Well, as the long-running celebrations of the festive season comes to a halt and you focus on planning an ideal year for yourself and your family, it may be the right time to figure out which all destinations would you scale on your precious bike.
Would it be the misty mountains or the scorching deserts or the beautiful coastal belt? Whatever may be your answer, let’s celebrate the fact that our beautiful country offers all imaginable riding terrain!
Ladakh Calling
While many bikers have conquered Leh & Ladakh on their steads, it is still a distant dream for many. The reasons are many; first of all, the ride requires good 15 to 20 days of holidays from work – an unimaginable feat for many of us, second, the trip and its prep costs you a pretty sum, and last but not the least, the coveted ride is full of risks and perils. Having said that, a road trip to Ladakh is a must-do for any biker – and it is indeed worth all the trouble and expenses.
The Scorching Desert
Riding solo on an unending strip of road flanked by dunes is something I would like to do this year. The Great Indian Desert, Thar and the Rann of Kutch are ideal for a soul-searching ride amidst moving sand-dunes and howling winds. However, the key to enjoying such a trip is in the preparation. The cruel arid region with insanely hot days and mind-numbing nights would pose a significant challenge to all the riders. A meticulous itinerary for the desert trip would prove to be more than a convenience; it can save you a hell lot of trouble.
Monsoon Rides
Riding in the rain is a pleasant experience, many would agree. I find riding in the rain blissful. Ah! Meandering through hill roads as a constant drizzle makes everything so fresh and new – the experience is unparalleled. While many stay away from riding during the monsoons, rightly fearing the enhanced perils on the road, if proper precautions are taken, monsoon rides can be enjoyed without any glitches or untoward incidents. A good quality rain gear and a helmet with a scratch-free visor can be the difference between a horrendous and a joyful journey. If you are pondering over a monsoon ride, you have many options including Goa to Kerala on the West Coast, Meghalaya in the North-East and Tamil Nadu on the Eastern Coast. If you do not have enough days to plan a long ride, simply head out of your city on an overcast day to make your monsoon ride memories.
Chasing the Wildlife
Besides an amazingly diverse topography, our motherland is also home to some of the most exotic and rare wild animals. Watching lions and tigers and indigenous birds and animals in their natural habitat is a treat we might not be able to enjoy forever. Turning wildlife sanctuaries as biking destinations can be a rewarding idea. A trip to a wildlife reserve would invariably give you a diverse riding experience as you would cruise through national highways and tiny hamlets and even dirt tracks to reach your destination. Again, good research on suitable accommodation, pitstops and wildlife sanctuary’s guidelines would save you time, money, and yes, a lot of frustration.
Whatever may be the reason or the destination of your road trip, strive to go prepared, ride responsibly and make sure you come back with a chest full of memories and stories.
Do you have your 2018 Biking Destinations ready? Share your trip plans and suggestions and let all the readers get to know about unheard paradises and roads less travelled.
Vroom Tales: Solo Riding Experiences 