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One man, one motorcycle, countless memories.
The Plan
Journey Start date
Aug 8, 2016
Journey End Date
Nov 18, 2016 (Ideally never)
Journey Route
Mumbai – Surat – Jodhpur – Jaipur – Delhi – Shimla – Mandi – Dharamshala – Dalhousie – Patnitop – Srinagar – Kargil – Zanskar – Kargil – Alchi – Leh – Khardungla – Diskit – Nubra Valley – Pangong Tso – Leh – Tso Moriri – Sarchu – Keylong – Manali – Kasol – Chandratal – Kaza – Pin Valley – Tabo – Nako Lake – Kalpa – Sangla – Rampur – Narkand – Rohru – Mussoorie – Rishikesh – Nandaprayag – Badrinath – Almora – Nanital – (Nepal) Bardia – Butwal – Pokhra – Jomson – Kathmandu – Cherikot – Jiri – Lahan – Mirik Lake – Darjeeling – Pelling – Gangtok – Lachung – Lachen – Gurudonmarg Lake – Nathula – Zuluk Loops – Silguri – Kolkata – Puri – Vizag – Chennai – Bangalore – Gokarna – Goa – Malvan – Mumbai
Day 1 - Mumbai to Surat
Day 2 - Surat
Day 3 - Surat to Abu
Day 4 - Mount Abu
Day 5 - Abu to Jodhpur
Day 6 – Jodhpur
Day 7 – 8 – Jaipur
Day 9 – 14 – Delhi
Day 15 – 16 – Shimla
Day 17 – 18 – Mandi & Prashar
Day 19 – 21 – McLeodganj – Dharamkot
Day 22 – 24 – Mandi – Kasol – Manikaran – Tosh
Day 25 – 26 – Manali
Day 27 – 31 – Manali – Leh – Bombay
Video - On Two Wheels: Solo Travelogue 2016
Pre ride preparation
This part always takes a lot of effort, not just to write but also to plan, organize. Will aim to categorize this into multiple sections
Planning the Route
This part is fairly easy as there is a lot of help available online in terms of Google Maps, Blogs by other travelers. Forums like xBhp, HV Kumar, etc are widely available and most people are helpful in the planning bit for the route. Also managed to speak to a few friends and travelers who have been to few of these sections.
Checklist of the that are to be packed
An extensive checklist of the equipment needed was made
Budget
Being a budget travel who was mostly self funding the trip, had limited myself to finding cheaper stay and food options while still aiming to eat right.
Aim was to overall limit the expenses to Rs. 1500 per day. The basic split up being
Wouldn’t be everyday that one will land up riding a lot and spending so much on fuel, and the part that gets saved up there would go into the spares and regular maintenance of the motorcycle.
Understanding the Motorcycle
Thanks to Arun Chanda & Executive Bajaj Ghatkopar, Mumbai for the training sessions and guidance to be able to understand the Bajaj Pulsar RS200.
Special thanks to Shashi, Ravi, Monu & Pravin sir for tolerating all my queries and even sharing their contact number to resolve any issues that might arise while traveling.
Mental Preparation
This is something that most people miss out on. One really doesn’t know how it really feels to go on a solo trip all by themselves. There are always thoughts about if one is going to miss out on something important and not be able to get it on the road somewhere. Along with the positive thoughts of looking forward to a solo road trip are the doubtful thoughts like
And multiple more such things that will haunt one. But sooner or later comes the realization that everything around us has a form of beauty within itself and one just needs to sit down to notice it and not let anything worry oneself.
The Plan
Journey Start date
Aug 8, 2016
Journey End Date
Nov 18, 2016 (Ideally never)
Journey Route
Mumbai – Surat – Jodhpur – Jaipur – Delhi – Shimla – Mandi – Dharamshala – Dalhousie – Patnitop – Srinagar – Kargil – Zanskar – Kargil – Alchi – Leh – Khardungla – Diskit – Nubra Valley – Pangong Tso – Leh – Tso Moriri – Sarchu – Keylong – Manali – Kasol – Chandratal – Kaza – Pin Valley – Tabo – Nako Lake – Kalpa – Sangla – Rampur – Narkand – Rohru – Mussoorie – Rishikesh – Nandaprayag – Badrinath – Almora – Nanital – (Nepal) Bardia – Butwal – Pokhra – Jomson – Kathmandu – Cherikot – Jiri – Lahan – Mirik Lake – Darjeeling – Pelling – Gangtok – Lachung – Lachen – Gurudonmarg Lake – Nathula – Zuluk Loops – Silguri – Kolkata – Puri – Vizag – Chennai – Bangalore – Gokarna – Goa – Malvan – Mumbai
Day 1 - Mumbai to Surat
Day 2 - Surat
Day 3 - Surat to Abu
Day 4 - Mount Abu
Day 5 - Abu to Jodhpur
Day 6 – Jodhpur
Day 7 – 8 – Jaipur
Day 9 – 14 – Delhi
Day 15 – 16 – Shimla
Day 17 – 18 – Mandi & Prashar
Day 19 – 21 – McLeodganj – Dharamkot
Day 22 – 24 – Mandi – Kasol – Manikaran – Tosh
Day 25 – 26 – Manali
Day 27 – 31 – Manali – Leh – Bombay
Video - On Two Wheels: Solo Travelogue 2016
Pre ride preparation
This part always takes a lot of effort, not just to write but also to plan, organize. Will aim to categorize this into multiple sections
Planning the Route
This part is fairly easy as there is a lot of help available online in terms of Google Maps, Blogs by other travelers. Forums like xBhp, HV Kumar, etc are widely available and most people are helpful in the planning bit for the route. Also managed to speak to a few friends and travelers who have been to few of these sections.
Checklist of the that are to be packed
An extensive checklist of the equipment needed was made
- Overall Equipment
- First Aid Box
- Tool Kit
- Puncture repair kit
- Waterproof Zip lock bag x 3
- LED Flashlight
- Swiss Army Knife
- Petrol Jerry Can / 2 x 2 litre bottles
- Electric tape
- M-Seal
- Nylon Rope / Bungee cords
- Chain Spray / Gear Oil
- Petrol pipe – 1/2 meters long
- Twisties / Safety pin
- Book x 2
- Small scissor
- Spare Parts
- Engine Oil
- Coolant
- Brake Pads
- Headlight Bulbs
- Clutch Cable
- Accelerator Cable
- Brake Oil
- Sandpaper
- Fuses
- Riding Gear
- Full face helmet with dual visor
- Bandana x 3
- Quechua Forclaz 500 – Shoes
- Riding Jacket
- Riding Pants
- Full gauntlet gloves
- Shoe rain cover
- Clothing
- Quick dry towel x 1
- Jeans x 1
- Track Pants x 1
- Thermal wear x 1 set
- T shirts x 8
- Socks x 5 sets
- Innerwear x 7 sets
- Hankerchief x 5 sets
- Woolen cap x 1
- Extra Spectacles
- Rain coat x 1 set
- Shorts x 2
- Flip flops x 1 set
- Personal Hygiene
- Toothpaste
- Tooth brush
- Liquid Soap
- Shampoo sachets
- Face Wash
- Sun Screen – SPF 50 or higher
- Lip Balm
- Roll-on Deo
- Washing detergent Sachets
- Paper soap
- Hand Sanitizer
- Toilet paper roll
- Nail cutter
- Food & Hydration
- Wai Wai noodles x 5
- Dates, dry fruits & nuts
- Chocolate or energy bars
- Bottles for toilet use
- 3L Hydration pack
- Glucose / Electrol Powder
- Documents & IDs
- Driving License (Original & 5 copies)
- Motorcycle registration certificate (Original & 5 copies)
- Insurance Papers (Original & 5 copies)
- PUC Certificate (Original & 5 copies)
- Medical Insurance Card
- Secondary ID (Original & 5 copies)
- Print out of map / itinerary
Budget
Being a budget travel who was mostly self funding the trip, had limited myself to finding cheaper stay and food options while still aiming to eat right.
Aim was to overall limit the expenses to Rs. 1500 per day. The basic split up being
- Rs. 500 per day for Food
- Rs. 500 per day for Fuel
- Rs. 500 per day for Stay
Wouldn’t be everyday that one will land up riding a lot and spending so much on fuel, and the part that gets saved up there would go into the spares and regular maintenance of the motorcycle.
Understanding the Motorcycle
Thanks to Arun Chanda & Executive Bajaj Ghatkopar, Mumbai for the training sessions and guidance to be able to understand the Bajaj Pulsar RS200.
Special thanks to Shashi, Ravi, Monu & Pravin sir for tolerating all my queries and even sharing their contact number to resolve any issues that might arise while traveling.
Mental Preparation
This is something that most people miss out on. One really doesn’t know how it really feels to go on a solo trip all by themselves. There are always thoughts about if one is going to miss out on something important and not be able to get it on the road somewhere. Along with the positive thoughts of looking forward to a solo road trip are the doubtful thoughts like
- Is this really happening?
- Am I even prepared to be on the road for this long?
- Am I doing the right thing?
- Screw this, let’s just turn back, it’s not too late.
And multiple more such things that will haunt one. But sooner or later comes the realization that everything around us has a form of beauty within itself and one just needs to sit down to notice it and not let anything worry oneself.
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