Solo vs. Group Bike Rental on Delhi to Leh

Winter is here and a lot of us started making our trips. And looks like you’ve made up your mind to check another item off your bucket list – the epic bike trip from Delhi to Leh. That’s really great. Delhi to Ladakh is one the most popular journeys visited by tourists. More than tourist, bike enthusiasts are eager to get on this journey. But now that the crazy idea is growing, one important question remains – should you embark on this journey solo or with a group? In this blog, we have explained solo vs group riding on bike rental in Delhi. If you are confused before your Delhi to Leh trip, then this blog is a perfect choice for you. 

Well, having done the Delhi-Leh ride both solo and with big groups, let us walk you through the pros and cons of each so you can decide what works best.

Solo ride on bike rental in Delhi

First up, solo rides. Now there’s nothing quite like the thrill of taking on India’s highest mountain passes riding on your trusty Royal Enfield all alone. Just you, your bike, and miles of open road ahead of you once you get your bike on rent in Delhi. The freedom to ride at your own pace, stop wherever you fancy, and change plans at the last minute if you want is an unbeatable high for an adventurous soul.

Of course, solo rides also mean handling any bike issues like punctures or breakdowns yourself. We had to replace a clutch wire somewhere near Debring when riding solo from Delhi to Leh. It was quite an effort to find a mechanic and spare parts with no local guidance. So troubleshooting problems can get challenging. Weather can also be more daunting when riding solo through remote areas, especially if you get caught in sudden downpours or landslides with nobody around to help.

Group ride on bike rental in Delhi 

In contrast, group rides make managing bike problems simpler with backup vehicles and mechanics usually tagging along. You also feel more reassured reaching desolate areas knowing other riders are there in case anything goes wrong. Group rides are great for bonding over post-ride campfire chats and swapping Delhi to Leh riding stories as well. Plus any permits, accommodation pre-bookings, etc are taken care of by the group organizer – something we struggled with while planning my solo trip from Delhi.

But group rides have downsides too, like sticking to a fixed schedule and forgetting individual riders’ capabilities and fitness levels at times. Discipline and rules come into play when riding in packs so there may be less flexibility to explore a certain spot at leisure if nobody else is interested or if you need to reach the next camp location on schedule. We had to pass by the hot springs at Chattru even though we were itching for a quick dip.

So should you do this epic Delhi to Leh journey solo or with a touring group? We would say solo riding is ideal if you are an experienced rider accustomed to resolving bike breakdowns and managing route logistics independently. It allows you to move at your own pace, changing plans anytime to chase a beautiful landscape you spot from a distance, or spending an extra night at Pangong Tso if you wish.

New and occasional riders may find organized group tours easier for handling nitty-gritty, not getting lost along the way plus added comfort levels of riding in packs. Lone women riders also connect with women-only bike groups to Leh for added safety and camaraderie.

Conclusion

In the end, this lifetime experience boils down to your confidence levels, riding expertise, availability of spare time, and willingness to spend long solo spells on the road. But whether shredding solo or rolling with the riders, Delhi to Leh is the ultimate journey to immerse in Ladakh’s raw beauty at your own pace forgetting the world behind it.

So which way would you ride to Leh when getting your bike on rent in Delhi? Let me know if you need any help planning that dream trip.