[Scarlet_Rider]

I like ghats and curvy roads followed by 4 lane highways. Both type of roads let me enjoy my old ride to the fullest. Voted for Ghat Roads. Here are a couple of pictures of my trips to Horsley Hills (May 2011) and Coorg (May 2012).

The Viceroy at Horsley Hills



The Viceroy at Coorg

[Swifdeep]

Voted for Ghat roads. Would love it with an even tarmac, greenery on either side and windows rolled down. Slight drizzle will be the icing on the cake.

The below picture was taken in Bandipur.

[MotoNanu]

^ +1
Exactly my thoughts... Few days back I got lucky by experiencing all when going to Dandeli/ Ganeshgudi. Though not exactly ghats, the winding roads, greenery and light rain elevated the experience to another level.

[Dieseldunk]

Would you read a book that is plain and boring then you could very well pick up a telephone directory.
Unexpected and well planned twists and turns in a crime thriller is key to making the plot gripping and a best seller.
Needless to state we are a community of driving enthusiasts or rather should I say driving is a religion for us TBhpians.
Many of most of us have driven across the length and breadth of this universe,sharing the lively moments and capturing the best to showcase as a travelogue.
Life and so also driving is made more interesting when there are winding roads with curves and turns. It also gives the satisfaction to one for feeling fit to be a driver with sufficient skills if not proficient.

For example the very thought of driving on the Shiradi ghat enroute to Bangalore from Manipal is a delight for good driver skills and judgement.

what do you prefer to drive - a placid straight stretch or the inviting vivid curves of the road.
the advantages/disadvantages
challenges and success met with
what made us chose to try such routes
Let us hear it folks . Keep it coming.
Cheers

[KiloAlpha]

Depends on the purpose of the drive.

If I am driving to get someplace with a deadline, like work/business appointment, then I would prefer the multi-lane highway because I can hold higher average speeds.

On the other hand, if I am driving for the pleasure of the drive itself (and the destination is incidental) then would prefer the curvy route. Alone, or with the right company, I would challenge myself to attack corners with gay abandon. But with family, pace slows down and I would take in the scenery.

[drsingh]

I love driving in scenic environments. Be it the hills of himachal or parts of jammu or Rajasthan. I prefer a slow relaxed pace, like early morning drives with the fresh air on my face.

I don't like to commute to work. It's a colossal waste of time. I'd rather read, listen to lectures, or talk to my family or to an old friend on the phone.


I love riding my bike anywhere when the whether is nice!

[TorqueyTechie]

Depends on the car that I drive. For eg : In India, taking on curves with Alto used to scare me because of no steering feedback. But driving my friends Fiesta I used to enjoy testing the limits. The best drive for me would be the shiradi ghat and the ooty hairpins.

Here in US, the roads are pretty good, the straights are smooth and the curves are well planned with the right gradient all along. So driving here is a pleasure and throw in some fast curves and the drive is awesome! In US I definately prefer curves than straights. Straight roads are plain boring to drive.

[ad3952n]

Originally Posted by Dieseldunk

what do you prefer to drive - a placid straight stretch or the inviting vivid curves of the road.

Mate, I would say that one should be skilled enough to be capable of driving with accuracy on both type of roads as per need. He/She should be wise enough to take into account the road's conditions, probable weather conditions and vehicle's actual condition before deciding the type of road to be driven upon. For this particular topic I would say, One should be jack of all trades instead of being a master of a specific one.

I do not believe in being a specialist driver. I love to be a all-rounder in driving. Be it any type of road i.e straight or curvy, I drive with confidence on both.

Thanks

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[Shanksta]

If it is me and my car on a pleasure trip then definitely curvaceous roads that put man and machine(if its a fiat, ford or BMW) in perfect harmony. I mean attacking corners at max speed capable by the car or the drivers skill, holding the line, cornering as tightly as possible and exiting the curve with a" I'm the best driver in the world ", smile plastered across your face is one of those unexplainable feelings.

At the same time get a straight piece of tarmac with excellent all-round visibility and gunning your car to reach that Top speed is a fun, although a little scary since we're talking about Indian highways here.

[Dieseldunk]

Mates and Gurus
The idea of the thread was to not find out if we are comfortable on either but more to what appeals to the mind when thinking of a drive what stimulates us .
There is no question about confidence but more about the appeal on the imagination to invite on a drive.

[Arch-Angel]

Ghat roads for sure. I love curvy roads in general because i feel, thats how my car likes it and so do i .

[//M]

I love the ghats, the sweeping corners, twisties, great views and the crisp cold mountain air.

[vish_wagon]

Although the fast flowing corners appeals to me the most, I'd also prefer some major hair pin bends along. I feel they the drivers' alertness is tested in a different level altogether. I enjoy tracking down unknown obstacles through blind spots, and would love to cherish on completing some risky drives

[bharat4ever]

I vote for the ghat section of the Ooty - Bandipur, and the Ooty - Kotagiri - Mettupalayam road. Sweet bliss driving there.

[rohanjf]

I too love ghat sections. I find driving on 4 or 6 lane highways more stressful than ghats. on such wide highways, people drive at insane speeds. I have to be careful while changing lanes to overtake slow-moving vehicles, because there could be a psycho driving at 150 kmph anywhere.

The only problem in ghat sections is that many people aren't aware of the meaning of solid line compared to dashed line. Many a times I stick to my lane, but am greeted with an oncoming vehicle on the wrong side. Some dumb people try overtaking on blind curves. Some are even more dumb. They cut the solid (no-overtaking) line because they drive poorly handling vehicles (buses/trucks or even cars) that cannot take the curve at current speed. They are too lazy to slow down and shift a gear down.