Many of us travel, some in cars and others in public transport, but there are people like us who are passionate about bike trips. If you also have this passion and haven't toured on a bike before or haven’t been to Swat on one, this report is for you.
In 2018, I first visited Swat by bus, but this time the idea of going from Islamabad to Swat on a bike made waiting for the set day almost unbearable. A friend of mine, Haneen from Karachi, also planned to join, and he arrived in Islamabad the day before our departure. A couple of days before leaving, we thoroughly checked all electrical and mechanical parts of the bike to ensure nothing would let us down during the trip.
How to Prepare for a Bike Trip?
A bike trip to mountainous areas can be quite pleasant if you are well-prepared in advance. Essential checks include the bike’s wiring, plugs, tires, chain, brake shoes, and their springs. These are the basic components that must be inspected before any bike trip. Neglecting them could result in serious inconvenience, financial loss, and mental distress, posing a threat to personal safety.
Now, what should you pack for the journey? Here's a list of necessary items:
Bike documents, driving license, painkillers, Voltral cream for muscle pulls, Vicks, warm bandages, cotton, Dettol, baby oil (to avoid wounds from sweat), extra clothes, a raincoat, a warm cap, a flashlight, a power bank, and an internet device (or prepaid package), chocolates for quick energy, water bottles, and an empty bottle for emergencies.
Without these basics, don’t even think about leaving for the trip.
Additionally, while you may not need bike spare parts if you've checked everything beforehand, it’s still wise to carry extra engine oil, fuses, a small bottle of fuel, bearings, and grease. A detailed list can be easily found on biker groups online.
Make sure to carry necessary tools for the bike, too. Even if you don’t know how to fix things yourself, you can seek help on Facebook groups, where someone can guide you through a problem in real-time. However, without tools, even help won’t work.
For highway travel, depending on the weather, you should have a light or heavy jacket, but a jacket is essential. Also, don't forget your helmet, gloves, ankle-high boots, pants or trousers that reach the ankles, and protective pads for knees, shoulders, and elbows.
Beginning the Journey and a Few Precautions
After a hearty breakfast, we left Islamabad at 3 a.m. It was the budget-friendly month of May, so we filled the fuel tank without hesitation and took the GT Road via Srinagar Highway. Since bikes aren’t allowed on the motorway, the only option left for bikers is GT Road, which in some places feels like village streets due to its condition.
If you see a scraped road ahead, immediately change lanes or slow down considerably, or else your bike (and possibly you) will need serious repairs before the road does.
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