2008 RE Himalayan Odyssey: Stairway to Heaven

Story & Photography: Abhishek Nigam      25 July 2008

I have a splitting headache with nausea setting in well and truly. We are at 14000 feet above sea level and even a short walk to Dr. Bishen's tent seems to be an uphill task. This wasn't just the case with me; the entire group was suffering from AMS; short for Acute Mountain Sickness. That's when we remembered the doc's and our expedition leader Sachin Chavan's advice to conserve energy given to us just three days back before this mother of all road trips began. Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey 2008.

Now in its fifth edition this year's epic saga began on the 27th June, with 55 riders accumulating at the International Youth Center in Delhi. We were obliged with keys to brand new Thunderbird TwinSparks, affectionately called as TBTS. Since the bike was recently launched this ride would be a perfect judge to find out how the bike behaves in adverse real world conditions. The riders were an amalgamation of different cities and towns and added a colorful touch to the trip. The evening was kicked off with Sachin Chavan and Dr. Bishen conducting a briefing for the riders giving us an idea about what lay in store for us over the next fortnight.

The ride was flagged off by Siddharth Lal, CEO Eicher motors from India Gate with the bikers leaving in a proper two by two formation which continued throughout the city. Once we hit the lovely Delhi highways, however, we could restrain ourselves no more and gunned the throttle. The TBTS dishing out 20 bhp, 2 more than its predecessor, had enough shove to plaster a smile on my face. With the whole bunch of bullets thumping their way through Grand Trunk Road, it sure was a sight for sore eyes. Traversing through lush green fields on either side complimented by nice overcast weather, we couldn't have asked for a better start.

The Chandigarh flag off was done on a nice sunny warm day by Mr. LS Cheema from Chandigarh police, who is an avid bullet enthusiast himself. The route was a rider's delight with a perfectly laid tarmac full of switchbacks and hairpins. Having already experienced the twin sparks mile munching abilities it was time to see what the bull could do here. The bike literally danced her way through the corners with the poise of a ballet dancer with the low footpegs being the only hindrance. We finally reached scenic Manali before evening and checked in for a well deserved rest.

By the third day the guys had gelled well with each other, with discussions ranging from the various modifications done on their bikes to riding techniques. Each had formed a group of their own kind with the slow riders forming a pack and cruising at their pace and the faster ones blitzing their way to glory. The Manali to Keylong route gave us a taste what this journey was really about, traveling through "NO ROADS" at all. Our backs got a real beating riding through just rocks, sands, watercrossings with rainfall adding slush as well. All riders tanked up after reaching Thandi since it was the last petrol pump till the next 345 kms. The campfire at Keylong livened things up and it was heartening to see a bunch of people of varying age as well as different professional backgrounds all gathered together doing what they do best. That's what biking brotherhood is all about.