Dusty road near Sarchu border on Pang - Sarchu - Manali route in July 2021

That's 3 kms of no road just before Sarchu while travelling from Pang to Sarchu and onwards to Manali in mid July 2021. 

It took 1 hour to cross the 3 kms because of flying dust due to hectic road construction work which is on in full swing. 
Pang to Sarchu is about 75 kms and takes 4 to 5 hrs to travel. 
Video courtesy: @Shikha Yadav 
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* Ladakh Trails 

Summer vs Winter views from Kee/ Ki/ Key Monastery, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India in the month of April 2019 and February 2020 by Rohit Mendiratta

Summer vs Winter views from Kee/ Ki/ Key Monastery, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India in the month of April 2019 and February 2020. Both are spectacular and both have their own charm. 

Do note the changes on the prayer flags and the top portion due to harsh elements of weather. 
The first image from April 2019, has been my phone's wallpaper since then, and when I again visited in February 2020, I wanted to click the same view. I was searching for this view, and specially the flags mast, but could not identify it, till a Lama guided me to the spot. 

Source: Facebook post on Indian Roadie by Roaming Sandals, viz. Rohit Mendiratta, Delhi. 

Links: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/indianroadie/permalink/1835455389945897/ 

https://indian-roadie.blogspot.com/2021/07/summer-vs-winter-views-from-kee-ki-key.html 

https://backpackingindiaonroad.blogspot.com/2021/07/summer-vs-winter-views-from-kee-ki-key.html

Stoppage in Atal Tunnel can result in stoppage in Manali Jail - Kullu Police

Kullu Police in HP doesn't mince around with their words and keeps their promises, too. 

This signage was spotted at the approach to Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, Himachal Pradesh, India on 27th June 2021. 

Roadies stopping inside Atal Tunnel without valid reasons can result in harsh punishment, including imprisonment. 

Courtesy: Abhinav Shekhar 
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* IndianRoadieNews 
* IndianRoadiePoliceDirectives 

Blanket ban on possession and usage of drones by public in entire J&K, Ladakh wef 2021-06-30

Don't even contemplate carrying a drone of any size whatsoever if your are planning to drive/ ride to anywhere in the UTs Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh. 

There's a blanket ban on possession of drones in the said region. 
The official order dated 2021-06-30 passed by the DM of Rajouri is attached for your perusal. 
Be responsible and strictly follow the rules! 

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* Indian Roadie News 

* Indian Roadie Police Directives

Drive through Atal Tunnel Rohtang, Himachal Pradesh from end to end in 12 mins in June 2021

Steady drive through Atal Tunnel Rohtang, Himachal Pradesh, India from end to end in 12 mins in June 2021. 

It's a MustVisit. 

However, please don't stop anywhere inside the tunnel. Kullu Police might take such lawbreakers into custody. 

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* Must Visit 

* Manali - Leh Highway 

Galgibaga Beach, Goa - Must Visit

Galgibaga Beach/ Galgibagh Beach, possibly the cleanest beach in Goa is located in the quiet taluka of Quepem in Canacona region of South Goa and 7 kms from Palolem Beach. 

Swimming is allowed and there are life savers who patrol the beach. 

There are only a couple nice eating shacks which offer lip smacking food. 
It's a Must Visit beach in Goa. 
Galgibaga Beach is fairly simple to find on Google maps. There's no parking next to the beach. One has to walk a bit to reach the beach. 
The beach is one of the three places in Goa that form the nesting grounds of the Olive Ridley turtles, a protected species. The northern portion of this beach is protected it being the turtles nesting ground and that gives the beach its nickname, Turtle Beach. 
Roadies must visit Raj Baga beach on the way back from Galgibaga Beach.
Raj Baga beach is just besides Hotel Lalit and has literally no tourists there. It’s almost like you have the whole beach to yourself.
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* Goa Trails 
* Only While Travelling By Road In India 

Vanlife stories of Mahesh Karadia, resident of Navsari, Gujarat

Mahesh Karadia,  who has settled in Navsari, Gujarat started camping and caravaning while still abroad in 1979. His first camper was a Commer 4 berth with an elevating roof in early 80's. Then he acquired a 4 berth VW camper in late 80's. Along with his wife he travelled extensively in Europe and have amazing memories. Now in 2021, he has a Swift Kontiki 6 berth. In 2016 his brother drove this from London to Mumbai. He joined them in Vizag and drove South to Kerala, Goa, Kanyakumari and then to Mumbai and to Navsari, Gujarat. Couple of years back they travelled to Lourdes in France and Spain. 

He is almost 68 years old now. There is nothing that can beat this experience of his. 
He says, 'if you love, go for it'.  
(Copied) 
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* Vanlife Stories Worldwide 
* Vanlife

Pile up in Fort Worth, Texas in February 2021

Happened in Fort Worth on I-35 southbound toll road, Texas in February 2021. 

It was a 100 car pile up with 6+ fatalities. 
It was reported by people frequenting the highway that at a higher point of the highway (you don't see in the video), is a crest where the cars drive down and can't see the vehicles piled up below. Basically the cars went over the crest, and when they saw what was happening, couldn't stop because of extremely slippery black ice on the road. 
(Video copied from another site) 
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* MishapAndCalamity

Flooring Challenge - Seeking Wisdom for Van Conversion

Flooring Challenge - Seeking Wisdom

We will be putting in subflooring and insulating the floors w Havelock Wool over these next 2 weeks. My partner is 5’10” and we have a FT medium wb and medium roof, so we want to make the floor as thin as possible, and one that will last.

Questions: 

What’s the thinnest plywood you would go with for a subfloor? Any special kind of plywood? (our top floor would likely be vinyl)

What size and kind of wood would you use for the ferrel strips between the floor groves? (this wood would be glued to the kilmat and the metal floor in the spaces between the kimat)

Are ⅜ ferrell strips too thin for screwing subfloor into? We are considering gluing the plywood to the ferrell strips vs screwing. Good idea or not and why?

Wool insulation in the floor goes where in this layering process and how?

What kind of glue would you recommend? One glue to glue the ferrell strips to the metal floor/Kilmat, and one glue to glue the plywood to the ferrell strips. 

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Answers 1: 

What’s the thinnest plywood you would go with for a subfloor?

9-12mm

Any special kind of plywood? (our top floor would likely be vinyl.)

Depends on moisture usage, if you are planning on having toilet, shower or water usage then marine ply

What size and kind of wood would you use for the ferrel strips between the floor groves? (this wood would be glued to the kilmat and the metal floor in the spaces between the kimat) 

2x1 battons are overkill, 1x1 with pilot holes so doesn't split.

Are ⅜ ferrell strips too thin for screwing subfloor into? UK conversion rates of measurements yes it is.

Glueing is cheaper but less secure over time vs screwing you know it's in place and is secure.

Wool insulation in the floor goes where in this layering process and how? Between the battons and under the ply, do section by section otherwise loads of mess to try and see where to apply ply boards with battoning. 

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Answers 2: 

25mm batons, 25mm kingspan, 12mm ply (wpb) and whatever flooring material you wish. 

Some people lay silver foil over the batons, too. 

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* Insulation 

* Flooring 

* Van Conversion 

* Vanlife 

* Conversion for Vanlife 

Sound deadening insulation foam from Vandalised.co.uk

It's 7mm sound deadening insulation foam. Started feeling warmer. 

It's a self adhesive stuff. 

Kayla Tierny did not use spray glue. 
She used Vandalised.co.uk but bought through ebay.
To cover the whole thing like this she bought 15 sq.m in total for her swb vivaro but will have bits left over.
She bought 10 and then needed more. 

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* Insulation 

* Flooring 

* Van Conversion 

* Vanlife