Back-story
We have a small group of like-minded individuals who love to ride bikes. Normally the age varies from 40-62 years old in our group but me being 28, is an exceptional (story for another time). Since all of us live in twin-cities, we planned a Sehri ride to Khajut. Where a plan was initiated to make a trip of Northern side after Eid. Initially all the 15 members agreed, but like any plan there were only 6 riders in the end. Our planned route was Timergara -Dir-Lowari tunnel-Chitral-Kalash-Qaqlasht-Booni-Mastuj-Shandur-Phander-Gilgit-Babusar-Naran-Muzzafarabad-Murree- Islamabad.
Now the interesting part is that, many people have covered these areas on 4x4’s and adventure bikes. But for a cruiser bike with a clearance of 4”- that was new.
The team and the steeds:
1. Tariq Bhai - Suzuki DR650
2. Col Babar - Benelli 502x
3. Hashmi Bhai – Yamaha FZ6
4. Saad Bhai - Benelli 502x
5. Usman Bhai – Yamaha World-crosser 1200
6. Myself – Yamaha Dragstar 1100 Custom
Day 1 – Islamabad to Chitral
At 3am in the morning with all luggage packed and us being geared up, we started the journey with the name of Allah. Our first break was for Fajr near Nowshera. At round 9am, we reached Timergara FC scouts mess for the breakfast. After the breakfast, when we headed out it was 45 degrees outside (felt more like 55 degrees). 4 out of 6 riders backed out due to the harsh weather and wanted to carry on the journey in the evening, since majority is the authority. We went to our rooms. Some slept while some just played with their phones for about 1 and half hour.
When the destination is quite far, you can’t even sleep\rest properly. At around noon, Tariq bhai and I insisted the rest to ride out and convinced them to leave. At around 1pm in the scorching heat from above and more heat coming from below (engine), we left the Mess. It was 2-3 minutes drive from the Mess to the city main road which was jam-packed. Don’t even ask about the next 45 minutes.
Few hours later, we reached the famous Lowari tunnel. With all the permission sorted out before-hand to cross the tunnel on bikes , they escorted us to the other side of the tunnel, from where we continued our journey. Journey was going great with occasional cigarette and tea breaks. Few minutes before Majhrib, Dr650 got a nail in the tyre but luckily the tyre shop was just around the corner. After 2-3 hours later, with the help of YouTube tutorials on “how to change tyre of DR650”, we were back on the road. Around 9pm, we reached FC Scouts Mess in Chitral.
Namaz Break near Nowshera.
Watching sunrise at a bridge near Nowshera.
Cardos all set.
Tariq Bhai - the artist.
The sunrise.
Qamar Bhai on his FZ06.
Layover.
Climbing up the mountain since bike aren't allowed on Swat Motorway. (1100cc bike isn't allowed but a 660cc car is - The Irony)
World-crosser guarding up.
Benelli 502x & the Dragstar.
The Lads
Overlooking Timergara city from the Scouts Mess.
The room where 4 out of 6 riders decided to lay down till evening.
Cigratte break after hectic ride of Timergara city.
World-crosser and 502x catching up.
Reached Lowari tunnel.
Refueling.
A nail took down DR650.
Dragstar 1100 making history.
Fixing tyre of DR650, all thanks to the tutorial on YouTube.
Beautiful moon at Chitral.
Reached Chitral after an interesting 18 hours ride with multiple layovers.
To be cont.
