Hi all,
I hibernated for a long time but still love fun, tours and adventurez as far my busy schedule is concerned. This time, briefing my last month roadtrip to Nainital, Mukteshwar, Ranikhet and other adjoining scenetic spots. Our trip composed of 3 days. We 4 guys made our journey on two bikes, Unicorn and Pulsar. Hope you all will enjoy reading.
1) The TripDay 1: Delhi-Nainital (356)
Packed bags, fueled machines, checked tyre pressure and zipped off at 6. It was a cosy morning with our bikes drooling@70-80 kph. We took NH-24 from Nizammudin Bridge. By 7 we gotstucked across a huge line of trucks for ½ an hour at Ghazipur. Then a smooth drive upto Hapur bypass, again 22 km bad patch upto Ganga river. Took some photoshots, did our breakfast at Gajraula (famous for its stumptous paranthas). But good-bad road process continuously affected our average speeds till Haldwani, from where one can enjoy smooth curves upto Nainital.
The hilly ride was a new experience for me, but I couldn’t enjoy curving on the first day due to potholed riding across UP. Somehow, we reached around 2 p.m and both of us braked in front of Naini Lake. Awesome scene, specially the scented breeze. Air is so ultimate that it cannot be expressed in words. Nice hill spot, circled around Naini lake surrounded by Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts, at reasonable prices. The market has a lot of hilly specialties in wooden items, woollens and fancy candles. Also it was fun to bike in the evening, coz loads of chicks and cartoon couples waste time ;)Day 2: Nainital-Mukteshwar-Ranikhet
Next morning at 8, we headed for Mukteshwar, ~ 60 kms from Nainital. Mukteshwar is the highest hill station of kumaon valley but very much unlike Nainital or Shimla kinda tourist spots. No crowds, lonely forests, few resorts on the way and 180’ degree views of the major snow capped mountains. We had our lunch at British Resort (mixed raita, creamy panner gravy with tawa chapattis...dollops!), And what can I say about the road? Superb. Surrounded by lonely pines and eucalyptus forests, we were simply listening to our bike(s) sound. I cruised between 30-45 kph, ripped hard @ 75-85 kph and believe hardly one vehicle passed in 10 minutes.
Next, destination was Ranikhet. Again Lonely roads with no souls in sight, no fuel pumps within 25-30 kms and a lil bit of bad patch. We could actually hear the sounds of the streams and the breeze. Returned Nainital at 8, shopped for candles and wooden articles.
Day 3: Nainital-Sattal-Bhimtal-Delhi.
Our first point, Sattal.A nice spot with four lakes at one place. I would rather say, if u miss boat ride at Nainital no problem, Sattal and Bhimtal is for you. Crystal clear water, boating for 1 hour on a shikara and trekking to Hadimbha Temple, was the most adventurous task of our trip.
Similarly at Bhimtal there is one restaurant situated in the middle of Bhimtal lake. Only boats can take you there. There is one more lake at Naukuchiatal, but we didn’t had much time to visit, so finally we headed for Delhi at 2. I was expecting to reach around 10-11 in the night, but somehow pulsar made in 5 hrs 30 minutes flat. I reached home around 9:40, checked odo->978kms.
2) The Ride
Both bikes performed admirably in each gear. Thanks to Pulsar road grip, it helped me to vroom across highways, zipping across mountains, following girls college buses ;) etc. However, Unicorn was a bit difficult to handle on potholes especially on mountains. My bike’s Nitox helped me (and pillion of course) on bad patches to drive steadily at 50-55 unlike unicorn, who slowed everytime to avoid problems. Mileage figures Unicorn returned 52.4kmpl, clocking 105 max whereas Pulsar had given me 51.2 kmpl reaching 115 kmph thrice with pillion.
3) Some TipsAlways carry an extra tube or an electronic puncture. Unicorn had flat tyre twice on bad roads, but puncture shops weren’t so far. Also check ur papers and toolbox before departing. Optimal speed should be 80kph, trust me bike will never overheat and return good mileage figures irrespective of the load. I drove continuously for 5:30 hrs from Bhimtal – Noida (290 kms), without a single jerk. Driving at ~ top notch continuously can make ur bike suffer, also wastes time. This experiment was made by the Unicorner to outrage me..:D, he reached around 11:15. If possible carry cash otherwise SBI has maximum no of ATMs on the way. I hardly noticed any ICICI who claim itself the second best bank of the country. If u came across some temple on mountains, then please stop, shook head then go.Finally, Drive Safely, Enjoy ride but avoid josh.
I hope this review is illustrative and informative to all.
© Sandeep, November 2k6