About the contest: Hero Karizma ZMR Wanderers is an ongoing monthly online contest. All participants are asked to answer some very simple questions and at the end of the contest every month, three winners are chosen. These lucky bike enthusiasts win an all-expenses-paid 2N/3D ride on three Hero Karizma ZMRs. Rides are planned well in advance and cover several beautiful locations across the country. Those interested in participating can enter the contest on Hero MotoCorp and Autocar India’s facebook page. The contest and rides are organised and conducted by Hero MotoCorp and Autocar India.
Ask any motorcycle rider about the ride that must be done at least once in their life. Almost all would tell you that it is the ride to Leh. And that’s where the Wanderers were going this time. An epic 10-day ride from Chandigarh to Leh and back.
Early one morning, Wanderers Bobin James, Argho Mukherji and Shree Vighnesh, along with Autocar’s Vir Nakai, geared up and rode out from Charisma Goldwheels, a Hero MotoCorp dealership in Chandigarh. Instead of taking the usual route that’s blocked with hellish traffic all the way to Bilaspur and dealing with bad roads, they, not surprisingly, decided to wander off to a different route. They used the new, two-laned, smooth ribbon of tarmac that goes all the way from Una to Ner Chowk. Though longer, this route is a biker’s dream come true and a fun way to start the ride. And soon, the Wanderers were at Manali. There, the Wanderers checked-in at Ride Inn, a motorcycle-themed resort that offers peace and solitude, just what is needed after a long day of hard riding. The next morning, after collecting their passes to cross Rohtang, the Wanderers headed out. The local authorities have made it tough for tourists who just want to visit the pass for the day. So, the roads are mostly devoid of all traffic that plagues this region. And it makes for a great ride. Rohtang La itself is clean and brilliant. The other side down to Khoskar is a nightmare. The road is in very bad shape and the Hero Karizma ZMRs were really put to the test. The bikes took on the worst stretches and managed to come out unscathed. Their build quality and suspension was amazing and took everything they were put through. After arriving at the pass, the Wanderers settled down for a hearty rice and mutton lunch. Once fed, they made their way to Tuphchilling and spent the evening swapping riding stories by the bonfire.
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
