Guru Grace or Luck! Who can say..?

Paleface · Sep 2nd, 2009, 22:28

Driving down the five hours from Uttarkashi we stayed that night in Dehradun. At three a.m. next morning we were woken by a raging thunderstorm. I said to P, if it eases off we’ll leave because I can’t get back to sleep, by four it did and we drove off bound for Delhi anticipating reaching there by mid morning. We expected to run around for a day or two getting me a visa extension and applying for a PIO card, I had been planning to get the car serviced in Delhi. Dinesh a local hill mechanic had replaced the sector shaft on the car, this links the steering gearbox to the tie rods, but it needed an expert to check it over as the power steering was retarded in full lock so there was definitely a developing failure.

After the last of the hill forests the route via Roorkee has very long straight sections and in the persistent rain we averaged 70/80 Kmph on a free road. At about five and after some fifty Kms, the outskirts of Roorkee were coming alive with two wheelers and cars in the first light. We talked about returning on the highway via Haridwar and meeting Baba. Suddenly there was a loud clunk that sounded like a stone bouncing off the underside however the car began to veer to the right across to the oncoming side. Something had sheared off, the steering was gone and I had no control over where we were heading. I braked as gradually as possible, not wanting to stamp a full emergency stop as i was sure we would slide on the wet road into that approaching motorbike or a tough tree. The radial tyres proved their value and, Mercifully, because that is what the dominant thought was, the car came to a stop on the verge between the trees. Wah! What a stroke of grace i said to P after a few moments. P replied, Vidyaranya ki jai, a comma inserted where an ending might have been. We sat there, speechless with the injury free escape.

But we’re completely stuffed now, in the middle of nowhere, it will take all day to get a tow, get it looked at, find the part, repaired… I took the flashlight and inspected the steering gearbox, the locking nut had disappeared. Let’s see if we can find it back there on the road as it’s a special sort of nut. We walked back along the road and at 50 meters, over there, stood a large, new Tata showroom and service workshop. I mean it could not have been scripted any better. Later we were told it was the only authorised service centre one between Doon and Meerut, approximately 150 Kms. The watchmen took us in for chai and chat, and generally sorted us out. Who would have me believe this was just Luck?

pic: that road later on..

jituyadav · Sep 2nd, 2009, 22:33

Interesting, whether luck or god’s grace. I am happy that you all are safe.

kullukid · Sep 2nd, 2009, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paleface

Who would have me believe this was just Luck?

"Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything happens according to Law; Chance is but a name for Law not recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law." — The Kybalion.

KK

cityMONK · Sep 2nd, 2009, 23:22

Nice to hear that you people are safe and sound.
Yes it was grace of GOD, beyond doubt, on you as well as on showroom owner, for sending a customer early in morning.

capt_mahajan · Sep 2nd, 2009, 23:32

Glad all is well.

Quote:

as it’s a special sort of nut

Yep. Indian nuts are special

Paleface · Sep 2nd, 2009, 23:34

Quote:

for sending a customer early in morning

Yeah ha ha - I wanted to buy a Nano there & then, if it conks out you can always turn it into a Bail Gari! The Yog of Driving, Narayan Narayan Narayan. I am not going to die today.

PeakXV · Sep 3rd, 2009, 00:14

Just chock it up to the nine lives theory. I think I've used most of mine up on those himalayan roads as well ...

delhiwala · Sep 3rd, 2009, 02:33

A narrow escape Paleface......

And Yes, I have seen that Tata/Fiat showroom on the right hand side of the road while coming from Delhi..... It's really strange as it's in the middle of nowhere.

Paleface · Sep 3rd, 2009, 02:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by delhiwala

A narrow escape Paleface...... And Yes, I have seen that Tata/Fiat showroom on the right hand side of the road while coming from Delhi..... It's really strange as it's in the middle of nowhere.

Isn't it? Krippa hai, Bubba! Lotsa nice saloons there but i'm sure they would get knackered quite quickly living up here - though the old Safari is having some problems i'll stick with it as mostly the problems are due to overbusy service centres and young blokes who know it all. It's your 4WD randomly engaging Sir. My left foot it is mate!

AwayFromHome · Sep 3rd, 2009, 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paleface

Isn't it? Krippa hai, Bubba! Lotsa nice saloons there but i'm sure they would get knackered quite quickly living up here - though the old Safari is having some problems i'll stick with it as mostly the problems are due to overbusy service centres and young blokes who know it all. It's your 4WD randomly engaging Sir. My left foot it is mate!

Glad you're safe Paleface and P!

Good thinking not to slam on those brakes - could have been a disaster.
And stay away from those young blokes, as far as humanly possible.

Nick-H · Sep 3rd, 2009, 19:46

If you had a Maruti there would have been a main dealer just around the next corner

.

Seriously... Horrible experience... I can imagine you must have stopped breathing for far longer than would be comfortable. I'm so glad you're safe.

namaste_cat · Sep 3rd, 2009, 21:53

Glad you and P are safe and sound Paleface, that was some scare.

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Yep. Indian nuts are special

Capt_M, sounds like you're missing the balls too much, maybe time to bring the old avatar back! Nah, keep the mouse

jituyadav · Sep 3rd, 2009, 21:58

Maybe the mouse is trying to realign the balls and the old avatar will be back soon.

livinhimalayas · Sep 3rd, 2009, 23:03

Capt. you forgot the screws and bolts

.
Scary experience !!

capt_mahajan · Sep 3rd, 2009, 23:06

I actually didn't forget the screws and bolts- I thought they would be in bad taste on this thread.

Sep 2nd, 2009, 22:28	#1
Paleface Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Garhwal Himalaya Posts: 1,789	Guru Grace or Luck! Who can say..? Driving down the five hours from Uttarkashi we stayed that night in Dehradun. At three a.m. next morning we were woken by a raging thunderstorm. I said to P, if it eases off we’ll leave because I can’t get back to sleep, by four it did and we drove off bound for Delhi anticipating reaching there by mid morning. We expected to run around for a day or two getting me a visa extension and applying for a PIO card, I had been planning to get the car serviced in Delhi. Dinesh a local hill mechanic had replaced the sector shaft on the car, this links the steering gearbox to the tie rods, but it needed an expert to check it over as the power steering was retarded in full lock so there was definitely a developing failure. After the last of the hill forests the route via Roorkee has very long straight sections and in the persistent rain we averaged 70/80 Kmph on a free road. At about five and after some fifty Kms, the outskirts of Roorkee were coming alive with two wheelers and cars in the first light. We talked about returning on the highway via Haridwar and meeting Baba. Suddenly there was a loud clunk that sounded like a stone bouncing off the underside however the car began to veer to the right across to the oncoming side. Something had sheared off, the steering was gone and I had no control over where we were heading. I braked as gradually as possible, not wanting to stamp a full emergency stop as i was sure we would slide on the wet road into that approaching motorbike or a tough tree. The radial tyres proved their value and, Mercifully, because that is what the dominant thought was, the car came to a stop on the verge between the trees. Wah! What a stroke of grace i said to P after a few moments. P replied, Vidyaranya ki jai, a comma inserted where an ending might have been. We sat there, speechless with the injury free escape. But we’re completely stuffed now, in the middle of nowhere, it will take all day to get a tow, get it looked at, find the part, repaired… I took the flashlight and inspected the steering gearbox, the locking nut had disappeared. Let’s see if we can find it back there on the road as it’s a special sort of nut. We walked back along the road and at 50 meters, over there, stood a large, new Tata showroom and service workshop. I mean it could not have been scripted any better. Later we were told it was the only authorised service centre one between Doon and Meerut, approximately 150 Kms. The watchmen took us in for chai and chat, and generally sorted us out. Who would have me believe this was just Luck? pic: that road later on.. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Only a mediocre person is always at his best. Somerset Maugham.

Sep 2nd, 2009, 22:33	#2
jituyadav Humble servant of the self Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 613	Interesting, whether luck or god’s grace. I am happy that you all are safe. __________________ I started with nothing and I still have most of it!

Sep 3rd, 2009, 00:14	#7
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 5,881	Just chock it up to the nine lives theory. I think I've used most of mine up on those himalayan roads as well ... __________________ What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Sep 3rd, 2009, 02:33	#8
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,817	A narrow escape Paleface...... And Yes, I have seen that Tata/Fiat showroom on the right hand side of the road while coming from Delhi..... It's really strange as it's in the middle of nowhere. __________________ Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone. - The Dhammapada

Sep 3rd, 2009, 23:03	#14
livinhimalayas still learning Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Abode of Snow Posts: 3,342	Capt. you forgot the screws and bolts . Scary experience !! __________________ He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or all he sees. - Benjamin Franklin

Sep 2nd, 2009, 23:22	#4
cityMONK Humble Disciple of Supreme Join Date: May 2009 Location: delhi Posts: 800	Nice to hear that you people are safe and sound. Yes it was grace of GOD, beyond doubt, on you as well as on showroom owner, for sending a customer early in morning.

Sep 3rd, 2009, 19:46	#11
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,225	If you had a Maruti there would have been a main dealer just around the next corner . Seriously... Horrible experience... I can imagine you must have stopped breathing for far longer than would be comfortable. I'm so glad you're safe.

Sep 3rd, 2009, 21:58	#13
jituyadav Humble servant of the self Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 613	Maybe the mouse is trying to realign the balls and the old avatar will be back soon.

Sep 3rd, 2009, 23:06	#15
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,608	I actually didn't forget the screws and bolts- I thought they would be in bad taste on this thread.

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