Record-breaking biker is literally on top of the world

Thiruvananthapuram: When his peers were busy chatting up on Facebook and WhattsApp, 21-year-old Gladin Raj from Kerala set out on his bike for a life-changing journey from Kanyakumari to Khardung La, the world’s highest motorable road. The resident of Ithithanam, Changanassery in Kottayam district also broke the record of 23-year-old Bikaner-native Raju Jat for being the youngest bike rider to reach the highest mountain pass in Ladakh.

Gladin, the youngest son of Powathil Raju Joseph and Rosily, completed his journey in just 19 days, which included a four-day break. The BBA graduate covered 6,427 km and passed through 13 states, on his favourite Royal Enfield 350 classic.

The rain, sun and snow

Gladin says that he had begun planning at least three months before the trip. He prepared the route map and set a target for the distance to be covered in a day. Finally, on May 25, Gladin began his journey from Kanyakumari, early in the morning when it was raining heavily. The youngster had targeted to cover at least 500–600 km in a day. He was able to keep this target until he reached Delhi. Gladin’s journey became difficult once he entered Himachal Pradesh.

At the mountain passes, he could cover only 100 km a day. He cut down on his food intake, and often relied on biscuits and hot water to avoid the risk of food poisoning. He would set up a tent on the roadside, mostly near a dhaba, and slipped into his sleeping bag.

The day’s ride often began at 6 am and ended at 11 pm. He didn’t check into any hotel all through his journey, until he reached Leh in Ladakh where the temperature dropped to below minus 3 degree Celsius.

Only 30 minutes at destination

Gladin began his journey from Delhi on June 6 and reached Manali in Himachal Pradesh after 4 days. From there he crossed the Rohtang Pass, which links the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh, to reach Leh, a desert town in the Himalayas. Khardung La, which is 18,3789 ft above the sea level, is 40 km away from Leh.

Gladin says it was extremely difficult to breath in the chilly weather, but added that fortunately he had chosen not to travel during the winter. It took 4 hours for him to ride through the steep mountain pass which ended at a road that leads to the mountain pass of Khardhung La. One is allowed to spend only 30 minutes at Khardhung La as the oxygen level in the atmosphere here is very low.

All those meticulous planning, long ride and braving extreme climate was for this 30 minutes of sheer happiness and a sense of achievement, says Gladin.

Budget journey

Gladin says some of those who have undertaken similar rides had told him that it would cost, at least, Rs 1 lakh to cary out on an ambitious bike ride like this. But Gladin vows that he had spent only Rs 25,000. The petrol alone cost up to Rs 14,000. He was able to cut down on his expenses significantly as he didn’t spend much on food and accommodation.

Gladin has recorded his entire journey in a camera that was attached on his helmet. The youngster says that this journey has trained him to face unfamiliar situations in strange places, and that for him is the biggest adventure.