New Delhi

I was lost in the backstreets for a few hours. The humidity like a hot wet blanket, senses on overload - wafting odours of incense, frangipanis, urine and diesel. Loud Indian music accompanies the drone of traffic and the incessant honking of horns. A woman and child sleep under a roadside bench with all their possessions stuffed into plastic bags - nearby is a Mercedes showroom and guards with automatic rifles. A billion people trying to survive in this land of contrasts.

Taking the bike box through airports was stress free until I met a young lady in Kuala Lumpur. She said that, although I was within my weight allowance, I would have to pay excess baggage fees because it is classified as sporting equipment. "What if it was a plasma tv in there?" I asked. "That would be ok" she replied. I asked to see the supervisor and, luckily, he didn't share her point of view. Now she was a bit agitated and suddenly blurted "you cant take that bike helmet on the plane". Wisdom tells me it's not wise to continue discussions with officials who have a warped perspective on rules and regulations. I picked up my helmet and cabin bag and breezed through airport security.

9am tommorow I should be in Leh, Ladakh at an altitude of 3,550 metres where I'll wait for 3 days for my body to acclimatise. Hopefully my body will adapt to its new environment and I'll be ready to ride.