The Checklist, The Route and The Golden Rules : Bangalore - Leh - Darjeeling ride

The Golden Rule:

Now I don’t want to sound preachy, but over the years I have designed some riding rules to keep away from any untoward incident that may mar my riding experience. They are;

• When in doubt, DON’T DO IT. Don’t let moments of carelessness ruin your ride
• Remember the line, “The roads are filled with idiots”. Ride with the belief that others will make the mistake hence you need to be extra careful
• Avoid night riding for the same reason stated above
• Always overtake from the right-hand side of the vehicle in front of you and never overtake when the road turns 
• Take a break after every two hours even though you may not feel tired or find it hard to resist the tempting open road. Choose a scenic spot for the break and hydrate yourself every time you take one
• Read about the destination that you plan to be stationed at. I have heard about a few riding itineraries which have a halt in Kashmir during Independence Day. Poor souls. If only they had read about the place        
• Talk to the drivers that you meet on your way and enquire about the best route to ride, road conditions, and other dos and don'ts. Unknown roads are some of those few places where you meet strangers with a golden heart. However, be careful of some devils too, who may take you for a ride of a different kind
• Remember, while riding on the hills, the right of way is given to the traffic ascending the hill. Doesn't matter if others are not following the rule, you can still be righteous one on the road
• Never keep all you cash in one place. Split your money and keep them in different places
• Always keep someone informed about the place where you will be lodging for the night

The Route:

I have planned my route in such a way that I will be riding through some of the places where I have never been before but was a part of my wishlist. The Itinerary was designed with the help of Google map. The report on the accuracy of Google map will follow in my subsequent posts.

  The Checklist:

There is no "one size fits all" checklist for embarking on a long ride. The needs of one rider will be very different from the needs of the other rider. However, there are some items which I feel goes a long way in making your ride a hassle-free one. My checklist list is as under;

• All the bike documents in the original  - registration card, tax papers, insurance, driving license  
• A waist bag to keep all your important documents, cash, phone etc. 
• Maintenance tool kit  - Especially spare spark plugs, tubes, clutch cable, accelerator cable, spanner range  (24mm wheel spanner, 17 mm,14mm,10 mm), an adjustable range, engine oil, wheel spoons, foot pump, feeler gauge and a sandpaper to clean your spark plug) 
• Elbow and knee protection pads. One riding gloves too. 
• Rain cover - So that you can continue riding despite rains. Do try and check out the weather forecast every day before you ride. 
• Good water-resistant shoes. Some riding shoes are very expensive, so gumboots are a good alternative. You get really good ones if you search online. 
• Multi-purpose knife 
• Mini torchlight 
• Disc brake lock which will ensure a stress-free sleep at night
• Portable battery charger for your smartphone which is not so smart in conserving power at times of need 
• A sturdy rope of appropriate length which will come handy to tow your bike in case of need 
• Warm clothing - It can get very cold in that region. Don't forget a comfortable woolen cap.
• Few lighters. Avoid matchboxes as it may get wet while you are riding when it's raining
• Medicines basis your requirement (especially for diarrhea, headache, and a few painkillers)
• Few plastic bags - The ones that you take for your grocery shopping. They will help you shield your belongings from water  
• In toiletries list, it helps if you are carrying paper soap in your wallet. You will thank me later for this.

(Do read the other days chronicle listed on the same page)

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