*Day 2: (30th July 2023) Jalandhar to Ramban – Battling Challenges and Meeting Fellow Bikers*

"Welcome to the second day of our adventure. I hope you find this account as engaging as the glimpse of day one. While I acknowledge that my words can only capture a fraction of what we experienced, I aim to convey the essence of that region to all readers."

With a slightly altered plan after falling behind on Day 1, we set off early on Day 2, determined to reach Srinagar by evening, but ready to adapt if more hurdles appeared on our path. Our departure from Jalandhar in the early morning held promise and a touch of uncertainty.

As we hit the highway, we encountered fellow bikers who seemed to be on a similar journey, likely originating from Delhi or Chandigarh. We even crossed paths with a biking couple, possibly returning from their Ladakh or Zanskar or Spiti adventure. Meeting fellow riders, who share the same passion, stirs a unique sense of camaraderie and excitement. It's a moment that sends shivers down your spine, knowing you're part of a community that thrives on adventure and exploration. We reached Pathankot earlier than expected where we had great breakfast. A typical north Indian parotha with curd. Actually when the plates arrived we thought the curd is main dish & parotha is given as a complimentary.😉 

However, our day took an unexpected turn. Our first challenge came in the form of a flowing river that required us to push our bikes through knee-deep water. The bridge near Udhampur had been damaged by flooding, leaving us with this daring river crossing. It wasn't just the water; it was the behavior of some vehicles that didn't consider the challenges faced by smaller vehicles like bikes. We decided to take on this risky endeavor because local bikers were dealing with even greater difficulties, and there were no other feasible options. Keeping in mind our bikes are more heavy & along with the luggage that we are carrying it is a dead trap if anything goes sideways. Fortunately nothing happened my partner crossed in first attempt while I took couple of attempt to cross the river. Physically we were equipped but mentally it was a test for us on day 2 itself. Nature was in mood to test our determination but let me tell you one thing nature only help us to cross that & succeeded in the test.

After overcoming this obstacle, we continued our journey towards Srinagar, our intended destination for the day. However, destiny had different plans. Due to Amaranth Yatra is on going the roads get closed for any traveler or devotees towards Srinagar from the Jammu or Udhampur side after 1:30 pm and we reached that point at 2:30 pm. We were late by hour or so and we did not have any option to cut down the chase towards Srinagar & stay at the campsite newly opened inear Rmban. Despite having the setback in the morning near Udhampur, we felt the highway was in good condition overall & we could have reach Srinagar. There were couple of Tunnels we passed through, and one of them was a 9-kilometer-long tunnel at Patnitop before being forced to halt in Ramban. 

Ramban is known for its accommodations built for Amarnath devotees. They are not permitted to travel after 1:30 pm, and we found ourselves in a similar situation. The place exudes serenity and offers a glimpse of what one might describe as ("ये हसी वादींया"). Here, arrangements for lodging are provided, as well as langar (community arranged food for all) services, which are not limited to devotees but available to all travelers stranded due to road timings. The place is largely under the control of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

"So far, we've conquered multiple mountain ranges and crossed numerous rivers. We had just begun to catch a glimpse of the majestic Great Himalaya when an unexpected halt near the Chenab River disrupted our journey. Earlier, the Ravi River had tested our determination, and now it was Chenab's turn to challenge our patience.

As the day wore on, we sought solace in a comfortable resting spot, stretching our legs and deliberating on our plan for the next day. Despite another deviation from our original itinerary, we resolved to depart Ramban at the crack of dawn, at 3:30 am, when the road officially opened for travel. With this in mind, we attempted to retire early, but our lodgings, being of a communal nature, came with their own set of uncontrollable factors.

The cacophony of fellow tourists and children, along with the persistent background music from the Lungar, provided a lively backdrop to the night. Nonetheless, we found solace in the serene embrace of nature, which infused us with a renewed sense of purpose and energy to continue our journey."

Two days into our journey, and both days have deviated from our tentative plans. The road has a way of surprising you in Ladakh. The key is to embrace the unexpected, especially when you're riding a bike. Surrendering to the circumstances becomes the only certainty.

Stay tuned for Day 3 as we continue our adventure through the unpredictable landscapes of Ladakh.