I just got back from a couple of weeks traveling the Himalayas... Starting and finishing in McLeodganj (Dharamsala), I looped through Jammu and Kashmir for the way to Leh, stopped by Khardung Pass (widely claimed to be the "highest motorable pass in the world" at 18,380 ft, although this is disputed), stayed in Leh for the Kalachakra teachings by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama, and came back via Tsomoriri ("the largest of the high altitude lakes in the Trans-Himalayan biogeographic region") and the Rhotang Pass/Manali.
For comparison's sake, the highest PEAK in the contiguous 48 is Mt. Whitney at 14,505 ft., so the PASSES the CBR and I traversed regularly outdid it... And even the lake, Tsomoriri, is at an altitude of 15,075ft.!
Details of the bike (modifications from stock):
1. front fairing and headlight removed; Yamaha FZ16 stock headlight installed
2. front tire: Ralco 120/80-17, with what appears to be around 70/30 street/offroad tread; rear tire: CEAT 140/70-17
3. -2/+2 sprockets (12t/40t), X-ring chain (stock length/size)
4. some heavy-gauge wire I wrapped around the passenger footpegs, passenger hand-holds, and rear of the bike: luggage was attached to this by bungees... not an elegant-looking device, but effective!
Details of the ride:
We were two: my girlfriend and myself. With luggage, the CBR probably had a good 400-500 lbs. to haul. We made around 30-33 kpl (70-75 mpg) on paved roads, which dropped all the way to 23 kpl (54 mpg) in the mountains. Roads were paved or unpaved, with a few river crossings, at regular altitudes of 12,000-15,000 ft in elevation (Leh lies at 11,500 ft.). The route we followed was:
1. McLeodganj/Dharamsala to Jammu and on to Sri Nagar
2. Sri Nagar to Kargil
3. Kargil to Leh
4. around Leh, to Khardung La and back
5. Leh to Tsomoriri
6. Tsomoriri to Pang to Manali
7. Manali to Dharamsala (McLeodganj)
But enough of the boring, for now, let's get to some pics:
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The CBR on top of Khardung La—a (disputed) 18,380 ft. in elevation, and the (disputed) "highest motorable road in the world"!!!
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The view of Leh, descending from Khardung La.
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The CBR: packed, loaded, ready to go!
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Rainbow encircling the sun; an auspicious sign the day we arrive in Leh, Ladakh!
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Monasteries...
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Road construction... with live dynamite! Never a dull moment...
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Om Mani Padme Hum
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Nomads with their flocks, just outside Tsomoriri
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Unpaved roads lead away from Tsomoriri...
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Geese at Tsomoriri
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Karzong village (Tsomoriri)
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The lake is REALLY clear!
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Natural hot spring and small sulphur geyser.
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The CBR all loaded—the bottle holds 10 liters extra petrol, no fueling stations btwn Leh through Tsomoriri, up until Keylong (we made it to Manali on a full tank + 10 extra liters with miles to spare)...
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For comparison's sake, the highest PEAK in the contiguous 48 is Mt. Whitney at 14,505 ft., so the PASSES the CBR and I traversed regularly outdid it... And even the lake, Tsomoriri, is at an altitude of 15,075ft.!
Details of the bike (modifications from stock):
1. front fairing and headlight removed; Yamaha FZ16 stock headlight installed
2. front tire: Ralco 120/80-17, with what appears to be around 70/30 street/offroad tread; rear tire: CEAT 140/70-17
3. -2/+2 sprockets (12t/40t), X-ring chain (stock length/size)
4. some heavy-gauge wire I wrapped around the passenger footpegs, passenger hand-holds, and rear of the bike: luggage was attached to this by bungees... not an elegant-looking device, but effective!
Details of the ride:
We were two: my girlfriend and myself. With luggage, the CBR probably had a good 400-500 lbs. to haul. We made around 30-33 kpl (70-75 mpg) on paved roads, which dropped all the way to 23 kpl (54 mpg) in the mountains. Roads were paved or unpaved, with a few river crossings, at regular altitudes of 12,000-15,000 ft in elevation (Leh lies at 11,500 ft.). The route we followed was:
1. McLeodganj/Dharamsala to Jammu and on to Sri Nagar
2. Sri Nagar to Kargil
3. Kargil to Leh
4. around Leh, to Khardung La and back
5. Leh to Tsomoriri
6. Tsomoriri to Pang to Manali
7. Manali to Dharamsala (McLeodganj)
But enough of the boring, for now, let's get to some pics:
The CBR on top of Khardung La—a (disputed) 18,380 ft. in elevation, and the (disputed) "highest motorable road in the world"!!!
The view of Leh, descending from Khardung La.
The CBR: packed, loaded, ready to go!
Rainbow encircling the sun; an auspicious sign the day we arrive in Leh, Ladakh!
Monasteries...
Road construction... with live dynamite! Never a dull moment...
Om Mani Padme Hum
Nomads with their flocks, just outside Tsomoriri
Unpaved roads lead away from Tsomoriri...
Geese at Tsomoriri
Karzong village (Tsomoriri)
The lake is REALLY clear!
Natural hot spring and small sulphur geyser.
The CBR all loaded—the bottle holds 10 liters extra petrol, no fueling stations btwn Leh through Tsomoriri, up until Keylong (we made it to Manali on a full tank + 10 extra liters with miles to spare)...
