Hello all,
I want to know what is the minimum riding gear required for a trip from Manali to Leh. I dont want to spend much on this as I am not a regular biker and if I buy all the stuff, when it will be used again. Also suggest any renting options are available for this. I am travelling to leh from 2nd Aug 2010. Please help me. Awaiting reply.
Hi there, Tejas
I did the Leh trip from 12 June till 23 June this year. Here are my two bits. Opinions are like a*******s so they differ but have the same function...
Personal gear
Helmet A good,comfy lid with a clear visor (wear high quality sunglasses under it). AGV/CROSS/BIEFFE-Steelbird - all are good. It must be a cosy NOT tight fit so if cold, a balaclava can still be worn under it. (I used a CROSS minus the b'clava)
Jacket - a normal winter jacket (outer of thickish nylon/Dacron if possible) with an inner liner will do. If cold, a thermal inner under the shirt + jacket cum liner + rain coat upper (as a wind shield and for rain). If still cold, a thin sweater over the shirt and the rest. (I have a SCOYCO riding jacket with detachable armour which I used minus the armour. On the Leh - Pang stretch, I wore a woolen shirt + jacket inner liner + jacket + rain upper and still was cold due to extremely stiff and frigid headwinds.)
Gloves. Major issues here. For warm days, a normal leather set will do. For cold, normal set + fleece inners. (I used my old gloves most of the time and when cold, the inners and if yet colder, a DSG set.) No surgical/industrial gloves - they conduct cold inwards and give you hell. You will keep changing them en-route so have all sets within easy reach.
Trousers A pair of thick jeans will do. If cold, rain coat lower as a wind break.
Rain coat The executive model or something like that from Duckback is superb. Take one size plus to fit over other clothing.
Footwear One pair of sneakers for town walking + one pair of gumboots for riding. No footwear other than gumboots will keep feet dry. (I have used the so-called Army boots for 25 years so know enough not to use them for biking. I used my trusted Reeboks for town and gumboots for riding thru' slush, snow and streams, no hassles.) We saw bikers with Forzas and what not getting wet AND cold to the bone in even the shallowest streams and envying us our gumboots.
Socks Nylon + cotton + woolen in that sequence as per cold felt.
Bike
Tank bag The Cramster model is good. Holds lots and still is compact. Can be used as a slingbag in town. (I used this one with a 1 inch thick inner foam base to support cameras, cellphone and binos plus gloves etc)
Saddle bags If so inclined. Else, a normal nylon soft luggage bag approx 24 inches X 12 inches X 18 inches (L X B X Depth) can be bungeed nicely LENGTHWISE on the pillion and obviate the need for saddlebags. Caveat - ALL your stuff must be wisely chosen to fit this one bag alone. (I used Cramster tank and saddle bags plus the above duffel bag. Tried the rig without the saddle bag, worked perfectly well)
Plastic sheet A medium thickness sheet about 6ft X 4 feet to cover the baggage in rain.
I am not getting into the issue of elbow pads and knee pads here. I have had two surgeries in my right knee so cannot wear knee pads for extended durations. My jacket has elbow pads but I detached them for the ride. My rationale (more about that later) may not appeal to all but it works for me.
Any more help, feel free to PM me.
Regards,
Maneesh