kilometres each day , up and around mountains , at high altitude . We have nothing to complain about .
We rode on , by now the road had become gravel and in places not of the best condition . The temperature had dropped significantly , it was clear we had been climbing in altitude and as we reached the Shingo La we were amongst a light snow shower . Just moving was a chore , breathing became laborious , climbing from the bikes enough to sap all energy . We ’ d reached one of the highest passes and one that few foreigners take the effort to reach .
Shingo La is around 300 metres higher than the previous days Baralacha La and yet it seemed like another planet . Snow covered the arid lands , it ’ s a desert up here despite the snow and standing water . This pass is a trekking favourite , yet I couldn ’ t see how , it was hard enough work just getting a motorcycle to the top .
We were motioned to continue through to the other side , unsure of the weather we ’ d layered up and replaced lightweight gloves with something more suited to the cold . Visibility was now down to just a few metres , heavy cloud and continuing snow making the ride one of extreme caution .
Crossing into the Ladakh region the road headed north and started to decent . A series of steep , tight hairpin bends challenging the best riders in a our small group . And within just a few kilometres the weather cleared to provide a vista like no other , a rich , green , fertile valley hosting the Kurgiak Chu river .
The road followed the river valley , the landscape once again becoming a harsh , arid region , yet beautiful in the stark contrasts of life giving river waters and the moonscape of the mountain plains . The riding wasn ’ t too bad , in fact quite enjoyable in places , the occasional stream crossing a welcome distraction from
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