Set a Budget and Stick to It
Keeping a track of your budget
will help you go a long way. Both, literally and figuratively. Set a daily
budget for your motorbiking trip and stick to it. The main expenses on the road
will be fuel, food, and shelter. Divide your budget into 3 parts in a ratio of
2:1:1, 2 parts for fuel, 1 part each for food and shelter or a ratio that suits
your ride.
Cut expenses wherever possible
but do not go to extremes of putting yourself in discomfort to save a few
bucks. Eat at local food joints. Avoid buying packaged drinking water and
instead, ask the staff at the place where you eat to fill your water bottle
with hot water. If you are a part of riding community or groups, a fellow
rider would be eager to help by sharing a place to crash or inviting you for a
meal. Accept that and be grateful to them!
Carry all the paperwork
Make 2 copies of your insurance, registration, driving license and any
other documents that you may need. Usually, most bikes have a small compartment
where you can tuck the papers, first aid, and small tools. Put the first set of
copies on the bike and the second with your daypack. If you’re riding to some
remote areas which require a permit, research all the info about how to get
that permit. And carry that too.
I’ve always experienced that when on a long distance motorcycling tour, I
get pulled over more often than usual. I think it’s more because of curiosity
than anything else. And cops have usually been very friendly once they’re done
inspecting the paperwork. They want to know about my ride and always have
advice about how the road conditions are ahead. But if I wouldn’t have had the
paperwork, I’m highly doubtful they’d have been so helpful
Avoid riding at night
Riding at night can be fun. I’ve done it and I’ve enjoyed those rides a
lot. However, I also know when to avoid it. If I’m riding solo, I never ride
after the sun goes down. Riding at night becomes very difficult, especially
because the number of people who don’t know how to use their headlight. The
number of people using high beam lights on the highways is staggering. And when
you have those beams hitting you right in the face, it becomes almost
impossible to see anything.
Another thing to think about. It’s 2 in the morning and you’re on some
dark and lonely highway. And unfortunately, you have a flat tyre. What do you
do?. I’m not saying, it’s impossible to get the situation sorted. But it
definitely makes the situation a lot more complicated than you expect.
Take
regular breaks
Taking
regular breaks is essential to avoid fatigue and injury as well. The frequency
and the duration of the breaks will, of course, depend on your endurance, road
conditions, and the weather as well. Usually, I take a 5-minute
break every 60km or every hour of riding. Whichever is earlier. I get off the bike,
drink some water, stretch my body and walk a few paces before hitting the road
again.
And not
just breaks while riding, you should plan for days of no riding at all. I take
at least a day of no riding at all for every 3 days of riding. But you can suit
yourself based on your ride plan.
Eat
and drink right
Riding
motorbikes for long periods of time can be exhausting. It might feel like
you’re just sitting but trust me, at the end of the day you’re quite tired.
Therefore keeping yourself healthy, nourished and hydrated is extremely
important. While riding, I avoid foods that I know will lead me to food coma
;). Usually, I just have a light lunch instead of full sit down
multi-course meal.
And
though I drink lots of water and juices through the day, I avoid alcohol when I
know I have to ride the next morning. I can’t even imagine let alone ride with
a hangover. And needless to say, don’t drink and ride.
Be prepared for weather
While
planning for a ride, do take into account the weather along the route that
you’ll be. The skies have a mysterious and unfunny way of spoiling your plans
when you’re least expecting it. Better keep an eye out. If you’re gonna be
riding in the rain, make sure you have the gear to protect you and your pack.
Also, remember weather is more inconsistent in hilly areas. While the valley
might be nice and sunny when you start at foothills, by the time you’re close
to the top of a mountain pass, the visibility might be down to a few meters.
Have
enough cash
Although,
it is inconvenient to carry cash, have enough of it. Some stores, restaurants
or hotels might not accept the particular card you’re carrying. Also in some
parts of the world, cards are still not a popular form of payment. Or some are
too remote for any kind of internet or telephone connectivity.
Day 4 – LEH – KARU – CHANGLA - PANGONG TSO – LEH To reach the
Pangong Lake, needs a day for itself. Start your travel from Leh as early as
possible to reach this trademark destination of Ladakh, as post noon the
streams start to overflow and crossing them would be next to impossible. The so
called Paagal nala especially has to be crossed before noon. This route would
give you the fortune to ride on The Changla pass, world’s third highest
motorable road.
