[Sheel]

Originally Posted by noopster

suggest you do a quick monsoon check and make sure wipers, washers (they tend to fail), AC vents, etc. are a-OK and all fluids etc. topped up before you take off.

I myself am planning to do a ~1200kms trip and casually checked the fluids after reading your post.

The wiper wash container took ~2ltrs of water along with a sachet of Car wash.

Else, not for this post I would have to stop in the middle, buy 2 ltrs of mineral water & Sunsilk & top it up.

Thanks

[el lobo 6061]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Mid-way update from Bangalore

And they said, we keep our cars clean

That's one hell of a dirty car. These days a single 30 Km drive gets my car dirty to these levels, having a tough Monsoon season keeping the car clean. We require more pics en-route, you could spare some out of your travelogue.

Originally Posted by nileshch

-----

Nilesh, how are you keeping your car clean? Daily wash with car shampoo.

[nileshch]

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

Nilesh, how are you keeping your car clean? Daily wash with car shampoo.

Nah! There's not much of a monsoon here in Bangalore. It's a good thing because I don't have to clean my car so much, but also bad because the city is reeling under a water shortage!!

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by nileshch

Nah! There's not much of a monsoon here in Bangalore. It's a good thing because I don't have to clean my car so much, but also bad because the city is reeling under a water shortage!!

Would you believe I faced heavy torrential rains in Vellore of all places? No rain faced in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka or AP but Tamil Nadu! Such heavy rains that I couldn't see 2 feet ahead of me! I wasn't complaining - my car got the long deserving wash! More on this later!

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

We require more pics en-route, you could spare some out of your travelogue.

Unfortunately, don't expect too many pics as I was alone for most part of the trip. Hopefully I should be able to put up a TL. This trip was "interesting" for me on many aspects. To put it mildly, I'm happy to come out safe and sound in one piece (goes for the car too!). Not kidding on that part - driving on 2-lane roads alone in the night makes up quite a different situation than driving on 4/6 lane expressways!




P.s. 20,000 up!

[mikon]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Unfortunately, don't expect too many pics as I was alone for most part of the trip. Hopefully I should be able to put up a TL. This trip was "interesting" for me on many aspects. To put it mildly, I'm happy to come out safe and sound in one piece (goes for the car too!). Not kidding on that part - driving on 2-lane roads alone in the night makes up quite a different situation than driving on 4/6 lane expressways!




P.s. 20,000 up!

No!!!, As discussed, I do expect pics atleast (I missed the whole thing). The trip is yet to be completed. Make good use of the tripod

Congrats and Ride safe(if possible get some cans that gives you wings - trust me it helps)!

[srishiva]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Three words - Work From Home.

I'll be working from Chennai during the week. And an understanding boss. Although let me put the disclaimer - I really haven't taken that many holidays over the year. Last long trip with holidays was the F1 trip 8 months back!

As I have also experienced, you don't have to take too many leaves/holidays if you regularly work from home

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by mikon

No!!!, As discussed, I do expect pics atleast (I missed the whole thing). The trip is yet to be completed. Make good use of the tripod

Congrats and Ride safe(if possible get some cans that gives you wings - trust me it helps)!

Ha ha!

Sorry, I tried - but somehow I always ended up with time running against me! Have taken a few, but a lot of them were taken in the car. Would you believe it, the tripod wasn't touched at all so far! Hope I make use of it on the return journey atleast!

Originally Posted by srishiva

As I have also experienced, you don't have to take too many leaves/holidays if you regularly work from home

Regularly? No, sir. But yes, it does help in saving the holidays for special trips like these!

On a funny note, almost everyone - family, relatives, friends, colleagues and strangers have gone when I tell them I am doing/did a drive down from Pune to Chennai. Except the junta on this forum. Imagine this situation when I was some 100 kms away from Goa passing through beautiful Konkan ghats. I take a break and call up a few folks -

First call to Gautam (@mikon) - The discussion goes on the road conditions, how the car is functioning, how I should have probably included him on the trip plans too, future possibilities on similar trips, and so on.

Second call to folks at home - I get "advised" on not to call while driving. (My dad in the background mutters about me being a nutcase to opt to drive than take a flight) I am advised not to drive in the night, or drink (& drive) and so on.

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

First call to Gautam (@mikon) - The discussion goes on the road conditions, how the car is functioning, how I should have probably included him on the trip plans too, future possibilities on similar trips, and so on.

yes, I think we classify as nutcases. Most of us ie.
earlier this afternoon, Gautam and I were discussing some chicken recipe at lunch. Seamlessly the discussion just moved onto your trip and tripod. and though we hoped you would use it, we knew deep down that even our hopes had no hope. good if that makes any sense to you!

have a safe trip. after all we do keep learning about driving in different conditions at such times.

I think our next discussion will be what you will be bringing back for us, if not photos. Yours to decide

[Rachit.K.Dogra]

20,000 up?? Nice!! You are making full use of the Diesel .
Mine is very close to 15000 and first service. When you see your car that dirty the you feel pain for it but then sometimes car this dirty actually look good. Waiting for the travelogue and delicious pictures.

CHEERS!!

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra

20,000 up?? Nice!! You are making full use of the Diesel .
Mine is very close to 15000 and first service. When you see your car that dirty the you feel pain for it but then sometimes car this dirty actually look good. Waiting for the travelogue and delicious pictures.

CHEERS!!

lol - you ain't that far either! Which surprises me - you haven't been that active on your thread with updates on what/where exactly did you use up those 15k kms!

Originally Posted by selfdrive

Seamlessly the discussion just moved onto your trip and tripod. and though we hoped you would use it, we knew deep down that even our hopes had no hope. good if that makes any sense to you!

have a safe trip. after all we do keep learning about driving in different conditions at such times.

Do I sense sarcasm here? Well, this was quite a wonderful trip - all it lacked was junta to accompany me! In terms of landscape beauty, the Pune-Delhi trip was nothing to compare to this trip. Even if you discount the natural beauty increase due to rains, still the landscape was far more scenic!

I think our next discussion will be what you will be bringing back for us, if not photos. Yours to decide

Ha! Dream on! Last time I had to throw away some of the fudge & chikki away - none of the BHPians landed up to have it! Pehle DLF office aane ka confirmation plan do, fir sochunga!

[Rachit.K.Dogra]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

lol - you ain't that far either! Which surprises me - you haven't been that active on your thread with updates on what/where exactly did you use up those 15k kms!

Well actually most of them are used to my drives to my hometown in Himachal. And since I drive that way very often not used to clicking pics. Although since I have a bought a DSLR I am trying to make a habit of clicking atleast some pics.

Will surely update with the First servicing details.

By the way I am sure your ownership thread is the prime example of how ownership threads should be. It has to be one of the most active and most participated ownership thread on T-BHP. Good job there mate.

CHEERS!!

[samarjitdhar]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

On a funny note, almost everyone - family, relatives, friends, colleagues and strangers have gone when I tell them I am doing/did a drive down from Pune to Chennai.

Second call to folks at home - I get "advised" on not to call while driving. (My dad in the background mutters about me being a nutcase to opt to drive than take a flight) I am advised not to drive in the night, or drink (& drive) and so on.

Originally Posted by selfdrive

yes, I think we classify as nutcases.

True dat. I only drove to MP and back and folks here wanted to honor me with garland and flowers. Actually I am contemplating a cross country trip towards end of August around 2700 km one way. My dad has already gone and I am expecting a welcome party with full band baaja when I make it back successfully. Hope it happens. Over 5000 km on the diesel rocket is too good to miss. Have to figure out the leaves.

[el lobo 6061]

Originally Posted by samarjitdhar

True dat. I only drove to MP and back and folks here wanted to honor me with garland and flowers. Actually I am contemplating a cross country trip towards end of August around 2700 km one way. My dad has already gone and I am expecting a welcome party with full band baaja when I make it back successfully. Hope it happens. Over 5000 km on the diesel rocket is too good to miss. Have to figure out the leaves.

If only there was a like button, but thanks does the job. Every time I say to someone that I would like to do 1000+ journey in a car and they start asking me are you gone nuts. So I do understand your feeling. Hope I too get the same band baaja treatment when I do one.

Tomorrow doing a 400+ kms journey to Ganpatipule, my first in Vento.

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

------

Ninja during your current trip which road did you take NH17 or NH4. How are the road condition since I would go by NH17 and return by NH4.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by samarjitdhar

True dat. I only drove to MP and back and folks here wanted to honor me with garland and flowers. Actually I am contemplating a cross country trip towards end of August around 2700 km one way. My dad has already gone and I am expecting a welcome party with full band baaja when I make it back successfully. Hope it happens. Over 5000 km on the diesel rocket is too good to miss. Have to figure out the leaves.

It's only 2 days since I landed in Chennai and I can hardly wait to get back on the road! 5k km trip is a good plan - so where are you planning to go?

Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra

Well actually most of them are used to my drives to my hometown in Himachal. And since I drive that way very often not used to clicking pics.

I can understand that feeling - I have been on the Pune - Bombay expressway numerous times in all kinds of weather - I have never made the effort to capture the beautiful ghats or any other scenic location on the way.

By the way I am sure your ownership thread is the prime example of how ownership threads should be. It has to be one of the most active and most participated ownership thread on T-BHP. Good job there mate.

CHEERS!!

Well as long as guys like you keep the discussion active, I guess this thread will keep going on!

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

Tomorrow doing a 400+ kms journey to Ganpatipule, my first in Vento.


Ninja during your current trip which road did you take NH17 or NH4. How are the road condition since I would go by NH17 and return by NH4.

I took the NH4 route only. As I didn't have to go to Bombay, it made more sense to stick to the GQ.

Having said that, the Sawantwadi - Goa stretch of NH17 was in perfect condition. And so was the Goa - Karwar - Ankola stretch of NH17; I guess we can assume the Bombay - Ganpatipule part should be in similar conditions.

If you are going only till Ganpatipule, where/how do you plan to connect to NH4?

[el lobo 6061]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

If you are going only till Ganpatipule, where/how do you plan to connect to NH4?

GMap.

Due to constant rain some parts of NH17 submerge & landslides at Kashedi Ghats and it being 2 lane only, NH4 was preferred. But want to enjoy scenic beauty of NH17, so taking a chance. But all is well on NH17 for now, fingers crossed.