DAY 8 AND 9
Sachin and Adarsh were back after their detour and it meant that our favourite morning briefings were on. Next destination- HPTDC Narkanda, which rather was an overnight halt on the return leg than a point of interest. But the heavy rains, thick fog and slush filled roads towards Jalori Pass made it an adventure.
Trailing a champion rider like Aakash was one great experience and I happened to learn a few traits on riding in wet by just seeing him ride. A casual walk in the evening, an early dinner and a weird tasting apple wine bought at the HPTDC resort concluded day 8 of the Odyssey.
Day 9 was marked for an overnight halt at Parwanoo- a small industrial town on the Haryana-Himachal border. Rain and fog added a bit of spice to an otherwise routine ride passing through the crowded town of Shimla and slow moving traffic from Dharampur right till the outskirts of Parwanoo. Thanks to the bright sunlight, the only activity at Parwanoo was drying our clothes out. After a cool and cozy trip in the hills, Parwanoo was a return to the hot and humid climate that we are so used to.
There was a small get together in the evening with Sachin heading an informal session filled with questions, suggestions and debates. A few constructive suggestions were noted down and others rightfully dismissed. With nothing to see around in Parwanoo, an early dinner marked curtains for Day 9.
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