Planning a Road Trip
Flash back - from cycles to scooters, year 1986-94
I don’t know what fascinates me towards the roads, when I was kid probably in 7th or 8th standard, in summer vacations(which in Delhi is too hot), we group up together and start cycling in the morning from 5 to 9 and used to go to wired, unknown and unexplored destination and that too in the group 10-15 cycles it was awesome.
finally we grew up reached college had a different kind of fun; tried our best to reach Agra and Jaipur on bikes and scooters but returned midway due to money and time constraint.
. current situation - from bikes to cars, year 2000 - to be present
In Delhi, there is a slight change of the basic motto, which by default was Roti, Kappada aur Makkan but in Delhi it is Rotti, Kappada, Makkan, Mobile aur Gaddi. delhities cannot survive without a own transport. If there are 4 members in an Apartment then there got to be either 3 cars or 1 bike or 4 cars or 2 bikes and 2 cars, our could be either of permutation or combination. Same is the case here at my home 2 cars 1 bike, people living 3.
from cycle to dad’s scooter to own bike and then the car, driving has become more or less like a part of life, but moving on a long drive when feeling bored particularly on weekends has a different taste. The closest destination from Delhi could be Murthal(awesome Paranthas) to Jaipur(2.5 hrs drive), Agra(2.5 hrs drive), Chandigarh(2.5 hrs drive) or Chowkidanhi(on delhi - Jaipur highway) so these distance are close distance which could be easily covered as they have the privilege of 6 lanes highway.
Now, what I believe is that road trips are not planned but they happen instantaneously, you are on Friday evening, chatting with friends regarding weekends and all of the sudden, Lets go , then where? is the question, if its within city then its okay but if its out of city then it could be an adventure, with vehicle(my vehicle had broken in these kind of misadventure and after that I realized the importance of planning the trip)
Tools, Maps, water bottle, money, fuel, tyres etc etc
Planning a road trip is not hectic as family planning, some time I have seen people make it too complex and at last it ends with a disaster, no body moves out.
Road trips require a vehicle which could be car for long journey or a bike for short journey(I know, people often take bikes on long journey), so from here we cut it short and make it one thing called vehicle be it bike or car or whatever, and second important ingredient would be people. So here we go with some of the important points which I believe are actually important: -
Distance Destination and Driving - what would be the distance of the trip?, what is the destination? and how many vehicles would be the part of trip. Its important that the driver and the co-driver(in a car, there should be atleast 2 people who should be familiar with the driving) should have a mode of communication like cellphone and should be aware of the route and time frame and should understand the signaling method, like what would left indicator means or right indicator means or both if onn, what does that mean etc etc, who would lead the trip if more than two cars, what to do in the situation where the car has broken and how to let other know about it. these in broad terms are called signaling.
Pit stops - although one cannot decide pit stops before hand, but its adviced that after every 2-3 hrs of driving there should be a 15-30 min stoppage
Toolbox Tonics and Vodka - Tool box is must, tyre pressure to engine oil to coolant, at least in a group there should be atleast one guy who should know how to check these things and how to change tyres if its busted(well tube less is better option!). Should also carry certain medicines and bottled water, becuz one never knows where could be the emergency. Alcohol is okay but the driver should not drink it, as its not only offence but could lead to accident as well
Do not - try to over speed each other, on express highways 100-130 is still enough but the same speed on single lane highway is dangerous. do not Throw things on others and do not give lift to unknown people and never ever get out of car, even in the case of emergency if the car has to be stopped, be in group and always take out the keys.
Say thanks:- not to me:) but to god for happy journey
plz plz awaiting your comments and ratings
thanks
CheerZ
ZeeSHAN