Biking is not about speeding at 100 miles an hour, sharp turns, fancy bikes, branded gears or displaying flamboyance.
To ride is to feel the warm rays of the sun, the wind brushing against you, a sense of freedom, never ending roads and mental inactivity or sometimes the other way around.
Long roads, contrasting barren brown fields with clear blue skies, irregular breaks, street food, numerous eye-catching sights, onerous yet gleeful photography sessions, secluded mind, and a terrible backache the next day highlighted my ride.
SARISKA
Sambar. Here, there, everywhere.
200kms from Delhi, Sariska National Park boasts of rich wildlife and tigers. Although one can only spot a tiger out of sheer luck, special contacts with the park’s authorities(a definite increase in probability) or with a sure shot guarantee- on the logo.
You can take your own vehicle on Tuesdays and Saturdays and it is going to be one hell of a ride if you happen to take your two-wheelers. This time it is you who are entering someone else’s private zone. To be scared is normal.
The dusty roads are filled with Sambar and deer who give you an innocent stare, peacocks who run away as soon as they sight you and langur who refuse to budge from your path. It made for an exhilarating 21km ride from the main gate all the way inside to the Hanuman temple.
I took a safari the next morning but the tiger was nowhere to be seen. Footprints- yeah just that and Sambhar, peacocks and langur.
BHANGARH
Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan (Bhootiya jagah/Place of the haunted.)
Believed to be the most haunted place in India, Bhangarh fort is indeed secluded and has lots of scary stories around it. One(and the most popular one) which goes that a sorcerer was in love with Princess Ratnavati and tried to use black magic to make the princess fall in love with him. The princess came to know about it somehow and the sorcery failed, leading the King to sentence the magician to prison. It was during his last days behind bars that he cursed the place and it has been haunted thereafter.
On a weekend though, it is more of a picnic spot and a tourist attraction owing to the same stories. It’s medieval architecture and it’s lonely vibe though makes it a one time visit on a weekday maybe. Or during the night?
ALWAR
Oh ! The sunset from the boat at Silserh lake.
A stop at Alwar is obvious when traveling to Sariska or Bhangarh. What strikes about the place is its landscape. Mountain ranges of the Aravalis surround the town, making the setting of Alwar unique and attractive to the eye.
My stay here was short, although I made a point to visit the Bala Quila and the Silserh lake.
The way to the grand fort and the charming sunset from the boat at the lake. Dem feels! They should not be missed.
Not to forget the street food. You haven’t really explored a place until you have tried the local cuisine. And I believe, there is no better way. Well, I do my research(includes locals help) on which ones particularly. Inviting and much more satisfying to the tongue than the ones they dish you out at some high end rated restaurant.
Weekends? Weekdays? Change? Time? No time?
Take your bike and just leave. Period.
How to reach?
Delhi – Alwar – Sariska – Bhangarh.
Buses/Train ply from Delhi to Alwar. Not sure about any bus from Alwar to Sariska/Bhangarh. A private car can be hired but the best way is to drive on your own from Delhi itself.
Even better – RIDE.
RIDE.
Recommended.
A 3-day trip. Take your time.
I put up at Thanagazi and Alwar a night each.
Stay?
There are a lot of fancy resorts near the Sariska National Park. Pre-booking would definitely be better.
For travelers like me, there is this only small guest house in the town Thanagazi(10kms from National Park). No booking required. 🙂
More of my travel stories :
The adventurous Lansdowne bike trip
Solo trek to mesmerizing Chandrashila
It is a delight to read your blog. Makes me want to pack my bags and run! 🙂
That is the objective.
Pack and run!! 🙂
Hey, legit nice stuff. Thanks for sharing!
Few questions (not specific to this trip):
1. How much do the resorts you stay at normally cost? (I know that’s a really broad question, but couple examples from your past will help)
2. How exactly do you manage food? Like just eating at the resort/buying from around/what? Is it filling enough? Do you carry prepared meals?
3. What else do you carry with yourself?
Hi mate!
1. I only need a roof to sleep. So it doesn’t matter much to me where I am staying. I look for the cheapest ones. It is usually less on treks(300-400/night) and more in cities. It cost me around 800 bucks at a hotel in Mussorie. I intend to at least wipe away costs on treks by buying a tent sometime soon.
2. I carry meals(if any) only from the journey from home. Food is again one department where one tends to spend a lot. I usually try the street food. That gives me a flavor of the place’s unique taste. In the mountains, food is comparatively cheap.
I though spent a lot on cafes in Pushkar. Again i am trying to reduce(spending) on that.
3. A bagpack, few tshirts and an extra light trousers for travelling or cargo. Apart from the essentials, a DSLR, a small bagpack for day’s travel and lots of enthusiasm.
Happy travelling . Stay RAW!
Let me know in case you have more questions!