Vadodara – Chandigarh – Vadodara (2800kms Ride)

It has been long that I rode my bullet. Whenever I used to see it, it felt like it was asking me for an
outing. How could somebody deny his loves request. Then my friend Tanveer and I decided to ride
from Vadodara to Chandigarh. Got its Servicing done, spares ready and decided to ride on my Royal
Enfield Electra 4s.What’s better than commuting on bullet from Vadodara to Chandigarh and enjoying
the ride, scenic beauty of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh.

3/11/2010 Day 1 (Vadodara-Ahmedabad-Udaipur-Bhilwara-Jaipur)

Out of excitement I couldn’t sleep the whole night and had a sleep of just 30 mins. And Tanveer Paaji
slept for some 2 hours. We left Vadodara at 3:30 am. It was a chilly morning. Started for Ahmedabad
via Anand as 2 wheelers are not allowed on Baroda-Ahmedabad Expressway. Had wake up tea in
between and then made it to Ahmedabad by 5:30 am where we first saw a signboard reading Delhi 921
kms. It was a great feeling, distance looked huge and the excitement overshadowed it. Had breakfast
before Himmatnagar. We had rided 170 kms when we switched our positions. Tanveer Paaji took over
the machine. Roads were now good 4 lanes and we were riding at 80.The beauty of that morning was
enjoyed at a flyover where we had some photographs. Got air check done near Himmatnagar. We also
had a close encounter with an accident, a big lorry collided with a Scorpio and ran over the divider.
We made it to Rajasthan entrance at 8:30am and the board in front of us read Jaipur 781 kms. Jaipur
was our halt for that day. Resurgent Rajasthan has some distinguishing sites, we could read the boards
with Theka Sharab Desi, landscapes were beautiful, and it was a wonderful sight. Had fuel top-up on
the way. We could see beautiful lakes on our way, no wonder why Udaipur is called the City of Lakes.
We hit Udaipur at 10.00 am and decided to do a bit of sight seeing there and then ride to Jaipur. Went to
Lake Palace Udaipur. The Palace has been converted to a museum. It has some of the finest collections
of swords, guns, bullets, other artilleries, sketches and paintings, etc. We did not have much time to
spend at that place but the we already had spent about 3 hours in that palace. We were now short of
time because we had to make it to Jaipur. Left Udaipur and had lunch at a dhaba, just near Udaipur. It
was around 2.00 pm and we started for Jaipur. As decided, we took Chittorgarh Bhilwara highway. It is
a fine highway. We were riding at 80s and 90s. The road was straight and I had not much to do but to
pull the accelerator. Traffic was not so much either. Had engine oil fill up on the way. We were
continuously riding and did not stop for long time at any place. We were exhausted and feeling sleepy
too. The sights were fading and sites blurring. Back and butts were paining. As we were to enter
Bhilwara, suddenly a truck which was taking a U turn almost collided with us. We had to get off the
road on the bumpy track but because of the heavy weight of Bullet and my riding skills of course we
managed to avoid a fatal accident. It was a breathtaking moment and lucky enough we could still feel
our butts. Took a deep breath and then entered into Bhilwara city and after a few enquiries and many
wrong directions we managed to get to locate a Bullet workshop. Bullet was making some noise
because of a cut in its breathing pipe. It was replaced. Gulped down some tea and snacks over there and
then left Bhilwara at 6.00 pm. The only thing in mind for the day was to reach Jaipur and have a bed.
We were exhausted. Our continuous journey did not stop until reached Kishangarh where we had tea.
Then we were just 115 kms. away from Jaipur and the highway was excellent. The traffic was heavy
and we were riding at 80s ,90s and 100s. Made it to Jaipur at 9:00 pm. Went for fuel top-up as we were
to leave early next day. Rear tyre did not look in good shape and air leak was also there. Bike got a
puncture and the only puncture wala we found was feeling so sleepy that he refused to fix it. He felt
that the puncture was too small to locate. Somehow we managed to bargain with him for a tea and he
fixed it upNow the next thing was to find my friend’s room, a place to eat and drink. Riding on the
streets made us meet some people out of the crowd, a drunk guy owing a restraunt invited us for a drink
which we declined,Had a dinner at the outskirts in a hotel which had very good crowd so late, we never
expected Jaipur to be like this. All of this took our 3 hours and finally found bed to sleep at 12.00 am.

4/11/2010 Day 2 (Jaipur-Rewari-Rohtak-Panipat-Chandigarh)

Woke up at 5.00 am and we were ready to hit road when we noticed the rear tyre was flat. Hard luck
and we had to find a guy to fix it. Found a Petrol pump nearby, filled the tyre with air and rode to the
Highway. A tea while fixing the puncture, and we were geared up to leave the city at 7.00 am. Feasted
on Aloo paranthas near Jaipur and started on Jaipur Delhi highway about which we had heard a lot. But
the famous road is actually in pathetic condition and above all the unexpected bumps made our butts
stronger. Had tea after some 80 kms. Asked locals for the road to Panipat. We had by now crossed the
Royal Rajasthan diagonally and made it to Haryana. Made it to Rewari at 12.00 pm. We had to travel to
Jhajjar from there which is a stretch of 60 kms. And the road was in very bad condition but anyways we
were riding in the interior part of Haryana after all. It was a beautiful scenic view. After making it to
Jhajjar, a good road was waiting for us. We were riding at 80s and as we were to reach Rohtak, the rear
tyre got punctured. It was so frustrating to find a place to fix it,dragging it, enquiring and that was some
kind of punishment we got.I do not know why were we punished. The tube was damaged, so tube had
to be changed. Also enjoyed our lunch at Rohtak. Rohtak is known as the education hub of Haryana.
Started from Rohtak at about 3 pm and we were in a hurry. Rode to Panipat and were there at around
4:30 pm. Got stuck in a Jam at Panipat. Slipped out of it and were on the highway again. Road had a lot
of rush and was filled with too many vehicles. It was a tough ride and the cold air around us started
pinching us. Also we were very tired cause of such a long ride. Just after few kms from Panipat, the
machine got one more puncture. This puncture reminded me the line from a song, hai safar ye
puncharon ka silsila. Luckily we were not too far from the puncture repair wala. He fixed it up and
again we were on the roads cruising the highway, challenging the passing cars and feeling the wind.
After many jams on the way we made it to Ambala at around 7:00 pm. Refreshed ourselves with tea
over there and then left for Chandigarh. Made it to the city beautifully at 8:00pm. It was a wonderful
feeling to be at the place we just wanted to be .We had waited for this moment for two long days sitting
patiently on our bull, enjoying everything that came in our way.

14/11/2010 Day 3 (Chandigarh – Panipat – Rohtak – Rewari- Jaipur)

It was a beautiful morning. My friend Pintu and I were tired. Reached Chandigarh at 6.00 am. We had
traveled for 9 hours all the way from Rampur Bsr. On a local transport bus.Though we had a sound
sleep but we were feeling very tired. Got ready, packed our luggage and we were ready to ride from PU
to Jaipur, our stop for the night by 7:30 am. And the ride began. As I got onto the bull all my
restlessness was gone and I was in perfect shape for the ride. I had lost my sexy Studds helmet and we
were riding on Single helmet. Started from Chandigarh and had to be careful with the machine as it had
already done 1400 kms. without any breakdown. I did not even get time to visit a mechanic. Made it to
Ambala, topped up tank and had morning tea. The weather was pleasant with a perfect blend of
sunshine and cold. Made it to the outskirts of Panipat at 10.00am, had breakfast at a Dhaba, took some
photographs and again started on our journey. After crossing Panipat, we decided to change the engine
oil. Bought engine oil and decided to change it ourselves but to make things bad I broke the key to
open the bolt and the rubber seal too. Oil started leaking. Rushed to a mechanic nearby and found a 12
years old mechanic. He did not have seal to fix that problem but through his Indigenious (India is
genius) Jugaad techniques somehow he made a cardboard cut exactly to the shape of seal and fixed it
with a fevikwik! When he came to know that we were riding to Baroda, he gave us Fevikwik and
cardboard in case we do not find a mechanic. He even assured us that the oil will not leak and this is
how they make seals at Panipat as well. And wow it never leaked! (I somehow changed it after some
10000 kms. Before riding to Leh out of fear) .It took some two hours to reach Rohtak at 3.00pm where
we were welcomed by 2 bikers on a Yamaha bike, doing stunts in front of us. They were doing wheelie
and stopping by raising the rear tyres. It was a perfect site and they were continuously trying to test our
patience but dude we were on a ride and not stunt maniacs. Had tea there and made it to Jhajaar in
another half an hour.
Made it to Rewari at 5:30pm, tyre got punctured again but luckily we could find a place to fix it just
200mts. away. Had tea and snacks. Now it was getting dark and we had to make it fast. Soon we
touched the highway and now we could make for the lost time. Road was heavily loaded with vehicles,
had top up on the highway just before entering Rajasthan. Now we were riding at 90s, road was in good
condition. We were feeling tired. Took a halt just 100kms before Jaipur, had tea, snacks and
apples.Chatted with some truck drivers around, and rode to Jaipur. Made it to Jaipur at 10:15.We were
feeling hungry as we did not have proper meal the whole day, so we decided to have Daal baati churma
at a place famous for the same around Jaipur bus stand. On the way we could see Jal mahal, Hawa
mahal. We reached our friend’s room by 11:30 and enjoyed a sound sleep.

15/11/2010 Day 4 (Jaipur-Pushkar-Ajmer-Beawar-Udaipur-Ahmedabad-Vadodara)

Woke up at 7.00 am, all set to go. And from our friends we came to know that Pushkar fair is going on
and how could we miss the chance to visit the only Bramha temple in the world, known to be the origin
of all Vedas and knowledge. Started at 7:30 am and we were on our way to Pushkar, had tea in between
and got there at 10.00am. It was a wonderful sight, animal trade fair was going on, village was
beautifully decorated, and the shops had all the traditional Rajasthani stuff. It was a perfect place, the
place to be at. There were tourists from all parts of Rajasthan and also from foreign countries. We had
trouble in finding a place to keep our luggage but somehow found one. Visited temple of Lord Bramha,
had a holy bath at Pushkar lake and did some shopping and took lots of photographs. Finally departed
from the place at 12.00pm.Went to Ajmer where I canceled my railway ticket. Finally left for Vadodara
via Beawar which some people told us not to take as it was not so good road but it is shorter and have
some perfect views of Arravali ranges. Just after leaving Ajmer, we found a newly constructed flyover
broken, corruption is the reason I suppose and we had to take other road which was a muddy track for
some 5kms. But we enjoyed that off road trip. Had lunch on the way and it was a feast, the best meal of
our whole journey. Enjoyed food, had top up and left for Udaipur. Initial stretch of the Road was not
that good but soon it turned out to be a metalled and beautiful one, also the views were awesome. We
could see Arravali hills, we were riding on the hills, Also the weather was perfect, we could feel the
cool breeze, clouds were there and it was raining somewhere nearby. We were enjoying the ride, doing
90s and 80s. Saw a milestone at Deogiri showing distance of New York, I wonder could we ride to
there???Had tea in between, made it to Udaipur at 8pm, had a halt just after crossing Udaipur, had tea
and snacks there again. We were tired and it has been some 13 hours that we were riding and we had
some 370 more kms to ride before we could finally be at Baroda. Again started riding and before
making it to Rajasthan border we found two more riders on their Enfield machine. They were going to
Mumbai and had a week’s tour of Rajasthan. After exchanging few words with them we came to know
about their plans to have a halt at some place at Gujarat and we were to ride to Vadodara. Made it to
Himmatnagar at 12 and had our dinner there. Topped up tank, left to Vadodara at 12:30am.We were
very tired, and the only rider between both of us was me, my friend even had some sleep on the rear
seat. Made it to Ahmedabad at 2am and we had only 110 kms left before we could finally find a place
to rest. At the point of leaving Ahmedabad, we took a wrong turn and actually were traveling on Indore
highway. Only after some 5kms.when we asked for directions, we came to know that we were on the
wrong track. It took us some time to find the right road. After a while we could see thunderstorm in the
sky, I called my friend at Vadodara and asked him for the weather conditions there and he said the sky
is clear, so we decided to move. And soon we could find the rain, it was raining heavily. Heavy rains
hindered our speed and slowed us down but we did not think of stopping. There was very heavy rain
for some 80kms. Anand, Nadiad were crossed in heavy rains. We were all wet, our clothes were wet,
were feeling cold, we were shivering and there was no point in halting. And the height of our tiredness
was my pillion sleeping on a two wheeler in spite of heavy rain. It seemed as if god was having some
testing times on us. Finally made it to Vadodara at 4:30 am .
We were very tired as we had rided for 21
hours that day. The feeling was great, feeling of some accomplishment, feeling of fulfilling a dream.
We rode for some 2800 kms, enjoyed everything on way, took things as they came and finally a dream
ride came true…

1.Start early morning at 7 am from Chandigarh.
2.Have breakfast at Dharampur and a 40 mins. Halt just to have a feel in Himachal.
3.Ride through Solan to Shimla through the Shivalik ranges and we pass but no stop at Shimla.
4.Have a break at Naldehra to see the beautiful golf course and a view of the snow clad peaks.Time is around 1 p.m.
5.Ride through the grasslands, with the Satluj to have a break at Tattapani.You may have food or you may take the natural hot water bath at Tattapani. We should leave at around 5p.m.
6.Final stretch and we ride through the state highway to be finally at Chindi (Our host for the night) and have a glimpse of the Karsog valley.Its about 8 p.m.

Day 2: 19/02/2012 110 kms. Chindi- Pangna- Sundernagar – Rewalsar (Hectic and tough day,on state highways ,it may be snowy and the roads are tough terrains)

1.Have breakfast and start early morning at 8am for Sundernagar.
2.Have a stop at Chowki as we are pass the heighest point of our journey today.Be prepared in case it rains or snows heavily.Carry your woollens.
3.Have tea at Rohanda at one of the heighest point of our ride and we look down at Sundernagar which looks so beautiful.
4.Reach Sundernagar by 4 p.m. And have snacks near the lake.
5.Ride to Rewalsar and reach there by 6p.m. And be a part of the evening prayers at the lake.
6.Time to rest.

Day 3: 20/02/2012 25 kms. Rewalsar- Mandi(Light day,on state highways ) Happy Mahashivaratri

1.Explore the Rewalsar area early morning, And at 12p.m. We leave for Mandi.
2.Explore the area till evening,get custom ed to the traditions of Mandi and Himachali culture and celebrate Maha Shivratri Shivratri with the locals and be a part of this International festival.
3.We stay at Mandi or ride back to Rewalsar as the majority wishes.

Day 4: 21/02/2012 184 kms. Mandi- Bilaspur- Swarghat-Baddi- Chandigarh(Busy day,on national highways )

1.Leave Mandi in the morning at 8 a.m.via NH 21.
2.Ride along the Satluj and with the Guru Govind Sagar Dam at Bilaspur finally to reach Chandigarh by 6 p.m.

23/06/2011 Delhi-Chandigarh

Departed from my friend Pintu’s place to collect my luggage from Naveen Bhaiya’s place and had same discussion with him,to go or not to go and finally left his place (Punjabi Bagh) at around 9:15. The bike speedometer read 21413 kms. It was a hot and sunny day on I was carrying two bags,one at the back and one on the tank in front and I was the center of attraction at most of the traffic lights. I was listening to music and was enjoying my ride with the music,At one of the traffic lights I noticed a guy standing adjacent to me continuously staring at me,I asked him to click my photograph, looked the photograph and I was looking okay. I was enjoying the music and riding at around 80+ and enjoying the cool breeze on that sunny day. There was normal traffic on the road as anybody can expect on the G.T. Road and I was overtaking most of the vehicles. The Delhi Chandigarh Higway is a boring road with lots of traffic and not much of scenic views so nothing on the way intrested me so much to stop or to take a picture other that a small water logging(may be a lake) and a one liner on a truck’s back that read “Crorepati bhi banengey aur ash bhi karengey”.I wonder when that truck driver could prove that one liner to be correct and I doubt him because a truck driver can never become a millionaire in India until he is so hard working or may be he gets a bumper prize in a lottery. Moreover we do not have lorry races. However you do not need to be a millionaire to enjoy you just need to enjoy whatever you have and who knows the day you become a millionaire you do not have a truck which you enjoy to drive,and there are no more dhabas and your truck driver friends in your life and those fancy restaurants just add glamor but no taste to your life and that dream of being crorepati while driving was nothing but just a mirage. With this note I reached a Dhaba just after crossing Karnal to have some meal. Had Parantha ,Chips and curd in the dhaba while interacting with two guys who were going to Chandigarh on a crane to bring their car to Delhi cause the mechanic at Chandigarh was charging nearly 5times to change the gear box of their car. Had some words with them and I was about to leave I could see my Enfield’s one of the front shocker leaking and the fluid was coming out,I had fixed that seal previous day. Started to Chandigarh and as I was to reach Chandigarh it started raining heavily. It was raining heavily and I was all wet by the time I reached my cousins place at around 1:15pm .Met him and in the meantime contacted Ram G who has just arrived some 1 hour ago in the city and got to know that he is in Sector 28 with 4 other people and they were ready to leave Chandigarh to Bilaspur but only after the lunch. So we decided to meet at Sector 22 roundabout and I was to guide them for a good restaurant and then guide them for a way to Bilaspur. We met at the decided place and he Introduced me to the other group members Eluroy (An Indian and now an American,settled in Chicago and was on his Yamaha), Jegan (From Trichy and working at Noida in Barco as a Linux Programmer on his Thunderbird) ,Karan (From Pune working in Barclays Bank on his Thunderbird) and Yogesh (From Mumbai working with a finance firm at Mumbai on his Yamaha). Some exchange of words and we left to Tehal Singh Sector 22 for the Lunch. And as we parked our bikes outside the Dhaba people were anxious to know where are we coming from and where are we going. They had their Lunch and lots of cold drinks and water over there and I suggested them to follow Baddi,Swarghat road as it is the shortest road and has less traffic and has a good scenic views. They decided to follow that road out of other choices. All of them were riding for the first time except for the Jegan who had been to that place last year and Eulroy who used to ride some 5years earlier and now he is riding to Ladakh and then he plans to ride to Amritsar,then across Rajasthan to Mumbai before leaving back to Chicago.One more guy Amit was to join them at Manali who at the moment was somewhere at Uttaranchal. On coming out a girl approached us and started asking as to where are we going,Knowing that we were going to Ladakh she warned us of the roads at Rohtang La are blocked. A few more conversation with Karan and all the riders were ready to leave the place so Karan had to hurry up and finally we left the place. Went with them uptil a village just next to PGI ,we had some photographs and told them that I may join them at Manali the other day if I finally decide to ride. While riding with them I was feeling very good ,it was fun , a group ride and that too to Ladakh and when my phone ranged. It was my father who asked me where I was and I said I am about to reach Bilaspur and told him that we were 6 people together,he seemed to be okay with this and that was the time when I finally made up my mind that I was riding to Ladakh . Reached my Cousin Yashi’s place who again motivated me that I should go and you may not find such opportunity in future. I was not prepared so I started to borrow and buy stuffs for the ride. Got a nice warm jacket and sweaters from a friend, brought gloves ,water proof lower, medicine , ropes and other stuffs for the ride. Had words with Subbu who was to leave Leh the next day and we decided to meet up at Manali. I decided to leave Chandigarh at 6am to Manali so that I could catch up others on the way and also I get some extra time to fix my bike but unfortunately the seat made me loose control over the parked Enfield and it tilted down resulting in breaking the left foot rest and it was so uncomfortable to ride without a footrest. So I decided to fix it up at Chandigarh the next morning before I finally leave to Manali. The evening was spent at Sector 15 with nice food and drinks and a nice time with my cousins Yashi and Amit. It was so much fun and I was on the verge of getting in to the other world.