Page 122 - Motoring World (January 2020)

endearing characteristic. No tall all of this when we reached atop At some point, we waded through
claims of performance numbers or the pass and stood there for the certain water crossings repeatedly to
overhyped technology outlined in customary photograph. give the filming crew the right shots.
a 107-page marketing brochures. That being ticked off the checklist, Soaked till the bone yet shivering
No single-purpose objectives to be we proceeded onto Sumur in Nubra under the harsh sun, we found
achieved. Just basic but functional valley for the night’s halt. The first ourselves tired at some point, but
apparatus that brewed a heady day was easy on us and the bikes, the Jawas continued to prod us on.
concoction of motorcycle freedom thanks to gorgeous tarmac laid Riding along the cusp of sparkling
laced with the aroma of adventure down by Border Roads Organisation blue waters of the majestic Pangong
and new experiences. all the way to Nubra. We ended the Tso lake, we arrived in Merak just
day with some lovely barbeque, short of the sunset. Hurriedly,
LEH TO SUMUR campfire and music. How all riding everyone rushed to the lakeside for
We began the ride from Stok village days should ideally end. that Instagram-wrecking photo-op.
which lies on the other side of the Back at the campsite, everyone
Leh main town, residing right under SUMUR TO MERAK gathered around to hear stories of
the nose of the famed Stok Kangri Leaving from Sumur, the real the Kargil War from Mahavir Chakra
peak. Next on the route was the Ladakhi terrain greeted us. Plenty of awardee Colonel Sonam Wangchuk
Mecca of motorcycling, the scenic deep water crossings and countless of the Ladakh Scouts regiment. He
but now over-populated, Khardung dirt trails to ride, away from the was presented a special-edition Jawa
La. The majority of us on this ride main broken tarmac stretch. And no motorcycle in honour of his service
had been to Khardung La on several matter which of the paths one chose, to the country. The Lion of Ladakh,
occasions on all kinds of wheels, they all eventually met ahead in the as he is fondly referred to, rode with
but this time had more historical distance as one. This allowed our us throughout the ride and shared
importance than ever before as for pack of about 30-odd motorcycles his on-duty stories as we passed
the very first time we were riding the to spread apart and ride which, in important places along the way.
new-generation Jawa motorcycles my opinion, was great as most of us
to the highest motorable pass in the scrambled away on our chosen trails MERAK TO HANLE
world, on the first-ever Jawa Ibex like kids leaving from school for their The most anticipated destination on
Trail ride, at that. We only realised summer vacations. the Jawa Ibex Trail 2019 was Hanle.

122 MOTORING WORLD | JANUARY 2020