Radioman Rides the World.......

[dasvis]

Originally Posted by Johnny Drunkard

Is there such thing as a hippie anymore (other than in Oregon)?

l...

Yeah, I seen me some hippes on my last ride by Cougar reservoir (not far from Eugene), they hang out @ the Terwilliger Hot Springs.
Dasvis

[Chanderjeet]

Originally Posted by Johnny Drunkard

Is there such thing as a hippie anymore (other than in Oregon)?



2 years ago there were a lot of expats in Vashist, mostly Brits. The Israeli's tend to hang in Old Manali. For hippies and "counterculture" the place to be is the Parvati Valley particularly Kasol.

The best Enfield shop in Manali is in Vashist.

Waiting to hear what the guys first day on Indian roads was like. Delhi to Manali in one day is a long haul...

There you go...

You've heard from the best Manali guy we've got on board.

[Radioman]

First full day out riding in india was a long one. My goals for riding in India have been to spend my time riding in the Himalayas. MoBill has a shorter timeline so we planned to make day one a long one so that we had time in the mountain region riding Rohtang Pass, and some of the other high passes here in northern India.

While most of you were just about to go to sleep, we were started off at 6:30am from Dehli. It was very hot riding through the plains 30C + with not wind protection. We made really good time on the Trunk road heading north. Reached our first spot to get some water, snack and then fuel in Chandigahr which was about 220 KM.

Took no photos or videos as I forgot to turn it on in excitement of driving out of town. as we were making tracks heading north. Driving in India is a fluid affair. Few lessons from day 1

1) You will use your Horn often. It is a polite way to communicate ..... let people you are passing, need some room, say hello etc

2) Driving on the wrong side of the road is easy to pick up except while pulling out onto two lane roads

3) It is great fun, as you just learn to go with the flow. Passing on the right (or left or center)

4) so many objects will be on the road, like cows, tuk tuks, carts, fancy 100+ K cars, Big overloaded trucks

5) Motorcycles sometimes capture the attention on other drivers. They smile, give you the thumbs up!! (at least that is what I thought they were doing!

6) Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate

7) you will use your horn often and get used to it quickly until the bracket breaks and the horn is gone

8) there are people everywhere in India

9) This is awesome, I am actually riding in India!

10) I have not Hindi to speak to anyone, and Spanish does not work in India

So after CJ headed us out of town, we rode quickly on the Trunk Road getting a feel of things like the bike, passing, avoiding, pointing out interesting things or "crazy" signs in English and Hindi.

We needed to get some Water so we pulled into a place that we knew would be clean....



It was 10:00 and they were serving breakfast. I have not eaten at McDonalds for many years (until CJ and family needed food at the mall and I tried the Veg Burger. It was good) so I laughed 2 times in one week.



We headed north and stopped as we were headed up the twisty mountain road.



Amazing views.... and very slightly cooler. But still HOT



Then over the hills down along some rivers.



Lots of Temples of every shape and size







Bill posted the photo of a family that also stopped, and were asking about the trip, and the father wanted to sit on the bike. It was great. They are vacationing from Bombay!!

No fuel gauge so I ran my bike until I had to get to reserve.... Was worried I might not find a gas station before I ran out, but I did. Gas works out to around $4.55 /Gallon or so. And for some reason my bike is getting about 20% less milage than MoBill's ?



The views riding into the valley are stunning, but we did not stop for photos as Bill was focused and in the lead...




So we rolled into Manali at about 6PM after 12 hours of riding. The ergonomics we not that great on the bike, but it has been great to be riding here. Will sort out some of them, like the mirrors that continue to move around and usually are pointing upward. , right side foot peg is hard to keep your foot on.... etc.

But found the Repair shop right away. They had a horn, and new bracket. They put in on in a couple minutes for about $250 Rupees or about ($4.65 US) I was really missing the Horn, so glad to get it fixed.

Nice new horn.



As we road through town traffic was in full swing as it is a tourist town. Hours before my horn stopped working Was thinking that it was the Relay that JD had warned me about, but when we stopped I realized that my horn bracket had broken and the horn was gone.

Found a hotel and settled in for the evening. Got a good meal in the hotel, and walked around town a bit.

Walked into town.



It's a tourist town and they have lots of shops selling all kinds of products from the area.





We splurged and stayed here our first night since we got in late and have not had a chance to check out the town and what the prices of hotels will be...

[enduro0125]

MoBill's rear tire looks worn out already.

[LadyDraco]

Originally Posted by enduro0125

MoBill's rear tire looks worn out already.

I was looking at that too

[enduro0125]

Originally Posted by LadyDraco

I was looking at that too

I've ridden with Bill,no surprise.

[LadyDraco]

Originally Posted by enduro0125

I've ridden with Bill,no surprise.

Me too....

[Johnny Drunkard]

Johnsons's Lodge, nice! Bet you guys are glad to be out of the Delhi heat.

Is Rhotang open?


p.s. It sucks not having a horn, huh?

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by Johnny Drunkard

you guys are glad to be out of the Delhi heat.

Is Rhotang open?

p.s. It sucks not having a horn, huh?

So glad to be out of the heat. Unbearable for sure!

Rohtang is open.... Will be on the road in a little bit.

Would not want to ride without a horn

[Chanderjeet]

[GirlieS]

Originally Posted by Radioman

So glad to be out of the heat. Unbearable for sure!

Rohtang is open.... Will be on the road in a little bit.

Would not want to ride without a horn

Hurry up.... I'm waiting for a new report! (enjoying the story big time!)

[IceCreamSoldier]

When I saw PFB's post on where the best Enfield shop was, I thought to myself..... "he's already been there" BOOM !! Next post from RadioMan confirms...

Just great you are sharing the first part of this with MoBill. Very cool he was playing stickball with the local boys

Never been been there, but have talked with many who have. Very spiritual place, I'm sure you will not regret one minute of your time there.

[Mr. Fisherman]

And the adventure has begun

[ARun4Your$]

Originally Posted by GirlieS

Hurry up.... I'm waiting for a new report! (enjoying the story big time!)

Me too !!! I am enjoying the photos, story and community comments big time.... Love MoBill joining in the neighborhood games....hilarious comment about Radioman with the fez...

Be safe .... Can't wait to see photos of the snow banks .....

[Radioman]

Just have a few minutes at as cyber cafe..... Wanted to post a couple photos of todays EPIC riding!!

This is exactly what I came to India to do. Loving riding the Royal Enfield as it is simple and we are having a blast "dual sporting" on them!! We road over Rohtang pass which is just a boy 3,990 Meters ( of just over 13, 000 feet) they were still removing snow since it has been open only one week this year!! What a blast we are having!!

This is my spot tracker google map..... Yes it was as fun as it looks.!



Rohtang pass. You have to look close to see the traversing switch backs, loaded with tourists.



Lined all the way up. We waited over an hour to be be able to start up.



But were totally rewarded after we passed the checkpoint above all the tourists and headed over the pass!



Wahooo!



They were still clearing and we had to maneuver around them, no safety crews needed



SNOW.



Riding the back side.... Yes MoBill was stoked!



Up the next valley



Top of the Pass 13,000 most to ourselves and the crews.



I love this Ride!



Met these guys on the downward side. They are Sikh's on there was to a Temple pilgrimage .



They put Turbans on us for the photo it was so cool!!



The mountain vista's were amazing! This is certain what drew me to make this trip!



Had a few trucks...... Glad I have a horn



end of a great day of riding!!



Made it to ... Keylong. Check you google maps.



Good night for now! What an awesome day of riding in the Himalayas and lots more to come!