Episode 240 : The Devbhoomi Experience- Part 7

Over drinks, we all agree that the ride from Thal to Bidthi in the dark made up for bad roads we rode on in the day time. We also agree to start at the earliest; riding in the dark was getting to everybody.

We retire to bed hoping to get some good sleep. We know we have to ride back on the same bad roads on our way to Gwaldham. The thought is enough to make me want to stay back for a few more days.

Day 9: October 8, 2008

I wake up next morning to the sound of a loud waterfall. Peering through the curtains, I see a waterfall behind the tourist home. The early morning chill fails to keep me indoors.

The return ride to Thal makes us aware of how treacherous the road is. We see landslides around us. Luckily for us, none of them are in our way.

Thal, Uttarakhand @ 60105km

We stop at Thal for breakfast. The owner of the restaurant agrees to charge our mobile phones till we are ready to leave. After a hearty breakfast, we step out and are ready to move when Tiger finds the rear tyre is punctured!

I volunteer to stay back while the rest move on. I find a man to fix the puncture and take him to Tiger's motorcycle. I take care of the nitty-gritty on my motorcycle so that we don't run into a problem later on. Meanwhile, the local people take an LPG cylinder transporter to the police station. Apparently, all restaurants are stocked with cylinders while making none available for domestic use.

Chaukori, Uttarakhand @ 60134km

Lightning doesn't strike the same place or same day twice. Or does it? Thirty kilometres later, and a little after the town of Chaukori, Tiger and I see Zim and Muthu lounge by the side of the road. On enquiring they inform us that the rear tyre of Muthu's motorcycle is punctured!

I think it is a good idea to have tea at the old man's store, but it is closed

Bageshwar, Uttarakhand @ 60185km

We reach Bagheswar and I go hunting for an ATM. The sole SBI ATM refuses to read both my debit cards. Muthu assures me that Gwaldham will have an ATM.

A part of the route to Gwaldham uses the same road that we used the previous day. I shudder when I think of bad roads, but the bad roads seem to have disappeared overnight. Well not really, the government of Uttarakhand must have sent a road-repair team after hearing our emotional screams of agony...

After descending at Bageshwar, we take the road that climb towards Gwaldham. The first few kilometres into the climb are pleasant and I begin to think that the stay at Gwaldham will be cool. As we enter Gwaldham, I am in for a shock.

Gwaldham, Uttarakhand @ 60229km

It is very, very cold! I see the mountain peaks for the first time, starting with Trishul. The feeling is awesome yet humbling. The motorcycling expedition suddenly acquires a sense of purpose!

Gwaldham is a small town, with very basic facilities. My search for an ATM would continue the next day.

For a change, we reach our destination well before sunset. This allows us to get a feel of the place, sufficient time to unwind and prepare for an early start the next day.

What I did not know was that the next day would be one of the most exciting of them all.