The Post-Virgin Leh Diaries - Part 2

What They Don’t Tell You

About Riding

On The Roof Of The World. II

5.       Always pay heed to the more experienced man (or woman!)

Listen to the team mate who’s done more trips around India and world than you. His advice will make the difference between you getting carried away to hospital on a helicopter, or coming back home without a single fall or mishap.

I was advised to sit tight and drink plenty of water. The constant drinking and minimized exertion helped me deal with the onset of AMS.

The charming (Army) Para-Military Col. we had the fortune of meeting advised us to do the same, and regaled us with tales on how he rode non-stop for two days to reach his base. The extreme training that all army personnel go through made that ride a breeze!

That being said, warnings must be paid attention to, even the most severe, as there is quite a distinct possibility it could happen to you and if it does, you will be prepared for it – which brings us to the next point…

6.       Extreme cautionary advice could encourage some team mates to go AWOL

You will lose team members on the way, but you can be sure the ones you’re left with will be trustworthy enough when it comes to life and death situations.

Travel mates, Mr. Hipster and 40-fit were advised to lie low for the next two days in Leh, though Mr. 40-fit rebelled and happily sashayed into town the next day to explore the local market – saying altitude sickness was no match for his 300 push-ups and 4-pack abs.

Besides the high altitude riding, we were warned about the freezing temperatures at Sarchu, the possible black-outs, the throwing up, the need for diamox… oh the list went on. This was when 40-fit decided that hopping on a bus to see Nubra & Pangong Lake was the better option, rather than risking life and limb on some silly ride in to the mountains. (Sadly none of us got to find out if 300 pushups per day could push the altitude sickness away.)

Captain and Mr. Hipster proved to be dependable travel companions at the journey’s end.

7.       Stop to help lone riders. Karma works both ways.

The Captain chose to stop & help two riders with broken-down bikes. The reason for this he said later was that their depleted engine oil would leave them stranded at the side of a 17,000 ft. mountain road, where the cold and low oxygen would be fatal without proper insulation.

8.       When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.

Riding a bike into the mountains of Leh and coming out alive is NOT an achievement. But braving extreme terrain and intense weather, carrying a 40kg backpack while dodging enemy snipers and firing back to protect your battalion with your life certainly is.

This was one of the many markers we passed on those inhospitable mountain roads, erected by the Army - paying tribute to the sacrifice Indian soldiers must make, so you and I can ride through the mountains without fear of getting hit by unfriendly fire or bullets. Each of these fine men and women are there to protect you. Give them the respect and honor they deserve.

...........to be continued!