| This is the story of my motorcycle ride to Tiger Fall, Chakrata, Uttarakhand in India, during March, 2018 |
Ghaziabad (4:00 AM)
- Its been four months of hibernation, no riding since November last year
- Slept for four hours and woke up at 3 o’clock. Packing was done before sleeping
- My bag full of most of things, which i wish never to use like puncture kits, spare parts, first aid etc.
- Several new additions in my kit, from the learnings from last mistakes e.g. first aid kit
- Eager to throttle again, I am ready to track another hill of Uttarakhand; my favorite place to find peace and happiness
- Few glasses of water and a tea, before heading out alone with nine years old companion; my Enfield Electra
Modinagar (4:30 AM)
- This is the one of the notorious highway; famous for its traffic jams
- I want to skip the rush of plane and glide into the heavenly abode of mountains
- State of solace arrives; internal dialog between mind and heart is started to culminate
- I am connected with my motorcycle, and able to feel the healthy thump of its engine
- Newly installed fog lights are doing magic and i don’t feel any need of the main headlamp
- Not able to see any long distance rider, but i know there are many souls i will meet on the way
Meerut (5:00 AM)
- Bypassed Meerut city, took the left turn and riding on a better road to Haridwar
- No sign of sun lights, some village boys are doing morning run, aspiring to join armed forces of India
- I was recalling my old days, when i use to run barefoot and testing my physical endurance
- Few riders on KTM Duke motorcycle, passed me like a wind. There are various types of rider spirits; i felt like i am the slowest one!
Muzaffarnagar (6:00 AM)
- Bypassing one of the oldest city of Uttar Pradesh, back in days very famous for crimes
- It’s the last days of north Indian winter and i am stiff like log owing to the cold winds. Using the breathing techniques of Wim Hoff
- Few minor stops to empty my bladder and take pictures of fields with growing wheat crop
Roorkee (6:50 AM)
- Roorkee has a large Indian Army base; which is home of the famous Bengal Sappers
- Decided to take a long course this time and headed towards Haridwar
- Took some time to cross the city; the bypass is still in making, hope to avoid this city one day
- Arrived on the highway, which is still in construction mode, but still its far better than the previous single lane
- Crossing famous Patanjali, an over bridge is under construction here, slowing down the traffic
Haridwar (7:45 AM)
- Arrived in the famous city of Gods. Crossing the tall Statue of Lord Shiva and heading towards Rishikesh through Rajaji National Park
- Minor stop on the Railway crossing and attracted few school going kids, which are for sure dreaming themselves like me someday
Raiwala (8:15 AM)
- Pulled my sunglasses out to face the scorching sun. Stopped at the petrol pump to fill up the tank before taking the left turn to my next stop Dehradun
- It’s getting hot now and another 100 kilometers of ride ahead. Taking few minor stops here and there for hydration and pee
- These rides are the best way to increase my psychological and physical limits; I am always thankful to spirits, for always taking care of me
Chidderwala (8:50 AM)
- A small town which is witnessing the growth story of Indian highways. The road is under construction here
- I eat minimal while i ride; to cultivate my physical and mental endurance. Keeping a bottle of water and a small box of dry fruits to survive
- Took a stop and consumed some dry fruits for deferring the hunger while watching the growing wheat crop in fields which is almost a month away before its ripening
Rampur (9:30 AM)
- Passing this small town and watching the houses coated with different colors
- Life is slow at such distant places. So lucky are the people of such places; who live in the pollution free zones
Sahaspur (9:50 AM)
- Crossing this small town to find the Vikas Nagar Chakrata road, which is going to take us to our destination
- Stopped for few minutes on the bridge, took pictures, hills are visible from here
Kalsi (10:30 AM)
- A small town with lot many fruit vendors flocking the road, crossed it quickly to proceed on my journey
- Air is cold now, nature is mixed with rocks and greenery
- Minimal traffic on road, road construction in progress. Took few halts here and there owing to construction machines
Sahiya (11:15 AM)
- Its a small town, with a iron bridge passing through the mid of town
- Stopped for few minutes, to gulp some water and dry fruits and headed again towards my next destination
Kaliyana (12:45 PM)
- Crossing another small town, stopped for pee and took some pictures
Chakrata (1:40 PM)
- Arrived in the town, home of one of the special unit of Indian Army named Special Frontier Force
- Rode to the mid of city where found an old eatery named Shere Punjab Hotel. Ordered Rajma (Kidney Beans) and Paneer (Cheese)
- After killing my hunger, it’s time to find a place to rest, soon my search ended at MRB residency
- Quickly checked in and unloaded my motorcycle before a quick bath in hot water
- And my mind started calculating to decide where to go next either Tiger Fall or Devban. Decided to visit Tiger Fall
- Dragged my motorcycle again to take me another distant place where one of the highest fall of this region is situated
Tiger Fall (4:50 PM)
- Its a near by place, you need to track down for the water fall for around five hundred meters
- Beautiful raw scenic place with almost no commercial activity. Its evening and there was very limited people
- Spend around an hour there, took a bath in chilly water of fall, very relaxing and peaceful
- Entire days tiredness is lost after a tea at small nearby shack
- Spend around an hour there, just sitting idle and doing nothing
- Talked with the guard of fall named Dayaram, talks with him reveals the beautiful nature of mountain natives
- Finally when the darkness starting taking cover, i decided to ride back to the Chakrata town
- Took around 45 minutes to return back to Chakrata. After unpacking my gears, i headed for the same restaurant where i ate lunch
- Came back to hotel at around 8 o’clock. Finally sitting in peace and thinking about entire day
- Next morning i will head out to my home, i will ride slow as much as possible to enjoy the journey
Next day Chakrata (10:00 AM)
- Packed my belongings and wore all my gears, before kicking my motorcycle
- around 9 hours ride in front of me, this time i am taking different route, which is comparatively shorter from the previous one
- Took pictures of several places while returning back. After all pictures are the only source of remembering these beautiful moments of my life
Stay: Hotel MRB Chakrata
Food: Sher-E-Punjab (Lion of Punjab) Hotel in Chakrata
The Rider
