Trippin...

Hi folks..

Just though wud post a few tips for all aspiring bikers to begin wid..


Biking is all about freedom.The freedom to go where you want, when you want, and how you want to. Yet, taking off on a ride without making basic plans can make the entire experience go sour even before you're halfway through. So while luck and fate do play an important part in how much fun your ride turns out to be, a little planning at the outset won't hurt. Here's how we recommend you go about making a ride plan.
This checklist may help:
Step 1 - Decide on how many days you can spare, and then put aside a day (or half a day) for eventualities that might crop up.

Step 2 - Average a maximum of 450 kilometers and a minimum of 200 kms per riding day, and see what places lie within your reach given the number of days you have, and the distance you are comfortable covering.

Step 3 - Make up a route plan with a good, reliable map. And if possible, make up an alternate route to, to take if there are eventualities to cope with.

Step 4 - Plan your night halts. Riding after dark should be avoided wherever possible, and riding through the night is not recommended at all. Check to see if there is decent accommodation available where you plan to spend the night. If you plan to rough it out, then make sure you are carrying basic camping equipment, and avoid sleeping outdoors if you are riding alone.

Step 5 - Make out a rough budget, based on your food (and drink!) habits, your bikes fuel average, number of kilometers you hope to cover totally, and the number of nights you will be staying out. It is better to carry this money in the form of a debit card, and only carry about a third of it in cash.

Step 6 - Get your bike serviced and checked over by a mechanic you trust at least two days before you plan to hit the road. Ride the bike in the city before you set out so if there are any problems, you'll be able to get your mechanic to correct them well before you leave.

Step 7 - Make sure your mobile phone bills are paid, roaming is activated, and you are carrying the addresses and phone numbers of people who need to be contacted in case something goes wrong. Inform relevant people about when you are leaving, where you plan to go, where you plan to stop for the night, and when you plan to return. Also see check with your bank/credit card company if you can use your card in places you are going to, and see that you have adequate available balance in your account.

Once Steps 6 & 7 become a regular discipline, you will find that planning a ride is at best a 4 hour process. So its just four hours between you and the time of your life, everytime!


Well these tips were borrowed from another site... Hope you find it useful...