Facts and figures - India
Trip Start
Sep 20, 2007
1
19
40
Trip End
Dec 24, 2007
Amritsar,
India
Monday, November 5, 2007
Itinary : Singapore - Malaysia - Thailand - Laos - Thailand - Nepal - India
Total days since I left : 44 days.
Mileage done : 9750 km
Total riding time excluding the stops : 163 hours.
Number of riding days : 28 days.
Average mileage per day when riding : 348 km.
Average mileage per day (inclusive of the no riding days) : 220 km.
Highest altitude : 5370 meters - India
Highest Temperature : + 34 - Malaysia
Lowest Temperature : - 15 - India
Highest Mileage : Singapore - Pinang, 730 km.
INDIA - 23th October to 5th November 2007
My conclusion about India : It's a great country with tiring but friendly and curious people. I would not advise anyone to ride a bike here, except if it's to go straight in the northern part where it's less chaotic but still tricky with the tata trucks...And don't drive at night! Another thing is that I am surprised by the "road culture" of India...Indeed, you notice that they are constantly building, maintaining. upgrading, widening the roads...And I noticed it during the entire trip and you see everywhere people breaking stones to lay as the road base or first layer...Even in the north you see signboards promoting indian roads...I guess that they understood that the only way to take advantage of this huge market is to link everyone...And they realized as well that the better and wider the roads, the faster the business and growth...Finally, I noticed as well that in most third world or developping countries like Laos and India where I've been, they all use the same technique to transport their goods which is with their heads! Seems to be the most efficient way...You realize that we are not that different as we use our head as well to create added value...Your best asset when coming to India...Patience! So my advice would be to go to Dharamsala for a meditation session before throwing yourself into mumbay, Delhi or calcutta...Or put some black foundation on your face and wear a turban...(no need knife under your shirt)
Living data chart india
. Finally I end this concluson with a joke for my friends from the BDL : "let's play hide and Sikh in Amritsar...".Would like to dedicate the Nepal-India trip to my parents, who brought me up in a way so that I could have the balls to do this type of trip! And I needed a bit of luck to survive this part and I know that they have been praying for me that everything goes well...Je vous embrasse et je vous aime tres fort.
Now enough crying and here are the numbers....
Itinary : Banbaasa - New Delhi - Agra - New Delhi - Chandigarh - Manali - Leh - Srinagar - Jammu - Amritsar.
Road : main roads are relatively good but a lot of traffic and animals! Secondary roads are difficult, meaning very bumpy and even more animals. If you insist on riding in India, I cannot imagine another bike than a touring adventure bike...In the north, roads are suited for dirt bikes or 4x4, especially the manali-Leh part. The Leh to Jammu (in counter clockwise) part of the loop is better in term of roads as they are mostly paved, but more traffic. In regards of excitment the Manali to Leh is unbeatable!
Petrol : Petrol is not a problem in India and easy to find. But more difficult in the north, especially between Manali and Leh. Price is 1,30 usd/liter.
Food : Hmmm...No real problem but still have to be careful...Was more difficult in the north to find meat because it was off season and restaurant were not getting supplies, so it was mostly roti and vegetables...10 usd/meal in a restaurant in town
riding data chart 1 - india
. On the road you can get a decent meal for 1,50 usd/meal.Accommodation : A descent hotel in a city cost me about 40 usd. A good comfortable hotel is about 100 usd/night. If you want to give yourself a treat, you'll have to take out 350-400 usd for a top hotel. On the other hand you can stay in a tent in the north full pension for 5 usd. A decent hotel in the north is 30 usd/night.
Weather : From Srinagar south, India is under a big cloud of pollution! The north is a breath of fresh air but cold! Temperature ranged from 24 to 30 in Delhi area. In the north, temperature ranged from -15 to 12 degrees.
Currency : Indian Rupee, 1 usd = 38 Rp.
My high : Doing the Ladhak area and Manali- leh route with the tent accommodation!
My low : Town crossings and riding in the rest of India!
Total days in country : 13,5 days.
Mileage done : 2900 km
Total riding time : 64,5 hours.
Number of riding days : 11,5 days.
Average riding time per day : 5,6 hours.
Average time on the road per day : 6,3 hours.
Average riding speed (excluding the stops) : 45 km/h.
Average riding speed including the stops : 34 km/h.
Average mileage per day when riding : 250 km.
Average mileage per day (inclusive of the no riding days) : 215 km.
Highest altitude : 5370 meters - Khadungla pass
Highest Temperature : 28 - New Delhi
Lowest Temperature : -15 - Pang
Highest Mileage : Drass - Patnitop, 340 km.
