It was long since I'd been on a solo-saddle! I had got the perfect time and the perfect weather to my liking. Had saved up sufficient money too. My main places was to visit Palakkad and Hyderabad, as I'd work only in those two places. And to connect these two places, I drafted a plan using G-Maps. Had to do pretty much research about the places for which I'd to lose sleep before the day of departure.
Duration: From 13th August 2013 till 19th August 2013.
Trip meter reading: 3995 km.
Day 1: 13th august 2013
BLR-COIMB-PKD
I woke up to the ring of my alarm and
started packing my luggage! It was around 5.30AM.
By around 6.30 I’d set my Viaterra Claw and
everything on my bike and was ready to take off! This was the first time I was
Riding somewhat perfectly, with the Claw on, with Knee and Arm guards, Orazo
safety boots, but no riding jacket. Yea, they are pretty expensive! Anyways
under severe circumstances, my jacket, arm and knee guards would do some job.
Its always been like this to me. The first
80 or 100 Km of my saddle will always be in a slow pace i.e below 80kmph. This makes me (or anyone for that matter) to
get adjusted to the saddle(with luggage and stuff). After the first stop which
is around a 100km, I gain momentum and thus speed away!
This time I took the normal NH7 route to
Coimbatore. Wanted to do BLR-MYSORE-OOTY-COIMB route very badly. But was in
short w.r.t time as the whole itenary of mine was packed!
Nearing the Mc.D near Krishnagiri on NH7, I
picked up the speed, as on my last Solo to Kanyakumari, that was the place
where I’d had my coffee and hence sped away! Took few stops when I wanted to
click some pics. Beautiful sceneries all the way!
Reached Coimbatore around 12.30pm. Stopped
near PSG medical coll(near the skywalk where it connects both the PSG campuses
on either sides of the road) and asked some localite for directions towards
ISHA yoga center.
After another ride for around 30kms,
reached ISHA by nearly 1.30pm.. thanks to the bad roads as I couldn’t ride
above 25kmph in many stretches.
I could’ve chosen the wildlife sanctuary or
any other place like waterall or so to visit, but since I’d to witness many of
them in the coming days and had no interest in wildlife, I chose to visit ISHA.
Also, the website www.dhyanalinga.com
gives nice image about it that u want to visit it!
Checked-in the shoe and baggage counter,
where I was said Big luggage cannot be kept with them. They told me to carry it
in, I enquired from a person near the Holy Pond, he said them to keep under
only one condition that I should take it back once I’ve done with my bath in
the Pond. Agreeing for the same I kept it, but I had no plans of having a bath
nor did I want to as I’d to remove my armours etc. moreover I’d to reach
Palakkad at the earliest, as my relatives were waiting there!
pic: on the way, near salem!
ISHA:
A calm,serene place to stay around, if you
are bugged with your daily-city-life.
The big black Nandi statue is very
attractive. Maybe it is more than 12ft tall! ‘Photography is strictly
probhited’ there and hence I couldn’t take much photos. Thanks to my tab,
though I deposited my camera, my tab helped me click a few photos, very few.
Capturing nandi was impossible as it was guarded all over.
I could find many people meditating everywhere, on grass,
and many places where there was shade.
They mostly seemed like Buddhist monks. A few had slept too, mostly due to intense meditation :D
The sculpture of Lord Shiva in his 3 different faces is
mostly the only sculpture in the South (or maybe according to my knowledge).
After roaming around and relaxing I went to
visit the Dhyanalinga, which is the main attraction why people come to ISHA.
There are 2 or 3 security checks before
entering the Dhyanalinga. Here, no mobile, nothing. Everything is restricted as
the big Shiva-linga in meditation hall is known to have some power or to emit some positive vibrations (if only our
frequency with that of linga’s is matched :p).
In the final security check I was asked what all the armours
were and y I was wearing them! I told them to chill and explained that they would protect
me if in case I fall from bike. The lady guard then smiled, for until then she was
anxiously looking who I was! :D She requested me to remove those and not worry
about them until I return.
I went near the Dhyanalinga. My pants were scraping the
floor. A lady volunteer from, near the door told me in sign language to pull it
up. I pulled them up. Many god sculptures were there. I saw them all and was
entering the hall, and the lady stopped me to say that the hall is filled and I
need to wait for 10min. I was like fine, no problem. I just peeped by the door,
and saw how the hall was. For that also I was told to wait for 10min. Hall was
nice, with some 8 or 10 Den like places inside the wall, in which one should sit
and meditate, however, I saw a few meditating on the floor.
I started walking back and another volunteer stops me and
says please wait for few minutes and meditate, you will feel the difference. As
my intention was just to see the place, n was running short of time, I told her ‘I just came by to see the Dhyanalinga, I need to reach palakkad by dusk’.
Went to the guard where my guards were handed over, she told
me not to feel bad for making me remove those, as when one enters the hall he
should be in peace and body should be free. I smiled and said ‘no problem’, and
moved towards the cafeteria.
After filling my stomach with juice and some sandwich- which
actually wasn’t even near to filling half my stomach :p I went back to the main
counter to get my shoes and the bag. Thank god, I wasn’t questioned or asked y
I took so much time to have bath etc.
Headed towards palakkad. Had travelled in this road in May.
Knew that it would be a pain riding there, yet had to, as that was the only
route!
It was nearly 3 pm when I left ISHA. Somehow reached relatives
house in palakkad by 6pm. They offered me to take me around there to the Malampuzha Dam, I denied and told them I just needed some rest, as it was sunny all the way.
Felt great that the first day of my trip was smooth without any issues!
Felt great that the first day of my trip was smooth without any issues!
Had slept only for some 5hrs in total in the last 48hrs. Was
deprived of sleep and so was waiting to get on bed. Had a cold shower so that I
stopped stinking. Had dinner around
8.30pm told my aunt I would sleep off as I was very tired and need to start
away latest by 5.30am in the morning!
pic: on the way back from ISHA.
Day 2 and 3
14th and 15th August.
Route: PKD-MUNNAR-ALLAPUZHA-KOCHIN-CALICUT-KANNUR-PAYYANUR-KASARGOD-MANGALORE-MURUDUESHWARA.
IDK how, but I woke up only at 5.30am and aunt had already
kept the breakfast ready. I felt sad for making her wake up early but me not
keeping up. I got ready, it started drizzling. I was told not to start until it
stops, but I was like I must start as I have to cover great distances by to
night. Thus I started by nearly 7am.
My actual plan was to head up to the South India’s tallest
peak- ANAMUDI which is 13km from Munnar but had read reviews that private
vehicles aren’t allowed there. This is to not pollute the Sholayar national
park and the Sholayar range of forests. We need to park the vehicle purchase a
ticket and go in the govt. vehicle provided there. Again the question was about
the luggage hence I just decided to head to munnar and ask local people.
I went through Pollachi (through Udumalpet) as local drivers
in Palakkad told me that the road is good, and it was good though!
pic: On the way to Pollachi. this was taken by a fisherman. I then realised that kerala has 100% literacy, as he spoke in fluent English to me.
I rode in the ANNAMALAI TIGER RESERVE and ANNAMALAI forest
range for around a 30km atleast. Very exciting and freaking it was. Many places
had the boards:
“Animal Crossing Zone ‘GO SLOW’ ”
“Tiger crossing zone ‘PLEASE WATCH AHEAD’ ”
It was freaking, as I happened to see the claw marks of
tigers on the side-sand. I even had taken a couple of photographs of my bike in
front of these sign boards, unfortunately they were deleted from my tab when I
connected SD card to it. Those photographs were awesome.
I’d to climb and climb and climb, munnar seemed very tall :P
Around nearly 12pm I was in munnar. Filled gas, called up a
few friends seeing the missed calls and headed south towards Alapuzzha.
pic: in munnar.. sorry for the bad resolution of my tab!
I knew I’d nearly 200km to cover and reach Cochin university
which is further ~20km from Alapuzzha by 6.30pm, as the free ferry service
which is to make us cross the backwaters for just a distance of 30meters closes
by 7pm (that’s what my friend said).
I’d to have lunch too.
Riding in hill stations is much tiring than on a straight highway,
as one needs to contantly keep changing the gears and be straining his arms and
legs. Also, concentration levels needs to be higher in hill stations as a bit
short or more turning radius can be fatal and even for the many blind-turns it
has!
Munnar was good, couldn’t predict where it rained n where it
didn’t. Some stretches were of scorching sun, and some stretches of drizzles.
After wearing and removing rain coat for 3-4 times, I decided to get drenched
and not bother about rains.
I somehow reached the downslope which was steep and gave me
a feeling that hill stations are no more. I was coming down, and I see an
Innova written on it “HIGHWAY POLICE, IDUKKI DISTRICT”
I understood why it was there for checking, as we students
know why Idukki is famous for :P
The police stops me seeing my claw on the back, asks if
something is there in it. I told u r free to check. He
was like ’No brother we are here for checking not for doubting’ but didn’t
bother to check. He asked for Driving License, I showed that and even the
Registration card. He felt happy for I myself showed it. I took a photo of his
by his permission. He felt happy and said in Malayalam ‘kids these days take
photos, take everything and upload on facebook, no other work they have’ and
went away with a smile. Even I left the place as a policewoman told not to
stand there. It was nearly 3pm by then, I was hungry much!
Headed to Ernakulum. Could see only Jalebi’s on every
name-board, be it any shop ;) didn’t know which was Veg hotel and which was
non-veg! I passed by a 10km and saw a hotel on the side with veg symbol on the
board. Immediately pulled over and asked him if they had meal. They said no and
I filled my stomach with dosa, idli and utappams.
It was 4.30pm . I still had 55km to alapuzha and 70 in
total. Felt great when I reached the highway. Don’t remember the national
highway or state highway number. Sped like anything. High speeds made me feel good as from morning 8.30
till 4pm I was just riding in hills.
Reached alapuzzha by 6.15pm. Filled gas, checked air, and
the person in the air counter was a Nepali. Maybe it was like years that he had
found someone who spoke hindi. Haha. :D
Roads were bad in alapuzzha and filled with HTVs. Somehow
used my Bangalore brains to squeeze in traffic even in the smallest gaps and
made it to the dead-end, from there 15km towards left is Cochin university.
First 3-5km were busy with traffic and people. Last 12km
were mindblowing . I really wished I would’ve been there atleast an hour
before, for by the time I was riding there it was nearing night.
Both sides water and in the middle a beautiful tarmac. Who
won’t feel elated to ride there. Didn’t even have time to click some pics as
I’d to reach before 7pm.
Reached there by 6,45pm and asked the college students who
were waiting there about the ferry timings. They said it’ll be in operation
till 9pm. I just sighed in relief.
Met my friend, handed-over the gift which my mom had sent.
Talked to him for a while and left the place by 8pm. now that it was dark and no
student was found on road, I lost my route. Infact all roads are same in a new
unknown place! Found a farmer, asked him the way to Alapuzha. He told a route,
but I was damn sure that it wasn’t the route I came from. Anyways headed
through.
This was the route which didn’t need the ferry
service, as it was substituted by an over bridge. Quite long though. Still, easier for anyone to travel at any point of
a day.
Beautiful houses
aside I was connected back to the
beautiful road in between the backwaters.
Rode slowly, lesser than 80kmph as I was enjoying the cool
breeze and was feeling bad for not being there in day-light.
Went to Alapuzha beach. Some 2 guys were sitting there.
Asked them why they were not going in the water. They told this beach not
many go in, this is not clean…. Yet a time-passing place. One of them worked in
some call-center in Bangalore!
Again moved from there, parked in a small hotel, went inside and told them I needed
to charge my tab. They helped and I had 5 chapatti and tomato curry for 50bucks. Amazing taste.
Left the place around 9.30pm. The admin of LORDS(league of
riders and drivers-kerala) Mohammad Anwar had told me to meet him in
Payyanur,NH-17 which is 35km from Kannur towards Karnataka.
Never ever had dreamt
of this road, nor had expected this kind of road- 'Edapally-Panvel Highway' its called. I
guess its one of the worst national highways in India.
Was in Kochi at 11pm. Saw the big LuLu mall and pulled over.
The LuLu group has claimed that it is the biggest mall of India. It was 11pm
and the mall closes at 11pm, so I missed the chance.
Now I blamed myself for waking up late, as I missed the
beautiful ride between the backwaters and the LuLu mall.
After kochi started the bad roads. I just was seeing the
board ‘Mangalore’ or ‘Calicut’ and was heading ahead. Its nerve-wrecking to
ride in such roads.
15th August- Independence Day!
I could hardly maintain an avg speed of 40kmph. Many times
just 20kmph due to continuous pot-holes.
It was scary, no vehicles ahead or behind, it was just me
heading through! Once in 15 or 20min a lorry would pass by and I used to feel
happy.
Nearing Guruvayoor, many HTVs and LTVs were moving. A nice
stretch was there where I was in 100kmph and suddenly saw a pothole far away and
braked. Tried to engine brake, but gear lever wasn’t to be found. I was shocked
and almost suffered a severe blow in my mind. I parked vehicle with the
indicator blinking and saw that my gear lever was hanging down. Maybe it
was by God’s grace that screw hadn’t fallen off, as its a screw that has many tapers in it and
I doubt its availability in Bajaj service outside cities. Whatever it was, if
the problem was severe I’d to wait another 7 to 10 hrs to get a carry truck and
head to Calicut to get it repaired. It was 12.30AM when all this happened.
I’d a new set of Allen-keys. I removed the pack and
tightened the screw. This shock made me ride in 25kmph for the next 15kms! :D
Later I sped up remembering the distance I’d to cover by
next morning. I’d to cover 330+ kms to mangalore and 220+ kms to reach
payyanur.
I never had ridden on a road with continuous potholes for
many miles. I was getting pissed every pothole I sent my bike in, but
controlled myself as I’d no other choice.
I knew my forks were under some serious effect when I
couldn’t just bend on a curve when the roads became good. I took a stop before
Calicut at 2.30am. had tea to keep myself awake. Enquired the shop-wala about
the bad roads. He told until mangalore I’d to face those!
He told me to wear rain coat if I had one, as Calicut had
heavy rains. It was true. It had rains, but not much. I reached Kannur by
around 4.30am, called Anwar. He told me to come 35km ahead, and that’s
Payyanur. While I was reaching Payyanur, met Shajeer and one more guy from
LORDS who honked seeing my KA registered bike. They took me to a nearby petrol
station. Anwar joined us in nearly 15min and I told I need to sit somewhere
peacefully. Went n had tea to hold my sleep. My eyes were drooping. I just
needed a place to lie down. But didn’t lie down as I knew once I sleep it’ll be
late by the time I wake up and again it’ll be a delay in my schedule. It was
around 5.30am now.
Now the question was where to stay, Mangalore or
Murudeshwara. Mangalore is a place where there is not much to see, except for
the beaches. But Murudeswhwara was a compulsory visit and it was on my route
map to the next place.
I convinced myself I’ll ride till Murudeshwara and then find
a place to sleep.
Anwar told me to wait and meet the whole group of LORDS. I
was already late and but waited as it was the only time in near future that I
would be going there. In the meantime I called up RNS Highway hotel in Murudeshwar
and booked a room and told them that I would check-in latest by 6pm. they were
fine with it.
Rode Anwar’s Ninja 300, which is supposed to be the 1st
N-300 in India. They all assembled around 8.15.
They were all happy as they were riding to Madikeri as their
Independence Day ride.
By 8.30, flagged off their Independence day ride and we were
done with some clicks and flags on our bikes. They took their way in
group-riding towards madikeri, while I continued my saddle towards kasargod>mangalore.
Now rains started haunting me. Heavy rains with breeze was
swaying my bike. And all the roads were bad. Anwar had told that after kasargod
roads will be good. But I could see the improvement by just a 5 or 10%.
Reached mangalore by 12pm, roamed around the city. The joy
and happiness that u have when u know that u r in your own state is completely
different. it was pleasant to ride In mangalore. I could see many school kinds
returning home with Indian flags in their hands and many kids dressed like
M.Gandhi, J.Nehru and S.C.Bose etc.. Had to meet a senior member of Naked wolves-
mangalore chapter and my friend Jackson Noronha, but the sleep took its side!
Went to Panambur beach,the port of mangalore! Sand seemed
nice. But I’d no mood to rest there. Told one toy-seller to look after my bike.
Clicked few on beach and the ships and head back to a side hotel, had sugarcane
juice which somewhat made me cool and had another glass.
I’d 150km left till Murudeshwara. I was already sleeping in
my mind, just that my body was awake. Washed my face almost 2 times every 10km
on my way. Roads under construction and hence some stretches are nice 4
lane and some are 2 lane.
The way mangalore bus drivers drive is horrible. Only they
know when they’ll turn to which side.
The visor , if kept open would made me suffer with dust
particles entering my eye, if closed would make me sleep. So I was continuously
exercising by opening and closing the visor.
The last 20km was really a torture. It was like I’d to do by
any chance. It was Do or Die! Ugh!
I thought I would cover off 20km easily and stopped washing
my face i.e stop pouring in the bottle of water through my helmet itself, as
stopping for every 5km will kill time again!
I was seeing the trip meter continuously, and was counting
every 100mt (0.1 difference) in it, and I don’t know how, I suddenly hear a Lorry
pass by,just next to me, with just a few inches gap and a Tata Sumo taxi guy
from behind shouting “Oye Oye” I opened my eyes and he overtook me and told “see
in the front and ride”. While I was at 100+kmph and still thinking why he told so, I realised that I’d fallen
asleep. I was like “shit, WTH is happening!!”.
I was left with nearly 10km left and I concentrated a lot to
keep my eyes wide open. Saw the big board ‘RNS HIGHWAY HOTEL’ at the entrance
of Murudeshwara and just rode in n parked my bike.
Took my luggage after unloading the claw and went in,
receptionist gave a big form to fill the details. I wrote my name, vehicle
number and phone number and pleaded her with my hands folded that I would fill
everything else once I wake up. She smiled and agreed! The room was very much
worthy of its price-450 bucks. Called my dad and informed I was in
murudeshwara! Just slept off after wearing some free-clothing. It was 3.30 when
I checked in. and I guess I was snorting by 3.45pm!
Woke up by 9.30pm, and called the restaurant to find out if
dinner was available. They told yea and that it would be open till 10.30pm. I
immediately brushed my teeth, took bath, saw myself in the mirror to have my
eyes swollen and become red!
I went in the restaurant and saw that there were tables only
for a minimum 6 people and not for 2 people. When I asked the waiter , he told
I should wait.
I went up to the Hotel security at the gate and asked if
there was any hotel nearby. He told go 10 steps further and u will find many.
It was pouring pretty much then. I took my bike and went to the nearest hotel.
So lucky I was to have 4 chapatti and curry in just 30rs.
Many lorry drivers were having there!
Went back to hotel, couldn’t be much awake, slept off around
11.15pm but was again up by 4am joblessly!
Day 4: 16th August
MURUDUESHWARA-ANKOLA-GOA-KOLHAPUR
I was wide awake by 5am. Didn’t know what to do, it was
pouring heavily outside and was cold too.
By 5.30am I was out with my bike and rain coat on! Went
towards the world-famous Shiva statue and luckily since there was no security,
I took my bike in and parked it just below the statue.
Trespassed inside the Naveen Beach resort(owned by RNS group) and
clicked few pics of shiva and the beach. Sun rise wasn’t visible due to clouds.
I’d searched online for the sunrise time on that day in Murudeshwara and it had
showed 6.18AM. But seeing the clouds I knew I’d no chance! Spent around 45mins
there. Again was back in hotel. Asked if breakfast was ready, receptionist told
that breakfast time is from 7 to 10am. I was like phew! Again took my bike, got
drenched and went to Kamath which is just 10mt from the statue. Had nice dosa
and idli and a cup of coffee and headed back. The rain was pleasant, not
hurting nor harsh!
pic: Krishna preaching Arjuna-the famous Bhagavadgita
pic: Lord Ganesha writing down the lessons of Vyasa Muni. (This has a big story behind it as why Vyasa made Ganesha write).
By 8.30 I was ready, lubed my chain, as previously I’d done
near my stop before Calicut.
The humidity was so high amidst heavy rains there that I was sweating after I lubed my chain and tied the Claw to the bike!
The humidity was so high amidst heavy rains there that I was sweating after I lubed my chain and tied the Claw to the bike!
Now came the amazing roads, never ever had known that such
roads existed in Karnataka. As I visited coastal Karnataka only some 11yrs back
of which I’ve no memory! But murudueshwara was my first time though!
pic: about 20km after murudeshwara, along the sea.
Really an awesome place for a weekend visit. I didn’t like
to leave the place, but had to as Goa was awaiting my visit :P
My friends, who had lived in the coastal Karnataka had told
me to be very careful during rains or rather avoid riding in NH-17. The lorries
and trucks from Manganese Ores travel there and the road becomes red with the
spillage and hence make the roads become slippery. Well, it was great that not even a
100mt I rode in was so! I could hardly count a handful of potholes. For what
I’d ridden in the previous day, this seemed like a treat to me!
Amazing corners, scenic roads. A real abode for all the photographers
out there. I guess a photographer can make it a 3 day tour to just capture the
beauty of nature there!
I filled my tank in Ankola. Luckily I had 300 bucks change
left and I filled for the same. that person after filling, was like ‘y did u fill
here sir, another 40km and u get Goa’ I was like thank god I didn’t fill up the
tank.
I entered Goa and all the cars were stopped for intense checking. Bikes weren't cared of!
I stopped on seeing the board 'Udupi Hotel' in Cancoon. Asked him if coffee was available in Kannada and he was happy to talk back.. asked me where I was heading to, where I'm from and all. After passing this town joined the highway, where an Indica guy just missed death by an inch. A local bus was in high speed. this Indica driver was about to light his cigarette and didn't concentrate on road. It was to his luck that only the front part above the wheel got damaged. Had he been a second late in turning, his door would've got cruhed.
Anticipating that his door would get crushed, I stopped way behind when I saw the bus and car nearing!!
I stopped on seeing the board 'Udupi Hotel' in Cancoon. Asked him if coffee was available in Kannada and he was happy to talk back.. asked me where I was heading to, where I'm from and all. After passing this town joined the highway, where an Indica guy just missed death by an inch. A local bus was in high speed. this Indica driver was about to light his cigarette and didn't concentrate on road. It was to his luck that only the front part above the wheel got damaged. Had he been a second late in turning, his door would've got cruhed.
Anticipating that his door would get crushed, I stopped way behind when I saw the bus and car nearing!!
I passed by a few kms and got stuck behind a blue Hyundai
Verna (KA 03 ML ****). His driving was really great I should say! Like I took
the corners he also took easily. We were back-to-back always. If he was about to spoil my corner, I used to honk, pass the light
and ask for place, and yea he gaveJ.
I rubbed my shoes a minimum of 30 times in all.
We were together until Panjim, Goa!
Then I stopped to ask about the places around, and he went
away!
pic: just before Panaji.
Goa:
Union territory it is and so is beautiful. Nice maintenance!
I knew there was just
the Basilica’s church and beaches, for which Goa is famous for! I asked one
shop owner where the church was, he told It is 10km behind! I was like I can’t
go back. Then asked a taxi guy for beach and he told ‘Calangute Jao’. I headed
seeing the sign boards. I parked my bike. Beach was nothing less than a market
or a mall on a Sunday! People were rushing in. While every other over there was
wearing the least amount of skin-covering dress possible, I was wearing a jacket and all armours on! I laughed on myself and even the shop
people did. Police looked suspicious on me! But I had the camera on my neck.
I took few photographs, walked back to the parking, searched
in my tab for famous beaches in goa. Went to few of them. Arambol, Aswem… all
of them had deserted look. Asked one of the parking security and he told
October or November the season starts. Now its off-season!
pic: Arambol beach.
It was 2.30pm by the time I’d finished roaming in goa. I
wanted to just fill the tank and move towards Kolhapur. I filled my tank. Petrol
was 59 Rs per litre. Felt so happy seeing my tank filled full at just 500Rs. Filled
my tank upto the brim so that I get enough petrol in subsidised rate!
Enroute Kolhapur:
Headed to Kolhapur via Sawantwadi. Few people told me to not take that route! But I did, if I’d gone from the other side of goa, I would ve seen and passed by beautiful ghats!
Headed to Kolhapur via Sawantwadi. Few people told me to not take that route! But I did, if I’d gone from the other side of goa, I would ve seen and passed by beautiful ghats!
Had 2 vada pavs, and 2 cups of tea in Sawantwadi.
Roads to Kolhapur aren’t that good. Out of the 200km, maybe
some 80km might be good. Rest 80-100km is in Ghats and rest the normal village
roads.
I was travelling through the ghats, don’t know which hills
were they nor do I know the range. Maybe the Shayadri’s. All the way was
covered by thick fog that I couldn’t see a board 5mt ahead. I had to be very
careful. It was raining too, roads were slippery, So it was a NO-CORNERING
sign!
From Munnar whenever it used to rain, I used to wear the
gloves I bought from a hardware shop, which are water resistant and help better than
normal riding gloves during rains. But after riding in heavy rains til goa, It started
irritating me as I had to change gloves every now and then. I decided that I
won’t be wearing any gloves for the rest of the trip!
Rather I used to ride
without and when hands were ‘chilled-out’ I used to keep them near exhaust pipe
so that I get some warmth!
An SUV passed by me in the hills once, couldn’t see it
clearly as it was full of fog and it was dark, around 7.30pm. I came to the
left max possible so that he gets his way clear, and I cross the car, moved a
bit front and saw my headlight reflecting in water. Damn! That was a lake next
in the hill, at that altitude! I just pulled to the right. Again, I was in some
15kmph and was saved!
Here too, 8pm looked like it was 12 in the midnight! No
people around, no proper sign boards, where there was both left and right I
used to get confused. It was pitch dark n scary too. I doubted Edge or 3G connectivity
there and hence didn’t remove my tab to see the directions.
In india we don’t actually need GPS coz we already have JPS
(Janata Positioning System) :D
But I found some cyclist or someone or the other who showed
me the way, and all the turns I took were the correct ones.
A Harley rider passed by me in the opposite direction. I gave pass, honked to just stop and talk to. He didn't stop. this made me think this might be a scary ghat! He was on a solo ride too, had no backpack or saddle bags rather!
Reached outskirts of Kolhapur by 9pm. Rain was hitting (rather pricking) my hands. Didn’t wanna stop as city was just a few minutes away
and I would have checked in an hour max!
Just as I enter the outskirts, and covered some 5km, some
guy in a Splendor comes n asks me to stop. He literally pushes his bike towards
me so that I stop. I put brakes and moved slowly. He put his left hand near my
keyhole to flick the key. I hit hard on his hand that his hand flew away. I was
tired and was finding for a good sleep and this man brings up something
unwanted.
Roads were again not good, I sped away. He followed me, and
after 4km I entered city, all the shops were around. He comes by me and tells
me to stop. Since it was inside city I stopped. He again tried flicking the key and I held his
wrist so tightly, kept telling him ‘haat nikaal, pehle haat nikaal’and removed
the key from my left hand and kept in my pocket. Maybe he was drunk, for even
after removing key, he was putting hand in the keyhole.
This is how the conversation that took place:
Him-H, Me-M.
Him-H, Me-M.
M: who r u to stop me, y did u stop?
H: arre, I smell drinks in your bag, so I stopped.
M: So who r u to stop? What’s your problem?
H: I’m police, talk with respect.
H: I’m police, talk with respect.
M: Show your ID Card and then speak. You have no rights
to flick my key anyways!
H: we have orders to check, so ‘m doing, now u will be
behind bars in a few mins.
M: Let me see how I’ll be there, first prove your identity
then lets talk further.
H: I’ll show u the police only wait. Our vehicle is coming.
(he calls and tells his inspector or some senior that I’ve a
bag on my bike and its covered with a cover.. he asks him to check, he touches
the bag and tells them nothing like bottles can be felt)
Thanks to my little knowledge of marathi that I could
atleast understand what he spoke.
H: Where are you coming from? Why are u not showing the
luggage?
M: I’ll prove myself right for whatever u do, y should I
show to someone who is not entitled to ask?
H: I’m police so u must show.
Again I tell him to prove himself and he doesn’t.
M: Okay, we’ll agree on this, u can check my bag. I’ll do
whatever u want if u find any bottle or any illegal thing in my bag. But if u
don’t find any, will u pay me my entire petrol cost from Bangalore till here?
I’ll provide u all the bills.
H: Y should I pay? What have I done?
M: Y should I show? What have I got in my bag?
Inspector calls him and asks him if he found anything, he
tells ‘no’ and inspector tells him to let me go.
H: Abhi chale jao, baat mat karo.
M: (I held his hand tight so that he doesn’t run away) what
u think of yourselves? I’m some guy who has to fall on your feet and beg
pardon? You have a govt. job so behave like one, then I’ll respect u. I can
even file a case on u for Harassment, u will be put behind bars for atleast 2
or 3 days. Be careful. In Karnataka we respect visitors and tourists. We don’t
treat them like how u did!
In middle of these heavy rains, u wanted all these scenes?
He didn’t know what to speak and I left the place.
Had I been a bit soft, I really don’t know where the fight
would have lead to!
Kolhapur:
I’d booked some hotel. But when I asked for that hotel a
localite told its far around 5kms. And many rooms are available near by the
temple. So better stay somewhere here. All the boards were in hindi, which I
can’t read instantly. I headed to the main road to ask the route to that hotel
and the person whom I asked told me to not worry if I wanted room for just
staying. He had his own hotel, which had 3 rooms. ‘Sri vinayak yatrinivas’. It
was 9.30pm when I checked-in. Bargained for 450 bucks!
The other half of the building was his house! The room had a
balcony too! I put my clothes there for drying which were continuously wet from
Murudeshwara! Bike had to be parked in the road, I begged him to take care of
the bike as I’d to leave by 5am the next day. He told me he will take me to
Mahalakshmi Temple for which Kolhapur is famous for and then show a cheap and
best hotel to eat.
It was 10.30 pm and the Maha Mangalarathi was taking place.
It was the festival of ‘Varamahalaksmi’ that day and I was fortunate enough to
have witnessed the Final pooja that day in the temple. Even saw the explosion
of bomb through canon. Called ‘thop’ in hindi and kannada, which is common in
Maharashtrian culture.
Had nice thali for 50 bucks and was asleep by 11pm.
Day 5: 17th August
Kolhapur- Pune- Mumbai
Woke up by 4.30. Had bath. Setting my luggage took lot of
time in my entire tour. As, if the claw wasn’t properly tied, it would bend
towards either sides and that would impact my riding!
By 6am I was out of the room. It was pouring even then. I
guess whole night rain just didn’t stop.
Just a 100mt ahead was the Shivaji Chowk. I guess ‘Shivaji
chowk’ is common in all cities of Maharashtra.
I had tea again to wake up fully. Many of the auto drivers
were drinking there and were talking to me and asking me about my trip seeing the bike, luggage etc. One of
them was about to sponsor my tea and I denied saying I didn’t want them to pay.
They wished me good luck, and told me the route. Of course it was just a straight road which joined the
NH-4 and a left turn showed a sign board “Pune-228km”.
I was cruising in 118kmph for nearly 6-7km and suddenly I
start riding like Batman! My rain coat is flying behind me to my surprise. The zip was torn
due to wind! I stopped, took out another bungee cord, good that I had a spare, tied it around my waist so that it doesn’t fly. It didn’t help much but was
like ‘Something is better than Nothing’. There's my dad's friend in pune, who happens to be the director of COEP. I thought of heading to his house and meeting him, but I very well knew that he would be off to office by 8.30am and by no chance I could make it to his house before 9am.
Still I tried my best and reached by 9am.. called his son who works in Mumbai. He told he can meet me only in the evening! Unfortunately due to fatness of the city and the traffic, I couldn't meet him.
Pune: I still went to COEP Directors Bungalow and checked for the person. Secuirty and maid, both said he is not there.
I asked a localite about where to buy a rain coat and he suggested ABC chowk. I headed towards the chowk and that local-guy had told me not to park the bike anywhere else except in proper parking as the bike will be tow-lifted! I searched for a proper parking place, and since there was no other option I had to leave my claw on the bike by trusting God! I went down the road and looked out for rain coats. None looked satisfactory for the specified price tag. Then I thought, however I need to reach Mumbai by noon so let me look out there! Again after enquiring some 3 to 4 guys about where to wash my bike I went to the place which was much inside in the chowk.
Opp to the Service shop was a small hotel who sold breakfast. It was past 11am by then and I was hungry too. Had few vada pav's, poha and chai! The bike was washed and looked so clean. I had to tighten he chain as it had run a lot since the last fitment. Wash-guy directed me to another which was a KM far at the end of the road and a right deviation lead me to Mumbai.
I showed my bike to the service guy and asked to give spanner of appropriate size and a hammer ifn ot another spanner. He told he will only do the job and tightened my chain. It's a simple job which doesn't even take 2min. After he tightened I opened my chain lube and started applying while the service man comes and tells me 'tel lagake du kya chain pe?' I told 'm applying the 'oil' itself! He made a surprised face and took the bottle and asked me 'ye kya hota hai? kaha milegi yeh sab? kitna padta hai?' I told him the details and even told him that applying grease and other oils is good only on shorter runs not on longer run. He felt happy as he never knew there existed a seperate 'oil' for chains. he was like 'pata hi nahi tha ki chain ke liye alag se tel hai..'.
Bidding him a goodbye I continued towards Mumbai. It seemed 'likely to rain' due to the clouds. I never knew 2 and 3 wheelers are not allowed in Mumbai-Pune Expressway! Without knowing I headed in Expressway and 2km later Toll booth came. I saw the fee board and there was nothing for 2 or 3 wheelers. I was surprised thinking like other NH, maybe there is no fee in this Expressway and hence I'm saving so much! I was all excited but still had a doubt. I parked my bike before toll and started calling my friends in Mumbai. It was around 1pm and none of my friends were answering calls. There was a police jeep parked right after the toll. I thought its time for me to pay the police! Waited calling my friends for another 10min and One of the workers from toll booth came and asked me 'where do u wanna go?' I said Mumbai and he said ok, go in and take a U-turn! As i went in the toll police stopped me and told 'If u were a localite I would ve imposed fine on u!'
Thanks to their foresight, to help some first timers like me they ve made a U turn which will lead us to the NH-4 which is also not bad according to road conditions.
I stopped for lunch around 2.30pm in some roadside Dhaba. By now I was riding for some half an hour in heavy rains and winds. I had a stomach filling lunch and charged my tab completely. Around 3pm I started and made my mind that I will never stop until I reach Mumbai as already I had lost a lot of time.
By 4pm I was in Panvel where my friend had told me to call him from. He was still busy with office work and hence I told him I'll meet him later in the day! After a few km started Navi Mumbai. Got to know I've entered the busiest place in India by seeing the traffic in the outskirts! They were building roads there and all I had to ride was on gravel. It was very disturbing and I was worried as where the tyre will get punctured as there were not many puncture shops on the side. I asked the police how far is Mumbai and he said 30km.
Mumbai:
Uff.. I continued riding and finally came to the place where my friend Vineet Reddy stayed, Sion. I kept on calling him and he was busy sleeping. I had informed him about my visit. Since he didn't turn up. I bought a rain coat in Sion and later headed to Gateway Of India. Here also, after worrying about my parking I went ahead and parked near the back entrance of Taj Hotel. I went in and clicked some pics, sat for a while and Vineet called back. I told him i'll be there in another hour.
Including the police and others, while I entered everyone looked at me suspiciously due to my riding gear. Two guys asked me what I was wearing and I told those were Knee and Elbow guards. They showed me the place where the attack had happened in 2008 Terrorist Attack on Taj Hotel. Apparently the place where the building had been into pieces is painted slightly in a different color so that we can differentiate.
pic: Taj Hotel. Due to heavy rains couldn't click properly.
I went back and found Reddy's home. He came and closed his nose telling me how bad I 'm stinking. He took me inside and told me to take bath or atlast clean myself. All that I sticked was due to the bad rains!
By now, I had even pinged my Naked Wolves friends, who were in Mumbai on a weekend ride.
Around 9pm me and Vineet went to Marine Drive where Dipra, Kusumakar , Abrar were waiting. There was a VIP too with them and yeah, a great biker! It was Surojit Sadhu, who is the sole responsibility for making a Mumbai and Pune chapter- Naked Wolves into a big one. A very great to person to talk with. It was seriously a delight meeting him. A sea of knowledge in him, yet so simple. He taught KD (kusumakar) few things in photography and we went to Chowpatty to eat. Had a very nice time there with all the Wolves and Vineet. Since we had only a night to spend in Mumbai as next morning I had to leave back to pune and towards HYD, I told Vineet that we'll roam around the city whole night. Even Abrar joined with us. We went to Badstand as Vineet told he'll show SRK's house! While going, there was a hospital and infront of which there was traffic jam for 100-150m. Oh Man, It was midnight 1'o clock. And there was a traffic jam. That proved the Night Life of Mumbai for us Bangaloreans!! We went nearby the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, again on which 2 and 3 wheelers aren't allowed. We even had planned to call a taxi and go for a ride on those 6km sea link, but didn't. After spending some time.
Saw many girls and guys having gala time in the beach in that wee hours near SRK's house!
Around 3.30am returned to Vineets house and slept peacefully while Abrar went to Surojit's house.
pic: Bandra-Worli Sea Link (6km)
Day 6: 18th August.
Mumbai-Pune-Hyderabad
By 12pm I was ready to leave Mumbai after all the packed lunch given by Vineets mom. I knew I would miss mumbai city in a few miuntes. Those good roads, that lane discipline, the apartment concept (which sounds funny to us), the cheap cost of the good food, and after all The Night Life!
While on the way, was lubing my chain, while some Royal Enfield guy came n asked me 'where r u going to?' I told 'Pune-Hyd-BLR'. He asked when I was about to reach Bangalore and I replied either Monday Evening or Tuesday noon. He wished luck and sped off. I packed back my lube, and met this RE guy again in just around 3-4kms (after all Enfield :P). Asked him where he was going to and he said Bangalore. Was surprised as his bike was UP registered! He told me to pull over to the next Dhaba we pass by!
He got me and himself a chai and started asking me about my ride. He shook hands and said his name is Karthik, works for Times Of India and an IIM-B graduate. He even gave me many tips and was telling about his Leh-Ladakh experiences and his riding experience in Europe where he used to work! He is a two-timer to Ladakh in his 19yr old Enfield.
Now, he was riding from Delhi, where his bike was. He had ridden all the way till pune and had to reach BLR by next morning to attend office.
After the tea-talk and a snap, we decided to headover.
Was in COEP Director's House around 4pm as he had made a compulsion that I must visit him on my way back. It was 4.45 pm after I had a talk with him over variety of snacks.
pics: at Khandala Ghat!
I asked for Solapur Highway and started speeding. It was already late and according to my estimate I had to reach HYD by 12 in the night. Called few hotel people and told them I would be coming so that I need not worry about my stay! Around 200km over in an average speed of 120+ kmph. Touched the top most speed that anyone else has done in 200 NS i.e 158kmph!! It just read 158kmph for a fraction of a second and after that stopped for a relaxing in Indapur in a small shop. after 15min started again.
The happiness of touching the max speed made me go in high speeds now. After around 5km, started rods which quality was very bad. Couldn't go more than 80kmph. I still had nearly 460km to cover to have a good sleep.
As the km's went by, road conditions started deteriorating even more. Potholes started becoming deeper, and my riding speed started decreasing. On an average I was doing 25kmph which was very irritating. By 9pm I checked google maps, I still had 250km to cover. It was pitch dark and roads weren't properly visible. Roads looked like there was no chance to get any help if in case I was in some trouble. Now I started riding in a bit greater speed (~45kmph) potholes were 1 to 1.5ft deep. Bike started getting hurt badly. After sometime i felt some uneasiness in riding. Took it to the next puncture shop that was available. It was 11pm now.
He told there are no punctures , filled air and asked me what speed I rode at till now, I told 45 or 50. He was like 'I'm requesting you , please ride only in 20kmph for the next 150km. There are potholes which are 2ft deep. Bikes shouldn't come here at all. I was shocked and thought By what time i could go and get some sleep. He even told me to sleep there itself and wake up in the morning and ride. I told its ok, I'll manage somehow. The boredom almost killed me. Not many vehicles too, for 1 min, one vehicle would pass by. I could see many trucks and lorries being parked in the side due to punctures. So many lorries were there! And after all that Road is supposed to be NH-9!! :O
Was in outskirts of Bidar, Karnataka for a while and my mind told me to go to Bangalore straight but heart told me to go to HYD. I follwed my heart!
With very great difficulty reached Sangareddy around 3.45am. From here started good roads again but these also had bad potholes. Reached Outer Ring Road by 4.30am.
Day 7: 19th August.
HYD-BLR
I was shit frustrated by now and just wanted to sleep. Still I opted to reach till Secunderabad and find a hotel there as I knew hotels there and also had work and friends in the surrounding areas. Saw a hotel in Secunderabad. Felt sick seeing the dirty bedsheets that I planned to go back to Bangalore.
Had coffee near Railway station and started towards Bangalore. Came to the ORR. Toll guys told 2 wheelers not allowed. And he guided me to go another way which will join Bangalore highway. I was so sleepy that I went somewhere else and I had to offroad for a few 200mt in thick slush then somehow that connected to the ORR after the toll and I sneaked in ;) I asked people if police will be there at the end of the ORR, few said yes and few no. Anyways I knew I could escape by telling I was from other state and hence sped away. At the end of the toll road, there was a big trailer truck, I escaped the toll booth by going next to the truck on the left side!
Oh man, now I had 600 more kms to ride to reach home. Straight roads can easily make u fall asleep and when u r in sleepy mode already, yes u will obviously fall asleep!
It had been 16hrs since I started riding last continuously. Stopped at a hotel in the side for Idli. Around 11am opened my eyes to see I was being dragged to the left and people in the side r looking at me as to why I was sleeping! Suddenly stopped near a shop and washed my face. used to wash my face every 15min till then to control the sleep. I asked him if he had water sachets, and after buying them kept them in my rain coat pocket and few in my bag. Still had 462km to cover.
Every 5 or 10min started spraying water from sachet on my face and even to mouth if I felt thirsty!
This was a tough task. Even after spraying so much, I was falling asleep and was getting dragged. Good that NH-7 is not so crowded so I am still alive. I came till Anantpur. It was 3pm then. I wanted to reach home latest by sunset, but not after sunset. Filled a full tank in Anantpur and started speeding.
My friends had told me about the beautiful roads till Bangalore from Anantpur. IDK how, I had full concentration and full enthusiasm. Suddenly I stopped feeling sleepy. All my concentration was on reaching home before sunset.
The roads were so good that I rode in 130+ constantly for more than 55mins and there was absolutely no traffic. I had covered 180km in around 1.5hr!
I entered the Bangalore City Limits and was at 90kmph. The board which said 'You are entering City Limits, please follow traffic rules' just passed by in a wink and I could see 2 policemen coming to the middle of the road. I came down to 50kmph, but they had already scanned my speed so I knew I was in danger.
I didn't want to give a sad entry to Bangalore so I immediately did a U-turn and took the road which goes to village side (near entrance of nandi hills on NH-7). Asked one guy on a TVS whether that road would again connect to Airport rd, he told me to take a right in the next signal!
Entered Airport rd and maintained a constant of 40kmph. Reached home by 5.30pm. Oohh boy...even after riding and loving Mumbai for its roads, riding in your hometown always gives a great feeling.
pic: Boundary Conditions of my bike!!
I was made to enter the house from back entry as I was stinking! I had nice home food and crashed. That's it. The next I came to know I was in Bangalore was on 5.30am, 20th August 2013!!
Still I tried my best and reached by 9am.. called his son who works in Mumbai. He told he can meet me only in the evening! Unfortunately due to fatness of the city and the traffic, I couldn't meet him.
Pune: I still went to COEP Directors Bungalow and checked for the person. Secuirty and maid, both said he is not there.
I asked a localite about where to buy a rain coat and he suggested ABC chowk. I headed towards the chowk and that local-guy had told me not to park the bike anywhere else except in proper parking as the bike will be tow-lifted! I searched for a proper parking place, and since there was no other option I had to leave my claw on the bike by trusting God! I went down the road and looked out for rain coats. None looked satisfactory for the specified price tag. Then I thought, however I need to reach Mumbai by noon so let me look out there! Again after enquiring some 3 to 4 guys about where to wash my bike I went to the place which was much inside in the chowk.
pic: My bike condition when I reached Pune.
Opp to the Service shop was a small hotel who sold breakfast. It was past 11am by then and I was hungry too. Had few vada pav's, poha and chai! The bike was washed and looked so clean. I had to tighten he chain as it had run a lot since the last fitment. Wash-guy directed me to another which was a KM far at the end of the road and a right deviation lead me to Mumbai.
I showed my bike to the service guy and asked to give spanner of appropriate size and a hammer ifn ot another spanner. He told he will only do the job and tightened my chain. It's a simple job which doesn't even take 2min. After he tightened I opened my chain lube and started applying while the service man comes and tells me 'tel lagake du kya chain pe?' I told 'm applying the 'oil' itself! He made a surprised face and took the bottle and asked me 'ye kya hota hai? kaha milegi yeh sab? kitna padta hai?' I told him the details and even told him that applying grease and other oils is good only on shorter runs not on longer run. He felt happy as he never knew there existed a seperate 'oil' for chains. he was like 'pata hi nahi tha ki chain ke liye alag se tel hai..'.
Bidding him a goodbye I continued towards Mumbai. It seemed 'likely to rain' due to the clouds. I never knew 2 and 3 wheelers are not allowed in Mumbai-Pune Expressway! Without knowing I headed in Expressway and 2km later Toll booth came. I saw the fee board and there was nothing for 2 or 3 wheelers. I was surprised thinking like other NH, maybe there is no fee in this Expressway and hence I'm saving so much! I was all excited but still had a doubt. I parked my bike before toll and started calling my friends in Mumbai. It was around 1pm and none of my friends were answering calls. There was a police jeep parked right after the toll. I thought its time for me to pay the police! Waited calling my friends for another 10min and One of the workers from toll booth came and asked me 'where do u wanna go?' I said Mumbai and he said ok, go in and take a U-turn! As i went in the toll police stopped me and told 'If u were a localite I would ve imposed fine on u!'
Thanks to their foresight, to help some first timers like me they ve made a U turn which will lead us to the NH-4 which is also not bad according to road conditions.
I stopped for lunch around 2.30pm in some roadside Dhaba. By now I was riding for some half an hour in heavy rains and winds. I had a stomach filling lunch and charged my tab completely. Around 3pm I started and made my mind that I will never stop until I reach Mumbai as already I had lost a lot of time.
By 4pm I was in Panvel where my friend had told me to call him from. He was still busy with office work and hence I told him I'll meet him later in the day! After a few km started Navi Mumbai. Got to know I've entered the busiest place in India by seeing the traffic in the outskirts! They were building roads there and all I had to ride was on gravel. It was very disturbing and I was worried as where the tyre will get punctured as there were not many puncture shops on the side. I asked the police how far is Mumbai and he said 30km.
Mumbai:
Uff.. I continued riding and finally came to the place where my friend Vineet Reddy stayed, Sion. I kept on calling him and he was busy sleeping. I had informed him about my visit. Since he didn't turn up. I bought a rain coat in Sion and later headed to Gateway Of India. Here also, after worrying about my parking I went ahead and parked near the back entrance of Taj Hotel. I went in and clicked some pics, sat for a while and Vineet called back. I told him i'll be there in another hour.
Including the police and others, while I entered everyone looked at me suspiciously due to my riding gear. Two guys asked me what I was wearing and I told those were Knee and Elbow guards. They showed me the place where the attack had happened in 2008 Terrorist Attack on Taj Hotel. Apparently the place where the building had been into pieces is painted slightly in a different color so that we can differentiate.
pic: The always crowded Gateway Of India.
I went back and found Reddy's home. He came and closed his nose telling me how bad I 'm stinking. He took me inside and told me to take bath or atlast clean myself. All that I sticked was due to the bad rains!
By now, I had even pinged my Naked Wolves friends, who were in Mumbai on a weekend ride.
Around 9pm me and Vineet went to Marine Drive where Dipra, Kusumakar , Abrar were waiting. There was a VIP too with them and yeah, a great biker! It was Surojit Sadhu, who is the sole responsibility for making a Mumbai and Pune chapter- Naked Wolves into a big one. A very great to person to talk with. It was seriously a delight meeting him. A sea of knowledge in him, yet so simple. He taught KD (kusumakar) few things in photography and we went to Chowpatty to eat. Had a very nice time there with all the Wolves and Vineet. Since we had only a night to spend in Mumbai as next morning I had to leave back to pune and towards HYD, I told Vineet that we'll roam around the city whole night. Even Abrar joined with us. We went to Badstand as Vineet told he'll show SRK's house! While going, there was a hospital and infront of which there was traffic jam for 100-150m. Oh Man, It was midnight 1'o clock. And there was a traffic jam. That proved the Night Life of Mumbai for us Bangaloreans!! We went nearby the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, again on which 2 and 3 wheelers aren't allowed. We even had planned to call a taxi and go for a ride on those 6km sea link, but didn't. After spending some time.
Saw many girls and guys having gala time in the beach in that wee hours near SRK's house!
Around 3.30am returned to Vineets house and slept peacefully while Abrar went to Surojit's house.
Day 6: 18th August.
Mumbai-Pune-Hyderabad
By 12pm I was ready to leave Mumbai after all the packed lunch given by Vineets mom. I knew I would miss mumbai city in a few miuntes. Those good roads, that lane discipline, the apartment concept (which sounds funny to us), the cheap cost of the good food, and after all The Night Life!
While on the way, was lubing my chain, while some Royal Enfield guy came n asked me 'where r u going to?' I told 'Pune-Hyd-BLR'. He asked when I was about to reach Bangalore and I replied either Monday Evening or Tuesday noon. He wished luck and sped off. I packed back my lube, and met this RE guy again in just around 3-4kms (after all Enfield :P). Asked him where he was going to and he said Bangalore. Was surprised as his bike was UP registered! He told me to pull over to the next Dhaba we pass by!
He got me and himself a chai and started asking me about my ride. He shook hands and said his name is Karthik, works for Times Of India and an IIM-B graduate. He even gave me many tips and was telling about his Leh-Ladakh experiences and his riding experience in Europe where he used to work! He is a two-timer to Ladakh in his 19yr old Enfield.
Now, he was riding from Delhi, where his bike was. He had ridden all the way till pune and had to reach BLR by next morning to attend office.
After the tea-talk and a snap, we decided to headover.
Was in COEP Director's House around 4pm as he had made a compulsion that I must visit him on my way back. It was 4.45 pm after I had a talk with him over variety of snacks.
I asked for Solapur Highway and started speeding. It was already late and according to my estimate I had to reach HYD by 12 in the night. Called few hotel people and told them I would be coming so that I need not worry about my stay! Around 200km over in an average speed of 120+ kmph. Touched the top most speed that anyone else has done in 200 NS i.e 158kmph!! It just read 158kmph for a fraction of a second and after that stopped for a relaxing in Indapur in a small shop. after 15min started again.
The happiness of touching the max speed made me go in high speeds now. After around 5km, started rods which quality was very bad. Couldn't go more than 80kmph. I still had nearly 460km to cover to have a good sleep.
As the km's went by, road conditions started deteriorating even more. Potholes started becoming deeper, and my riding speed started decreasing. On an average I was doing 25kmph which was very irritating. By 9pm I checked google maps, I still had 250km to cover. It was pitch dark and roads weren't properly visible. Roads looked like there was no chance to get any help if in case I was in some trouble. Now I started riding in a bit greater speed (~45kmph) potholes were 1 to 1.5ft deep. Bike started getting hurt badly. After sometime i felt some uneasiness in riding. Took it to the next puncture shop that was available. It was 11pm now.
He told there are no punctures , filled air and asked me what speed I rode at till now, I told 45 or 50. He was like 'I'm requesting you , please ride only in 20kmph for the next 150km. There are potholes which are 2ft deep. Bikes shouldn't come here at all. I was shocked and thought By what time i could go and get some sleep. He even told me to sleep there itself and wake up in the morning and ride. I told its ok, I'll manage somehow. The boredom almost killed me. Not many vehicles too, for 1 min, one vehicle would pass by. I could see many trucks and lorries being parked in the side due to punctures. So many lorries were there! And after all that Road is supposed to be NH-9!! :O
Was in outskirts of Bidar, Karnataka for a while and my mind told me to go to Bangalore straight but heart told me to go to HYD. I follwed my heart!
With very great difficulty reached Sangareddy around 3.45am. From here started good roads again but these also had bad potholes. Reached Outer Ring Road by 4.30am.
Day 7: 19th August.
HYD-BLR
I was shit frustrated by now and just wanted to sleep. Still I opted to reach till Secunderabad and find a hotel there as I knew hotels there and also had work and friends in the surrounding areas. Saw a hotel in Secunderabad. Felt sick seeing the dirty bedsheets that I planned to go back to Bangalore.
Had coffee near Railway station and started towards Bangalore. Came to the ORR. Toll guys told 2 wheelers not allowed. And he guided me to go another way which will join Bangalore highway. I was so sleepy that I went somewhere else and I had to offroad for a few 200mt in thick slush then somehow that connected to the ORR after the toll and I sneaked in ;) I asked people if police will be there at the end of the ORR, few said yes and few no. Anyways I knew I could escape by telling I was from other state and hence sped away. At the end of the toll road, there was a big trailer truck, I escaped the toll booth by going next to the truck on the left side!
Oh man, now I had 600 more kms to ride to reach home. Straight roads can easily make u fall asleep and when u r in sleepy mode already, yes u will obviously fall asleep!
It had been 16hrs since I started riding last continuously. Stopped at a hotel in the side for Idli. Around 11am opened my eyes to see I was being dragged to the left and people in the side r looking at me as to why I was sleeping! Suddenly stopped near a shop and washed my face. used to wash my face every 15min till then to control the sleep. I asked him if he had water sachets, and after buying them kept them in my rain coat pocket and few in my bag. Still had 462km to cover.
Every 5 or 10min started spraying water from sachet on my face and even to mouth if I felt thirsty!
This was a tough task. Even after spraying so much, I was falling asleep and was getting dragged. Good that NH-7 is not so crowded so I am still alive. I came till Anantpur. It was 3pm then. I wanted to reach home latest by sunset, but not after sunset. Filled a full tank in Anantpur and started speeding.
My friends had told me about the beautiful roads till Bangalore from Anantpur. IDK how, I had full concentration and full enthusiasm. Suddenly I stopped feeling sleepy. All my concentration was on reaching home before sunset.
The roads were so good that I rode in 130+ constantly for more than 55mins and there was absolutely no traffic. I had covered 180km in around 1.5hr!
I entered the Bangalore City Limits and was at 90kmph. The board which said 'You are entering City Limits, please follow traffic rules' just passed by in a wink and I could see 2 policemen coming to the middle of the road. I came down to 50kmph, but they had already scanned my speed so I knew I was in danger.
I didn't want to give a sad entry to Bangalore so I immediately did a U-turn and took the road which goes to village side (near entrance of nandi hills on NH-7). Asked one guy on a TVS whether that road would again connect to Airport rd, he told me to take a right in the next signal!
Entered Airport rd and maintained a constant of 40kmph. Reached home by 5.30pm. Oohh boy...even after riding and loving Mumbai for its roads, riding in your hometown always gives a great feeling.
I was made to enter the house from back entry as I was stinking! I had nice home food and crashed. That's it. The next I came to know I was in Bangalore was on 5.30am, 20th August 2013!!
