Srinagar was never in the plan but, everything happens for a reason. It’s God who decides the path of our journey. Srinagar was no different.
THE MORNING
Day 3 is no different from the previous day, early morning around 8:30AM, we visited the royal enfield service center and the techinal analysis of the rogue bike started. Technicians find out flaw in the relays and simply replaced.
We are 4 and to avoid any further risk, I also decided to get the same relays changed for my bike as I also own the same model. Other 2 bikes went for a regular check up.
The experience at Royal Enfiled Srinagar service center was amazing, the people were very helpful, specially the service manager. The must recommend to get you bike check in Srinagar before any further journey, you won’t regret.
AFTERNOON
It was almost noon around 11AM, when we actually manage to leave the service center. We returned to hotel and packed our stuff.
It ‘s decided to leave ASAP after the lunch. However, for a vegetarian like me it was very difficult to get a veg meal at the Lal market, we walked around 500 meters and found one restaurant serving veg. We had no option ut to choose it.
The food was average, it took us 1 hour and we return to hotel for our onward journey. It took us 30 minutes to again put our stuff on bikes and we started from Srinagar around 3PM.
Today, we could only manage to reach to Sonmarg, which will be our camping destination.
THE JOURNEY TO SONMARG
The distance from Srinagar to Sonmarg is approx. 80 Kms which generally takes 2 hours. But, it took us 7 hours.
Starting, at 3PM from Srinagar via the city market is always a bad plan. The place where we were staying, the road passes through markets which are generally packed at that time. We have to go through the packed roads, which took us 1.5 hour just to cross the Srinagar.
THE AMAZING GANDERBAL
After few kilometers from Srinagar, you starting to see the sind river, which passes along the route. No matter how late you are, one just cannot miss the chance to have some pictures at this amazing river view.
After tired through Srinagar traffic, we stopped at this place for a short tea break and decided to have some videos and pictures at this amazing place, which witness the free flowing Sind river and awesome mountain views. Since then, I always stop at the same place to enjoy the wonderful view.
What was suppose to be a short tea break became a little long 45 minutes break. However, we were not in a hurry as we have to only cover 60 Kms. We all get ready and started our bikes but, to our surprise once again the same Himalayan which was giving issues earlier, could not get started.
THE DEVIL RETURNS
We tried hard to start it but, the Himalayan could not start. We just had a thorough check up of the bike at the service center, it is already 5PM, we have to reach Sonmarg in daylight as we have a plan to camp there.
What do we do, we were simply stuck again. We again called the RSA and lodged the complaint. But, Srinagar is also far from this place it will take at least 1 hour for any support to reach. Moreover, we don’t know what the problem is, no way we were again returning to Srinagar for the same issue.
We don’t even know, whether we can continue our journey or not.
THE LONG WAIT
After lodging a complaint to RSA, we received call from the same Srinagar service center which was 30Kms far from where we are. There were long discussions on what actually happening too the bike. Finally, they decided to send the engineer and mechanic. It was already 6PM and light will go out in an hour.
We were 7 and it was important for us to reach Sonmarg in light otherwise we could not camp. 3 of us decided to leave for Sonmarg and rest 4 decided to stay for help.
We waited long till 7:30 when the engineer actually reached us. It was about to get dark, cold and windy.
THE SOLUTION
Engineers checked the bike thoroughly and decided that the problem actually is the fuel pump. The fuel was not reaching to the engine at the time of ignition. They pointed out that the fuel pump is faulty.
Those who don’t know, fuel pump is a very important part of Himalayan, it pumps the fuel from the fuel tank to the combustion champer, without that working engine just cannnot start or function.
Fuel pump is an expensive part, it costs around 8K. However, we were not at worry as the bike is under warranty and the part will be free. However, it requires a deeper analysis and a video proof for the company to replace any part in warranty.
Because of this approval and evidence process it took engineers more time to fix the issue. It was already dark around 9PM. when they finally fix the issue. We were hopeful, that the issue would not come again otherwise our rest of the tour would be ruined. Already we wasted our 2 days on it.
We are very grateful to RE and specially the engineers who worked during the chilly evening with no light and fixed our problem. Royal Enfield is offering the best service to my experience.
NIGHT RIDE TOWARDS A RISKY MOUNTAIN
After the fix, we four started our journey towards Sonmarg which was not far however, no one of us was ever there and we had no idea of the road conditions. It is dark and late but, we have no option to stay where we are and only option is to reach Sonmarg.
We started and to some extend the roads were good but, after crossing 40 Kms, the roads were either bad or having lot of potholes, which means we could not ride faster and our speed was around 20-30 Kmph.
We reached Sonmarg around 11PM and put up our tents along side our friends, nothing could be seen as it was pitch dark.
The Freezing night
This was our longest day, which was meant to be the shortest and easiest. We cooked our dinner which we carried. The ready to eat Rajma Rice, Pasta and so on. It was mid night when we actually manage to get in to our tents for some sleep.
But, the whether was chilly. Moreover, we all made a huge mistake, which did not let us sleep all night. Keep reading and I will reveal what happen in my next blog, the freezing night continues.
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Follow this journey from the beginning – Ultimate journey to the land of sensation passes
