Re: Planning for madhya pradesh solo ride

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Unfortunately i haven't ridden this section of highway in India, so can't help you out.

Maybe [MENTION=63961]chakresh[/MENTION] can!

Re: Planning for madhya pradesh solo ride

Hello Raj, I've ridden a few miles of itinerary you planned during my college days. I can help you with that. By far, the best plan, thanks to post-monsoon climate of Vindhyas.

HYD-NGP: The old highway is always clean, runs through a lot of barren lands/boring crops without much turns and bends. It is a 4-lane and 2-lane combination running RTC buses on Telangana side and the privates on Maharashtra side. On TG side, it is better to control your speed as the roads are butter smooth with occasional jumpers. On MH side, be careful with buses as they drive very rashly. Don't even think of tailgating them. There are plenty of Dhabas everywhere.

BPL-NGP: The Nagpur Bhopal stretch is an opposite of the above mentioned stretch. A thin road that trails across Vindhyas, ghat sections and forests until you reach Bhopal. Be very keen about the maintenance of your baby once you start from Bhopal. There are 60-80k stretches where you wouldn't find one Dhaba or mechanic on the way. This stretch is very scenic, but expect slush every here and there. During October, fog is also commonplace, so please keep that in mind, that you'll need a full day to do Bhopal-Nagpur.Please carry reserve water and petrol without fail if you're planning solo (Ask me how I know)

BPL (In and around): To cover Sanchi and Bhimbetka around Bhopal will cost you more than half a day and a hell lot of energy. Bhimbetka is a fascinating huge place and will need at least 4 hours around Sanchi. Travelling from Indore to Bhopal is a cakewalk, around 3 hours of good highway on the bike.

IMO, as you're planning a 9 day trip with lots of money and time at expense, you should both Indore and Bhopal. I'll suggest you to go by Indore route (Don't forget to dine at chappan dukan), start the next morning very early (as the sun rises) and reach Sanchi by 800. Spend an hour there, and reach Bhimbetka by 1100. Cover it up by 1300. Start off after lunch and ride smart to reach Betul/Pandurna by sunset. Take rest and ride back to Hyderabad the next day. This is a bit more exhausting and is a tiny iron-butt, but I can promise you, October in these places is worth a lot more all the pains taken.

Don't forget to pack full waterproof as the rains (if any) are terrible. Carry your mosquito balms. Be careful in the slush, as it is not our Deccan red concoctions, but a Dairy milk silk. Be very careful in regions at MP-UP border. These places are known for thieves, during Jabalpur-Khajuraho-Orccha stride. Nightstays at Khajuraho solves the problem though. Prefer eating Veggie foods throughout. MP offers amazing flavors as compared to their boring non-veggie dishes.Binge on Poha-Jalebi-Imarti everywhere. The best and the healthiest you can get.

OMG, I became so reminiscent. Time to dig out all the college trip photos now.