I am thinking of riding to India and maybe beyond….

So a question I have is: Not being very techy, I would like to learn how people have made it so that others can see my route, and in particular, where I am in the world in preparation for longer trips.

The reason I'm interested in this is to be able to find accommodation when in far flung corners of the globe where other motorcyclists have stayed in fellow bikers lodgings, quite apart from the ability to pick up ride hitchikers who may only want to do a portion of this trip.

Sorry if I don't make myself clear, I actually have no idea what I'm talking about, still, keen to learn.

I have cut you a fresh thread, so as to keep your separate thread on your Spanish holiday on track.

Richard

Use this for accommodation .

I’d maybe start by:

A. Getting a decent map or maybe even a couple of maps, particularly for the bit where you leave Europe on you way eastwards. In other words, roughly from where you enter / leave Ukraine, if you go by a northern approach or from where you enter / leave Turkey via the southern route. Some of the countries you’ll maybe cross are in the news at the moment, for all sorts of reasons.

B. Finding the Horizons Unlimited website, which has all sorts of travellers crisscrossing the globe.

C. Having a look at the many blogs / vlogs that proliferate around the internet and maybe a couple of half decent books.



I’d definitely worry less about the tech, where to stay at night, how to meet bods and concentrate much more on the two basics of:

1. How long do I plan to be travelling for

2. Where do I want to go and why

You could even cheat like hell and join one of the overland ‘Adventure’ packages or take one of the many ‘Fly-Ride’ jaunts.

As well as the above. One of the most important things to look at , especially at the moment is the political situation along your proposed route.

Arsey said:

Use this for accommodation .

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Brilliant! Got it on Android too, that's one box ticked many thanks Arsey

Wapping and stever1, good advice there.

With regard to political situations, as the planning for this is going to be at least a year, I'll have to keep abreast of things all during the planning stage in case a country/countries become no-go's.

Already, I think Timolgra mentioned this amongst others, I need to be flexible on route and have had to make a change to the proposed "Stans" into India route for two reasons: Money to get into China and Kazakhstan unrest.
However, my brother who travels extensively for business throughout the world said he'd rather go to Kazakhstan than Pakistan for security reasons claiming that the Kazakhs beef is with the govt not travellers, I'm not so sure that's sound advice though, Kazakhstan forms a large part of that route as it's so big, but this is assuming I don't take the Caspian sea ferry but ride north via Astrakhan into Kazakhstan.
However, if I did take the ferry, I'd avoid Kazakhstan altogether

So I think Iran and Pakistan it is. The "stans" route was principally to go on the Pamir Highway and see that area, but now I realise that it would be a very long trip and I should try at least to do that on another occasion, health and money willing, and maybe team up with others to go into China and reduce the cost.

Now I have to look at routes through there and see if anyone has b/vlogged about that.
Maps first, then back on t'internet to see what else I can find out.
Keep the advice coming please, it is well appreciated.

Check out KurienP of this parish. He did the trip to India before Covid, but I don’t know if he wrote it up. Very knowledgeable and helpful chap.


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Berin said:

Check out KurienP of this parish. He did the trip to India before Covid, but I don’t know if he wrote it up. Very knowledgeable and helpful chap.


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Thanks Berin, appreciated.

One of my customers rode to India a few years ago, i think his UKGSER username was Colesyboy.

As Timolgra said: Be prepared to be flexible in your plans

He couldn't have spoken a truer word as I now remember that I watched A ride report where two guys go to India via Iran and Pakistan, In Pakistan in particular, they had to have an armed escort through a particularly dangerous place.

I don't know if the Doris is going to be OK with that...maybe it's back to the China route then?

Time and money are the biggest factors in doing a RTW trip, also staying lucky with your health and remaining accident free is also handy. Prior to Covid, heading East from India was (too me) a pretty easy affair with the great expense of staying in Australia (2yrs) and New Zealand (6 mths) combined with shipping from AUS - NZ - S America being a bit of a crippler on the money front. Timing with the weather has to be considered, monsoon seasons and winter in Ushuaia is a bit different to winter in Bolivia/Peru (which is the best time to ride).

Rules for Thailand are always changing, even prior to covid the rumours of chaperones were on the go, I'm sure changes around the globe will be in flux for some time. Best way to plan a trip is to not plan it or not to plan it so meticulously, just take each day as it comes. Many of my friends always comment on how Pakistan is a highlight and is a not to be missed country, saying that everywhere has something special and in the many miles I've not had the pleasure of meeting anyone who shown any aggression or idiot like behaviour.

Many of my friends always comment on how Pakistan is a highlight and is a not to be missed country, saying that everywhere has something special and in the many miles I've not had the pleasure of meeting anyone who shown any aggression or idiot like behaviour.[/QUOTE]

Thanks John, whereas I'm not doing a RTW, it's still a lengthy trip and I understand that carnets and visas would still be needed.
It's really good to hear that about Pakistan, I had heard this, but my only experience so far has been a ride report on Amazon where the biker was advised to have an armed guard for some of the way.
I like the idea of "plan lite" where a certain amount of planning is required, but from that point on take it a day at a time, but then so far I have no idea how long the visas etc last in each country so I've still a lot to learn.
What do you think is essential tech? I'm asking because i'd like to take less than more, but to get the Doris to come on the back of the bike, I've had to agree to a satellite phone minimum, bad idea?

One question and you can get a thousand different answers. Essentials would be a good camera, laptop and/tablet (otherwise you and the Mrs will be fighting over it), credit card, medical insurance if you want to play it safe. Don't bother about a sat phone, even in Aus some of them don't work depending what system they use. I bought an ACR PLB for South America, thankfully never needed it but good to have for peace of mind. A smartphone with a new sim in every country will keep you in contact with the rest of the world. Visa's can be a pain so best to look up requirements, other than that patience is the best thing to have as bureaucracy can be a pain.

A little piece of my travels are here, https://ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/252269-Adventures-in-South-East-Asia