Motorbikes in action at RAID DE HIMALAYA 2011

After extreme action of cars at Raid de Himalaya, it's time to have a PHOTO JOURNEY of Bikers. Usually bikes are more interesting to click as compared to cars, but in Raid everything is super exciting !!! Let's start this journey with bikes in action....

This whole event is very well planned and everyone is well aware of actions to be happen during the week of Raid. I was really amazed to see the detailing of event at http://www.raid-de-himalaya.com/2011/Xtreme/supregs2w2011.pdf . I have seen documents of other motorsports in North India and most of them are really disorganized and planned very unprofessionally. The whole team of Himalayan Motorsports work really hard to make each thing very special and safe !!!

Bikes are really specially for shooting and panning is one of the technique, which can't be missed during such events where bikers love to fly in air...

Raid de Himalaya started from Peterhoff Hotel, Shimla and day one ended at Manali through Jalori Pass !!! Whole route was like

Shimla to Manali == Manali-Leh(via Sarchu) ==
Leh-Leh(via Wari La & Khardung La) == Leh-Rangdum(via Kargil) == Rangdum-Rangdum(via Padum) == Rangdum-Srinagar(via Kargil)

Himalayan Motorsports organize this wonderful event and here are some contact details -

Himalayan Motorsport
Motoworld, Navbahar, Shimla,
Himachal Pradesh - India
Phone: +91 (0) 177 2842916
Fax: +91 (0) 177 2844338
Email: info@raid-de-himalaya.com

Total distance covered was 2200 kilometers, including 667 kilometers of competitive sections. 667 Kms were covered during 11 different competitive stages.

The Moto Alpine was about running the first 3 legs of the rally and end at night halt
of leg 3 at Leh. This shorter version was open to all newcomers to the Raid de Himalaya.
Only those that had never participated before in the Raid (on a / Quad) are eligible to
enter for the Moto Alpine.

The Moto Xtreme was complete version of the Raid de Himalaya, running all 6 legs and
was open to both previous participants as well as the new entrants to the Raid, In short
whereas a previous participant could not enter the Moto Alpine...

Bikes of 100cc to 700cc participate in Raid and all of them are categorized into different classes, on the basis of their machine powers.

Most of these folks used some imported bikes or modified versions of high power bikes. On top of that each biker needs to have a team to ensure that any break-down on the way can be fixed as quick as possible.

Another special thing about these motorsport rallies is their route. Most difficult terrain are chosen with appropriate safely measures in mind. In fact, security planning takes various months to finalize things with Government and private agencies. All riders in Raid are really disciplined about safely as well. Following passion with proper safely measures is also very important.

Raid de Himalaya rally passes through various villages in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir !!!

Riding on such a road is a real luxury. At various points it's difficult to find the road on rough hills with landslides and water streams around !!! Riding bike in Raid is really difficult as riders have no option of driving the vehicles by sitting on closed cabins. Weather is another challenge for bike riders in Raid de Himalaya.

Some information picked from official Facebook page of RAID DE HIMALAYA -

Raid de Himalaya is among the most extreme motor sport events organized at an international level. It runs on the highest altitudes as compared to others including the Paris Dakar Rally. http://www.raid-de-himalaya.com/

Mountains and Bikes seem to be made to be seen together. Several Indian travellers have now started taking on the mountains on their bikes. The main reason is the same as the the bikers participating in the rally - the thrill of scaling these heights.

Navigating the curves, dodging the rocks, and leaving a dust trail, the riders manoever their mean machines faultlessly and spectators can't do much but stare at them with awe.

They look the same at a glance, but all riders have their own unique techniques that only experts can detect.

Amongst the barren, brown hills the only streaks of colour are these motorbikes. For the duration of the rally, the region comes alive with these dashing, roaring machines.

In spite of the tiring route that not only makes you push the boundaries of your schools, each biker starts longing to return for another ride, another adventure soon after one is over.

Rearing and roaring like a wild beast, these bikes are merely pets in their riders' hands, obeying each command, following each direction to the last letter.

Once the race is over and the bikers have left, the hills lie forlorn, full of longing for these noisy destructive forces of technology to come and make them come alive again.

The heights seem scalable and the terrain no longer a foe, when you are flying on your machine. No wonder each biker comes back year after year to scale these heights till they become as familiar to them as the back of their hands.

Varun Chaudhary who clicked all these photographs can reached at -

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Peer ki Gali – Help yourself to some paradise

When in Kashmir, we drove to Daksum, Anantnag, Sinthan Top and Kishtwar from Srinagar. This road also connects Srinagar with Jammu, but we had taken Mughal road to hit Kashmir Valley when drove from Delhi. These is one of the most beautiful terrains of Kashmir Valley. In fact, it would be unfair to compare various terrains in Kashmir Valley, because all of these have unique character and equally beautiful. This Photo Journey shares more about this route, it's terrains and some important facts.Daksum is surrounded by dense forests with Bringhi River flowing right through its center. Daksum has been a popular destination for explorers and adventure lovers. Green meadows around Daksum look amazing and if you are lucky, you can find few shepherds singing some local songs. We met a gentleman, who loves playing flute. Unfortunately we didn't want to get clicked, so I don't have his photograph. All this may sound filmy but that's what you experience in Kashmir Valley.Clouds of Kashmir Valley are very interesting and naughty. They keep playing games with you, especially hide-n-seek.I clicked hundreds of cloud photographs in Kashmir. If you are lucky, these clouds also try to surround you from closer distance. Especially in early morning and late evening. Most of the times, these hills get drizzle. On these terrains around Sinthan Top, you feel like stopping your car and sit around the edge to experience the cool breeze blowing through the valley and green landscapes all around. It's a must do experience at a place where you find peace around these hills.Road connecting Srinagar with Sinthan Pass goes through beautiful landscapes full of green meadows, dense forests, cities, some beautiful mosques and paddy fields.Above photographs is clicked during Mughal Rally (A motorsport event organized by Himalayan Motorsports). The Sinthan pass connects Kashmir valley with Jammu Province through Kistwar. Pass is 12500 feet above sea level and is snow-capped for most of the year. It is located at the Anantnag-Kokernag-Kishtwar NH1B Highway and is 130 km south of Srinagar and 72 kilometers from Anantnag and approximately 50 kilometers from Kokernag.These curvy hills offer you unmatchable views of snow capped hills shimmering with sunlight and intense shadows of clouds. Flora and fauna of Kashmir valley welcomes you with open arms on the way to Sinthan top. There are very few tourists come to this part of Kashmir valley. Some of the most popular destinations in Kashmir are Srinagar, Pehalgaon, Gulmarg and Leh.Sinthan Top has no local population. Shepherds from adjoining places like Kokernag, Duksum, and tourists and those working in the tourism industry may stay overnight in tents. There is a small tea shop at top, which serves tea and basic snacks to tourists and army folks roaming around.This post is sharing only the landscapes of green meadows and some of the hills full of snow. But the drive from Srinagar to Sinthan Pass offers you lot more than that. Foothills of Sinthan Pass on both sides have very beautiful villages full of wooden houses, which are usually seen in movies. All of those seemed old and most of the newer houses near road were all modern with concrete construction. From Sinthan pass, there is an uphill trek to Sinthan top. The uphill climb to Sinthan top is a difficult and steep. Initially we hesitated to take this challenge but when did it, we found it worth. That was one of the best moments from our kashmir valley.How to reach this part of Kashmir Valley -Srinagar has nearest airport. Anantnag railway station is also connected with Kashmir Railway that runs from Baramulla to Qazigund. If you are in Jammu or Srinagar, you can hire a taxi or take bus for this part of Kashmir Valley.Lodging around Sinthan Pass, Anantnag -There are not many places to stay in Daksum. A few decent options can be found in Anantnag or Kokernag. Now some of the NGOs are actively running homestays in this part of Kashmir. One can find some goods option to stay in Anantnag. There are enough dhabas and restaurants serving local and Indian cuisine. It's recommended to do more research about the place and do advance booking. Also keep a track of local news, before you head there.This part of Kashmir and Peer Panjal mountain ranges are like heaven on earth. These grand views hypnotize all travellers and tourists crossing through Sinthan Pass. Every turn offers you new surprise and journey remains interesting.You can find lot of snow around Sinthan Pass, but remains of snow can be seen at distant places as well. Above photograph share true colors and mood of Kashmir - the bright blue sky, pure white clouds and snow covered green meadows.Two companions of Travellingcamera who were accompanying me in Kashmir exploration.

Road Journey from Srinagar to Sinthan Top, Kishtwar through Daksum & Anantnag in Kashmir Valley

Comments

Robin said…

Hey,
Thanks! Great post you have written on "Motorbikes in action at RAID DE HIMALAYA 2011 - By Varun Chaudhary ".Really I can say that your post is very informative, I'll come across your blog again when you will update it with new.
Thanks,
Robin
Top Motorbikes in India

December 7, 2011 at 5:49 PM

Travellingcamera said…

Good to hear that you liked it Robin.

December 10, 2011 at 3:22 PM

Travellingcamera

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