From introspection and self-discovery to heart-pumping adrenaline, this is a love letter to the multitude of emotions that the mountains throw at motorists on every turn
By Kanaad Chatterjee
There may be many stereotypes about riders and drivers, but none holds so unanimously true as their romance with the mountains. For many, the mountains represent the ultimate test of skill, endurance, and spirit. The romance between these individuals and the high peaks is not just about conquering the rugged terrain; it is also about the journey of self-discovery and the quest for a deeper connection with nature.
From the haunting lyrics of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Misty Mountain Hop’ to the mystical landscapes depicted in The Lord of the Rings, mountains have always been a source of inspiration, a place where fantasy and reality intertwine. For motorists, however, this is not just poetic fancy; it is a lived experience. Arun Nadar, Bike Editor at ACKO Drive narrates a story of his dalliance with the hills, “It would be the ride to Keylong from Manali, the first time I saw the snowcapped Himalayas and I was awe struck. I had to park my bike, light up a smoke and just soak in what was God’s best artwork.”
The mountain roads, with their sharp turns, steep inclines, and breathtaking vistas, serve up an irresistible blend of danger and beauty that is both exhilarating and humbling. As Jehan Darukhanawala, special correspondent at ACKO Drive, recalls, “As we were snaking up to Tabo everything was gloomy up until that point. “But once we rose up the hill, the scenery was just getting more and more mesmerising. There came a point, thankfully closer to the destination, where you just wanted to stop riding and sit and bask in the glory of the Himalayas.”
But everything is not always as it seems. The mystical views of the mountains bring with it dangerous terrain that isn’t for the faint-hearted—often at the risk of one’s life. So why is it that thrill-seeking motorists still dare to go back?
CHALLENGE AND MASTERY
First and foremost is the challenge. Mountain roads are notoriously difficult to navigate, requiring a high level of skill, concentration, and a mighty pair of cojones. The unpredictable weather, the potential hazards of landslides, and the sheer drops beside narrow roads make sure your heart is closer to your mouth than its natural habitat. For many, the mountain represents the ultimate test of their abilities. It’s not just about reaching the summit but mastering the journey, with each hairpin turn, each narrow pass, and each ascent conquered adding to their sense of achievement.
Sharing a similar incident, Nadar reminisces, “This happened while coming down from Upper Mustang. It was very cold and suddenly it started raining. The road surface was non-existent, visibility was poor and to make matters worse, there were a lot of crosswinds. I had to dig deep to keep going, and many times I felt like giving up. But I kept on telling myself to enjoy this thrill and keep going, at the end of the ride, I was exhausted but the feeling of satisfaction was something I will always cherish.”
On his Spiti trip, Darukhanawala recalls, “The final day’s ride was from Kaza to Manali, and this was the pre-Atal tunnel era. So, we must have begun at around 5-6 am and since we were part of a customer group, it was going to be a big pack. But that day, the heavens had opened. So, the Kaza-Komic stretch was super foggy, barely enough visibility. Then a bit further ahead, the Sutlej River was overflowing as a result of pipe bursts. The barely existent roads to Rohtang were destroyed and around 5-6 of us were separated ahead from the group. Each one of us on Triumph Tigers; each one seeing that the water crossing was a good 20-25 m long and waist deep at the minimum was helping the other rider get through it. So, one got on his bike, the others surrounded and crossed, and we kept this going. When that final bike crossed over, we were spent. But ultimately a couple of hours later, we were at the top of Rohtang and that was the biggest sense of ‘made it’ all of us had collectively felt perhaps.”
“The first time I saw the snowcapped Himalayas, I was awe struck. I had to park my bike, light up a smoke and just soak in what was God’s best artwork,” — Arun Nadar, Bike Editor, Acko Drive
SOLITUDE AND SELF-DISCOVERY
Another aspect of the mountain’s appeal lies in the fleeting opportunity for introspection it offers. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, this solitude is not just physical but also psychological, offering a rare chance to disconnect from the outside world and connect with one’s inner self.
Nadar perhaps sums it perfectly when he says, “Riding in the mountains is like taking your mind for a mental retreat, you get a lot of clarity and understanding of life. A moment of profound self-realisation can catch you off-guard and can happen on many occasions. Sometimes while on a bike, sometimes during a chai break or sometimes by the bonfire at the end of the ride.”
Sharan Sanil, our in-house Lifestyle Editor recalls more specific incidents. “Definitely, and possibly the most intense of these experiences tend to happen at night, especially when setting up camp at extremely remote locations. One of my favourite moments involved our camp electric generator fizzling out at about 1 AM – bathing everyone present in a good hour or so of unobstructed starlight. It really makes you question things big and small –from your place in the universe, to whether you’re a ‘sea person’ or a ‘mountain person’. I’ve been leaning towards the latter ever since.”
BREATHTAKING VIEWS
The mountains also offer an unparalleled connection with nature. The dramatic landscapes, the changing skies, and the sheer scale of the surroundings serve as a constant reminder of the earth’s beauty and power. For riders and drivers, this connection is palpable, felt in the cool mountain air, seen in the sprawling vistas, and experienced in the shifting terrains under their wheels.
When asked about being stumped by nature’s wonders, Nadar says. “It happens every time. You get overwhelmed by the beauty of the vistas and you understand how small we as humans are in the larger scheme of things and how we always give us more importance than we deserve. Also, when you see how harsh life is for the people living in the mountains, you always get a new perspective.”
Sanil recalls his first encounter with the Himalayas, “Definitely while crossing the 15k ft mark in Ladakh. It was the highest I’ve ever driven, and the sheer cliffs, along with the snow, was absolutely beautiful to watch – like a gradient that stretched across miles and miles of mountain roads.”
The dramatic landscapes, the changing skies, and the sheer scale of the surroundings serve as a constant reminder of the earth’s beauty and power. For motorists, this connection is palpable, felt in the cool mountain air, seen in the sprawling vistas, and experienced in the shifting terrains under their wheels
A LOVE AFFAIR FOR LIFE
The mountains embody the spirit of adventure, represent the unknown and always serve up unexpected challenges, new discoveries, and the potential for the extraordinary. This sense of adventure, of not knowing what lies around the next bend, is intoxicating for riders and drivers, fueling their desire to return to the mountains time and again.
For Nadar, it is, “The beauty of the mountains, for the peace it offers and also for the challenge.” He also highlights the unpredictability of mountains, “because every time you head to the mountains, it presents you with a new challenge. The mountains feel like home but can also feel like a stranger, it’s a weird but intriguing feeling.”
Darukhanawala echoes similar emotions. He says, “Because there’s an allure of the mountains and the danger associated with them that just makes for great adventure. The mountains make you feel big and small at the same time. Hence, beaches are for calming the mind, mountains are purely for recharging the soul.”
Mountain novice Sanil has also been bitten by the bug. “Frankly, mountain journeys are quite new to me – mostly having experienced Ladakh and Nepal in recent months. I’ve already, however, resolved to return this summer – I think as someone who’s lived along a coastline for most of my life, I’ve taken the hills for granted,” he says. In fact, his urge to go back is so strong that he wishes to return every summer now. “Driving/riding and experiencing them on their own terms was certainly tricky and a worthy challenge… but it’s the quiet moments, the food, the phenomenal roads and the simple, quaint nature of mountain life that keeps drawing me back. Next time, I’d like to take my own motorcycle up to the Himalayas, and see how far I can go,” he adds.
The challenge of the terrain, the solitude and opportunity for self- discovery, the connection with nature, and the inherent sense of adventure combine to create a powerful and irresistible allure, making the mountains not just a destination but a journey, not just a physical landscape but a canvas for the human spirit’s deepest yearnings and aspirations.
Reproduced with permission from Mansworldindia.com
