A quick run before it snows - Tour De Passes

खड़ा हिमालय बता रहा है

डरो न आंधी पानी में।

खड़े रहो तुम अविचल होकर

सब संकट तूफानी में।

डिगो ना अपने प्रण से‚ तो तुम

सब कुछ पा सकते हो प्यार‚

तुम भी ऊंचे उठ सकते हो

छू सकते हो नभ के तारे।

Many years ago I used to be an outstanding student, Saraswati madam used to walk into the class, call out my name and ask me to leave. She wouldn't take the class with me in it. 

This was in the 90's and mobile phones weren't a scene. One of these days I took it upon me and by hearted this poem. Many decades later, i was talking a to close friend, and not until she pointed out did I figure the secret. 

Himalayas had sent a message and I was just working all my life towards the dream that I didn't know I had. 

With - 8° and frost on the seat, I was unsure if I would enjoy the ride. I was keen to call it off and head back to a warmer place. But hey whats with all HashTag and adventure blood and all the jazz I claimed to enjoy for so many years? Well I made up my mind and off we went. We had to wait until the sun was out so that we don't burn out in the first half of the ride. Jispa to a few kms before Shinkula is all tarmac but winding, quick altitude climbs and even quicker temperature drops. We made it to the pass in no time, took a few snaps and rode down quickly. Doesn't matter how many times you have done the high passes, it's advisable that you move out before the oxygen burns out and brings you down.

A quick chai break later, we stopped at the epic Gonbo Ronjan, the holy mountain stood out and gave a  feeling of calmness.

The roads vanished from here and talcum powder dust took over for miles, a few water crossings and miles of road work added to the adventure and kept us on the toes. Jobin has done this route a million times and gunned it all through, I followed suit and ensured to dance through the terrain.

Lunch at the usual domla hotel at purne and we rode ahead to Purne. Over a 150 kms distance but done over 7 hours with varying temperature.

We chill at Omasila hotel at padum, down a drink and call it a night. Tomorrow seems to be a long day of riding, the mixed terrain will take us through 4 passes and lead us to Leh.