In my first post i shared information regarding how to prepare your bike for Khardung La.
In this blog I'll share information about what other thing you need for this tour and what difficulties u'll face and how to fight them and continue your trip without hassle.
How to Prepare Yourself for this Tour:
Motorcycle touring has its share of thrills and spills. While for most nothing comes close to touring on their beloved motorcycle, for some touring may leave a bitter memories. So in this part i'll let you know how to prepare for any eventualities and come back with a grin on your face and fond memories.
The first Phase of preparation for any Motorcycle trip is the Psychological Part: You have to make sure that you are prepared to take the leap into the world of motorcycle touring. The biggest thing to understand is your limitations as well as your motorcycle's, the sooner you learn this, the sooner you will understand what motorcycle touring is all about.
Route: Choose a route that suits your riding style and skills. Choosing a route which is beyond your ability can leave you with a dented ego or worse! Learn to recognize your limitations and only then will you be able to improve them.
Start off Small: Start going for rides that are few hours long. This will not only teach you the basics of riding on the highway, but will also build up your stamina. Remember, in motorcycle touring saddle time counts more than riding fast.
Once you get accustomed to highway riding, choose a popular tourist destination for your first long ride. This way you can be assured that roads will be in slightly better condition (not always true) and there will be a plenty of information available regarding the destination. A popular tourist destination is also likely to have a good network of roads, petrol pumps, service centers, communication, hotels etc. This will prove beneficial in case there is a breakdown.
A couple of trips like these will make you understand your riding style and skills. This will also boost your confidence and give you practical knowledge that no amount of reading will. Once you hit this phase, the only limitation factor for your trips would be budget and work/studies.
Preparing your Motorcycle:
Preparing your motorcycle for an upcoming trip is as essential as breathing. Get your motorcycle serviced from an authorized service center, ask the mechanic to check your bike for any parts that are showing signs of age/wear. Replace these parts at least couple of days before leaving for the trip, ride your motorcycle at least a 100 kms after changing the part to ensure its working optimally. Get your bike washed before leaving for any trip, a clean bike not only runs cooler it is also easier to spot oil leakage on a clean bike. Never go on any long trip with an engine oil that is more then 1000 kms old!
For more details about How to prepare your Bike for Khardun La check out my blog
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8015249445522547275#editor/target=post;postID=2265169659009384702
Medicines
In this blog I'll share information about what other thing you need for this tour and what difficulties u'll face and how to fight them and continue your trip without hassle.
How to Prepare Yourself for this Tour:
Motorcycle touring has its share of thrills and spills. While for most nothing comes close to touring on their beloved motorcycle, for some touring may leave a bitter memories. So in this part i'll let you know how to prepare for any eventualities and come back with a grin on your face and fond memories.
The first Phase of preparation for any Motorcycle trip is the Psychological Part: You have to make sure that you are prepared to take the leap into the world of motorcycle touring. The biggest thing to understand is your limitations as well as your motorcycle's, the sooner you learn this, the sooner you will understand what motorcycle touring is all about.
Route: Choose a route that suits your riding style and skills. Choosing a route which is beyond your ability can leave you with a dented ego or worse! Learn to recognize your limitations and only then will you be able to improve them.
Start off Small: Start going for rides that are few hours long. This will not only teach you the basics of riding on the highway, but will also build up your stamina. Remember, in motorcycle touring saddle time counts more than riding fast.
Once you get accustomed to highway riding, choose a popular tourist destination for your first long ride. This way you can be assured that roads will be in slightly better condition (not always true) and there will be a plenty of information available regarding the destination. A popular tourist destination is also likely to have a good network of roads, petrol pumps, service centers, communication, hotels etc. This will prove beneficial in case there is a breakdown.
A couple of trips like these will make you understand your riding style and skills. This will also boost your confidence and give you practical knowledge that no amount of reading will. Once you hit this phase, the only limitation factor for your trips would be budget and work/studies.
Preparing your Motorcycle:
Preparing your motorcycle for an upcoming trip is as essential as breathing. Get your motorcycle serviced from an authorized service center, ask the mechanic to check your bike for any parts that are showing signs of age/wear. Replace these parts at least couple of days before leaving for the trip, ride your motorcycle at least a 100 kms after changing the part to ensure its working optimally. Get your bike washed before leaving for any trip, a clean bike not only runs cooler it is also easier to spot oil leakage on a clean bike. Never go on any long trip with an engine oil that is more then 1000 kms old!
For more details about How to prepare your Bike for Khardun La check out my blog
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8015249445522547275#editor/target=post;postID=2265169659009384702
Medicines
- Your motorcycle's first aid kit.
- Medicines for fever, cold, stomach ailment, headache, painkillers
- For high altitude areas carry Diamox to combat Acute Mountain Sickness.
- Sun Screen Lotion: Essential for touring in high altitude places.
Documents and Other Items:
Driving license, Motorcycle's original registration and insurance papers and pollution under control certificate.
Carry clothes that don't get dirty easily, also in cold climate wearing layers is a better option then wearing one thick jacket.Layers will not only gives you more protection against the elements, they will also help to scale down/up the level of warmth based on weather. Carry a water proof jacket and lower. Don't forget gloves and if possible get knee protector and motorcycle jacket with inbuilt body Armour.
Carry good shoes, most trekking shoes provide decent protection and at the same time are easy to walk in.
Most important carry a good helmet. Well i am wrong, don't carry it, wear it throughout the trip.
carry at least a liter of water all time and drink water regularly.
Carry spare cash all the time, in a remote village you are unlikely to find an ATM.
Carry your mobile phone and with a Postpaid connection with activated roaming.
Carry a good map and compass, but if a road exists on the map it doesn't mean it will on the ground.
Get a saddle bag, they can carry a lot of luggage efficiently and you will still have a empty rear seat. Always pack your clothes and things in plastic bags, that way even if the water penetrates your bag, you will still have dry clothes. Also carry small plastic pouches for your mobile phone, wallet, camera and documents.
Beside this, don't don't forget to carry things like comb, soap, face wash, shampoo pouch, toothbrush, tooth paste, ear buds, lip guard, cold cream, deodorant, toilet and tissue papers.
If possible ride in a group of 2-6 people, this way isn't too large and you can be assured in case of a break down or any other problem you will have friends to help you. However choosing the right riding partner is also essential. if your attitude and riding skills/style doesn't match, there is a bound to be some friction, whereas good riding buddies can become your best buddies.
Dont's
carry at least a liter of water all time and drink water regularly.
Carry spare cash all the time, in a remote village you are unlikely to find an ATM.
Carry your mobile phone and with a Postpaid connection with activated roaming.
Carry a good map and compass, but if a road exists on the map it doesn't mean it will on the ground.
Get a saddle bag, they can carry a lot of luggage efficiently and you will still have a empty rear seat. Always pack your clothes and things in plastic bags, that way even if the water penetrates your bag, you will still have dry clothes. Also carry small plastic pouches for your mobile phone, wallet, camera and documents.
Beside this, don't don't forget to carry things like comb, soap, face wash, shampoo pouch, toothbrush, tooth paste, ear buds, lip guard, cold cream, deodorant, toilet and tissue papers.
If possible ride in a group of 2-6 people, this way isn't too large and you can be assured in case of a break down or any other problem you will have friends to help you. However choosing the right riding partner is also essential. if your attitude and riding skills/style doesn't match, there is a bound to be some friction, whereas good riding buddies can become your best buddies.
Dont's
- Don't ride rash
- Don't cut through traffic, when overtaking, honk more often than not, the vehicle ahead will make way for you.
- Don't insult any one.
- Don't believe a villager if he says road ahead is good, you might find other wise.
- Don't over strain yourself and your motorcycle.
- Don't leave garbage behind, especially plastic.
- Don't drink and ride.
Do's
- Click a lot of photos.
- Treat every one on the road respectfully, especially the sweet village folks you came across.
- Maintain a trip log.
- Use commonsense and have a sense of humor.
Information source: dcmtouring.com
