From the mountains to the valleys, I have chased my passion for adventure and self-discovery

In September 2021, I was super thrilled when I got the chance to buy a powerful bike, Jawa 42 2.1, from Infinity Automotive Jawa showroom in north Kashmir’s Sopore town. My dream of long-distance bike riding came true, and I embarked on many adventures and travels to refresh my mind, explore new things, new places, and new cultures, and understand my inner self better.

Every time I started the ride, the feeling of fresh morning air on my face, empty roads, and the beckoning of unexplored destinations filled my heart with such joy that I never wished for the day to end. I just wanted to ride non-stop until the fuel tank got empty. As my tyres hit the tarmac, I embraced the freedom to go at my speed, take the turns I pleased, push limits on my terms, and focus on nothing but the trail ahead of me. It is addicting, especially when I mix in empty trails, soft light, and perfectly moistened dirt from the morning’s dew. It is an awesome feeling that only bikers would understand. I often feel I want a space of my own where my mind is peaceful and not worrying about anything.

I had been experiencing such feelings whenever I was just cruising on a lonely highway without any time target or sometimes even a destination. I stopped whenever I wanted to, felt the environment around me, and then continued with my ride towards the unknown. The fascination of the long roads, the noisy localities, the colourful people, the rivers, the woods, the mountains, and the companionship with my bike is not just fantastic but colossal too. Riding is not just strictly monitoring the hand on the clutch, the foot on the brake, and eyes on the road but it is like leaving all the worries and problems behind with the road we pass by and moving ahead continuously, which is exactly what we should do in life – keep moving because life goes on.

I did my first long-distance ride from my hometown Pulwama to the border packet areas of Kupwara namely Machil, Karnah, Karen, and Budnumbal which are full of natural picturesque scenic beauty, endowed with rich dense magical forests, unique wildlife, numerous unspoilt meadows, snowy landscapes, gushing waters, glittering springs, and numerous perennial tributaries flowing from magnificent mountains, hospitable locals, and other attractions that make them truly unique.

Moreover, district Kupwara is also blessed with the beautiful Bangus, Lolab Valley, and rivers like Pohru, Mawar, Batmooji, and Kishan Ganga having various varieties of fish like Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Snow trout, Shuddgrun, and Anyour, which traverse the landscape of District Kupwara like a string of pearls. Allama Sir Mohammad Iqbal has also described the Lolab valley as:

Pani Tere Chashmon Ka Tarapta Huwa Simaab

Murghan-E-Sahar Teri Fazaon Mein Hain Betaab

Ae Wadi-e-Lolaab!

(Your springs and lakes  with water pulsating and quivering like quicksilver,

The morning birds fluttering about the sky, agitated and in turmoil

O Valley of Lolaab!)

My ride to Gurez Valley was an amazing adventure in itself. The valley is accessible via a picturesque drive from Srinagar, which takes you through winding mountain roads, lush forests, and alongside the roaring Kishanganga River. The journey, though challenging at times, is rewarded with breathtaking views and a sense of tranquillity that increases as you approach Gurez. Located high in the Himalayas, this valley is not only a delight to the eyes with its picturesque landscape but is also more than what meets the eye. Natural beauty aside, the valley is a paradise under surveillance and with densely positioned military personnel and barracks, it has more stories to tell. Historically, the Valley of virgin beauty is a part of Dardistan.

The regular stretch covers northern Pakistan, J&K, and parts of north-eastern Afghanistan. The valley falls along the ancient silk route which connected Kashmir with Gilgit Baltistan. It served as a resting place for people travelling for trade and Hajj pilgrimage. Dawar, the heart of Gurez Valley, is a small town located on the bank of the Kishan Ganga River where one can avail of facilities like accommodation, food outlets, and other tourist-friendly amenities. Dawar, which unfolds unique excitement among the visitors, is one region of Gurez and another is Tulail. Just outside the bustling market of Dawar, one can see the Habba Khatoon peak which everyone is curious about. Named after the famous poetess Habba Khatoon (Zoon), the peak is a testament to her unfulfilled love. Riding from Dawar to Tulail amidst the cool breeze of the murmuring water of the emerald green K-G river and a mesmerizing view of the picturesque valley to the clean shaved mountain peaks, verdant meadows, lovely pastures, etc. gave me an exhilarating and amazing experience.

Ladakh, which was a part of the Jammu & Kashmir state earlier, is now a UT with Leh as its capital. It is famous for its snow-clad Himalayan peaks, captivating valleys, widespread meadows, high mountain passes, whitewashed monasteries, and supreme beauty. It is a biker’s paradise, and every biker dreams of riding his bike at least once on these high mountain passes. I also couldn’t stop myself from riding to Ladakh. The breathtaking landscapes, majestic mountains, azure lakes, and vibrant culture of Ladakh make my adventurous bike trip unparalleled and memorable. The mesmerizing beauty of Lamayuru moonland (known for its monastery and its “lunar” landscape), Sangam Point (the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers), Magnetic Hill (renowned for the phenomenon that defies the law of gravitation), Khardung La top (one of the highest motorable roads in the world, perched at an altitude of 5,349 m above sea level), Nubra Valley (known for its cold desert and Bactrian double-humped camels), and Pangong Lake (nestled at an elevation of 4,225 m above sea level and situated on the India-China border) are worth seeing. There is a plethora of places to visit in Ladakh, which are an absolute delight for nature lovers, thrill-seekers, and shutterbugs. From bike trips and trekking to camping and mountaineering, Ladakh has so much to offer.

My last long ride on Jawa 42 2.1 was to Shimla. During the 590 km, three-day ride from Pulwama, I covered some good plain highways, narrow mountain curves, irritating traffic jams, and encountered rain and wind. But, surprisingly, it was a completely different experience for me, and I was calm and happy like never before. The top cities between Kashmir and Shimla are Jammu, Amritsar, and Chandigarh. Shimla, the ‘Queen of Hills,’ stands as a beacon of charm and tranquillity amidst the rugged Himalayan landscape. Renowned for its colonial architecture, lush greenery, and panoramic vistas, Shimla beckons travellers seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The town’s pleasant climate, with cool summers and snowy winters, makes it a year-round destination. The timeless landmarks, such as the iconic Ridge, Mall Road, and Viceregal Lodge, offer glimpses into its colonial past.

Lastly, I want to add that for long-distance riding, we need a higher fitness level with strong legs, strong but flexible back muscles, the ability to sit continuously for hours, the ability to respond and make decisions quickly along with excellent driving skills. Moreover, the biggest challenges are offered by the roads. The issues with my own equipment or my ability are always known to me, but the challenges offered by the road are mostly unpredictable. Horrific road conditions, like under-construction roads and diversions, muddy roads, potholes, unexpected narrow turns, unexpected speed breakers (without signage), signal-less crossings, construction materials lying on the roads, etc., are some challenging factors for a rider.

My friend Muntazir Showket once told me that difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations, and I seconded it. My wife also remained super supportive of me, and her positive words, “Why would I just project my fears onto you and make it that much more difficult for you because then you would be more worried about being safe for me than you would just be having adventurous bike riding and being safe?” gave me enough confidence and encouragement to continue my dream of riding the waves.

The writer can be reached at [email protected]

Dr Nisar Farhad