Raid 2012 - Recce

Highlights of the Trip:

with HIS

1. First time I ever did recce trip so didnt know what exactly to do. Thought it would be a fun mela trip.

2. Went with Ajayvir in his vintage (carburetor engine) gypsy; numbered HIS 1188

3. Ajayvir hinted that he himself was not sure that HIS would make it, and that we are in for adventure.

4. The night we were supposed to leave, HIS keys were lost and we were left groping in the dark.

5. Next day being Sunday, we leave for Shimla (post noon) after getting duplicate key made.

6. HIS started making "dangling bangles" sound at Himalayan Expressway itself. Under body check was done - but nothing found. The "dangling bangles" continued throughout - engaging and disengaging at their own will.

7. Stayed in Shoghi for the night and got maps transferred on GPS.

Petrol transfer

8. Next day left for Leg 1 and HIS started giving gear problems. 2nd and 3rd gears were hard to come by. We continued.

9. Leg 1, SS1 - HIS brakes failed. Somehow managed to complete the stage and take it to Mistri in Kingal for look see look see.

10. HIS had rear brake cylinder leak - Kingal mistri didn't have spare and so made a JUGAAD and on we went into SS2. The brake now initiated after 2 pedals.

11. SS2, SS3, Manali - HIS was a combination of days troubles.

12. Day 2 - onward Manali and upward Rohtang, HIS had lack of power. We could'nt do anything about it; at least she was moving.

Rohtang pass top

13. Reached Gramphu and started SS4. The 73km stage - and HIS almost died in the middle due to lack of oxygen. Changing the carburetor setting came to some rescue, but fuel consumed was too high. Hardly made it to Batal, when we decided to return than staying in the open, courtesy an empty petrol tank.

14. Bawa (Thunderbolt team) resupplies us with 4 litres. See an oncoming Maruti 800 going towards Kinnaur. Request them to sell us petrol, and Godsend souls oblige - we get another 4 litres. Few kilometers down the track - find Maj. AS Brar (Army team) doing recce; get another 10 litres. HIS now was half tankful.

15. Reached Manali and onto Chandigarh next day. Given current road conditions between Bilaspur and Swarghat, we discussed to suggest HMA (Himalayan Motorsports Association) that it could well be made an SS stage!

16. HIS finally got us back without being stranded, with skin a shade darker, and a brand new tow rope unused.

Summary:

There was hardly any time for fun or mela, as recce meant scoping the route and making notes of critical way points. The trip gave us a prelude to the impending rape at Raid-de-Himalaya 2012, and I guess we are ON with it.

Good Luck - all of us