Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

Yeah !! Surely I am there to help you out only if my knowledge allows me.

So 6th July is a Sunday and yes, I'm joining you but not till Mumbai but till Khopoli for sure.

And for the FB thing, it's completely my mistake. Will send you request today only.

Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

So the day is coming closer. I'm leaving on the 5th of July. Not yet decided if im leaving from Mysore or Bangalore though. Not a big deal, main aim is to reach the awesome highway somehow and then go to Pune. I'm stopping at Pune, leaving for Mumbai the next day, early morning to save myself from the traffic.
Post mumbai, will most probably stay in Himmatnagar ( as suggested by another member ) , then Jaipur. After jaipur I'm thinking of going to bypass Delhi by going to Rohtak. This last december i had been to Rohtak (from Chandigarh) , and the highway was simply superb, also my cousin brother is there, so maybe can halt there if required, will also save me from Delhi traffic. Delhi chandigarh has been done countless times, so thats cool.

About 2 weeks were wasted, as i had a lot of pressure from work (working weekends since past 2 months) and family pressure.
Oh god, the family pressure. I cannot still recover from that. The day i dropped a bomb on them, by saying im riding all the way, i have been shouted at , cursed, emotionally blackmailed and even bribed. Parents are supportive of the chandigarh-leh-chandigarh plan, but not the riding from Bangalore all the way and back.
To top it all, when i blurted out that i went to Kanyakumari on a weekend (1300kms in 40hrs) to complete the south leg of my journey, well, to put it in plain words , 'it wasn't received well'

Anyways, i have just a week left. Preparations are very slow. Have to get bike serviced this tuesday or wednesday. Im going through any post, blogs or news to get review of the way.
My Kanyakumari trip taught me , that my ass hurts a lot after continuos riding with V-shaped underwear. (sorry for being explicit, but its necessary). Thinking of wearing boxers as suggested in another thread. Also you can't ever carry enough water.

My two imp questions:
1) Is the 'yellow tape on headlight' thing serious in Gujarat ?
2) My number plate is the normal one, black font on white board. No IND hologram nothing. My friends in chandigarh have been fined many times, so i'm thinking of going for the same. Has it really been mandated ?
3) dude, lets meet 5th evening or 6th morning ?
4) any last minute (5 days left ) tips or advises ?
5) Is there any way i can get sponsorships/funds

Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

First of all, congrats Varun.

Answer to Q2: No, not mandatory. Not heard anything of this sort from my friends who recently made a trip across Gujarat.
Answer to Q3: Dude let's do one thing. 5th evening let's meet, and 6th morning, I will ride with you till Khopoli, if it's OK with you. What say?
Answer to Q4: Just chill and relax. For the seating problem, as you're going on a long journey, why not using the gel foam seat. Have a try. I guess it will work fine and your backside will be happy.
Answer to Q5: You've asked it too late. Maybe there was a chance as Viaterra now sponsors some unique trips, but the process takes some time. But still, lemme check and confirm.

Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

I'm getting the IND number plates, have ordered them already. Dont wanna take any chance regarding that.

Dude that sounds epic man. Lets do meet on 5th and 6th July. Need your valuable advice on a lot of things Starting with, the spare part shop i went , that guy advised me to with HID's which would cost Rs 850/- each. Though im not planning to ride at all during the night time, but im not at all happy with the stock bulbs. I also forgot to ask him the specifications of the HIDs but he assured me he fits the same ones in all r15s and they dont cause battery drain issue. Though i just have his word for it, im not too sure of it.

I enquired about the seat. He didnt have it in stock and asked me to check it out from the service center itself. Told its called some button seat or something, not sure.

Any sponsorship is good man, even if its not monetary, ANYTHING would do. I didn't invest in a tank bag, which i think i'm gonna regret since ill be carrying a DSLR.

Special thanks to @zawarester1 who patiently listened to all my doubts and helped me a lot in drafting a route from Mumbai to Chandigarh. Really helped a lot man, thanks More doubts will follow soon
[MENTION=61712]ArnabC[/MENTION] : will keep on bugging you. Hope you are up for it

Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

Nice planning. .all the best

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Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

Hahaha. I guess you're being sarcastic! I'm as far from planning, as the sun is from the earth

Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

Don't install anything new before this long trip. You should've done it two months before so that you had the time to check it out whether it's impacting anything or not. Still if you're bent on changing the lights, try Nightbreaker, don't know if I have spelt it right, from OSRAM or there's some other same type from Philips also I guess. Whatever you go for, don't go above the specification that stock buls require. Atleast not before this long trip where you don't wanna mess up with the electrical circuitry of the bike. Don't go for HIDs now. Try out HIDs once you come back. Don't put any pressure on the battery now. Also, hope you've got a new battery for your bike.

Service Center people will not have it. Check out https://sites.google.com/site/redlineplus1/product-list for further and better details.

Sponsorship will not be possible now as time is very less to get it done. But as you're carrying a DSLR, it would be great if you buy a tankbag.

And yes, we're there to help you out.

Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

[MENTION=61712]ArnabC[/MENTION] Thats true man. Less time left, so seat and tank bag both are out of question now. Anyways, lets see how everything goes
And no haven't changed my battery. Same one.

Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

Nope. ..I mean you are sure about the places to visit n stay, ride preparation n gears

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Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

All the preparations are courtesy xbhp man. Went through various travelogs, talked to everyone here, so helpful Now i just pray the trip is both awesome and safe

Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

True..advance happy n safe ride wishes from ma side:thumbup:

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Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

Update: I reached Chandigarh today. Epic Trip! Leavin for Leh day after tomorrow !

Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

Good going buddy. All the best for leh.:thumbup:

Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

Thanks! One quick question: My friends are insisting on to buy a tent for 'emergency' cases, but im reluctant. Is it at all necessary ?


One quick tip for anyone who is planning to go through the same route: Dont , DONT ever go from vadodra to ahemdabad. Always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS take vadodra-halol,godhra,modasa and then head to Himmatnagar/Udaipur.

I missed out the turn for Halol and some guy confidently told there will be another one few kms ahead. I ended up going till Ahemdabad through that crappy highway. Oh that highway is a huge disaster.

Re: Bangalore Chandigarh BikeTrip Solo

True that, whatever the case, riding wise the Vadodara-Halol-Godhra route is said to be saner for us.

All the best for your solo voyage... And do remember to take adequate breaks ... Leh after Chandigarh is another deal by itself, you'll have to prep yourself with warm clothes and mentally get set for high altitude riding. Also riding solo, consider unforseen delays and have some time latitude left for any eventuality, especially in the monsoons. You might want to top up some oil and get your bike washed, lubed and checked in Chandigarh...

Long haul solo rides is about being comfortable while present (in the now) and consistent with your bike... I did Bangalore-Delhi but in a completely different way... my intention was to take Single Laned (tree lined) NHs and state roads (one of the best choices i made). The route to Leh can be as interesting as the destination itself... wish you had ample time to make a 13 day trip to Chandigarh.

Keep it simple, stay adaptable and enjoy every bitter sweet minute of this adventure mate.

Cheers.