Conquering the Peaks: Riding the Ultraviolette F77 Day 13 Episode 16
Ultraviolette F77 Ride
Journey to the Peaks
A Journey to Remember 💓
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After returning to the guest room to warm up, I went to grab a cup of hot tea. The soldiers were still very hospitable, but due to security restrictions, I couldn’t take many pictures around the camp to fully capture how surreal the setting was. However, I was excited to introduce the major to my Ultraviolette F77 as he had been eagerly waiting to take it for a ride.
I grabbed the key, eager to turn on the bike and let the major experience the thrill of the F77. But as soon as I pressed the power button, nothing happened. The motor didn’t wake up. Panic set in. I checked everything but realized that something was wrong with the battery. That’s when I remembered what Narayan had mentioned the day before—if the battery temperature drops below zero, the bike wouldn’t start. I checked the display, and sure enough, the battery temperature was at zero degrees.
The battery needed to be at least +2°C to kickstart the motor. So, I rushed back, grabbed the woolen blankets I had used overnight, and attempted to cover the bike to warm it up. But after several minutes, there was no change. I even tried rolling the bike back and forth, hoping that the movement might generate enough heat. Still, nothing worked.
Then, I noticed a truck parked nearby, warming up. That gave me an idea. I parked my bike next to the truck, hoping the warmth from the engine would transfer to the battery. Thankfully, after a while, the display showed a battery temperature of +2°C. I eagerly started the bike, and with a roar, the motor finally kicked in. It was a massive relief.
After the major took a quick ride and we shared a few more laughs, I bid farewell to the camp. They had been incredibly kind and helpful during my stay. Before I left, the major warned me that there might be snowfall on the way to Leh and advised me to be extra cautious. I thanked him and the rest of the soldiers, exchanging contact information in case I needed help along the way.
With everything packed, I set off towards Leh. After navigating through a few mountain passes, I finally reached the much-anticipated Morea Plains. I couldn’t believe my eyes—it was a vast, flat expanse, stretching out for miles. The landscape was unlike anything I had seen before—completely different from the towering mountains and treacherous roads I had been riding on. The road ahead was long and straight, though still bumpy in sections. It felt surreal, almost like riding through a low-altitude area, except for the high altitude air.
The emptiness of the plains was almost eerie. No people, no dhabas, no settlements—just an endless horizon. It was a mix of awe and excitement as I cruised through the deserted roads, surrounded by ever-changing landscapes and towering mountains in the distance. I took the time to stop, take some photos, and make sure I captured the beauty of this otherworldly place.
I kept pushing forward, knowing the next leg of the journey was waiting just around the corner. The solitude of the More Plains was unlike any other part of the ride so far—it felt as though I had the world to myself, with nothing but my bike and the road ahead.
Reaching Tanglang La Top at an altitude of 17,482 ft by 11:55 AM was a huge milestone. The scenery was breathtaking—cloudy, windy, yet sunny, with dried-up patches of snow visible near the roads. I felt a sense of relief and pride having made it up there without any major issues, especially after hearing so much about the challenges of crossing Tanglang La, where avalanches often block the road and create dangerous conditions.
After snapping a few pictures to commemorate the moment, I left the pass and continued the ride. But reality hit me soon after. Just a few meters down the road, I encountered black ice. The road was slippery, with snow melting into slushy, muddy patches. I had to navigate the bike extremely carefully, knowing that one wrong move could end in a dangerous fall.
The hairpin bends were nerve-wracking as well. Snow hung precariously close to the road, almost threatening to fall at any moment. I was on high alert, anticipating every turn and cautiously steering through each bend. For a while, it seemed manageable, and I was gaining some confidence. But then came the real surprise—a stretch of road blocked by an avalanche.
For about 500 meters, the entire road was buried under snow, and the BRO (Border Roads Organisation) was working hard to clear it. Vehicles were stuck, sliding, and struggling to move forward. I saw a car in front of me slip dangerously, and panic began to creep in. The thought of my bike falling, getting damaged, or worse, leaving me stranded was overwhelming. My heart was racing.
I had no choice but to move forward, even though I had little confidence. I decided to take it slow, both feet off the pegs, crawling along with the bike. Every movement had to be calculated—I was conscious of every brake, every twitch of the throttle, trying to keep the wheels from spinning uncontrollably. It was a complete balancing act, as the road was in terrible condition, with ice and slush making it nearly impossible to move smoothly.
That 500-meter stretch felt like an eternity. Normally, it would’ve taken me 2-3 minutes to cross it, but it took more than half an hour. Every second felt like a battle—against the terrain, the cold, and my own fears. But after what felt like the longest ride of my life, I finally managed to crawl past the worst of it, my heart still pounding.
It was one of the most challenging stretches of the entire journey, but I had made it through—barely, but safely.
By 1:10 PM, I reached Rumtse, finally out of the treacherous conditions of Tanglang La. I stopped at a small hotel to take a well-deserved break and ordered Aloo Paratha, an omelet, and some hot chai to warm myself up after the freezing ride. It felt so good to sit down and just relax, reflecting on the journey so far.
As part of the rider tradition, I used the break to stick some UV stickers around, marking the place and leaving behind a small memento of my ride for future travelers to see. Then, suddenly, the weather changed—it started snowing and raining for about 10 minutes. I was witnessing this fascinating weather shift for the first time, and it felt surreal. It was an enjoyable moment, watching the snow fall gently around while I stayed cozy inside the hotel.
The owner of the hotel noticed my F77 and, like many others along the way, came out to check it out. He was curious and asked me a lot of questions about the bike—its performance, charging, and how it handled in these extreme conditions. We had a nice chat, sharing stories of the road. The conversation was a pleasant break, and it felt good to have someone show such interest in my journey and the bike.
After finishing my meal and feeling refreshed, it was time to move on. I thanked the hotel owner, packed up, and left Rumtse with a full stomach, a rested mind, and the memories of another unique experience along the journey.
At 2:30 PM, I finally reached Upshi and stood near the "Welcome to Leh" board, a milestone that I had eagerly been waiting for. Of course, I had to stop and take some photos to capture the moment! It felt surreal to be so close to Leh after such an intense ride through challenging terrains.
As I continued, I came across the Indus River bridge. Honestly, I didn’t even realize it was the Indus River at first! I stopped for a while to enjoy the stunning views—the river flowing calmly amidst the majestic backdrop of towering mountains. It was the perfect place to take a break and just soak in the serenity of the surroundings.
After relaxing for some time by the river, I entered the Leh Region. At the check post, they conducted the usual inspection, checking documents and confirming vehicle entry restrictions. Everything was smooth, and I was cleared to proceed.
I then headed towards Leh town, riding through landscapes that were absolutely breathtaking. The Himalayan views, the rugged mountains, and the stretches of vast openness felt otherworldly. I could describe these landscapes over and over, but words simply cannot do justice to the experience of being there in person. You have to come here to truly appreciate the beauty and feel the magic of the place.
Finally, after so many days and adventures, I was nearing Leh, and it felt like a huge accomplishment. The journey wasn't just about reaching the destination—it was about everything that happened along the way, the people I met, the challenges I faced, and the incredible sights I got to witness.
At 3:45 PM, I finally entered Leh, and it was one of the happiest moments of my journey. I could hardly contain my excitement after all those days of riding through tough terrains and overcoming numerous challenges. The thrill of finally being in Leh was incredible. I immediately pulled out my phone, intending to go live and share the moment with everyone—but then, to my surprise and disappointment, I discovered that my network was out.
I tried everything: turning the phone off and on, pulling out the SIM, switching between my two phones—nothing worked. It was a bit frustrating not to be able to connect and even more so when I realized I couldn't use Google Maps to navigate.
After asking around, I found out that only postpaid connections and Jio networks work in Leh, which explained why my phone was out of service. I asked a few people passing by what to do, and they were kind enough to guide me to a nearby shop where I could get a new SIM card.
After some wandering, I finally found a Jio postpaid SIM shop and got a new connection. It took a little while for the SIM to activate—about half an hour—but once everything was sorted, my phone was back online. I felt a huge sense of relief when Google Maps started working again, and I quickly input the location of the resort where I had planned to stay and charge my bike.
The resort was located outside the city towards Kargil, on the other side of the Indus River. On the way, I had to cross the airport area, which was heavily guarded and under tight control by the Indian Army. As I passed by, I could see more and more army camps in the area, which reminded me just how strategic this region is.
The resort itself was nestled behind the airport, in what seemed like a remote location at first. However, when I arrived, I realized it was a beautiful and peaceful place, with breathtaking surroundings. It was the perfect spot to relax after the long ride. I made it just before crossing the Indus River Bridge, happy to have finally reached my destination for the day.
Upon reaching the resort, which had a Lion Charge port recommended by Udheep Gupta from Lion Charge, I met the owner, who was incredibly hospitable. He made all the necessary arrangements for charging my Ultraviolette F77 and also provided me with a beautiful room to stay in, offering breathtaking views. The property itself was quite impressive, with various types of accommodations, and it seemed like they were still developing and expanding the place.
I took the time to rest and explore the area around the resort with my Lumix S5 camera, capturing some stunning shots of the surroundings. Later, I took my fully charged bike and headed toward the Leh main area, eager to explore the town and also to check the route to Khardung La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world. However, to my disappointment, I found out that Khardung La was closed, and they weren’t allowing anyone to pass. It was a bit of a letdown, but I decided to return to the resort and wait for better news.
When I got back to the resort, the bike continued charging. The staff was incredibly thoughtful and gave me a paragliding cloth to cover my bike and protect it from the cold winds blowing through the area.
At around 8 PM, I received a call from the Ultraviolette team, informing me about an OTA update for my bike. This update was particularly special because, at this altitude, it could have been a record-breaking achievement, being the highest altitude OTA update, though we didn’t officially claim it. I followed the procedures and got the update done smoothly.
After the exciting day, I enjoyed a peaceful dinner at the resort and finally had a good night's sleep, resting up for whatever adventure lay ahead. The mix of challenges and support, from the kind people at the resort to the timely update from the UV team, made the day a memorable one.
Panasonic LUMIX
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