24 July 2010

We had narrowly missed our target Patnitop by 10 kms. Had it not been for the huge traffic chaos, we would have made it, or possibly beyond. The next day again started with us running on the white line in the middle of the road to overtake the traffic. Vihans is the master at this being brought up in Delhi-6. We had targeted Delhi for today, a good 700 kms away. Quite an ambitious target. Towards Udhampur, another group accompanied us. This was Ferris Wheels, the same group we had seen at KhardungLa. Man, they were rash. Their motorcycles were light, with no luggage. All were wearing high-end protective jackets. So, all they had to do was sprint. And sprint they did. They were overtaking the traffic rashly. It was better not to mess with them.
Near Udhampur, after the petrol station, we took the turn towards Pathankot. This route bypasses Jammu. Doley's chain was loose. So we stopped at a dhaba besides a small workshop. While the work on the bikes was being done, we had breakfast. The staple food, aloo parathas, butter and curd. And in Saurabh's case, always one crisp chilli-salt paratha.
We were slightly apprehensive about this route. But it turned out to be lovely. Lowhills with gentle curves. The straight roads were in great condition, save for a few patches. We also passed Ranjit Sagar Dam. That time was right for beer and we stopped at the first theka. But we did not drink here. We planned to drink it amongst the trees in the hills. We picked up and started and were immediately stopped at the nearby checkpost. They asked for IDs. Meanwhile, the beer cans were hanging from Gyan's and Vihans' bikes. The guards could see us buying from the theka. But they completely ignored the beer. This is the treatment you can expect in Punjab. Alcohol is a way of life. As we descended from the dam, we were stopped at another checkpost. They also ignored the beer. I just love Punjab Police.
We stopped some distance ahead in the shade of some trees and brought out the beer. It was still a long way to go, but as we say, "thoda sa late ho jayenge" which later converts to "ab to late ho hi gaye hain". That beer was necessarily needed. All this time, Dutta had been missing. He's like one of those long range horses having sideviewblockers. Later we learnt that he reached Delhi by midnight. Once he sets sight on his goal, there's no stopping.
As we touched NH-1 at Pathankot, it was well past noon. Now the road was double laned for a few kilometers. Once this section completes, it would save a lot of time raching Pathankot from Delhi. Some distance ahead, we saw Gyan and Vihans parked besides the road. Vihans had his shorts open. They were hanging at his knees. The story that they told had us in splits.
Vihans was leading and Gyan was right behind him. Suddenly, Gyan notices that Vihans bike started skidding. He braked sharply, threw off his helmet and gloves and started opening his shorts. Gyan thought he must be suffering from dumping pressure. What really had happened was a honeybee had slipped into Vihans' shorts, travelled all the way upto his butt and stung him. When we reached the spot, Vihans was applying ice over the stung area. We laughed all the way to glory. I'm sure none of us would have laughed if it had happened to us. But then, none of us would have been riding with our legs on the legguard leaving an open passage to the butt. The passage wouldn't have been open if he had strapped his knee guards over the shorts.
As we entered the plains, it got hot. Really hot. We had to stop again for lemon soda and replenish body fluids. Delhi seemed a target too far. I checked with my parents in Ludhiana whether they would have the capacity for 7 hungry riders to stay. Parents never say no, unlike us. We were all welcomed. Dutta was still not reachable.
As we crossed Jalandhar, it was past 5 pm. Vihans had to stop again as the bee sting was paining him. He was not in a condition to ride all the way to Delhi. Rohit had planned his own thing of riding till Ambala for the night. That left 5 of us to go to my home. I had been to this home only twice previously and that too from the road coming from Delhi. Now, we had to enter Ludhiana from Jalandhar's side and I did not know how to get there. Sounds funny, doesnt it? I didn't know the way to my home. Reminds me of the time when in Leh Gyan said to Doley, "Give me the number of my wife".
We had to wait at a chowk so that my father could come and fetch us. Mothers are always so thrilled to see their children. Then one filthy motorcyclist followed another. It had been a long time since we ate and dinner was laid out. Home made chicken. I had thought we would be leaving after resting for a while but when the others laid themselves out after dinner, they could not be woken up. We would be leaving the next day only.