HEY HODOPHILIAS BEFORE YOU LEAVE:
IF YOU ARE CAMPING, WHICH YOU ARE, INSTALL YOUR CAMP IN SOME PARK OR IN YOUR HOUSE TO CHECK IF IT IS IN PERFECT CONDITION. YOU WOULD NOT LIKE TO REACH NARAN AND KNOW THAT YOUR CAMP HAS HOLES OR BROKEN ALUMINUM POLES OR WHATEVER.
ALSO, IF YOUR SPARE TUBE IS FROM THE LAST TOUR, GET IT CHECKED, SUCH ITEMS CAN GO BAD IF PLACED UNUSED FOR A SIGNIFICANT PERIOD OF TIME.
HENCE, YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE EVERY ITEM IS IN PERFECT SHAPE OTHERWISE YOU MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE ONCE YOU ARE ON THE ROAD.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
TIME IS IMPORTANT.
DEPARTURE TIME IS SET TO BE FOLLOWED AND MAKE SURE YOU DO THAT.
UNNECESSARY DELAY WILL ONLY ANNOY OTHERS AND YOU DON’T WANT IT I ASSURE YOU.
IF WE ARE LEAVING AT 2:00AM, BE THERE AT 1:30AM
IT’LL SHOW HOW COMMITTED YOU ARE
SHARE YOUR PHONE NUMBERS WITH EACH OTHER.
WILL HAVE A WHATSAPP GROUP IN WHICH YOU GUYS CAN SHARE YOUR LIVE LOCATION FOR 8 HOURS. JUST IN CASE SOMEONE GETS SEPARATED FROM THE GROUP). YOU CAN ALSO ADD 1 FAMILY MEMBER IN THAT WHATSAPP GROUP IF YOU WANT THEM TO KEEP UPDATED)
IT’S NOT A RACE – DON’T GO FOR TOP SPEED.
CRUISE AT 90 MAX.
DO NOT SPEEDUP IF YOU SEE SOME FELLOW-BIKERS GOING FAST, KEEP YOUR PACE WITH THE GROUP. HE’LL EVENTUALLY HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND WAIT FOR US.
DO NOT RACE WITH LOCALS, THEY’LL ALWAYS TRY TO INCITE YOU TO DO SO. SLOW DOWN IF SOMEONE LIKE THIS COMES AROUND.
ONCE WE HAVE CAMPED, WHENEVER WE LEAVE THE NEXT MORNING, WE STOP BEFORE 4PM. THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN KEEP RIDING AFTER 4.
EXCEPTIONS CAN BE MADE AND WE CAN ALSO STOP BEFORE 4 TO ENJOY THE EVENING.
SETTING UP CAMP TAKES AROUND 1 HOUR. AND YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO SET YOUR CAMP AFTER DARK. HELL DIFFICULT.
WE CAN TAKE 1DAY OFF AT NARAN AND 2 DAYS OFF AT DEOSAI AND EXPLORE THE AREA. IT IS DEBATABLE. BUT WE DO HAVE TO TAKE OFF DAYS BETWEEN TO STAY FRESH AND ENERGETIC.
MOTORCYCLE
ALL BIKES NEED TO BE TUNED AND CHECKED BEFORE LEAVING FOR TOUR.
MAX A BIKE CAN BE RIDDEN 2000KM ON A TOUR WITHOUT CHANGING MOBIL-OIL OR ANYTHING (IF YOU ARE DOING OFF-ROAD THEN 1200-1500KM IS THE LIMIT TO CHANGE OIL AND AIR FILTER. (IN MY OPINION LAHORE TO DEOSAI AND BACK DOES NOT NEED REPLACEMENT OF OIL OR FILTER ON ROAD. ONCE YOU ARE BACK, GET YOUR BIKE TUNED AT ONCE.
CHECK TIRES AND TUBES FOR ANY POSSIBLE CRACK OR DAMAGE AND GET DEFECTIVE ITEMS REPLACED SO THAT IT DOESN’T GO ROUGE DURING THE TOUR.
SIDE MIRRORS ARE MANDATORY
CRASH GUARD IS ESSENTIAL. I MYSELF WILL GET IT NOW
TRUST ME, IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE AND YOUR BIKE.
ALL 4 INDICATORS AND BRAKE LIGHT SHOULD BE IN WORKING CONDITION
CARRY EXTRA TUBE, CLUTCH/BRAKE CABLE AND TOOLS THAT COME WITH BIKE-
RIDING GEAR
HELMET
GLOVES (MULTILAYER IF YOU DNT HAVE QUALITY TOURING GLOVES). IT DOES GET COLD AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR HANDS WARM.
THE OUTER LAYER OF GLOVES CAN BE 1 SIZE BIGGER THAN WHAT YOU USUALLY WEAR, IN THIS WAY YOU CAN WEAR THE BASE LAYER OF GLOVES AND 2ND ONE ABOVE, WITHOUT COMPROMISING COMFORT.
CRASH PROTECTORS (ELBOW AND KNEE)
SHOES (BEST IF WATERPROOF), OR YOU CAN KEEP SHOPPING BAGS AND WEAR THOSE WHEN IT STARTS RAINING (SASTA JUGAAR )
FACE MASK (TRUST ME IT LL HELP)
SOMETHING TO COVER NECK (SAVES INSECTS AND COLD KILLING YOUR SOFT NECK)
TEMPERATURE IN MOUNTAINS CAN GO UNEXPECTEDLY LOW.
BUY A LINER (USED BY HIKERS) IT KEEPS YOUR BODY WARM (IF IT GETS TOO COLD OUT THERE). WHAT IT DOES IS THAT YOU WON’T HAVE TO WEAR TOO MANY LAYERS IF YOU ARE WEARING A LINER UNDERNEATH. EVENTUALLY IT HELPS YOU PACK LESS ON YOUR BIKE. LESS CLOTHES MEAN BETTER LUGGAGE MANAGEMENT AND LESS MESS. (I HAVE BEEN THERE DONE THAT )
TOURING JACKET AND TROUSER ARE MANDATORY IF POSSIBLE (THEY ARE WATERPROOF AND HAVE BUILT IN CRASH PROTECTION) – ALSO THEY GIVE MACHO LOOKS
HYDRATION
GETTING ENOUGH WATER IS AS ESSENTIAL AS ANYTHING.
KEEP YOUR OWN WATER SUPPLY WITH YOU.
HARDCORE RIDERS KEEP HYDRATION BACKPACKS USUALLY COSTING EVEN MORE THAN $150.
I CARRY A SIMPLE WATER BOTTLE AND GET IT REFILLED AT EVERY SPOT POSSIBLE.
DRINKING WATER IN MOUNTAINS IS CRUCIAL BECAUSE YOU DON’T FEEL THIRST WHILE YOUR BODY DOES. SO, TAKING A FEW SIPS AFTER EVERY 30-40 KILOMETERS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
IF YOU ARE IN AN AREA WHERE YOU THINK WASHROOM FACILITIES CAN BE DIFFICULT TO COME BY, IN THAT SITUATION YOU MIGHT COMPROMISE ON DRINKING TOO MUCH WATER.
FOOD- INDIVIDUAL GUIDELINE
I USUALLY CARRY 2 DAYS OF FOOD SUPPLY WITH ME.
YOUR FAMILY LOVES YOU AND THEY LD LOVE TO HAVE YOU CARRY HOME COOKED FOOD WITH YOU.
THE FOOD YOU CARRY WITH YOU CAN BE EATEN FOR 2 DAYS BEFORE IT GETS BORING.
YOU CAN CARRY SANDWICHES, BURGERS, ROASTED CHICKEN, KABAB OR ANYTHING THAT YOU USUALLY CAN CARRY IN A BOX.
IMPORTANT – CARRY NUTS WITH YOU FOR INSTANT ENERGY (ALMOND, PISTACHIO, WALNUT ETC)
CHANA IS A VERY VERY IMPORTANT ITEM TO CARRY – IT GIVES YOU INSTANT ENERGY (YOU CAN EAT THESE FOODS EVEN WHILE RIDING A BIKE. IT ALWAYS HELPS STAY ACTIVE. AND YOU DON’T NEED A BREAK EITHER, SO IT’S A WIN WIN.
ALSO KEEP SWEET ITEMS WITH YOU LIKE REWRI, CHOCOLATE OR TOFFEES WHATEVER YOU LIKE – I LIKE REWRI
SOMETIMES YOUR SUGAR CAN DROP INSANELY LOW AND YOU CAN FEEL DOWN. HAVING A BITE OF SWEET STUFF CAN GIVE YOU A THRUST OF REQUIRED ENERGY.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU CARRY ANY CHIPS; JUICES YOU EXPECT TO BE WANTING TO HAVE IN MOUNTAINS WITH YOU FROM START (IT’LL SAVE MONEY AS A 50 RUPEES LAYS CAN COST 100 RUPEES AT BABUSAR TOP)
FOOD – GROUP GUIDELINE
WE CAN DECIDE IF WE WANT TO COOK OR NOT.
IF COOKING IS WHAT YOU LIKE, YOU NEED TO MANAGE AND SHARE LUGGAGE. STOVE AND POT WITH COOKING SPOONS, KNIFE NEED TO BE CARRIED FROM LAHORE TO DEOSAI AND BACK. IT’S A BIG JOB.
MATCHSTICKS AND COAL OR WOOD ARE ALSO TO BE CARRIED.
DISPOSABLE PLATES AND GLASSES CAN BE BOUGHT FROM THE LAST TOWN.
CHICKEN CAN ALSO BE BOUGHT FROM THE LAST TOWN.
IF YOU WANNA DO BBQ, WE CAN ONLY CARRY BBQ SKEWERS (SEEKHEIN) AND COAL ALONG WITH BBQ MASALA AND DO IT ANYWHERE WE CAN FIND BRICKS TO BE USED AS ANGEETHI. (CAN BE DISCUSSED)
ABOVE ALL, LOCAL CUISINE IS THE THING YOU ARE THERE FOR, PARTIALLY – SO GIVE IT A TRY. NOTHING CAN BEAT DHABA KA FOOD WITH A CUP OF TEA WHILE SITTING BESIDE KUNHAR RIVER OR CAMPING AT DEOSAI.
ELECTRONICS
PHONE CHARGER
POWER BANK
A POWER-SUPPLY IF YOU WANT MULTIPLE THINGS ON CHARGING
FIRST AID
CARRY ESSENTIAL MEDICINES WITH YOU (YOUR PERSONAL MEDICATION IF YOU HAVE ALLERGY OR SOMETHING)
BANDAGE AND TABLETS FOR COMMON MEDICAL ISSUES (TERRAIN BASED) SHOULD BE WITH AT-LEAST 3-4 RIDERS.
IMPORTANT – LOCAL PEOPLE SELDOM HAVE ACCESS TO DOCTORS AND MEDICINE SO TABLETS USED FOR MINOR PROBLEMS NEED TO BE CARRIED IN EXTRA. YOU CAN OFFER LOCALS ANY MEDICINE THEY REQUIRE AND MAKE FRIENDS WITH THEM. IT FEELS GOOD TOO
ALSO WHILE RETURNING, YOU CAN GIVE ALL EXTRA FIRST AID ITEMS TO LOCALS. (KEEP ONLY FEW SETS WITH YOU)
EATING FROM HOTEL GUIDELINES
WE CANNOT BE A BURDEN ON ANYONE.
IF SOMEONE BRINGS HIS FOOD, HE DOESN’T HAVE TO PAY FOR FOOD BECAUSE HE DIDN’T EAT ANY.
SO, IF 5 GUYS EAT FOOD, THE TOTAL AMOUNT WILL BE DIVIDED BY 5 AND IT CAN BE PAID BY ONE INDIVIDUAL TO SAVE TIME AND LATER AT THE END OF THAT DAY, THEY CAN MANAGE WHO PAID WHAT AND FIX THE ACCOUNTS.
BECAUSE WE ARE TRAVELING ON A BUDGET, SO LET’S AVOID CHICKEN KORMA OR BBQ FROM HOTELS.
…
KEEP ENOUGH CHANGE ON YOU BECAUSE IF YOU WON’T HAVE FOOD, YOU MIGHT HAVE TEA ONLY AND YOU CAN PAY FOR YOUR TEA RIGHT AT THE SPOT.
GROUP LEADER
DECIDE A GUY WHO CAN MANAGE BUDGET IF HE HAS TO
HE WILL LEAD THE GROUP.
YOU CAN OVERTAKE HIM SOMETIMES,(DUE TO TRAFFIC) OR SOMETIMES YOU DO WANT TO SPEED UP A LITTLE AND HAVE FUN, WE ALL DO. BUT BE RIGHT BEHIND HIM RIGHT AFTER YOU HAD YOUR FUN
GROUP FORMATION GUIDELINES
2 FLAGS OF PAKISTAN ONE ON EACH BIKE WILL BE USED TO IDENTITY HEAD AND TAIL OF THE GROUP-
I AM MAKING VIDEO SO I LL BE MOVING UP AND DOWN- MOST OF THE TIME I LL STAY AT THE BACK –
KEEP AN EYE ON THE BIKE BEHIND YOU IF HE STOPS, YOU SHOULD STOP-
EVERYONE SHOULD DO THE SAME ( IF YOU CAN’T SEE BIKER BEHIND YOU, SLOW AT ONCE AND STOP IF HE DOESN’T SHOW UP- IS TRH TAMAM BIKES SLOW HO KR RUK JAENGI.
NEVER LEAVE ANYONE BEHIND
LUGGAGE
BUNGEE CORDS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS WHEN IT COMES TO LUGGAGE MANAGEMENT.
CARRYING CAMPING GEAR AND REST CAN BE PUT ON THE BIKE SECURELY BY USING 4 BUNGE CORDS.
6 BUNGEE CORDS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR LOOSE-PROOF SECURITY
QUALITY BUNGEE CORDS PHOTOS WILL BE SHARED SO THAT YOU GUYS CAN BUY THEM EASILY. IT COSTS 70 RUPEES EACH.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO CARRY?
CLOTHES AS PER PERSONAL NEED
POLYTHENE TO WATERPROOF YOUR LUGGAGE ONCE ON A BIKE.
KEEP SHOPPING BAGS TO WRAP YOUR MOBILE ETC WHEN RIDING IN RAIN..
SMALL POUCH TO PUT YOUR WALLET, MOBILE, SMALL ITEMS (THE ONE THAT CAN BE STRAPPED AROUND YOUR BELLY) ITS VERY HANDY.
CAMP (IF NOT WATERPROOF, GET A WATERPROOF LAYER, TARPAAL OR POLYTHENE, WHATEVER WORKS)
SLEEPING BAG
MAT
CHAPPAL ZRORI HAI
SOAP/SHAMPOO
TOOTHPASTE / BRUSH
MOSQUITO REPELLANT (OPTIONAL)
ROPE FOR EMERGENCY
PUNCTURE KIT
VASELINE (YOUR LIPS CAN GO ANNOYINGLY DRY)
SUNSCREEN (SUN WILL TRY TO KILL YOU)
EXTRA PAIR OF SOCKS
1 HEAVY DUTY JACKET (TOURING JACKET K ILAWA IF YOU CAN CARRY IT, OTHERWISE YOU CAN KEEP TOURING JACKET ON AND WEAR JERSEY UNDERNEATH IT WHEN FEEL COLD)
1 HEAVY DUTY JERSEY
1 TROUSER & 1 T SHIRT (FOR SLEEPING IN)
1 EXTRA PANT.
KEEPING EXTRA LOTHES ENTIRELY DEPENDS ON THE SPACE YOU HAVE ON YOUR BIKE. IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH SPACE, I RECOMMEND CARRYING EXTRA CLOTHING TO KEEP YOURSELF WARM. ONCE YOU ARE THERE AND DON’T HAVE ENOUGH CLOTHES. YOUR TOUR IS DEAD.
