Re: Unusual journey -- meeting Arjun Jois
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Pradeep B V
Oct 6, 2008, 2:53:26 PM10/6/08
to Bangalore Bikers Club, Ravi Ranjan, Arjun Jois, pradeep kumar, Nagaraj_...@satyam.com, shree...@gmail.com, Rohan Kini, Ram, arun katiyar
Arun, Ravi and me met up with Arjun Jois at the SBX sports bar at Cosmos Mall on Oct 3rd at 3pm, near Bookefields on ITPL road.
Here are a few interesting snippets from our discussion. (randomly put together, please excuse me if you find the flow somewhat mixed up, I am trying to write whatever I remember from the conversation)
1. Arjun Jois (CCed) cycled around South-East Asia and parts of China over a period of six months.
2. He started out on a Trek bike which was stolen in Saigon and had to buy a new Gary Fisher bike to continue his journey.
3. He carried a tent with him so that he could rest when ever if felt he needed rest. It also provided him freedom to cycle without worrying about reaching a town to halt in a hotel.
4. He had 2 sets of panniers (one for the front and the other for the rear of the cycle)
5. He had a Topeak Handlebar bag that also carried his toolkit. I suspect that this is what he used: http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/BarPack
6. I found that he had 4 water bottle carriers on his bike and 3 cord locks.
7. Arjun said that he didn't train for this tour. He just started off on it.
Some of the photos and descriptions of the bike can be found here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pradeepbv/sets/72157607774737590
Food:
He would carry lots of fruits with him. Also he drank some sport drinks that were available in the local shops (they were like electral). He used to carry loads of water.
There were some days when he couldn't get any place to eat and his stocks would have dried up and he slept empty stomach.
In china he figured out that he could enter a restraunt and just look around and there would be faces welcoming him t come and try the dishes they would have ordered so that he can pick and choose what he wants to eat.
In some other places it was ok from him to get into the kitchen and cook for himself. Looks like there always used to some steaming rice in the kitchen. He would then cut up onions and make some fried rice to eat and pay the hotel guy.
Laos usually would have very small villages that was made up of just two small roads and he had to find a hotel in it to eat.
Stay:
As he had a tent he could pitch it anywhere and sleep. In Indonesia it was usually in the police station as places outside were not safe. In China he found it difficult to get people to allow him to stay in their properties.
In Thailand looks like there are highway patrool stations where one could go in and take rest, get some snacks all for free. There were also
lost of Thai police who had been provided with TREK bikes for their duty.
In Laos most of the villages had schools that had grounds. He would pitch his tent there and sleep. ?natuallr one of the schools kids would find it out and get the entire village to see him and hear his story.
Journey:
Sometimes the roads just were very steep and he ended up climbing some 10 hrs (unlike other areas where after a decent climb one gets a flat or a descent).
sometimes the terrain was full of mountains and jungles. He would enjoy the natural beauty of it but sometime it would get to his as he would have to go through some stretches without human contact for 6-7 days.
He also visited some volcanoes and was able to see hot fumes oozing out and fly ash all around.
Wether:
It varied from humid and hot places to snowy and windy places. He
Meeting people:
He met lost of other touring people. Actually his journey was in spired by a German (?) whom he had met in Varanasi who had been cycling for the last 3 years around various places around the globe.
Language:
It was huge problem in many places as he would find it hard to get directions. So he figured out a clean way to take care of it. He would go to a posh hotel which would usually have soem front office people well versed in English and would get them to write dwon the destination/route in the local language. This he would attach to his handlebar and show it to people on the way to get directions.
Bike transportation:
On plane: He found Tiger Airways to be really good in handling bikes. No need to disassemble the bike as they would carry the bike safely. Some other airways wanted the bike to be packed in a box. (Arun also mentioned some of the airways in Isreal that would carry bikes at no extra cost.)
On train: He could ride the bike onto the platfrom from where it would be loaded onto the goods compartment and properly harnessed with ropes. Once he got down he would rush to the goods section only to find it empty. Looks like by the time he could disembark from the train the bike was already taken out and kept in the platform for him to take.
On Hills: He had to carry the bike with him. So he would firstly take off the panniers and lock the bike and take the panniers up the hill and lock them there and again come back and carry the bike to the top.
Visa:
China refused to extend his visa beyond a month and he had to return back. Olympics was nearing and Chinese were busy with that.
Laos would issue Via on Arrival.
Some needed visa to be made in India itself.
Cambodia would not provide Visa for one way but would provide for the other way. (into or out of Thailand) unless your are a Combodian.
He figured out the visas as a unpredictable thing and he had trained himself to think that it will be turned down most of the time and if its granted its a bonus.
He also had some peculiar experiences when he had to retun back to the capitals to get the Visa as the border posts would not issues on for non-residents! and in one case hwas able to get a consulate guy to issue him a Visa in 2 hrs falt after he was able to produce a ticket to KL.
Money:
He carried a travellers card that would allow him to use ATM's along the way. He also carried travellers cheques. and when he needed money he would ask his mother to fill up the travellers card.
He would estimate the need for money for the journey till the next ATM and plan to carry as much accordingly.
Toll gates, entry tickets:
China was very particular on toll. One one freeway he had pay $160 to use the highway even though he was riding a bicycle.
Interesting he was able to get some discounts in some national parks as he was on a bike in Thailand. He had found that its always better to bargain as some people would yield to it.
Heritage/historic sites:
He visited a lot of heritage sites and historic sites all around south east Asia.
Culture:
He got a very good exposure to the culture of various regions and people.
Health:
He was healthy all along the journey and didn't fall sick.
Learning:
Many..
.... ....
I need to go to sleep now.
Ravi, Arun, Arjun - please feel free to add to this. I know I am missing a lot of things here. I have tried my best to condense a 3 hr conversation into a 300 word writeup. Also some of the details may be incorrect in the Visa section. Please add corrections if required.
I would like to thank Arun for putting this meet together and thank Arjun for sharing a his experiences.
- P
--
Pradeep B V
Mapunity: social technology at work
www.mapunity.in
Here are a few interesting snippets from our discussion. (randomly put together, please excuse me if you find the flow somewhat mixed up, I am trying to write whatever I remember from the conversation)
1. Arjun Jois (CCed) cycled around South-East Asia and parts of China over a period of six months.
2. He started out on a Trek bike which was stolen in Saigon and had to buy a new Gary Fisher bike to continue his journey.
3. He carried a tent with him so that he could rest when ever if felt he needed rest. It also provided him freedom to cycle without worrying about reaching a town to halt in a hotel.
4. He had 2 sets of panniers (one for the front and the other for the rear of the cycle)
5. He had a Topeak Handlebar bag that also carried his toolkit. I suspect that this is what he used: http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/BarPack
6. I found that he had 4 water bottle carriers on his bike and 3 cord locks.
7. Arjun said that he didn't train for this tour. He just started off on it.
Some of the photos and descriptions of the bike can be found here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pradeepbv/sets/72157607774737590
Food:
He would carry lots of fruits with him. Also he drank some sport drinks that were available in the local shops (they were like electral). He used to carry loads of water.
There were some days when he couldn't get any place to eat and his stocks would have dried up and he slept empty stomach.
In china he figured out that he could enter a restraunt and just look around and there would be faces welcoming him t come and try the dishes they would have ordered so that he can pick and choose what he wants to eat.
In some other places it was ok from him to get into the kitchen and cook for himself. Looks like there always used to some steaming rice in the kitchen. He would then cut up onions and make some fried rice to eat and pay the hotel guy.
Laos usually would have very small villages that was made up of just two small roads and he had to find a hotel in it to eat.
Stay:
As he had a tent he could pitch it anywhere and sleep. In Indonesia it was usually in the police station as places outside were not safe. In China he found it difficult to get people to allow him to stay in their properties.
In Thailand looks like there are highway patrool stations where one could go in and take rest, get some snacks all for free. There were also
lost of Thai police who had been provided with TREK bikes for their duty.
In Laos most of the villages had schools that had grounds. He would pitch his tent there and sleep. ?natuallr one of the schools kids would find it out and get the entire village to see him and hear his story.
Journey:
Sometimes the roads just were very steep and he ended up climbing some 10 hrs (unlike other areas where after a decent climb one gets a flat or a descent).
sometimes the terrain was full of mountains and jungles. He would enjoy the natural beauty of it but sometime it would get to his as he would have to go through some stretches without human contact for 6-7 days.
He also visited some volcanoes and was able to see hot fumes oozing out and fly ash all around.
Wether:
It varied from humid and hot places to snowy and windy places. He
Meeting people:
He met lost of other touring people. Actually his journey was in spired by a German (?) whom he had met in Varanasi who had been cycling for the last 3 years around various places around the globe.
Language:
It was huge problem in many places as he would find it hard to get directions. So he figured out a clean way to take care of it. He would go to a posh hotel which would usually have soem front office people well versed in English and would get them to write dwon the destination/route in the local language. This he would attach to his handlebar and show it to people on the way to get directions.
Bike transportation:
On plane: He found Tiger Airways to be really good in handling bikes. No need to disassemble the bike as they would carry the bike safely. Some other airways wanted the bike to be packed in a box. (Arun also mentioned some of the airways in Isreal that would carry bikes at no extra cost.)
On train: He could ride the bike onto the platfrom from where it would be loaded onto the goods compartment and properly harnessed with ropes. Once he got down he would rush to the goods section only to find it empty. Looks like by the time he could disembark from the train the bike was already taken out and kept in the platform for him to take.
On Hills: He had to carry the bike with him. So he would firstly take off the panniers and lock the bike and take the panniers up the hill and lock them there and again come back and carry the bike to the top.
Visa:
China refused to extend his visa beyond a month and he had to return back. Olympics was nearing and Chinese were busy with that.
Laos would issue Via on Arrival.
Some needed visa to be made in India itself.
Cambodia would not provide Visa for one way but would provide for the other way. (into or out of Thailand) unless your are a Combodian.
He figured out the visas as a unpredictable thing and he had trained himself to think that it will be turned down most of the time and if its granted its a bonus.
He also had some peculiar experiences when he had to retun back to the capitals to get the Visa as the border posts would not issues on for non-residents! and in one case hwas able to get a consulate guy to issue him a Visa in 2 hrs falt after he was able to produce a ticket to KL.
Money:
He carried a travellers card that would allow him to use ATM's along the way. He also carried travellers cheques. and when he needed money he would ask his mother to fill up the travellers card.
He would estimate the need for money for the journey till the next ATM and plan to carry as much accordingly.
Toll gates, entry tickets:
China was very particular on toll. One one freeway he had pay $160 to use the highway even though he was riding a bicycle.
Interesting he was able to get some discounts in some national parks as he was on a bike in Thailand. He had found that its always better to bargain as some people would yield to it.
Heritage/historic sites:
He visited a lot of heritage sites and historic sites all around south east Asia.
Culture:
He got a very good exposure to the culture of various regions and people.
Health:
He was healthy all along the journey and didn't fall sick.
Learning:
Many..
.... ....
I need to go to sleep now.
Ravi, Arun, Arjun - please feel free to add to this. I know I am missing a lot of things here. I have tried my best to condense a 3 hr conversation into a 300 word writeup. Also some of the details may be incorrect in the Visa section. Please add corrections if required.
I would like to thank Arun for putting this meet together and thank Arjun for sharing a his experiences.
- P
On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 9:20 PM, arun katiyar <arun.k...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Pradeep,
Come up to Marathalli from old airport - > Go straight up the railway bridge and down towards Kundanahall -> take left at Kundanahalli traffic signal (you will see some small shops at the first signal -- that's the signal to take the left!) -> keep going down towards Whitefield, past Hindustan Lever/ Brookfields (on your right) --> Cosmos Mall (on your left). Total distance from Kundanahalli Gate to Cosmos Mall: 1.4 km
See:http://wikimapia.org/#lat=12.9666603&lon=77.7168345&z=17&l=0&m=a&v=2&search=whitefield%2C%20bangalore
Arun
That's four people with a Yes: Ravi, Pradeep, Arun (and I am assuming Arjun). Everybody else?
On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 7:54 PM, Pradeep B V <prad...@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes. But i need to know where Cosmos is? Can somebody please guide me?
--
On 10/2/08, Ravi Ranjan <raviranj...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Yes
> ~ Ravi
>
>
> On 10/2/08, arun katiyar <arun.k...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi everybody,
>>
>> The "sports" bar at Eva Mall is actually a lounge bar with all kinds of
>> complications with regard to dress code (no cycling gear allowed),
>> especially on a Saturday when it is crowded. Cover charge is Rs 750 as
>> well.
>> Eva Mall has problems with bike parking as well. I know. I was there this
>> morning talking to them.
>>
>> Cosmos is a better bet.
>>
>> Is everyone okay with 3 pm, Saturday (this one)? Please say a "yes" or a
>> "no" to this and we'll know if it working.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Arun
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 3:41 PM, Ravi Ranjan
>> <raviranj...@gmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Arjun,
>>> There is one sports bar in Cosmos which opens up by 3 in the evening (I
>>> guess it remains open all through)
>>> 7 pm option does not fit me, but if ppl are comfortable i will try to
>>> make
>>> it.
>>> ~ Ravi
>>>
>>>
>>> On 10/2/08, Arjun Jois <blackad...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> Had a chat with Arun lat night and the hitch is that the Sports Bar
>>>> opens
>>>> only by 7pm and so if we want to meet up meet up earlier we'll have to
>>>> ditch
>>>> the Sports Bar and meet up elsewhere. Otherwise we'll stick with Eva
>>>> Mall at
>>>> 7 pm this Sat.
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas?
>>>>
>>>> Rohan, do you stock hand pumps at BOTS? My hand pump is not functioning
>>>> and need to get a new one; and howabout a kick stand for the
>>>> bike....mine
>>>> got bent when transporting it on the airplane.
>>>>
>>>> P.S. I have a pair of Trek panniers, which I've used for just a few
>>>> months. Anyone interested in buying them second hand?
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Arjun
>>>>
>>>> On 01/10/2008, pradeep kumar <iitd...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hey, 4 pm is an odd time. lets do it in the first half of the day. what
>>>>> u say??
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 2:08 PM, Arjun Jois
>>>>> <blackad...@gmail.com>wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> hi guys
>>>>>>
>>>>>> saturday seems fine
>>>>>> would 4 pm be ok?
>>>>>> pl give me a ring on 28518988 for more details and confirmation
>>>>>> i may not be checking my mail again
>>>>>>
>>>>>> arjun
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 2008/9/30 pradeep kumar <iitd...@gmail.com>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hey Friends,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> This is going to be absolutely fun & thrilling. I am in for 2nd
>>>>>>> October. I would love to meet Arjun. Please freeze for the time, we
>>>>>>> can meet
>>>>>>> in the afternoon, I suppose??
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Regards
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 11:15 AM, Arjun Jois <
>>>>>>> blackad...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi All,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Arun, Thanks for sending out the group mail.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Great to hear that we will all be catching up very soon. Can't wait
>>>>>>>> to meet all you bike enthusiasts here in Bangalore.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Arun seems be over rating my journey, it was a meant to be one of
>>>>>>>> those soul searching and 'what the hell am I doing in life' sort of
>>>>>>>> things,
>>>>>>>> anyways it was one amazing experience.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hey Rohan, thanks for all the help and tips when I was in a dilemma
>>>>>>>> on the choice of bike. Sure would like to meet you.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hope we can all share our biking experiences, I'm sure there r going
>>>>>>>> to be interesting anecdotes.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 2nd Sept sounds great. I'm in. What do we freeze on?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> Arjun
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 30/09/2008, Ravi Ranjan <raviranj...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hi All,
>>>>>>>>> We will be metting will get time to thank Arjun (For taking out
>>>>>>>>> time
>>>>>>>>> to meet us ) and Arun (To take this up) personally.
>>>>>>>>> Now, I propose to meet on 2nd on Eva mall.
>>>>>>>>> And in the riding gear with our bikes ... sounds like fun .. i am
>>>>>>>>> all for it.
>>>>>>>>> Thanks and Regards,
>>>>>>>>> ~ Ravi
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On 9/30/08, arun katiyar <arun.k...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Remember I had mailed you guys about an ex-colleague who had done
>>>>>>>>>> a large number of Asian countries on his bike? This mail is marked
>>>>>>>>>> to him --
>>>>>>>>>> Arjun Jois. Some of you have already interacted with him.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> We can all meet up as suggested previously, at a sports bar (the
>>>>>>>>>> one at Eva Mall?) and catch up with Arjun's experiences over a
>>>>>>>>>> beer or two.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> This mail is marked to 7 of those who had expressed an interest in
>>>>>>>>>> meeting Arjun: Pradeep B V, Ravi Ranjan, Pradeep Kumar, Nagaraj,
>>>>>>>>>> Shree
>>>>>>>>>> Kumar, Rohan Kini and Ram.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The decisions we need to make are the following:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> 1. Location to meet -- Eva Mall (suggested to be confirmed).
>>>>>>>>>> 2. Date and time of meet: please propose a date and time
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Arjun was wondering if we could all turn up on our bikes in riding
>>>>>>>>>> gear (after all it is a sports bar, right?) for the meet. It would
>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>> interesting, I think, to do this. What do you guys say?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Please let me know and we can freeze on the details.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Regards
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Arun Katiyar
>>>>>>>>>> Mobile: +91-9880007010
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>> http://tourofnilgiri.blogspot.com/
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> Arjun Jois
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> Fired Up,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Pradeep Kumar,
>>>>>>> +91-9902070870
>>>>>>> Eagle: Team - Aman & Viji Ji
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> Arjun Jois
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Fired Up,
>>>>>
>>>>> Pradeep Kumar,
>>>>> +91-9902070870
>>>>> Eagle: Team - Aman & Viji Ji
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Arjun Jois
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> http://tourofnilgiri.blogspot.com/
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> http://tourofnilgiri.blogspot.com/
>
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com
Pradeep B V
Mapunity: social technology at work
www.mapunity.in
--
Pradeep B V
Mapunity: social technology at work
www.mapunity.in
arun katiyar
Oct 6, 2008, 10:40:53 PM10/6/08
to Pradeep B V, Bangalore Bikers Club, Ravi Ranjan, Arjun Jois, pradeep kumar, Nagaraj_...@satyam.com, shree...@gmail.com, Rohan Kini, Ram
Pradeep,
Excellent report. Thank you so much. Reading it is re-inspiring me :-)
Arun
Excellent report. Thank you so much. Reading it is re-inspiring me :-)
Arun
Rohan Kini
Oct 10, 2008, 2:16:03 AM10/10/08
to Pradeep B V, Bangalore Bikers Club, Arjun Jois
wow .. phenomenal writeup and an even better adventure !
Must have been quite an experience meeting Arjun - pity I missed it. I was regularly speaking to him when he was contemplating picking up a bike. Who knew he was up to all these adventures :)
Must have been quite an experience meeting Arjun - pity I missed it. I was regularly speaking to him when he was contemplating picking up a bike. Who knew he was up to all these adventures :)
Subhash
Oct 10, 2008, 5:34:31 AM10/10/08
to Bangalore Bikers Club
Pradeep, It was great reading..thanks for writing!
I wonder one thing, did guys ask him if he felt lonely anytime during
the journey?
cause cycling alone is not so much fun right?
On Oct 10, 11:16 am, "Rohan Kini" <rohan.k...@gmail.com> wrote:
> wow .. phenomenal writeup and an even better adventure !
>
> Must have been quite an experience meeting Arjun - pity I missed it. I was
> regularly speaking to him when he was contemplating picking up a bike. Who
> knew he was up to all these adventures :)
>
>
> > *He would carry lots of fruits with him. Also he drank some sport drinks
>
> > *As he had a tent he could pitch it anywhere and sleep. In Indonesia it
>
> > *Sometimes the roads just were very steep and he ended up climbing some 10
>
> > *It varied from humid and hot places to snowy and windy places. He
>
> > *Meeting people:*
> > *
> > *
> > Visa:
>
> > *China refused to extend his visa beyond a month and he had to return
>
> > *He carried a travellers card that would allow him to use ATM's along the
>
> > *China was very particular on toll. One one freeway he had pay $160 to use
>
> > *He visited a lot of heritage sites and historic sites all around south
> > east Asia.
>
> > *Culture:
>
> > *He got a very good exposure to the culture of various regions and people.
>
> > *Health:
>
> > *He was healthy all along the journey and didn't fall sick.
>
> > *Learning:
>
> > *Many..
>
> >> Arun
>
> >> *That's four people with a Yes: Ravi, Pradeep, Arun (and I am assuming
> >> Arjun). Everybody else?*
>
> read more »
I wonder one thing, did guys ask him if he felt lonely anytime during
the journey?
cause cycling alone is not so much fun right?
On Oct 10, 11:16 am, "Rohan Kini" <rohan.k...@gmail.com> wrote:
> wow .. phenomenal writeup and an even better adventure !
>
> Must have been quite an experience meeting Arjun - pity I missed it. I was
> regularly speaking to him when he was contemplating picking up a bike. Who
> knew he was up to all these adventures :)
>
> On Mon, Oct 6, 2008 at 11:53 AM, Pradeep B V <pradee...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Arun, Ravi and me met up with Arjun Jois at the SBX sports bar at Cosmos
> > Mall on Oct 3rd at 3pm, near Bookefields on ITPL road.
>
> > Here are a few interesting snippets from our discussion. (randomly put
> > together, please excuse me if you find the flow somewhat mixed up, I am
> > trying to write whatever I remember from the conversation)
>
> > 1. Arjun Jois (CCed) cycled around South-East Asia and parts of China over
> > a period of six months.
> > 2. He started out on a Trek bike which was stolen in Saigon and had to buy
> > a new Gary Fisher bike to continue his journey.
> > 3. He carried a tent with him so that he could rest when ever if felt he
> > needed rest. It also provided him freedom to cycle without worrying about
> > reaching a town to halt in a hotel.
> > 4. He had 2 sets of panniers (one for the front and the other for the rear
> > of the cycle)
> > 5. He had a Topeak Handlebar bag that also carried his toolkit. I suspect
> > that this is what he used:http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/BarPack
> > 6. I found that he had 4 water bottle carriers on his bike and 3 cord
> > locks.
> > 7. Arjun said that he didn't train for this tour. He just started off on
> > it.
>
> > Some of the photos and descriptions of the bike can be found here.
> >http://www.flickr.com/photos/pradeepbv/sets/72157607774737590
>
> > *Food:
>
> > Arun, Ravi and me met up with Arjun Jois at the SBX sports bar at Cosmos
> > Mall on Oct 3rd at 3pm, near Bookefields on ITPL road.
>
> > Here are a few interesting snippets from our discussion. (randomly put
> > together, please excuse me if you find the flow somewhat mixed up, I am
> > trying to write whatever I remember from the conversation)
>
> > 1. Arjun Jois (CCed) cycled around South-East Asia and parts of China over
> > a period of six months.
> > 2. He started out on a Trek bike which was stolen in Saigon and had to buy
> > a new Gary Fisher bike to continue his journey.
> > 3. He carried a tent with him so that he could rest when ever if felt he
> > needed rest. It also provided him freedom to cycle without worrying about
> > reaching a town to halt in a hotel.
> > 4. He had 2 sets of panniers (one for the front and the other for the rear
> > of the cycle)
> > 5. He had a Topeak Handlebar bag that also carried his toolkit. I suspect
> > that this is what he used:http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/BarPack
> > 6. I found that he had 4 water bottle carriers on his bike and 3 cord
> > locks.
> > 7. Arjun said that he didn't train for this tour. He just started off on
> > it.
>
> > Some of the photos and descriptions of the bike can be found here.
> >http://www.flickr.com/photos/pradeepbv/sets/72157607774737590
>
>
> > *He would carry lots of fruits with him. Also he drank some sport drinks
> > that were available in the local shops (they were like electral). He used to
> > carry loads of water.
>
> > There were some days when he couldn't get any place to eat and his stocks
> > would have dried up and he slept empty stomach.
>
> > In china he figured out that he could enter a restraunt and just look
> > around and there would be faces welcoming him t come and try the dishes they
> > would have ordered so that he can pick and choose what he wants to eat.
>
> > In some other places it was ok from him to get into the kitchen and cook
> > for himself. Looks like there always used to some steaming rice in the
> > kitchen. He would then cut up onions and make some fried rice to eat and pay
> > the hotel guy.
>
> > Laos usually would have very small villages that was made up of just two
> > small roads and he had to find a hotel in it to eat.
>
> > *Stay:
> > carry loads of water.
>
> > There were some days when he couldn't get any place to eat and his stocks
> > would have dried up and he slept empty stomach.
>
> > In china he figured out that he could enter a restraunt and just look
> > around and there would be faces welcoming him t come and try the dishes they
> > would have ordered so that he can pick and choose what he wants to eat.
>
> > In some other places it was ok from him to get into the kitchen and cook
> > for himself. Looks like there always used to some steaming rice in the
> > kitchen. He would then cut up onions and make some fried rice to eat and pay
> > the hotel guy.
>
> > Laos usually would have very small villages that was made up of just two
> > small roads and he had to find a hotel in it to eat.
>
>
> > *As he had a tent he could pitch it anywhere and sleep. In Indonesia it
> > was usually in the police station as places outside were not safe. In China
> > he found it difficult to get people to allow him to stay in their
> > properties.
>
> > In Thailand looks like there are highway patrool stations where one could
> > go in and take rest, get some snacks all for free. There were also
> > lost of Thai police who had been provided with TREK bikes for their duty.
>
> > In Laos most of the villages had schools that had grounds. He would pitch
> > his tent there and sleep. ?natuallr one of the schools kids would find it
> > out and get the entire village to see him and hear his story.
>
> > *Journey:
> > he found it difficult to get people to allow him to stay in their
> > properties.
>
> > In Thailand looks like there are highway patrool stations where one could
> > go in and take rest, get some snacks all for free. There were also
> > lost of Thai police who had been provided with TREK bikes for their duty.
>
> > In Laos most of the villages had schools that had grounds. He would pitch
> > his tent there and sleep. ?natuallr one of the schools kids would find it
> > out and get the entire village to see him and hear his story.
>
>
> > *Sometimes the roads just were very steep and he ended up climbing some 10
> > hrs (unlike other areas where after a decent climb one gets a flat or a
> > descent).
>
> > sometimes the terrain was full of mountains and jungles. He would enjoy the
> > natural beauty of it but sometime it would get to his as he would have to go
> > through some stretches without human contact for 6-7 days.
>
> > He also visited some volcanoes and was able to see hot fumes oozing out and
> > fly ash all around.
>
> > *Wether:
> > descent).
>
> > sometimes the terrain was full of mountains and jungles. He would enjoy the
> > natural beauty of it but sometime it would get to his as he would have to go
> > through some stretches without human contact for 6-7 days.
>
> > He also visited some volcanoes and was able to see hot fumes oozing out and
> > fly ash all around.
>
>
> > *It varied from humid and hot places to snowy and windy places. He
>
> > *Meeting people:*
>
> > He met lost of other touring people. Actually his journey was in spired by
> > a German (?) whom he had met in Varanasi who had been cycling for the last 3
> > years around various places around the globe.
>
> > *Language:
> > He met lost of other touring people. Actually his journey was in spired by
> > a German (?) whom he had met in Varanasi who had been cycling for the last 3
> > years around various places around the globe.
>
> > *
> > It was huge problem in many places as he would find it hard to get
> > directions. So he figured out a clean way to take care of it. He would go to
> > a posh hotel which would usually have soem front office people well versed
> > in English and would get them to write dwon the destination/route in the
> > local language. This he would attach to his handlebar and show it to people
> > on the way to get directions.
>
> > *Bike transportation:
> > directions. So he figured out a clean way to take care of it. He would go to
> > a posh hotel which would usually have soem front office people well versed
> > in English and would get them to write dwon the destination/route in the
> > local language. This he would attach to his handlebar and show it to people
> > on the way to get directions.
>
> > *
> > On plane: He found Tiger Airways to be really good in handling bikes. No
> > need to disassemble the bike as they would carry the bike safely. Some other
> > airways wanted the bike to be packed in a box. (Arun also mentioned some of
> > the airways in Isreal that would carry bikes at no extra cost.)
>
> > On train: He could ride the bike onto the platfrom from where it would be
> > loaded onto the goods compartment and properly harnessed with ropes. Once he
> > got down he would rush to the goods section only to find it empty. Looks
> > like by the time he could disembark from the train the bike was already
> > taken out and kept in the platform for him to take.
>
> > On Hills: He had to carry the bike with him. So he would firstly take off
> > the panniers and lock the bike and take the panniers up the hill and lock
> > them there and again come back and carry the bike to the top.
>
> > *
> > need to disassemble the bike as they would carry the bike safely. Some other
> > airways wanted the bike to be packed in a box. (Arun also mentioned some of
> > the airways in Isreal that would carry bikes at no extra cost.)
>
> > On train: He could ride the bike onto the platfrom from where it would be
> > loaded onto the goods compartment and properly harnessed with ropes. Once he
> > got down he would rush to the goods section only to find it empty. Looks
> > like by the time he could disembark from the train the bike was already
> > taken out and kept in the platform for him to take.
>
> > On Hills: He had to carry the bike with him. So he would firstly take off
> > the panniers and lock the bike and take the panniers up the hill and lock
> > them there and again come back and carry the bike to the top.
>
> > Visa:
>
> > *China refused to extend his visa beyond a month and he had to return
> > back. Olympics was nearing and Chinese were busy with that.
> > Laos would issue Via on Arrival.
> > Some needed visa to be made in India itself.
> > Cambodia would not provide Visa for one way but would provide for the other
> > way. (into or out of Thailand) unless your are a Combodian.
>
> > He figured out the visas as a unpredictable thing and he had trained
> > himself to think that it will be turned down most of the time and if its
> > granted its a bonus.
>
> > He also had some peculiar experiences when he had to retun back to the
> > capitals to get the Visa as the border posts would not issues on for
> > non-residents! and in one case hwas able to get a consulate guy to issue him
> > a Visa in 2 hrs falt after he was able to produce a ticket to KL.
>
> > *Money:
> > Laos would issue Via on Arrival.
> > Some needed visa to be made in India itself.
> > Cambodia would not provide Visa for one way but would provide for the other
> > way. (into or out of Thailand) unless your are a Combodian.
>
> > He figured out the visas as a unpredictable thing and he had trained
> > himself to think that it will be turned down most of the time and if its
> > granted its a bonus.
>
> > He also had some peculiar experiences when he had to retun back to the
> > capitals to get the Visa as the border posts would not issues on for
> > non-residents! and in one case hwas able to get a consulate guy to issue him
> > a Visa in 2 hrs falt after he was able to produce a ticket to KL.
>
>
> > *He carried a travellers card that would allow him to use ATM's along the
> > way. He also carried travellers cheques. and when he needed money he would
> > ask his mother to fill up the travellers card.
>
> > He would estimate the need for money for the journey till the next ATM and
> > plan to carry as much accordingly.
>
> > *Toll gates, entry tickets:
> > ask his mother to fill up the travellers card.
>
> > He would estimate the need for money for the journey till the next ATM and
> > plan to carry as much accordingly.
>
>
> > *China was very particular on toll. One one freeway he had pay $160 to use
> > the highway even though he was riding a bicycle.
> > Interesting he was able to get some discounts in some national parks as he
> > was on a bike in Thailand. He had found that its always better to bargain as
> > some people would yield to it.
>
> > *Heritage/historic sites:
> > Interesting he was able to get some discounts in some national parks as he
> > was on a bike in Thailand. He had found that its always better to bargain as
> > some people would yield to it.
>
>
> > *He visited a lot of heritage sites and historic sites all around south
> > east Asia.
>
> > *Culture:
>
> > *He got a very good exposure to the culture of various regions and people.
>
> > *Health:
>
> > *He was healthy all along the journey and didn't fall sick.
>
> > *Learning:
>
> > *Many..
>
> > .... ....
>
> > I need to go to sleep now.
>
> > Ravi, Arun, Arjun - please feel free to add to this. I know I am missing a
> > lot of things here. I have tried my best to condense a 3 hr conversation
> > into a 300 word writeup. Also some of the details may be incorrect in the
> > Visa section. Please add corrections if required.
>
> > I would like to thank Arun for putting this meet together and thank Arjun
> > for sharing a his experiences.
>
> > - P
>
> > .... ....
>
> > I need to go to sleep now.
>
> > Ravi, Arun, Arjun - please feel free to add to this. I know I am missing a
> > lot of things here. I have tried my best to condense a 3 hr conversation
> > into a 300 word writeup. Also some of the details may be incorrect in the
> > Visa section. Please add corrections if required.
>
> > I would like to thank Arun for putting this meet together and thank Arjun
> > for sharing a his experiences.
>
> > - P
>
> > On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 9:20 PM, arun katiyar <arun.kati...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >> Hi Pradeep,
>
> >> Come up to Marathalli from old airport - > Go straight up the railway
> >> bridge and down towards Kundanahall -> take left at Kundanahalli traffic
> >> signal (you will see some small shops at the first signal -- that's the
> >> signal to take the left!) -> keep going down towards Whitefield, past
> >> Hindustan Lever/ Brookfields (on your right) --> Cosmos Mall (on your left).
> >> Total distance from Kundanahalli Gate to Cosmos Mall: 1.4 km
>
> >> See:
> >>http://wikimapia.org/#lat=12.9666603&lon=77.7168345&z=17&l=0&m=a&v=2&...
>
> >> Hi Pradeep,
>
> >> Come up to Marathalli from old airport - > Go straight up the railway
> >> bridge and down towards Kundanahall -> take left at Kundanahalli traffic
> >> signal (you will see some small shops at the first signal -- that's the
> >> signal to take the left!) -> keep going down towards Whitefield, past
> >> Hindustan Lever/ Brookfields (on your right) --> Cosmos Mall (on your left).
> >> Total distance from Kundanahalli Gate to Cosmos Mall: 1.4 km
>
> >> See:
>
> >> Arun
>
> >> *That's four people with a Yes: Ravi, Pradeep, Arun (and I am assuming
> >> Arjun). Everybody else?*
>
> >> On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 7:54 PM, Pradeep B V <pradee...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>> Yes. But i need to know where Cosmos is? Can somebody please guide me?
>
> >> On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 7:54 PM, Pradeep B V <pradee...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>> Yes. But i need to know where Cosmos is? Can somebody please guide me?
>
> >>> > On 10/2/08, arun katiyar <arun.kati...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>> >> Hi everybody,
>
> >>> >> The "sports" bar at Eva Mall is actually a lounge bar with all kinds
> >>> of
> >>> >> complications with regard to dress code (no cycling gear allowed),
> >>> >> especially on a Saturday when it is crowded. Cover charge is Rs 750 as
> >>> >> well.
> >>> >> Eva Mall has problems with bike parking as well. I know. I was there
> >>> this
> >>> >> morning talking to them.
>
> >>> >> Cosmos is a better bet.
>
> >>> >> Is everyone okay with 3 pm, Saturday (this one)? Please say a "yes" or
> >>> a
> >>> >> "no" to this and we'll know if it working.
>
> >>> >> Thanks
>
> >>> >> Arun
>
> >>> >> On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 3:41 PM, Ravi Ranjan
> >>> >> <raviranjan.ku...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >>> >> Hi everybody,
>
> >>> >> The "sports" bar at Eva Mall is actually a lounge bar with all kinds
> >>> of
> >>> >> complications with regard to dress code (no cycling gear allowed),
> >>> >> especially on a Saturday when it is crowded. Cover charge is Rs 750 as
> >>> >> well.
> >>> >> Eva Mall has problems with bike parking as well. I know. I was there
> >>> this
> >>> >> morning talking to them.
>
> >>> >> Cosmos is a better bet.
>
> >>> >> Is everyone okay with 3 pm, Saturday (this one)? Please say a "yes" or
> >>> a
> >>> >> "no" to this and we'll know if it working.
>
> >>> >> Thanks
>
> >>> >> Arun
>
> >>> >> On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 3:41 PM, Ravi Ranjan
>
> >>> >>> Hi Arjun,
> >>> >>> There is one sports bar in Cosmos which opens up by 3 in the evening
> >>> (I
> >>> >>> guess it remains open all through)
> >>> >>> 7 pm option does not fit me, but if ppl are comfortable i will try to
> >>> >>> make
> >>> >>> it.
> >>> >>> ~ Ravi
>
> >>> >>> Hi Arjun,
> >>> >>> There is one sports bar in Cosmos which opens up by 3 in the evening
> >>> (I
> >>> >>> guess it remains open all through)
> >>> >>> 7 pm option does not fit me, but if ppl are comfortable i will try to
> >>> >>> make
> >>> >>> it.
> >>> >>> ~ Ravi
>
> >>> >>> On 10/2/08, Arjun Jois <blackadder1...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>> >>>> Hi,
>
> >>> >>>> Had a chat with Arun lat night and the hitch is that the Sports Bar
> >>> >>>> opens
>
> ...
>
> >>> >>>> Hi,
>
> >>> >>>> Had a chat with Arun lat night and the hitch is that the Sports Bar
> >>> >>>> opens
>
>
> read more »
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