List of things to carry during the Leh bike trip
Leh the capital of Ladakh lies nestled amongst the mountains of the Himalayas was the most important link for trade routes in erstwhile times. The history of this region has always been shrouded by mystery and is very sparsely documented. It is flanked on one side by a stretch of denuded brown rocky desert, on one side by majestic snow capped Saser Kangri peaks and on the other side by a drape of lush greenery covered by seamless azure skies. Leh with all its beauty and opulence draws throngs of tourists, backpack travelers and peace lovers every year to this paradise on earth. Besides that, it is also one of the most sought after biking destinations for the enthusiasts.
Leh is connected to the rest of India by two high-altitude roads both of which are subject to landslides. The first is the 434-km Srinagar-Leh road, which remains open for traffic from early June to November and is the main land route to Ladakh. The second route is the 473-km Manali-Leh road which has been the much preferred biking route undertaken by many bikers. The Manali - Leh road weaves in and out among the mighty snow-clad peaks of the Western Himalayas over a stretch of nearly 485 Kilometers. The road is open from mid-July to mid-October every year, depending on weather conditions.
Bikes and freedom are often cited synonymous to each other and a biker will know the love he shares with his bike. The soul numbing view of the surroundings coupled with the treacherous winding roads leading to Leh is a biker's delight. This route via the Khardungla Pass, the highest motor able road in the world is an enthralling experience for the bike enthusiasts. The conditions of the road can be extremely dicey as glacial-melt floods and landslides are common place, and the Himalayan weather is highly erratic but there lies the pleasure of the bike ride. One cannot help but notice the hilarious BRO signs placed at regular intervals which are quite informative as well.
Safety issues and major concerns: Risk is inherent on these kinds of roads but it can be mitigated with a blend of caution, safety equipment and common sense.
• Always ride safely at permissible speeds as there is always an unpredictability element on this trip.
• Weight is the biggest enemy of the motorcyclist and hence pack light
• It's also necessary to be able to fix basic bike problems so a fair bit of preliminary training is absolute must.
Tools that must be carried are Box Spanner, Chain bit, Clutch Wires, Chain locks, Small Hammer, Screw Driver (star and normal), Pliers, some pieces of tire leveler (for puncture repairs), a small pedal compressor/pump, Spare Headlight bulbs etc. At these high altitudes acclimatization to the surroundings is highly essential as Acute Mountain Sickness can just wreck your trip. Symptoms include headaches, sleeplessness, breathlessness, loss of appetite, and a dry irritating cough, and if ignored, AMS can be fatal.
The only way to prevent it is to ascend slowly and take time to acclimatize. If symptoms are severe, instant descent is recommended. Leh Bike Tour, despite its dangers and perils has propelled bikers on a journey of self-discovery however it is the ideal place to forget the banalities of life and rediscover one's true self.
Leh is connected to the rest of India by two high-altitude roads both of which are subject to landslides. The first is the 434-km Srinagar-Leh road, which remains open for traffic from early June to November and is the main land route to Ladakh. The second route is the 473-km Manali-Leh road which has been the much preferred biking route undertaken by many bikers. The Manali - Leh road weaves in and out among the mighty snow-clad peaks of the Western Himalayas over a stretch of nearly 485 Kilometers. The road is open from mid-July to mid-October every year, depending on weather conditions.
Bikes and freedom are often cited synonymous to each other and a biker will know the love he shares with his bike. The soul numbing view of the surroundings coupled with the treacherous winding roads leading to Leh is a biker's delight. This route via the Khardungla Pass, the highest motor able road in the world is an enthralling experience for the bike enthusiasts. The conditions of the road can be extremely dicey as glacial-melt floods and landslides are common place, and the Himalayan weather is highly erratic but there lies the pleasure of the bike ride. One cannot help but notice the hilarious BRO signs placed at regular intervals which are quite informative as well.
Safety issues and major concerns: Risk is inherent on these kinds of roads but it can be mitigated with a blend of caution, safety equipment and common sense.
• Always ride safely at permissible speeds as there is always an unpredictability element on this trip.
• Weight is the biggest enemy of the motorcyclist and hence pack light
• It's also necessary to be able to fix basic bike problems so a fair bit of preliminary training is absolute must.
Tools that must be carried are Box Spanner, Chain bit, Clutch Wires, Chain locks, Small Hammer, Screw Driver (star and normal), Pliers, some pieces of tire leveler (for puncture repairs), a small pedal compressor/pump, Spare Headlight bulbs etc. At these high altitudes acclimatization to the surroundings is highly essential as Acute Mountain Sickness can just wreck your trip. Symptoms include headaches, sleeplessness, breathlessness, loss of appetite, and a dry irritating cough, and if ignored, AMS can be fatal.
The only way to prevent it is to ascend slowly and take time to acclimatize. If symptoms are severe, instant descent is recommended. Leh Bike Tour, despite its dangers and perils has propelled bikers on a journey of self-discovery however it is the ideal place to forget the banalities of life and rediscover one's true self.
