speed to move ahead. As we reach Kaza we halt at the Royal Enfield showroom to hand over the bike of Richa for repair and then head towards the hotel.  As we reach freshening up after 2 days was heaven and we crash to get a quick nap. The weather was now bright , shiny and poky .  We decided to take a tour around kaza. Few or us park our vehicles and get onto the backup truck while some choose to ride.  We then moved towards Langza to see the monastery and the highest restaurant thru a motorable road . Clicking a few snaps of our tired faces but smiles still intact. We then came back to our rooms to rest . Richa’s bike is still not done and the great mechanic promises to give the vehicle the next day early morning.  I felt my breathing was hard due to the altitude but I didn’t take medicines hoping to feel better the natural way.  The night was a nightmare, some food poisoning and all my vents were open . Almost the whole night with 7-8 intervals I spend in the bathroom and I m all exhausted.

Day 6

Ramya and Sumitha wake up in the morning and try to help me get some relief by giving medicine and Electrol.  We get to know Richa’s bike repair is still getting delayed and hence I got some more time to rest . Richa offers to ride my bike but somehow I m still determined to complete this ride. I wake up after sometime , decide just to be on liquids and gear up to move ahead in our journey to our next destination of Chandrataal.  Its finally concluded that Richa’s bike is irreparable here and only in Manali they could get it done and hence it is again backed back on the truck. We all leave around 12 noon and head to KEY Monastery the weather is hot and poky and I was feeling a bit weak due to the havoc in my body the previous night but I controlled myself. We visited and then next headed straight to Chandrataal. I had heard enough stories prior to my travel and I was definitely nervous. All my fellow riders who were doing it for the first time did have this inhibition of what awaited their path. We began climbing and descending the mountains and the width of the road only got more narrow, hard, full of stones and mud and risky with many hairpin curves.  I seemed to be in good control maneuvering , but alas me and without a fall is like a journey incomplete. In one of the hairpin bends, I was not able to hold the bike any further and got an inclination I was about to fall . Having been a champion in falling over the many  years , I decided to jump of the bike than fall with it on my knees. Every tough situation , somehow god gives you the courage to do it and yes , I jumped off.  I lay fallen on the road for a few minutes and did not want to get up in a hurry with all prior experience , just trying to analyze which part of my body could have suffered. I had all my gears and was hopeful the damage was minimal. I had my fellow riders reach me soon and pick me up from the ground. I stood still for a few minutes trying to talk to my body and slowing moved . Gods grace , blessings and well wishes of people no much damage to my body .. but to my Gaadi(bike) .. yes the windshield broke, the very beauty icon for Avenger Cruise had broken.  No problem , no time to worry and began to ride again .  Just when I thought I was done , there came two streams that we were supposed to cross.  I closely watched my friends cross the stream and see some of them fall as well and then I carefully took the path of the successful ones and crossed without falling.  The ride to Chandrataal camp was really getting tough with very heavy winds and chill in the air. We reached the camp just in time before sunset and got into our tents. The wind was so heavy and the temperature as I saw was 2 degrees. The coldest that I have been into in the recent past.  I change my gears to my night clothes and see that my left calf muscle has some serious hurt and bleeding and blue patch under my right arms near the chest. But I wondered why the hell was it not paining until I touched the wound. Some miracles can never be explained. I gulped a painkiller , ate little rice and headed to sleep. That night it is Ramya’s turn for all the aches and pain and ended up with a stiff back . Sumitha and myself are the working nurses trying to get her feel better. With great difficult , Omni Gel and hot pack are back to rescue and she tries to catch sleep.

Day 7

Next morning , we are told that to see the Chandrataal lake we need to ride for about 15 kms and then a trek for 15 min . I was in no mood to ride , but have no choice . We begin to ride, reach the place and start the trek. My breathing patterns have still not improved and I m panting. As I end the trek, god holds a prize for me , a beauty to behold in my eyes, mind and soul for ever . The sacred Chandrataal Lake , the lake of reflections.  We spent some time mesmerized by the beauty of the place and then headed back to our camp to move to our next destination Manali.  Our roads from Chandrataal to Manali was like clearing exams, so many streams and chilled water sharp stones waiting to throw tough questions at us and expects us to be fully ready to answer and maneuver .  My fellow riders had their fall and I was like this atmost studious student trying to learn from their mistakes. I kept myself quiet composed and crossed most of the Streams or so called “ Naalas” until we came to a very tough one and the current of the water was so strong.  Vijetha’s bike got completely messed up and I was just wanting to be extra careful. To our luck we had some very experienced riders who had just finished crossing and were willing to help us. They then got some of our bikes moved and crossed through the stream. Team spent a lot of time trying to get Vijetha’s bike started and her bike now was going thru a surgery with many doctors standing around it in the hot sun trying to figure out what wrong. Finally they gave up as water had gushed into the engine and silencer  and decided to move to the next point to get another truck to pick up her bike.  As we moved to that village we were all drained with our experience and sat down in a Dhabha trying to dry our shoes and other gears .  in about few minutes we saw Vijetha coming on her bike  and not in the truck. Quiet surprised as to how this happened and she narrated how a group of other riders were hitech in getting her bike started . We all then eat a quick lunch and its already 4 and sunset happens around 7 and we needed to cross Rohtang to reach Manali. We are still 85kms away. We kept travelling and riding thru tough roads and for me now TAR roads seemed like a distant dream . It is now more than long since I knew what it feels like riding on well tarred roads.  We are about to get on to the mountain that leads to Rohtang , when Vijetha’s bike finally gives up . We try hard to make it work like the last time but it simply refuses. We hold no further chance and hence decide to load her bike also onto the truck. Now Richa’s Himalayan had Vijethas Pulser ( Bumblee Bee) to talk to 😊 . Time was now already 7 pm and I could see the fog from the top of the hills just slowly crawling down to engulf us. I was somehow not comfortable and some kind of uneasiness. We started riding and from a certain patch we also started seeing Tarred roads. This gave us hope and speed and as we moved the fog gets the better of us and there we go with almost zero visibility .  Sam our lead and champ braves the fog and takes the lead, we start to move at almost 5- 10kms per hour speed and we make our moves slow. I also have a harsh awakening that my age is catching up and my 40+ eyesight problem ( chalisa ) is getting on me. I m just not able to see anything beyond 5 meters and just in blind trust follow seeing the backlight of Ramya’s bike. My hard luck her tail light also stops to work . To add to the drama it begins to rain as well . God ensured that I m bound to have one hell of an experience and I had just signed up for it.  Sam does a brilliant job of navigating and we just take about 3.5 hours  to reach Manali covering just 30 kms from where Vijetha’s bike gave up. So you can imagine the taxonomy of the environment. All arranged by God to fully test our grit and determination to be true riders.  All thru the way I felt extreme stress on my eyes, shoulders and back . Certain points almost I wanted to give up .  Roads so blurr that I could not even know which side was the valley and which side were the mountains, it was that bad.  I began to feel if I would ever survive the night with so much stress. But frankly it is the confidence of all these brilliant girls that kept pulling me  up each time I wanted to drop.  We reached manali late in the night and  had a quick grub and then headed to crash for some sleep.  Manali weather was very stuffy and can say a bit  hot as well .. maybe it was our internal stress coming out that made us so hot and happening.. if I can say 😊 .

Day 8

 Next morning again we were at the garage as now we  had two vehicles for repair. It was already getting 5pm in the evening and the riders planned to start whenever we were done to halt midway and reach delhi the next day .  Imagining another night ride with my vision problem seemed hard for me.  My Sixth sense just asked me to take the right decision . With rains lashing and time almost 7 pm in the night, I decided that I would end my riding in Manali with the SPITI trail being completed.  I handed over the bike to the company where we hired as  he had a drop off facility in Manali and took a bus to Chandigarh .  I was now beginning to miss home very dearly . My return flights were for Sunday Afternoon . I reached Chandigarh Saturday morning and took a taxi to Delhi airport straight.  I kept trying thru the way calling the helpdesk to change my tickets but with the floods in kerala the flights were all running full . I still reached Delhi airport and with a bit more expensive ticket got a 4.20 pm flight back .  Reached bangalore and home around 8.30 pm when my family and friends were waiting to welcome me. Seeing them all was probably the best thing that ever happened.  I continued to keep track of my fellow riders and they had reached Bilaspur around 2 am in the morning and started to Delhi around 8 am and reached on Saturday . They are the most awesome , confident  riders I have met and learnt a lot thru this journey. Sam, Richa, Sumitha, Ramya, Vijetha and of course our backbone Praveen .

As I sit back to think, frankly I never knew what I had signed up for, neither a clue that my family had.  All I got as I cleared tough exams on the roads the result was that nature gave me a bountiful view of herself to keep it in my heart and soul for as long as I live.  There have been few emotional moments when I crossed some hard patches , but guess that only made me stronger. All thru the journey I felt the River , streams and mountains kept a close watch on me and ensured I moved on her carefully . Miracles kept happening and as I would look up to thank the skies, I heard the mountains say , “ Dear “ I hope your having fun playing with me “  I love you “ and I would say “ I love you too “.