After covering about 60 kilometres , we stopped for breakfast ; omelets and prathas with some tea .
Proceeding further towards Naran , we made quite a few stops just to enjoy the scenery and take photographs . We ’ d encountered many water crossings on the way and just to be clear , a Vintage Vespa is a very docile machine with a mere 8 to 10 inches of ground clearance , the rear brakes hate water . So , as soon as we traversed a water crossing the rear brakes stopped working as they got wet , we had to dry them while continuing to ride . It was an incredible experience , going downhill with practically no braking power . Well , it was sort of fun in a demented way .
We ’ d heard of a lot of tourist vehicles sliding and skidding off the road and falling into the Kunhar river below . We rode with caution , maintaining a leisurely pace , as we ’ d made it so far in good time and we were hardly 20 kilometres short of Naran .
As I was leading the pack , followed by Peter and Bilal holding the last post I was first to see quite a gathering of people on the road , all looking down towards the river . Upon inquiry , we were told that a car had skidded off the road and fallen to the river below . Indeed , a jittery moment for us and called for being even more cautious .
Riding further , the last water crossing on route to Naran was by far the deadliest , as the water flow was tremendous and almost a foot deep . Peter and I crossed it successfully and continued to ride on . Five minutes passed when I casually looked back to check if everything was alright with Peter and Bilal . There was no sign of Bilal so I reduced my speed in the hope that Bilal would catch up , it didn ’ t happen .
TRAVERSE 23