[unk9ja]

Originally Posted by milindajp

Thanks a million bhai. I really appreciate. This is going to help me a lot now.

Regards
Mili

Had my friend check out the diameter of the handle bar. The circumference comes to a wee bit over 75mm or 3 in. So it should be one inch in diameter. Hope that clesrs your doubt.

[milindajp]

So, yesterday was a shopping day. Went out with my friend Kallol in the morning to buy some stuff for the upcoming ride. As usual, Kallol always wanted me to have the best stuff - both safety and quality wise. So, below are some items we ultimately purchased yesterday.

1. Camera : Hero GoPro4 Black with extra battery pack, 128GB microSD card and handlebar mounting kit ($820/-)
2. Tent : Startlight ultralight tent. ($ 115/- just for emergency)
3. Riding Jacket - Scott ($ 461/-)
4. Alpinester BIONIC BACK PROTECTOR : $115/-
5. 16000 mha Power Bank (Thanks r_nairtvm for your valuable suggestion) : $81.25/-
6. Tools : Tyre Repair, Digital pressure meter, 1 gallon can etc.


Coming week - the target is to buy the following
1. Highway Foot peg
2. Garmin GPS Zumo 590 (want to upgrade from my existing Garmin Nuvi GPS)
3. Auxiliary Fog Light
4. Survival Kit

Thanks

[milindajp]

Just 8 days left to start the Trip. Still a lot to do. I am getting a little impatient.

All papers for the motorcycle are ready. Just need to do the pollution checkup which will not take more then 15 mins. Planning to do it on 17th April.

The luggage system including a tank bag already arrived at Bangalore. Thanks to ViaTerra for all your support.

For the tyre, I faced a lot of trouble. The un-professional attitude of MRF officials was really nerve cracking. Very unpleasant experience dealing with MRF. More then a week lost.

I ordered a cruise control system from eBay on March 15th. Paid extra then the normal freight charges so that it reaches Dubai well before my departure date. Same story – yet to receive the shipment. Even no reply from the seller’s end.

Got the first video clip of the motorcycle made by bhai while he went to deliver the tyres. The sound is awesome – I am so much excited to ride this magnificent machine.

Details of the trip is on my blog : http://livingonthehighway.com

[milindajp]

Its been 3 years. Completed the trip, but couldn't update. Soon after I finished the trip and came back to Dubai, got the news that Dad was diagnosed with Cancer. All priorities, all plan got shifted. Couldn't managed to sit and update. However, here are the pictures - from the trip. Though missed writing the travel diary.

[milindajp]

Day 1:
Reached Bangalore and the most undesired thing happened. Bandh. Everything closed, no car on the road. However, me and my elder brother took the bike out, and straight headed to Abilashrayam Trust. Its a orphanage. I wanted to be with the kids.

Then we went to meet Musa Bhai. He is the person who restored my Yezdi. A polite person with such in-depth knowledge about Jawa / Yezdi motorcycles. Spent couple of hours with him, noting some importance tips for the trip.

Headed back to by brother's place for packing things.

[milindajp]

With Musa Bhai, in his garage & preparing the luggage.

[milindajp]

Day 2: Started very early in the morning. Bangalore - Shimoga - Karwar and then reached Baga, Goa at around 23 hrs. Long day, long ride.

[milindajp]

Day 3:
Spend the day with my college buddy. A great host, a true friend. When college-friends meet, time just flies by. A few pic from Goa.

[milindajp]

Day 4:
Started early from Goa - Target Mumbai via Pune. Crossed ghats, but late in the evening, it started raining. And unfortunately, my GoPro dropped in middle of the road. By the time I stopped and came back to took it, it got smashed by the passing lorry. I tried to locate the memory card, but it was so dark and scary - could not manage. Lost all the video recording from Goa till few kms before Pune.

I decided to skip Mumbai, and rather stayed back at Pune. Not a very good day indeed.

[milindajp]

Sorry to mention the real reason for delay on day 4. I parked the bike in a Dhaba somewhere after crossing the ghats to have lunch. Was feeling tired, so took a 30 mins power nap. And when I wanted to start, the bike just didn't start at all. All efforts, but there was no way to start it. And I was getting late.
The dhaba owner called someone and he came with a "Chota Hati". Loaded the bike and took it to the nearest town some 20 kms.

Fortunately, found a guy who knows a little about Yezdi. 3 hrs, and the fault was detected. Its from the key-switch.

By the time, I left it was already late. So, no way to reach Mumbai.

[milindajp]

Day 5:
After spending the night in my brother's office guest house, started at around 6:30 from Pune. Crossed the Narmada river somewhere near 9 am and headed towards Indore. At around 1, reached my friends place in Indore.

It was burning hot outside, I was totally exhausted. Just parked the bike, remove the luggage, took shower, eat and fall sleep.

Evening, my friend took me to a club at Indore. I couldn't recollect the name of the place, but its a renowned place where high govt officials go. Good food, decent place.

[milindajp]

Day 6:
Spent the whole day just talking to my friend. He is a childhood friend, and we meet after almost 23 yrs. So much to share, so many memories. Nice time.

[milindajp]

Day 7:
Wanted to start early but my friend didn't let me go. So much affection .... had to spend couple of hours. So, once it became late, was scared to start at noon. It was extremely hot. So, decided to start in the evening, and ride whole night. Took a afternoon nap, and started at around 5:30 in the evening heading towards Jaipur.

I was following GPS. And it took me to a road which was absolutely empty, dark and not even one single traffic. I was indeed scary. Early morning, saw a board over a bridge - "Chambal River"...so I was riding all the night through Chambal Ghati. Missed meeting the famous personalities of Chambal..)))

On the road...stopped by a road side tea shop, to have a puff. And meet this amazing wedding procession.

[milindajp]

Day 8:
After all night ride, reached Ajmer around 6:30 in the morning. Wanted to visit Ajmer Sherif, but it was some festival time and extremely crowded. Even early morning, there were thousands of people on the road. So decided to push for Jaipur rather without wasting time.

The mercury was raising with every passing moment. By the time I reached Jaipur at around 10, it became too difficult to stay in the highway due to heat.

Rajasthan Jawa Yezdi club president, Manish Bhai already arranged a hotel for me. And they were waiting for me to reach Jaipur. It was a nice feelings to see fellow riders waiting to welcome ... real brotherhood.

Checked in at the hotel. Took shower and fall sleep. Wake up in the evening, and went out with Manish Bhai for a small ride. Then back to the hotel room. By 8, a few Rajasthan Jawa Yezdi club members came to meet - had a nice time with them.

Finished dinner and went to sleep. Early to rise..)))

[milindajp]

Day 9:
Stated from Jaipur and had breakfast at a awesome Dhaba. The owner too had a Yezdi and a motorcycle enthusiast. Refused to took money for the breakfast. Embarrassing indeed, but this is how our country is. Dil aageya to saab kuch.

Reached my friends place in Delhi around 11:30-12. Quick shower, lunch and then went out to see Qutub Minar. An hour, then headed to Chittaranjan Park to meet my aunty.

Late in the evening, there was a get-together with school friends followed by dinner. A very hectic day, but so memorable.