SOLO ING UTTARAKHAND WITH CEAT GRIPP XL PLUS

CEAT XPlorer Nishant Srivastava takes up a serene solo ride to Uttarakhand armed with dependable grip from CEAT Gripp XL Plus tyres.

- NISHANT SRIVASTAVA

NOTHING compares to the thrill of a solo ride, just you, your machine, and the open road stretching ahead. It's an experience that strips things down to their purest form: raw adventure, self-reliance, and the freedom to explore at your own pace. My recent solo journey from Delhi to the hills of Uttarakhand on my Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6, fitted with CEAT Grip XL Plus tyres, was one such unforgettable ride, filled with unexpected stops, weather surprises, and moments that reminded me why I fell in love with riding in the first place.

The Journey Begins: Delhi to Garhmukteshwar

I kicked off the ride early from Delhi. The chill in the air was refreshing, and the streets were just beginning to wake up. There's a meditative quality riding at that hour, fewer vehicles, fewer distractions, just the rhythmic thump of the engine and the sound of wind in your ears.

The highway out of Delhi was smooth, and the CEAT Grip XL Plus tyres held their own across patches of early morning dew and occasional rough stretches. My first stop was near Garhmukteshwar, a small town known for its spiritual significance. But for me, that morning, it was all about a hearty breakfast. A local dhaba served up steaming parathas with curd, and I took a moment to sip chai, watching trucks and fellow travellers roll by, each on their own journey.

There's something quietly powerful about eating alone mid-journey. With your helmet off, hands warming around a steel cup of tea, you feel connected, not just to the ride, but to the road itself.