Monsoon arrives in India to bathe the country in a rainbow of colours and bring relief from the summer heat. Fresh showers and lush vegetation are a pleasant sight, providing the ideal setting for a road trip with friends and family or even a solitary excursion. You must, however, be aware of safe roads, since you must select routes that do not offer any risks due to rain. Here are some of the best monsoon ride journeys. So, are you ready to go on your next journey?

Introduction

While travelling in India from one place to another, road journeys are the ideal way to take in the country's environment and breathtaking panoramas. Long trips allow you to unwind and break out from your routine, whether you're planning a solo vacation on your bike or travelling with your family in a car. Long weekend excursions inside your state are wonderful, but they can't compare to the excitement of an interstate road trip! Check out our list below if you enjoy lengthy journeys and want to push yourself with some must-do and quirky road excursions.

Here’s What You Are Missing Out On If You Don’t Go For A Long Drive In Rain

1. A sense of satisfaction

We don't believe it's unreasonable to state that if you make it out to a long drive in rain, you'll get additional hardcore points. If you do it regularly, you'll receive even more. It denotes that you are a skilled rider. In the face of bad weather, you chuckle, grin at downpours, and shrug off the muck. 

2. Kind of liberating

A bike ride in rain, we believe, may provide you with the same uncomplicated sense of joy that you had as a youngster. You'll find yourself aiming for puddles and giggling to yourself as you glide along once you've overcome your fear of being wet and decided to enjoy it. 

3. Absolute bliss

There's nothing like becoming exhausted and wet while riding to make you appreciate clean dry clothes, a nice shower, and tasty meals. The more you take care of your bike, the better it will handle bad weather, and its expensive components and parts will last longer.

4. Amazing bike handling skills 

A bike ride in rain has its own set of difficulties. The road surface is significantly slicker, and painted road markings resemble little patches of ice. The speed should be reduced significantly, and braking should be applied considerably early. Instead of braking harshly, attempt to decelerate gradually and promptly. If you're riding a mountain bike, keep an eye out for roots that have turned into tractionless tubes and mud that are ready to launch you into the air. 

5. More time to ride

Months can pass without you riding outside at all if you don't go out in the wet. While a bike trainer can help when the weather is very awful, it's difficult to put in the same kind of effort on a trainer as you would on a road bike. Long drive in rain also helps you maintain your winter riding and training constant, so you'll have a noticeable edge over other riders when the better, brighter, and drier weather arrives.

7 Incredible Road Trips To Experience Monsoon Ride

1. Mumbai to Goa

During the rainy season, safety is a big worry, and you will feel comfortable on the Mumbai to Goa road journey. On your approach to Goa, the road is in excellent shape, and you may enjoy some of the most stunning natural landscapes. The gloomy weather will add to the trip's attractiveness. 

2. Mumbai to Malshej

Malshej is one of the monsoon rides from Mumbai. The nicest part about the vacation is that you can schedule it for whatever weekend you like. Malshej's lush foliage and scenic splendour are something you must see. Don't miss out on the numerous waterfalls and old forts that can be found here.

3. Shillong  to Cherrapunji

When it comes to monsoon rides in India, Shillong to Cherrapunji should be on your list. Cherrapunji is noted for having the most rainfall in the country, and it becomes even greater during the monsoon. The weather is still beautiful, and you'll be fascinated by nature's splendour. 

4. Bangalore to Ooty

The hazy spiralling roads from Bangalore to Ooty, a hill region, might be the perfect road vacation. The hills are beautifully clothed in flora, which will calm your nerves. You may also visit the Bandipur Reserve Forest to see the local animals. 

5. Chandigarh to Kasauli

Ride into the Himalayan slopes for a short journey from Chandigarh to Kasauli, with the Monsoon providing the ideal background for your road excursion. The ride is only a couple of hours long, but it is well worth it for the beautiful views of the mountains, and many people use it as a weekend retreat.

6. Manali to Leh

Choose Manali to Leh for an uncommon yet rewarding road journey, which is popular among adventure fans owing to the tough driving conditions. The trip is made more challenging by the monsoon, but it offers wonderful vistas of the expansive meadows that follow the snow-capped mountains and rough terrain.

7. Pune to Surat

While driving from Pune to Surat during the monsoon, take in the Sahyadri range, which features greenery-covered hills and natural waterfalls that make for an excellent picnic location. It's one of the best monsoon drives from Pune.

7 More Tips And Tricks For Soppy Ride

Carrying synthetic clothes

The majority of monsoon travel advice from experts recommends bringing light, easy-to-manage apparel. Simple synthetic clothing items are recommended for carrying since they dry rapidly. As much as possible, avoid wearing jeans because we all know how long they take to dry!

Medicines and Repellents

Aside from the admiration for monsoon, this is a season when insects are on the rise due to the abundance of puddles of water. So, as part of your error-free monsoon travel advice, bring bug repellents and medications to ensure that these insects don't bother you.

Avoid street food

The notion of playing with raindrops on a shack's roof while enjoying a cup of hot soup is fantastic! However, it is recommended to avoid street food because it may have been exposed to germs due to the rain, increasing your chances of being ill. 

Avoid outside water

Travellers are well aware not to drink water from strange sources, and the same rule applies here. Make sure you have bottled water with you at all times. Alternatively, you can boil all of the water before drinking it to be safe.

Stay updated on weather reports and news

In the rainy season, this is one of the most important travel recommendations. If you're going to be on the road for a time, you should check the weather forecast before leaving the house. This is especially important if you are visiting a mountainous area. 

Raincoats and Umbrellas

While this is one of the most important items to pack for vacation, especially during the rainy season, we often overlook the small details in favour of the overall image. To guarantee a mess-free voyage, don't forget to bring both of these products.

Cover for technology items

If you're on a budget and waterproof bags aren't an option, ziplock bags or basic plastic bags may be used to store your cellphones, computers, chargers, and cameras inside your backpack. This is a low-cost option that can help you safeguard your valuable electronic equipment and gadgets.

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As one of my favorite Road Cycling expert - Mark Cavendish quotes, “To me, it doesn’t matter whether it’s raining or the sun is shining or whatever: As long as I’m riding a bike I know I’m the luckiest guy in the world.” 

Cycling during the rainy season demands some preparation. But, worry not! We will tell you how to enhance your monsoon cycling experience with some amazing tips and product suggestions.

During my childhood, I used to love riding in the rain. Not only because I loved to get dirty but also the fun that would come along - jumping in those muddy puddles, splashing water on each other. Looking back at it, the game has changed - when traveling back from the office or while going out for a fun ride, we often try to protect ourselves from the harsh weather conditions.

Today's scenario is all about ‘’How can I equip myself while cycling in the rain??’” It is one of the most important things to consider when we go out this monsoon season. 

Here are some suggestions for your Rainy Rides: 

Men's City Cycling Rain Jacket 120 PPE Daily Visibility Certified Neon Yellow

Staying dry for at least 2 hours whilst out riding - all thanks to taped seams and a well-fitted hood. Good ventilation on the sides lets the air in, offering great breathability. 

Morning, noon, or night visibility is always a concern for most cyclists, the neon color provides the solution for this very problem. The jacket being compact and feather-light, making it easier to carry this around - even in your pocket!! While providing all these benefits it is also a 100% Eco-friendly product made out of recycled polyester

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Men's Rain Jacket RC100 - Blue  

This jacket makes cycling in light wind and drizzle easier. With a cut design for a more comfortable position on the bike, the jacket comes with lower fabric breathability resistance, evaporating the moisture and keeping you dry. There is also a large pocket at the back to accommodate a multitool, phone, keys, etc. 

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100 City Cycling Rain Overtrousers - Black  

Helps you stay dry for at least 2 hours when cycling. There is a good elasticated waistband for a comfortable fit. This facilitates the protection of your shoes with built-in overshoes. Reflective strips on the rear side enhance night visibility. Made easy for packing when it stops raining. 

Waterproof Smartphone Sleeve

We sure have to protect our phones during these rainy rides. Having a good waterproof smartphone pouch with a touch-sensitive feature that allows you to use your phone seamlessly is a necessity. Can accommodate any phone equal to or less than 16 X 8 cm. Comes with a simple yet effective fast fastening system. It has helped my phone not only during cycling but also during my long runs. Not only useful for your phones but can be occupied with keys, cards, cash, etc. 

ST 100 Adult MTB Sunglasses Category 0 - Transparent

100% UV-protected glasses, ideal in cloudy weather or at night. The frame's glasses provide utmost ventilation, Also the large lens helps in enhanced peripheral vision.  Easy to carry and robust enough as it is made out of high-resistance polycarbonate plastic. Clear vision and good clarity are what is promised and out of the experience, it does help you during drizzles and not to forget the dust on the roads. 

ST 100 Adult MTB Sunglasses Category 1 - Yellow

Full UV filter, ideal for foggy/cloudy weather conditions. This helps you mainly during your rides in the city amidst the traffic, the lens assists you with the vehicle lights and makes your vision clear. Being lightweight this glass is easy to carry and stable enough as it comes with grippy arm tips which prevent it from slipping.

Last but not the least, Don't forget to play it safe with a Face Mask 

REUSABLE BARRIER FACE MASK - Pack of 2   

A new way of moving out is covering yourself with a mask of this kind, comes with 90% filtration efficiency, easy to wear and comfortable fit makes it the best buy. The best thing about this is that it can be used up to 50 washes.  

To conclude, The above products can help you cycle through the wet roads in a better way. Ride Safe, Happy Monsoon!!!!!

Another quote that would motivate you to keep going - “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to ride in the rain.”

These stunning monsoon destinations will leave you in awe of India's natural splendour, which is best appreciated on a road trip. However, as a precaution, constantly check road and weather information to avoid any unpleasant surprises on the roads, and drive cautiously during the rainy season.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you ride in the rainy season?

When biking in the rain, keep a safe distance. In the rain, braking distances are longer, so keep a wider gap between you and the cars ahead of you than usual. This provides you more leeway to slow down, as well as a better chance of avoiding rear tyre spray.

2. Which is the best place to go for a road trip in the monsoon?

We have mentioned above a complete list of the best places to visit when you are planning for a road trip during monsoons. You can pick any of these places to have a truly memorable experience.

3. Where can I ride a bike in Mumbai in the monsoon?

Some of the best places to visit in Mumbai during monsoons are:-

1. Malshej Ghat

2. Durshet

3. Mulshi Dam

4. Thoseghar Falls

5. Vihigaon Waterfalls

6. Bhandardhara Dam

4. Can we go to Lonavala on a bike in the monsoon?

Yes, you can go to Lonavala on a bike. The best time to ride a bike from Mumbai to Lonavala is directly after the monsoon has passed. This would be between late September and early October. Although the waterfalls are still swollen from the rain, the risk of landslides and skidding has significantly decreased.

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