Advice Needed: on the road from 10th May to 3rd June

msbehave · 8th April 2009, 11:17

My friend and I are planning a long-ish trip, for both work and fun. My route is Mumbai-Goa-Shimoga-Chikmaglur-Bangalore-Ooty-Kochi-Kanyakumari-Kodaikanal-Pondicherry-Chennai-Vijaywada-Hyderabad-Lonavala-Mumbai.

I've read the Essential list for a long drive and am preparing for this by looking at paper maps and online maps on yahoo. My accommodation is also firmed up, except for Kanyakumari.
Advice and tips welcome and needed!

filcord · 8th April 2009, 15:16

Take a digital tyre pressure gauge. keep air pressure, measured COLD, at 2-3 psi higher than recommended.
Get the car interior cleaned as often as you can, nothing beats travelling in a fresh-smelling car.
Get an early start wherever possible, most roads are empty between 6 and 8 a.m., and you will cover the same distance as you will from 8-12 noon!
Red Bull to stave off afternoon sleepiness.
Try not to drive long distance at night.
Take lots of pictures, keep a detailed log, and post it all here, when you get back.

Matt · 8th April 2009, 15:38

if you like rains, then make your onward journey through Chennai and while returning come back through Kochi - Goa . You may see the beginning of rainy season by that time.

msbehave · 9th April 2009, 10:26

@filcord, thanks. These are really helpful tips. As for long distances at night, we wont be doing any, as 2 women driving I'm not keen on reaching any place after 8pm! The fresh smelling car is so important, I hadn't even considered it - will make a world of difference I'm sure!

@Matt, that sounds so lovely! But, unfortunately, thanks to work dates I have to do it the other way around :-(

phamilyman · 9th April 2009, 11:21

pepper spray maybe?

KNOCKOUT Self-Defense Pepper Spray. Your Pocket Size Personal Guard.

msbehave · 9th April 2009, 11:47

@phamilyman - This is perfect! Thanks a ton. I had been on the look-out for something like this. The website answers all my legal questions too. I used to carry a stun gun while in the US, definitely helps to feel safe. I'm going to purchase a 'bulk' order for myself and my women friends.

danish_c · 11th April 2009, 21:28

You might want to enroll yourself into one of the many car breakdown services available.

MyTVS Indiawide Car Breakdown Cover | Accident Recovery - CarSalesIndia.com

msbehave · 13th April 2009, 22:11

Wow, this is perfect. The resourceful T-BHPians are giving the answers to all my questions right in my lap! Thanks for this - its been weighing heavily on my mind after Saturday night when I took my mothers brand new [plastic still on] Honda City AT for a drive and it died on me at 2am - electrical/starter problems. Had to pay 1500/- and get it towed, but going to make the dealership foot that bill!

gr8guzzler · 13th April 2009, 22:34

You can also check this thread http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ong-drive.html, it has a lot of useful info.

Cheers!!!

gd1418 · 14th April 2009, 11:23

You may like to consider a hydraulic portable jack for the journey. Would make life that much easier when faced with a flat..

8th April 2009, 11:17	#1
msbehave BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 84 Thanked: 34 Times	Advice Needed: on the road from 10th May to 3rd June My friend and I are planning a long-ish trip, for both work and fun. My route is Mumbai-Goa-Shimoga-Chikmaglur-Bangalore-Ooty-Kochi-Kanyakumari-Kodaikanal-Pondicherry-Chennai-Vijaywada-Hyderabad-Lonavala-Mumbai. I've read the Essential list for a long drive and am preparing for this by looking at paper maps and online maps on yahoo. My accommodation is also firmed up, except for Kanyakumari. Advice and tips welcome and needed!
	() Thanks

8th April 2009, 15:16	#2
filcord BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: goa Posts: 996 Thanked: 67 Times	Take a digital tyre pressure gauge. keep air pressure, measured COLD, at 2-3 psi higher than recommended. Get the car interior cleaned as often as you can, nothing beats travelling in a fresh-smelling car. Get an early start wherever possible, most roads are empty between 6 and 8 a.m., and you will cover the same distance as you will from 8-12 noon! Red Bull to stave off afternoon sleepiness. Try not to drive long distance at night. Take lots of pictures, keep a detailed log, and post it all here, when you get back.
	() Thanks

8th April 2009, 15:38	#3
Matt BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Christchurch NZ Posts: 130 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	if you like rains, then make your onward journey through Chennai and while returning come back through Kochi - Goa . You may see the beginning of rainy season by that time.
	() Thanks

9th April 2009, 10:26	#4
msbehave BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 84 Thanked: 34 Times	@filcord, thanks. These are really helpful tips. As for long distances at night, we wont be doing any, as 2 women driving I'm not keen on reaching any place after 8pm! The fresh smelling car is so important, I hadn't even considered it - will make a world of difference I'm sure! @Matt, that sounds so lovely! But, unfortunately, thanks to work dates I have to do it the other way around :-(
	() Thanks

9th April 2009, 11:21	#5
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	pepper spray maybe? KNOCKOUT Self-Defense Pepper Spray. Your Pocket Size Personal Guard.
	() Thanks

9th April 2009, 11:47	#6
msbehave BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 84 Thanked: 34 Times	@phamilyman - This is perfect! Thanks a ton. I had been on the look-out for something like this. The website answers all my legal questions too. I used to carry a stun gun while in the US, definitely helps to feel safe. I'm going to purchase a 'bulk' order for myself and my women friends.
	() Thanks

11th April 2009, 21:28	#7
danish_c BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: India :) Posts: 34 Thanked: 3 Times	Car breakdown services You might want to enroll yourself into one of the many car breakdown services available. MyTVS Indiawide Car Breakdown Cover \| Accident Recovery - CarSalesIndia.com
	() Thanks

13th April 2009, 22:11	#8
msbehave BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 84 Thanked: 34 Times	Wow, this is perfect. The resourceful T-BHPians are giving the answers to all my questions right in my lap! Thanks for this - its been weighing heavily on my mind after Saturday night when I took my mothers brand new [plastic still on] Honda City AT for a drive and it died on me at 2am - electrical/starter problems. Had to pay 1500/- and get it towed, but going to make the dealership foot that bill!
	() Thanks

13th April 2009, 22:34	#9
gr8guzzler BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 653 Thanked: 87 Times View My Garage	You can also check this thread http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ong-drive.html, it has a lot of useful info. Cheers!!!
	() Thanks

14th April 2009, 11:23	#10
gd1418 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,578 Thanked: 728 Times View My Garage	You may like to consider a hydraulic portable jack for the journey. Would make life that much easier when faced with a flat..
	() Thanks