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How bad is indian monsoon? How bad is indian monsoon?
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West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
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  #1  
Old 26 Jan 2006
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How bad is indian monsoon?
Hi there,

I am actually travelling SE-asia and would like to head west from here. But unfortunately, it probably will get april or may until I leave, so I will probably have to ride India during monsoon/hot season. I did not decide where to ship my bike yet.

Did anyone ride india in these seasons? How is it like? I do not mind riding in rain, but are there floodings, deep mud etc? Does it rain all the time? Are there regions, in which it rains less?

Eventually, any suggestions where to head instead of India? Would not like to go to Australia - too expensive...

Regards

Lars
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  #2  
Old 31 Jan 2006
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Have travelled around on an Enfield during the monsoon - can be good or horrible, depending on where you go.

The monsoon falls during the summer months which is the best time to visit the Himalaya and when the roads are open into Ladakh. Ladakh is in the rain shadow of the Himalaya so doesn't get the monsoon.

Rajasthan also good to visit - it's a desert area so doesn't see much rain.

I also had the mispleasure to ride through some other states where it was bucketing down and would not recommend that - lots of flooding, bridges under water, etc.

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  #3  
Old 31 Jan 2006
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Monsoon in India is mainly from June to September> from the south west monsoon winds.
this can be stretched a bit depending upon where exactly you are.
The other months are normally dry with hardly an exception if any.
South India (Starting from Bombay and going further down) is any time a good ride. Even in the monsoons!!!!
If you are in India in Pune / Bombay contact me for accomodation haribombay ((at) gmail(.) com
If you need any specific details mail me ,
Red bull

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  #4  
Old 10 Feb 2006
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I've ridden during monsoon in the north and in the Bangalore area.

I really enjoyed it. Maybe I'm weird but I've never seen rain like that and it was just amazing!

Bring dry bags or heavy duty garbage bags to protect your gear. Don't bother with rain gear... you will sweat until your just as wet. Unless you're in a cooler area near the Himalaya foothills.

Sometimes it will rain nonstop for what feels like days (I was in the Dharamsala area) but there are usually breaks you can scoot along in. Once when I was travelling up hill a sudden torrent came down. I had just parked on the side to get some chai. I'm not kidding you, the water was shin deep as this flash mini flood came raging down the street.

It might make your travels a little unpredictable but if you are a glass is half empty type of person you can enjoy the novelty of it. It's an excuse to stop and drink a lot of chai and chew the fat with locals.

And, it will provide a lot of laughs. It didn't matter how many times I saw men wearing plastic baggies on their heads as rain caps, it still gave me fits of giggles. One time I saw a guy on his honda holding an umbrella in one hand and a ciggie in the other.

Good luck, have a great trip!

Catherine
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  #5  
Old 10 Feb 2006
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Lars,

Also, don't bother with the expense of shipping your bike.

Buy an Enfield--they are better for the conditions you'll be riding and parts and mechanics are behind every palm tree and turn.

I met a few travellers who shipped and the only ones who thought it was worthwhile were the ones travelling overland back to their country of origin.

India is a blast to travel, once you arrive and get your bike you will stumble onto other travellers or can ask locals, and will find lots of ideas of where it's good to ride for the season. Some areas of India are experiencing multi-year dry spells.

There will be some place appropriate to ride.

Think about bringing a good half-helmet if you'll be riding through the hot season that is a light color.

I could only buy a dark colored helmet and I swear my brain fried like an egg on more than one occasion.

Catherine
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  #6  
Old 12 Feb 2006
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Thanks for the replies. Sounds good to me. I guess I will give it a try and see what happens...

Regards

Lars
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  #7  
Old 12 Feb 2006
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I forgot to add earlier,
May is Summer here!
In fact MAY is the hottest month of summer,, so be prepared for the heat!!!!!

Contact me once you come to India / Bombay / Pune.

[This message has been edited by Red Bull (edited 12 February 2006).]
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  #8  
Old 15 Feb 2006
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can anyone hear tell me what the weather will be like around late june - august in the north part of the country, ill be coming from pakistan to nepal.

cheers
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  #9  
Old 26 Feb 2006
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Hello pjmancktelow,
South west monsoon touches kerala(South western state of India) in June. And then slowly moves north reaching the whole of the country by June end / July, so typically I would expect you to see rain if you are riding across north India in July / August!
If you are coming further south!(Pune / Bombay) get in touch with me!
regards



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http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/hari_iyer_s/my_photos
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  #10  
Old 26 Feb 2006
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Riding in the monsoon is Ok, you'll get wet but it's still very warm. Take advantage of the non-tourist season and the warm weather and go to Ladakh, possibly the best trip you can do in India, up into the remote regions of the high Himalaya.
Bring your own helmet and light wet weather gear as you won't find anything decent there.
Sean
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