Biking Expedition: Gurudongmar

Under the leadership of Bholada, from NESPON, Siliguri, a couple of dozens of adventurous guys planned for a pathbreaking adventure to the Gurudongmar Lake, North Sikkim, near the origin of river Teesta. The terrain around Gurudongmar remains snow clad throughout most of the year. We set out in our expedition in the month of August, for the simple reason that the region remains free of snow in that month. Strategically, August falls just after the heavy monsoon and before the onset of winter. We could only hope, but could never be sure, that the torrential rains will stop during our journey.

Most of our bikes were Royal Enfield Bullets. Ours and Somit's were Bazaz Calibers. Two more were from the Hero Honda stable. Only a lone make was a Suzuki Shogun. Our most valued member was Mr. Sahabuddin, ace bike mechanic. Because of his presence in our team, we were free from the tension of a mechanical failure. Spare parts required for every conceivable problem were kept at bay.

After weeks of planning, one fine August morning of 2003, we set out for our journey from the Kanchenjungha Stadium of Siliguri. We took the National highway No. 31. The branch NH 31A runs all the way to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.