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Old 8th October 2010, 14:45   #1
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Road Trip to Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh in i10 Magna / 1.2Kappa engine

I absolutely love road trips and thankfully my 3 kids do so too. The only person we have to really coax and cajole is obviously hubby dear, who somehow is always in a sleep deprived mode. He claims to be lagging behind many man-years in his sleep. But once we are roadbound, he tends to cheer up and his spirits are further raised by stays at luxe resorts (if we can find one), where he can catch up on his sleep backlog. If I am allowed to have it my way, I would camp out and even tents are welcome.

Would love to travel out more often but corporate demands keep me from doing so. My dream retirement would chiefly comprise of road-trips to any and every place, whenever possible for I live cars, love cars and also dream cars.

Over the years I have chronicled some of my roadtrips whcih I would like to share with friends on Team-BHP. So here goes…….

The trip to Dehradun, Mussoorie and Rishikesh took place in June 2010 in a brand new Hyundai i10 Magna, which left me fairly impressed with the i10’s performance.

I would also like to mention here that Dehradun in my hometown and I have a special place for it in my heart.

__________________________________________________ ___________________________

Nostalgia – Santro style

The old 2000 model Santro LE had served the family loyally till April this year, when we decided to sell it. A family known to us happily purchased it from us, knowing very well that all our rides are well maintained and cared for.

Indulging in some nostalgia :
Model : Santro LE, June 2000, White colour. This one came without power steering & power windows
Reading on the odo : 114000 kms.
Outstation Trips :
Chandigarh : 11; Shimla : 2; Dehradun & Mussoorie : 2; Bareilly : 1; Patiala : 1; Amritsar : 2; Jalandhar : 1; Jaipur : 1
Major repairs : None.
Tyre changes : 2 sets
Clutch : original
Brake shoes : 1 change
AC : 1 gas fill

After owning the Santro for 10 years, we were scouting the market for a small family car for local running as a replacement; a car which was easy to park in the market or mall mania. Based on previous Hyundai experience, the obvious choice was a Hyundai vehicle. The i20 petrol look promising. However, hubby and I were not impressed by the performance of the car. It seemed underpowered for its size and cost. The same engine was used in the i10 Magna and we decided to give it a try. Well, it was surely a better car now.

We decided for a Hyundai i10 Magna with 1.2 Kappa engine. White colour.

Freebies offered : Floor mats, mud flaps, 1 Reebok Cricket set and INR 10000 loyalty bonus.
(I suspect the cricket set was the deciding factor for my husband to finalise this car!!).


I am a confirmed fan of the C segment sedans and dismissed this purchase nonchalantly. Hubby dear went to take the delivery of this car from Hans Hyundai, Moti Nagar, on 27th May, 2010. He decided to get a JVC music system installed. Upon installation, the music system did not work. The car did also did not start up. The system was taken out and another one was installed in its place. The car still did not start. Some problem with the fuses was the diagnosis provided by the installation team. By now hubby dear was extremely flustered. It was close to 9.30 pm. I had come back from work and was hoping to see the new car parked in the reserved area. But, no car, no hubby. I called up to find out if had taken off for a solo drive and was told that the JVC systems had rejected the i10 (or vice versa??). I reminded him of the “no lemons in the house” policy.

Hubby decided not to take the vehicle and then realized that he had already paid full amount by cheque a week ago in advance (in order to hold the cricket set benefit). He told the sales staff he wanted a different vehicle and noted the chassis and engine number to ensure the same vehicle was not passed on. He was ensured by the manager that he would get a different vehicle the next day. We saw him coming home an hour later carrying a cricket sans the new car.

True to their promise, the manager from Hans Hyundai called us up the next day, 28th May, 2010, and the new car was delivered with the JVC music system, all in perfect working order, thankfully!

We had planned a road trip to Dehradun, Mussorie & Rishikesh on 18th June in the Ford Fiesta. By the evening of 17th June, we had the Fiesta all prepped up for the trip. At dinner, hubby mentioned that the i10 had only run 200 kms., and the first service was due shortly. The kids showed no reaction, but I knew what was coming. So, he continued, we will travel by i10. I excused myself from the table to tell the maid to bring some water, while hubby was being glared at by 3 angry kids. Daughter, who is a law student, threatened to sue him the moment she got her degree. But to give the devil his due, hubby stuck to his decision, and I admired him for it. The verdict remained : travel by i10 or stay at home with the maid.

Ten minutes later, all hell broke lose. 3 huge bags were being emptied onto their respective owner’s beds and out came extra stuff - novels, walking shoes, Discmans, earphones, fancy cameras, ipods, clothes, pillows, rafting accessories, sunscreen bottles and what not.

No extra load was the mantra as we braced ourselves for a cramped ride. Past experience told me it was wisest to clam up and accompany this warring crowd as a mediator. I did not want to argue with a bull-headed man; and I did not want to argue with 3 kids in the following subcategories : 2 teenagers & 1 preteen; 1 girl & 2 boys; 1 taller than me, 1 equal to me and 1 shorter than me; all 3 stronger to me physically and maybe verbally. The odds were against me. I tried to pep up my spirits by telling myself “All is Well”, as I reduced the size of my bag and other eats and drinks I had planned to carry along.

(Will be continued……..)
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Old 8th October 2010, 14:52   #2
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Ghanta Ghar

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sugeeta View Post
I would also like to mention here that Dehradun in my hometown and I have a special place for it in my heart.
Hi Sugeeta,

I too have a special place in my heart, as it was my home for 10yrs.

Do post some pics of Astley Hall, Ghanta Ghar & Prabhat, Quality's, Hotel President especially their Butter Chicken, Ellora's and their Lemon Tarts

Regards,

Arka
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Old 8th October 2010, 15:08   #3
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@ex670c : Hi, good to know there are people hailing from DD on the Forum.

I attempted to upload photos. But some problem with the size. Will surely post; maybe need to change the format.

The Quality Toffees are absolutely yummy. Elloras has branched into 2 with a sit down eating outlet called Melting Moments. My dad attended St. Joseph's Academy right opposite Elloras.

SM
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Old 8th October 2010, 15:55   #4
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1st Set pf pictures

Uploading the first set of pictures depicting the i10 dashboard, driver no. 1 and driver no. 2
Attached Thumbnails
Road Trip to Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh in i10 Magna / 1.2Kappa engine-mussoorierishikesh-summer-2010-121.jpg  

Road Trip to Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh in i10 Magna / 1.2Kappa engine-mussoorierishikesh-summer-2010-014.jpg  

Road Trip to Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh in i10 Magna / 1.2Kappa engine-mussoorierishikesh-summer-2010-126.jpg  

Road Trip to Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh in i10 Magna / 1.2Kappa engine-mussoorierishikesh-summer-2010-118.jpg  


Last edited by Sugeeta : 8th October 2010 at 16:05.
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Old 8th October 2010, 15:56   #5
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Hey Sugeeta, I will keep an eye on this one. Dehradun is my hometown too.
I just came back a couple of days back after spending a good two weeks there.

Do post some pics of Doon from the trip.
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Old 8th October 2010, 16:08   #6
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@sammyboy : That's good news, we are adding to the numbers here. I thought most of the TBHP fraternity belonged to Bombay, Bangalore and Chennai.

I do travel to Bangalore every alternate month as we have an office there and I often spot TBHP stickers on cars.

Cheers
SM
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Old 8th October 2010, 16:24   #7
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2nd set of pictures

Uploading the second set of pictures - the backseat crowd, albeit irritated, posed happily for some pics.

Note the irritating plastic covers are still on the seats of the cars. Remembered this when we started off and decided to leave them on till our return to avoid staining of the seats. But very irritating nonetheless. Gives you the feeling of slipping off the seat every few minutes.
Attached Thumbnails
Road Trip to Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh in i10 Magna / 1.2Kappa engine-mussoorierishikesh-summer-2010-017.jpg  

Road Trip to Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh in i10 Magna / 1.2Kappa engine-mussoorierishikesh-summer-2010-031.jpg  


Last edited by Sugeeta : 8th October 2010 at 16:29.
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Old 8th October 2010, 16:54   #8
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I have visited these places last year. Will refresh my memories of that trip. I have posted the travelogue here on the same. Waiting for more pics.

Last edited by snaronikar : 8th October 2010 at 16:55.
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Old 8th October 2010, 17:42   #9
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Hi Sugeeta, I have been to Mussoorie & Rishikesh, during my final year college trip. Would love to see the place again with a freshs set of eyes. Your narration is superb. Looking at the way of handling your kids, you should be working in the HR dept

P.S: 114K Kms and the clutch is never changed. Hats off to you guys.
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Old 8th October 2010, 18:35   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ElantraGT View Post
Looking at the way of handling your kids, you should be working in the HR dept
@ElantraGT : I'm truly surprised. You should be a forecaster / predictor!!

Good guess. Yes. I am in the Human Resources side of management.

SM
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Old 9th October 2010, 12:21   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sugeeta View Post
@ElantraGT : I'm truly surprised. You should be a forecaster / predictor!!

Good guess. Yes. I am in the Human Resources side of management.

SM
lol, its also mentioned in your profile

Waiting for more pics Sugeeta.
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Old 9th October 2010, 12:38   #12
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love the narration, the pics and the subtle humour great going, am going to be glued to this thread. Its been quite awhile since I have seen D'Doon!!! It was my first posting as an Army Officer in Jan 1976 after my training from Deolai, Maharashtra. We were at Ganghora and then at Annarwala. Nostagia floods me when I hear off D'Doon.

Regards,

Col Jude Mayne
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Old 11th October 2010, 11:57   #13
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Road Trip to Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh in i10 Magna / 1.2Kappa engine contd (1)

The morning of 18th June saw all of us in a fairly cordial mood. Ignoring complaints of cramped space and shortage of legroom, hubby took to the wheel and exactly at 6.00 AM we were road bound. I was surprised that the small hatch was able to accommodate 2 adults, 3 kids, 5 medium sized bags and a six 2 litre bottles of water and a bag of edibles with ease. The moods lightened and music took over. At 7.00 am we had reached the Ghaziabad intersection and drove for another 15 minutes through traffic when an overhead signboard read Dilshad Garden. Screech!! Hubby must have take a wrong cut. He wanted to try another of his road based on “calculated guesswork” . I insisted we stop, take directions and proceed or else go back home. He argued that he had used the road a hundred times; it was all the construction work going on which made it look unfamiliar.

A gentleman was kind enough to escort us right upto Modinagar and we followed his car. There onwards, things looked familiar and we happily drove on for the next 50 kms. Till my husband’s sleep backlog syndrome took over. We stopped for a cup of tea at a roadside dhaba. The tea was strong and sweet and for the next 50 kms. things looked fine. The road quality is not exactly tarmac class but has improved since I had last traveled to Dehradun in 2008. There are segments where the road is smooth interspersed with areas full of potholes and craters. It is a single lane highway and the oncoming traffic seems to be coming to hit you head on till you or them move aside. Then the hubby’s SBS (sleep backlog syndrome) took over again. I looked at him angrily and we quietly exchanged seats.

I had never handled the i10 till this time. For me it was a test drive, highway drive, view and overview time – in short my assessment of the car. My daily drive is a 1.4 Fiesta TDCi. I was careful not to expect the same driving and handling dynamics from this car – both were in a different segment with different specifications. I shifted into the first gear and then into the second. The gear shift was smooth but the car would not accelerate as I desired. I could not help but compare that the over 4 year old car I drive to work everyday has a truly responsive engine. A little acceleration and a slight nudge to the steering, you can overtake traffic climbing a flyover, look in the rearview mirror and see the other cars trailing far behind. I relaxed in my seat and accepted the fact that overtaking at will was out of bounds for now. For overtaking each vehicle I will have to plan and accelerate in advance. Ah! The virtues of patience. The brakes were new and very, very sharp. So every braking will have to be preceded by de-acceleration and planned use of clutch. Gear shift was by far the best feature so far, smooth 1st to 5th shift. Absolutely no glitches. The traffic was slow but moving and the i10 was beginning to get the feel of the road. Induction / Orientation / Aclimatisation as we HR folks call it. I drove on as the man in the seat next to me snored on.

Shortly, everyone wanted to stretch their legs and eat something and the next stop was Cheetal. It is a small resort bustling with activity. However, what I like about this place is the good collection of flowers, clean washrooms and a fairly good collection of food and beverages. The kids also enjoyed looking at many species of European birds within the premises.

Attached Photos :

1. The Sleep Backlog Syndrome
2. The European birds at Cheetal Resort
Attached Thumbnails
Road Trip to Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh in i10 Magna / 1.2Kappa engine-mussoorierishikesh-summer-2010-013.jpg  

Road Trip to Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh in i10 Magna / 1.2Kappa engine-mussoorierishikesh-summer-2010-002.jpg  


Last edited by Sugeeta : 11th October 2010 at 12:08.
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Old 11th October 2010, 12:02   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sammyboy View Post
lol, its also mentioned in your profile

Waiting for more pics Sugeeta.
@ Sammyboy : checked. It is indeed mentioned in my profile.
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Old 11th October 2010, 15:55   #15
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Lovely start to the TL.

I just love the stress attributed to sleep and the dedication of an entire picture,just to second the sleep deprived syndrome!!Lovely indeed.

Looking forward to the TLogue.
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