travel


This is the story of my solo motorcycle travel to world’s highest dam ‘Tehri Dam’ in India, during September, 2017.

Ghaziabad (4:10 AM)

We all are bound in some priorities and limitations, but we all want to enjoy the life of a traveler
I did several rides, but never documented it. Some of close friends, always desired to feel my rides vicariously
This travelogue is dedicated to my friends, who want to feel my travel experience and imagine their own journey
I had never thought of doing solo rides, but universe has planned it for me
It started several years ago, when I bought my first Royal Enfield in 2008 with the intentions of riding experience
During all these years, I found that solo motorcycling is best way to find peace with myself
I thank to God for giving me strong genetics, which I can use to ride almost nonstop, almost untired
As always, early start of day and I am ready with my motorcycle, ready with my complete riding gears
Heading towards NH-24, light traffic and no sunlight, I am traversing through Ghaziabad city
Arrived at NH-58, this is the highway to take me to Uttarakhand, my destination state
Only heavy vehicles present on the road but there are some taxis ferrying interstate travelers

Another solo rider, on a Bajaj Pulsar has just passed me, waving me in confidence
I hooked to his tail with my all senses opened to judge, the slightest of movement around my motorcycle
We carefully steered through the traffic around us, and attracted the eyes of many
We crossed Modinagar and arrived at Meerut bypass, where i took the lead, and finally throttled my best
Finally i was in bullet attitude, but with all senses opened to avoid any mistake and started cutting the traffic
Solo riding makes you more responsible, you have to avoid every small negligence, which eventually helps in avoiding any disaster

Arrived in Meerut but still no sign of sunlight, i am feeling confident to reach my destination within stipulated time
At my maximum cruising speed of 80 KMPS, which is only possible in such minimal traffic, in India
Heading towards Muzaffarnagar, on clear roads. Another large biker group, at a very coordinated and controlled pace, mostly Haryana number plates
I waved the group and accelerated, able to see the sunlight now

This new highway is the face of new emerging India. It gives me immense proud to born in such a great period of transformation
People in my generation, who are experiencing this change, will have a story to tell to new generations
India’s highest sugarcane growing fields are all around me. Greenery is the major sign of this region
Slowly the highway came to end, entering the single lane road, heading towards Roorkee city

Old classical city, has a reputation of one of the top most engineering Institute of India, known as IIT
City is full of life and school buses are ferrying kids and staffs. I can see uniform clad elegant female Army doctors, heading for their work
I am getting first sign of Uttarakhand Police. I am easily traversing through roads and happy to avoid the notorious traffic jams of this city
Soon back to the nice highway again. Throttled to my maximum cruising speed, heading for the city of Gods

Arrived on time, Hill life is waiting for me, throttled again to max, towards Rishikesh
While crossing the Rajaji National Part, I started feeling the hill vibes
A small pee stop and after collecting my energies, I climbed again on my 9 years old companion
Unstopped until I arrived on a train crossing, felt good to break all my previous records of covering the maximum distance
A curious lad is questioned by me, he delightedly guided me towards the road to Narendra Nagar

Arrived at spiritual capital of India, but took a left turn to skip its beautiful ashrams and Ganga ghats
Hill climb is started, steep turns quickly alerted my throttle hungry mind to slow down
No sign of traffic, I am mostly alone on these curvy roads. The best part of journey is around me now … Hills!

Still untouched with the urbanization, Narendra Nagar still gives the nostalgic feelings of classical towns
After crossing the town, I stopped at a small shack, devoured delicious aloo parathas and chat with locals
Next town is Chamba, which is just an hour away from here
I refit myself to one last push to my destination Tehri Dam
I am experiencing road sign of land sliding prone areas more often and hills have become whiter

A small town, providing further connects to Tehri and Mussoorie
Town shows no sign of travelers, only local public curiously starring and trying to judge me
After respectfully inquiring a police man, I chose the correct road to Tehri Dam
Road had become narrow and poor, on my left I have started experiencing the water flow
This water flow got bigger and bigger as I got closer to Dam, and finally the WoW factor arrived

Finally arrived at Tehri Dam, ride to this destination took 7.45 hours. Not bad! Feeling really proud!
Access to Dam is restricted by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), I rode to a high point, where i can see the dam
Found a lonely place at one beautiful corner of road, where I can see the dam and be in peace
Parked my stallion, removed all my gears, sit on a bench and thanked to the riding spirits, for rewarding me this journey
Took some of beautiful pictures, from my phone. Experienced the flora and fauna of region while peacefully sitting there
Spent around 1 hour there, ate some dry fruits and biscuits, and finally refit myself for the 85 kilometers journey back to Rishikesh

Same route but scorching sun is eating more energy this time, I am now able to see some of riders, heading towards dam
At a small road side village named Nagni, I decided to take a bath in small stream of river
Some village kids were playing there, initially scarred with my looks, but soon became comfortable with me
Soon the place where I parked my motorcycle, became a picnic spot for a foreigner family
Kids from this family, got curious about me and spent few minutes, looking at my travel gears
Finally i bid adieu to all kids and headed towards Rishikesh

After experiencing several hill towns, I realized Rishikesh is nowhere close to a real hill town
Checked in at my favorite Iskon temple guest house (Madhuban Ashram). Unpacked my gears, took bath and get some rest
At around 6 o’clock, I started towards Parmarth Ashram for evening Aarti
Bought some Geeta press books from famous Geeta ashram, before arriving at Parmarth ashram
Aarti is started, and sitting in front of Ganga and thinking of my whole journey
Called my home and some of my friends, ate delicious street food named Chole Kulche and finally at 7:30, headed back to guest house
While strolling at the banks of Ganga, I could feel the cool breeze of air, so rejuvenating. Finally arrived at the guest house
A good night call to my wife at 8:30 before I plan to retire for the day
While trying to sleep, I was thinking of all people, whom I met during my journey and how they live peacefully in this natural abode
I finally forced my eyes to shut and to tried to sleep. Don’t remember when did i slept while thinking about tomorrows long ride to home