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Dharamshala is where I say goodbye to Buddhi and my Royal Enfield Classic 500. It’s been an unbelievably reliable ride considering the abuse I put it through. I’ve hit giant potholes at forty miles per hour, and filled it with incredibly bad gas. I barely lubed the chain, and I hammered the throttle and brakes every day in traffic. I buried it in axle-deep mud and nearly drowned it in several deep water crossings. Yet the only repairs I’ve had to do have been front and rear wheel bearings. It’s been the perfect bike for visiting India.
From high mountains to roadside wonders, between frenetic bazaars to quiet temples, India is a contradiction you can never quite prepare for. Just when you think you’ve gotten your bearings, India will throw you a loop, and fray the nerves of even the most experienced moto traveler. Expect the unexpected as you ride, and you’ll have the motorcycle trip of a lifetime.
Must-Have Travel Kit for India
SteriPEN—this clever ultraviolet device that turns bad water to good, one liter at a time. It saves the environment by eliminating all those throw-away plastic bottles. And believe me; you’ll want to drink purified water in India. Steripen.com
Camera—as experienced moto traveler Carla King says, “You cannot take a bad picture in India.”
Travel Insurance—accidents happen, and the riding can be pretty crazy in India. Not to mention your first few days getting accustomed to riding on the left side of the road….
Torch/Flashlight/Headlamp—handy for overnight stays in rural villages without electricity as well as for those times when the power goes out in town.
Buff—you’ll want something around your neck that you can pull up and cover your nose when the diesel fumes get to be too much. Doubles as a dust mask. BuffUSA.com
Hat—sun hat in the South and a winter hat in the North for when you take your helmet off. Easily purchased in India.
Resources
MustSeeIndia.com/Himachal-Pradesh
