Delhi to Mussoorie and back

The Riders

Arindum Mohanty (Free Spirit)
Ajit S Negi (Trip Manager)
Prasenjit Bose (My self)

From Left to Right: Arindum, Ajit & Prasenjit

The Rides

Royal Enfield Classic 350
Bajaj Avenger 220 DTSi

The Journey

The ride was planned for some time. It originally included four riders, but one suddenly fell ill. With all considerations, we decided to go ahead as planned. So on Friday, June 17, 2011, we all gathered at my place at Vaishali, Ghaziabad, around 1 PM.

After packing our stuff into two backpacks, we headed towards the nearest ATM and then went on to the Indian Oil petrol pump at Anand Vihar for fuel.

By the time, we were ready to hit the highway, it was already 2:30 pm. We decided to mark the start of our trip at the Hindon Dam near Kaushambi.

We then took the Rajnagar Extension Bypass and went up to Muradnagar. At Muradnagar, we took "Kanwad Road", which goes along with the Ganga Canal. The road is less taken and it saved us from the traffic of Modinagar and Meerut. This road is not at its prime and has its own good share of potholes and bumpers.

We took the first stop at Jani Buzurg, a small town by the canal. The water in the hand pump was chilled and refreshing.

We got the air pressure checked and enjoyed the monkey menace for few minutes.

After a few minute's rest, we saddled back on and continued on the same road till khatauli and then took the turn on NH58 for Cheetal Grand. It was almost 4 PM and we were ready to hog in.

Due to our gear, most of the people were looking curiously at us. After some fulfilling 40 minutes, we were ready to hit the road back.

We took the Muzzafarnagar Bypass Toll road, which, in terms of road quality, was the best in the entire trip. This encouraged Ajit to take out his camera and take some "On Ride" shots.

We continued the ride up to Roorkee. Near the IIT Roorkee campus, we took the NH 73 towards Dehradun. By 7 PM we reached Bhagwanpur and it was time to break for Tea.

After a break of 20 minutes, we were back on the road. We continued to Dehradun and reached there around 8:30 PM. We started looking for a place to stay. Due to the tourist season hotel rates were quiet steep. After doing some hotel hopping, we landed at hotel Maggie Star on Rajpur road. Hotel had only one Non AC room available, which we gladly took for Rs. 1260, all inclusive. It seemed a good deal as we were three people getting accommodated.

We were exhausted, so we got our meals at the room, and soon we were dead asleep.

Next morning the sky was cloudy. Arindum was fast asleep. Ajit and I tried to get few shots around the hotel.

It started pouring heavily by 8 AM. Rain continued till 10 AM and then changed to light drizzel. We decided to start the uphill ride. So, we checkout of the hotel, geared up and started our accent.

At some point after 10 KMs uphill ride, we decided to stop for some shots.

We continued for another 10 KMs and stopped again for few pictures.

Finally we reached Mussoorie.

Roads were jammed with tourist traffic. With some skillful honking and middle of the road riding we were able to make it to the mall road by 12:15 PM. We paid INR 200 for the mall road entry for two bikes, rode for a kilometer to get out of the tourist rush.

It was time for some more photos.

It was now time for lunch. We headed for the famous Kalsang restaurant, located near the mall road post office. I have not found a better tasting far eastern restaurant food, any where in north India.

The ambiance and the interior art work at this place compliment its food. You will just fall in love with this place. The staff there is super cool and very polite. Ajit was anxious to get himself clicked with one of the captains there.

While our order was being prepared, we had time for few more clicks.

After an overfilling lunch, we were now ready to ride through the narrow hilly lanes of Mussoorie. We headed towards the end of mall road and then turned for the road going uphill into the town. There was no traffic and no tourists on that road. We thought of getting few more clicks, before we moved to the more dangerous steep uphill.

A large mountain rock allowed us to use the mini tripod and we were able to click our first "Full Group" photo.

We continued on the same road and reached the Catholic Graveyard, from where we again detoured and took another steep uphill. This was the most challenging road. In the mid way the road was narrowed down to three feets and the climb was almost 70 degrees, for almost 400 meters. I had to ask Ajit to get down in order to complete the climb. It was scary!!! Once we reached the top, we stopped to let the machines cool down. I could feel few beads of sweat on my forehead.

After spending about ten minutes there, we started downhill on the same road, which led us back to the mall road entry point. Ajit was now riding with Arindum.

The road took us back to the mall road entry point, from where continued our ride towards Kempty Falls. Just a kilometer down that road and Avenger's brake paddle spring came off. So we stopped at small mechanic some at midway to Kempty falls, where the guy fixed the spring and we helped ourselves with Tea.

A cute baby passed by along with his sister. Ajit got his picture and then gave him chocolates.

Road leading to Kempty falls soon became a nightmare. There was almost a 5 KM long Jam with no movement on either side at all. Though we tried to squeeze our bikes in, it was no good after a while. It was almost 4 PM and we were still stuck in the Jam. So we decided to move back and start our return towards Dehradun. After trying for another 30 minutes, we were able to get out of the Jam. We stopped to get some rest and few clicks.

We continued the ride for few more kilometers. Evening was setting in. Sky was clear and views were inviting. We stopped again for few more clicks.

From there we continued towards Mussoorie Ghandi chowk, which again was jammed, and then towards Dehradun. While we reach about 10 Kms downhill, it was Sunset time.

Finally we reached Dehradun at 7:30 PM and decided to go back to the Hotel Maggie Star. Being a returning customer, we now got an AC room in the price as off last night. We dumped our bags there and decided to go for some evening snacks. Time to hit Nanny's Bakery. Many people had recommended it.

Snacks almost converted into a full meal. Bakery guys continued to serve us in amazement. Bill INR 575 only.

Even after the bakery massacre, we decided to get some food packed for dinner, which we did from "Ali's" near the bakery. The place offers pure non-vegetarian food, with an exception of "Roti", which I believe is the only item on their menu without meat.

After a hefty meal and good night sleep that followed it, we were up by 12 Noon to start our ride back to Delhi. We settled the bill, toiled around for a while and by the time we were ready for the road, it was 2 PM. We bid the final good bye to our Den at Dehradun.

We refueled on the highway just after we crossed Dehradun and continued to ride till we crossed Roorkee. After crossing the city we stopped at a dhaba for lunch. Things were smooth and uneventful.

Just when we thought that the ride back home is going to be smooth, we faced the biggest Jam of the trip at few kilometers before Purkaji. We could not find a way to go along that road. So we decided to go kilometer back and take the road through the village and sugarcane fields, to reach the same Ganga Canal, which we were planning to take from Khatauli.

We got hold of the canal road after crossing the Purkaji Army Cantonment and continued on it till Murad Nagar. It was a long tiring ride. We stopped again at the time of Sunset for few last snaps.

We finally reached at my place at Vaishali by 9 PM. Arindum and Ajit rearranged their backpacks and left for their respective homes at RK Puram and Janakapuri by 9:30 PM.

The trip finally came to its end !!! I hope for some more great trips in future.