The Lady in the Blue !

I was going through my archive when I found this write up. I read it again reliving the moments. It brought back many sweet memories...what a way to start the weekend. Posting it again...so here it is : The Lady in the Blue!

The key that I carry in my pocket, most of the time, is not just a piece of metal which unlocks my bike. Sometimes it has similar effect on the rider too. It unlocks me. It is like a magical wand with the touch of which the beauty gets a soul and then she roars back to life! It is my key to happiness, to madness, most of all to breaking away and fading out into the wide open.

And this time when I unlocked her, she galloped leaving behind some more extraordinary moments.

The initial ride plan was Bangalore-Munnar-Kochi-Athirapally waterfall-Ooty and back. When mail was sent out announcing the ride, there was huge response from almost everyone. Around 10 people on 5 bikes and in 1 car were supposed to set out for this trip. This was the initial picture. Once the initial excitement settled, the usual thing started. That is, people started backing off. Some had official urgency, few had personal reasons and few because of the hype created around the Babri Masjid verdict scarred the shit out of them. The ride was from 30^th Sept to 3^rd Oct. At last it was just me and my navigator Jeevan riding to Munnar. Alok was waiting for us there with his bike.

As we had to cover nearly 500 km, it was decided to start the ride early in the morning. Before every ride I have to kick start two things - one my bike and second Jeevan. I kicked him out of his dreams this time also at 3am. Jeevan being a lazy ass didn’t pack his luggage. So that activity also had to be completed by 4am, the scheduled time for starting our ride. By 4:15am everything was set and we were ready to roar. I thought of the moment when we were going to Kochi on our first ride. It was a similar cold morning. Only difference being I was bit more organized this time or may be I am used to being unorganized while going on trips, hence not feeling the difference. Well, who knows?

Bangalore-Salem- Kangeyam- Dharapuram - Udumalaipet - Chinnar – Munnar was the route which we decided to take. We crossed Silk Board junction and were heading towards Electronic City toll bridge. It was amazing to ride on the toll bridge at that time. No traffic and the roads look like a runway. The bike was touching its top speed even when it was fully loaded with two riders and the luggage. The beautiful beast was getting fully unlocked, what else. Soon we were engulfed with a thick blanket of fog, so heavy at times that the visibility was drastically reduced. I had to slow down. Jeevan’s helmet also ensured that he does not freeze like a chocobar. After crossing Hosur, we stopped for fuel. Second stop before sunrise was at Café Coffee Day before reaching Salem. Posed for some snaps and ordered cappuccinos. The coffee tasted so good like never before. All credit to the cold weather outside.

Soon we crossed Salem. The sun was coming out slowly. It is always wonderful to see how the first ray of light triumph over the darkness. We had breakfast from Perundurai. From there onwards the 4 lane highway gave way to single lane state highway. Nice scenery, but the roads were not in that good condition. After crossing Dharapuram, the weather started changing. By the time we were in Udumalaipet the weather was becoming cold. There was a forest check post, after which started the jungle ride. Then the rain started. I was not expecting that. “How come you don’t like rain?”  was one of my friend’s questions when I narrated her the trip experience. Well I like rain. But rain, pot holes and cold weather is a very bad combination. From there onwards it rained till we reached Munnar. Once we were in Munnar the sun came out laughing at us. There after it didn’t rain at all.

I called up Alok, who had reserved room there for us also. So how did Alok reach there before us? Is that what you are thinking? He was on a solo two week bike trip and had reached Munnar by the time we reached there. Me and Satya rode along with him till Thanjavur when he was starting his ride. From Thanjavur he proceeded further and we came back. That was a 850 km weekend ride for us. Visiting the Brihadeeswara Temple, when it was completing its 1000 years was a rare experience. We joined him back in Munnar and had planned to ride to Kochi-Athirapally waterfall-Ooty together. Once in the room, we changed the wet clothes and went out for lunch. Came back to the room and I slept. Got up in the night to go out to eat again to come back and sleep. The day was over like that.

Next day the plan was to roam around in Munnar and head towards Kochi by evening.

Munnar is famous for its climate, spices, its flora and fauna like the Nilgiri tahr, Kurinji flowers and her breath taking beauty. 

Like Cinderella’s rags to princess story, once in every 12 year, Munnar gets her chance to play a Cinderella. This is the time when kurinji flowers blooms, painting the valley with a hue of blue! She sheds her old dress to don the new gown. With the regality of a princess, the lady in the blue waits for her prince charming. Here it is the Mother Nature who cast her spells on this even otherwise beautiful place to make it even more stunning.

The entire place is so beautiful that one can just ride around and enjoy. We decided to go towards the Devikulam area. The lake there is closed for general public. It can be visited once you get a prior permission from Tata’s Office. As we didn’t have that we went to a waterfall in that route. Lockhart view point was also en route. I need to especially mention about the roads. With the magnificent beauty all round, these roads takes you one step closer to heaven. And with the curves and curls, my bike was performing a perfect waltz all along the way. She swirled, she twirled like a ballet dancer extraordinaire. We took some amazing snaps. That was when Alok informed us that he doesn’t want to come any further and want to go back to Bangalore as he was too tired of roaming around. So there was change in the initial plan. Finally it was decided that Alok will head home and we will proceed to Kochi. What were we going to do in Kochi that was not yet decided. As me and Jeevan had already been to Athirapally waterfall, we didn’t wanted to go there again. 

After saying tata to Alok, we started our ride towards Kochi, which was 126 Km from Munnar. Now the second round of pouring started. I was thinking why were the Rain Gods crying so much. Because of the rain and the narrow zigzag roads, I could only ride very slowly. After Adimaly the road was through proper jungle. It was raining so heavily that it was like somebody slapping you left and right on the face. Now to add to the adventure, my bike stopped. I tried to start it but it didn’t. Then I noticed that there was no power supply. Luckily there was a shed, a bus stop, till where I pushed my bike. Both of us waited there for the rain to stop. I took my mobile out to call my mechanic and wow there was no signal also. Plus the time was 5 pm and it was getting dark. Jeevan said, “Ok fine, I think we can sleep here in this shed. It looks good” Well, those words were not that encouraging. When the rain reduced, I opened the tool box to check the fuse. The fuse was intact, but still no power. Then I opened the battery box and there it was- it rained so heavily that water got into the battery box and short circuited the main wire. Luckily I was carrying the basic tools. Pushed the bike inside the shed, reconnected the wire and we were back on the track. I thanked God for pulling us out.

 Once we entered Ernakulam the roads were in a mess. Big potholes filled with mud and water and bad traffic. Finally we reached Kochi by 7:30pm. Called up my cousin staying there and gave him our location so that he could come and pick us up. We were going to stay with him. Got fresh, went out to eat and called it a day.

Third day we got up bit late. I had checked with my cousin, while starting from Munnar, which all places near to Kochi are worth a visit. He said Kumarakom is one option but there is noting much other than the back water. 

As there were no other plans we decided on Kumarakom. It is at a distance of 60 km from Kochi. We started the ride without high expectations as told to us. But the initial signs when we started were so good that I started expecting more. And I am happy that I was not wrong in expecting more. First it was the road. There was a 4 lane highway in good condition till Chertala. I zipped through there. I could see Jeevan stretching his arms and flapping it like wings. It was fun. After Chertala, it was a single road but it was in good condition. Soon we begin to come across the flourishing paddy fields, swinging coconut grove and the slowly drifting backwater. I was wondering why my cousin told us not to expect much from this place. May be they are so used to this place that they forgot to appreciate its beauty. Both of us were enjoying it. Went to the Kumarakom Boat Jetty, hired a boat to sail in the Vembanad Lake. That was a completely new experience. Again took some amazing snaps. The place was so peaceful yet so vibrant. Once the boat ride was over we headed back to Kochi. On the way back I got my bike washed. They did a pretty good job as my bike was shinning again. By 5pm we were back in Kochi. Took some rest before we went out to accomplish the second agenda of visiting Kochi, i.e. to eat and eat and eat as much local food we can. In the evening we roamed around eating from different restaurants and road side food joints. Food was amazing. I love Kochi for that reason. Jeevan was searching for prawns, which he couldn’t find. Finally he gave up. I was ok with that. During night it rained heavily again. I was praying for it to stop by morning as we had to start our ride back home. It was decided to start by 4am from Kochi so that we will be home early.

Next day morning, we were on the road by 4:30am. Before sunrise we had crossed Thrissur and were 20 km from Palakad. The roads and the scenery were stunning except for the occasional potholes. We stopped in between for photos, tea-coffee and lunch. By 5:30pm we reached Jeevan’s flat. One more trip completed, few more kilometers added to the odometer and planning for the next ride.

So in the end, what was this trip all about? Well, it was about the kappa, fish curry and karimeen fry from the local toddy shop, 2 hours of drifting in Vembanad lake, 500 plus shots which captured every slice of life which we wanted to treasure, reliving the moments when two rookies set out on their maiden trip and 1400 plus km. In short a Sweet Ride !

The Dosai Ride

Dosai, a typical South Indian delicacy, is a very thin pancake or crepe made from fermented rice flour and black lentils batter. Rich in carbohydrates and proteins, this dish available in different variations is not only a day to day diet of South Indians but has gained popularity elsewhere also. But in this case it represented something more, much more indeed. It represented a reason, a motive or in larger sense a lunacy which refuses to die. A lunacy reignited when I got my bike serviced after an 1800 km New Years ride. And out of that lunacy a ride was born, a ride code named Dosai.

Even though this is not the first time I am doing this but writing it down this time so that like minded people can also taste this insanity. The Dosai Ride is very simple. Take your bike, fill her up and then ride to Krishnagiri (which is around 100 km from Bangalore). Once you reach Krishnagiri, stuff yourself with different kinds of dosas, served with even different kinds of chutneys. When you hit full tank, do some chit chat, click some pictures and then ride back. Short and simple.

Rarest of the rare are those days when I wake up to see a sunrise. On such days I see the sunrise on the chrome of my bike while riding on the highway.

It was going to be a similar day. Time was 5:40 am and Mayank was already waiting for me in front of Pizza Hut on Old Airport road. Being the first ride on his new bike, he was excited and wanted to make it fashionably grant. So we went shopping the night before. Che Guevara print bandanna is what he was looking for, but could not find it. Checked for balaclavas also but couldn’t find that either. What both of us forgot to buy was riding gloves for the lack of which he paid a heavy price during the early morning ride through the cold and fog. At least he learned something from the Dosai Ride.

It was 6:00 am and Raghav was supposed to be waiting for us on Sarjapur Road after crossing Marathahalli. We were at the meeting point but no sign of Raghav, the avid traveler and passionate photographer but definitely not a biker. He wanted to experience how it feels to wander like this. The experience based on which he will chuck his Pulsar for a RE. Soon he arrived at the meeting point. From there we proceeded to BTM, the final pick up point, where Prafull was waiting for us.

Prafull had a severe cold. The kind which could not be cured even by hot brandy and black pepper. When that home remedy failed I recommended him a dose of the Dosai Ride. When the bike hits its top speed on a smooth, open highway, all you are required to do is close your eyes and stretch your arms. The wind will blow away all your ailment, pain and sorrows. Leaving behind a vacuum for you to think over and start afresh, if you wish to.

As my friend Mohith was saying, it is the initial 50 km of the ride which you will take to settle down, to be just on your own. I agree with him. After which your mind is cleared and your conscience is at peace. And when the beat of your heart matches with the thump of your bike slowly you become a part of the highway. Flowing in a rhythm, freely and calmly. That spirit is as pure as Single Malt and definitely more effective than brandy with black pepper.

As Prafull also thought on similar lines, he decided to be my pillion. So together we all rode with a single motive clandestinely represented by Dosai.

As usual on the Electronic City Toll Bridge my bike was cutting air like a samurai’s sword. Once Mayank couldn’t feel his hands anymore we decided to take a coffee break somewhere near Hosur. After which the ride continued. I thought Raghav would stop in between to take pictures, but he didn’t. May be he got used to taking pictures on these roads the same way I got used to riding on them. Sometimes I feel my bike and these roads are getting engaged in a silent conversation.

Raghav was riding fast and Mayank was drifting slowly and I was confused whether to rip the road or drift through. I gave company to both. It was not a long ride where you get those “Miles to go before I sleep” kind of feeling yet there is always something special about these roads for me. I have been through these roads innumerable times that this stretch of highway is almost like those lines drawn on my palm. A sense of belonging creeps in. I am not being nostalgic or philosophical. But at times these roads become your home and you long to belong there.  It’s like every milestone and signboard welcoming you with such happiness which can only be felt and not expressed in words. Have you ever felt so?

Once we reached Krishnagiri, we took left from the highway. At around 500 meters was a small town. And that was our destination. Opposite to the bus stand there was a small veg. hotel and was our regular joint - our Dosai camp. People were ogling at us like we were some aliens who have landed on this planet while going ahead with a space trip. We all ordered dosai and without wasting any time worked towards accomplishing the objective of the ride. The dosai tasted different and amazing from the kind which we usually get in Bangalore. Well, they had to taste different and amazing; we rode all the way for this.

Raghav had mentioned about the Krishnagiri dam when we were planning for this ride. We decided to go there also, if we felt like going there. When the accomplishment of the objective one of the ride was announced by way of a big burp, we decided to ride on. Raghav enquired about the dam and took directions and we followed him.

 The dam was at around 10 km in the opposite direction. The ride was through a country side. There was an entry fee of Rs 4 per person. It was not a place which you will ever find in a travel guide as a must visit destination or a weekend get away. But the fact that it was not infested with the typical weekend crowd trying to get a life, which otherwise you will find at all the tourist places within 100 km radius from Bangalore, made it a bit special and relaxing.

Raghav started clicking and we started posing. The dam and the water, the fishermen and the locals all became our photographer’s muses. There was also a small garden built besides the boundary wall of the reservoir. When we were done with the photo session we took some rest under the shade of a tree. I laid there on that green grass looking at the blue sky above. Dosai was showing its effect and I was slowly drifting into a trance. Peaceful and soothing, but I knew I had to go back and all this was momentary.

When we were done with all the fun, we decided to ride back. By this time Raghav was sure he wanted to travel more on a bike. Once he took a small test ride on my bike, it was clear that the bullet bug has already bitten him. That was birth of a rider. The Dosai Ride became a turning point.

Prafull also took a test ride on Mayank’s bike. He was riding after a long time. We started our ride back and stopped once in between for lunch.

80 kmph is the speed limit on the Electronic City Toll Bridge. If the alter ego who takes over you has characteristics of Schumacher or Rossi, then the only audience to appreciate your performance here are the cops with speed guns, cameras and tickets for over speeding. I don’t want to talk more on this. But, this is what I learned from the Dosai Ride.

Our ride ended at Prafull’s flat. Went to his flat, did some chit chat, drank some coffee and then charted the next ride plan. The hunger for dosai died but like I said: The lunacy just won’t die!

Lets go Somewhere...

Sometimes it is the incompleteness of things which makes it more beautiful or valuable. Like a millennium old statue belonging to a different era or civilization becoming more antique if it has a broken arm or missing limb. It kind of completes it. Here I have a write up which is in similar condition. Well, I don’t expect it to be an antique and it is just my laziness that I didn’t complete it. Never shared, never posted anywhere…so here it is in its incomplete form.

So one day Prafull asks “Shouldn’t we go somewhere?” to which Raghav replies “Yes, let’s go somewhere!” But then I was wondering where is this Somewhere? Somewhere could be anywhere between 60 to 2000 km and it could also be 1 to15 days on the road. It remains an ambiguous term while I am working on its definition. We had just completed couple of rides yet the same phrase was haunting my ears.   

As we just wanted to ride this time, it was more about choosing a direction rather than a destination. As none of the above mentioned characters knew where they wanted to head I suggested Pondy even though all of us have been there couple of times. Sipping a cup of coffee while watching the sun coming out on the serenity beach is what I had in my mind. When we can ride all the way to Krishnagiri to eat dosa why not ride to Pondy for a cup of coffee. Talk about taking lunacy to the next level. So now we had a destination. From beginning onwards Raghav was not so comfortable with this destination as he had been there just a month back but he was ok to do it again. Finally he came with a plan to ride to Ooty saying it will be too hot in Pondy. The ride was on 18-20th March. I know I took a long time to write up this blog. Call it laziness or whatever. As only intend was to go somewhere we thought if not Pondy then lets Ooty.

Before the ride Raghav enquired at the Youth Hostel (http://yhaindia.org/hostels/index/21) for the stay. That was an exception. We never used to reverse room in advance. My God! Should we take that as a sign of civilization as in the past we always hunted for rooms only after reaching where we wanted to. Room rents were very low in the Youth Hostel and there was no luxury. Well that was exactly the intention also. Riding your bike through that beautiful place was indeed the most luxurious thing which can happen to you compared to a deluxe hotel room.

The ride started from my room at around 6am, meeting Raghav on the way and finally picking up Prafull from his room. Prafull’s luggage was mounted on Raghav’s bike and he got himself mounted on my bike. The bikes were ready so were we. Route decided to be taken was Mysore-Nanjangud-Gudlupet-Madumalai-Masinagudi-Kalhatty-Ooty. We were back on the Bangalore-Mysore road after a while. Our first stop was at Kadamba restaurant. “Eat well while you get the food, you never know when and where you will get your next meal” Raghav said. We took that rule of the road very seriously and kept the waiters busy at our table. When the waiter gave us the bill without asking for a final order, we knew it was time for us to ride off. Prafull was worried that the authentic Iyengar food may show its effect while he sits as a pillion.

15 km before Mysore city we had to take a right on the Mysore-Ooty road. That was what I remembered from my last ride to Ooty few years ago. But now when I reached that point I saw sign board indicating take left for Ooty. Scratching our head we enquired with a local for directions. “You may take left or you can take right or better you go straight, all the roads will take you to Ooty” he said! Had heard of all roads leading to Rome but this was a version update. We took a right and didn’t regret about that decision.

We crossed Nanjangud and Gudlupet to reach Bandipur. Just after crossing the forest check post, we took a break. We continued the ride and didn’t stop anywhere till we reached Masinagudi. Stopping in the middle of that jungle is not advisable. Not because you might get eaten by a tiger (like tigers don’t have any better job, they are already sick of being photographed like celebrities by the truck load of tourist entering their space.) or so but you may end up disturbing whatever wild life which may come across on your way. On a lucky day you may spot a herd of elephants or a gaur, well that has been the case with me. And when you come across anything like that, please move on silently with your business unless you want to be chased away, which could be a very bad thing, trust me on that.

After reaching Masinagudi the only thing which I could think of was food. It was time for a recharge. One of my dad’s friends was running a hotel and a home stay there. I met him for the first time during my last trip to Ooty. I thought of meeting him again. As he was at his home when we reached the hotel, we thought of meeting him after our lunch. Raghav being pure vegetarian and we two being pure non vegetarians we divided the table into two as a strategic move before carrying on the attack to prevent our chicken fry getting mixed in Raghav’s sambar and rasam. After which it was a war.

Post lunch I went to meet my dad’s friend but was not sure whether he will recognize me as we had met only once. I was surprised when he identified me. No credits to my face value but all glory to my bike parked outside. He said he thought of me when he saw a bike loaded with luggage in two saddle bags. That was something pleasant to hear. I felt great. Bike becomes your identity, the highway becomes your attitude and riding becomes your destiny.

Before resuming the ride, we stood besides our bikes outside the hotel, chit chatting. Raghav was checking his gears for the ascent ahead. We had the curls and curves of Kalhatty Ghats awaiting us and we wanted to capture her beauty from every possible angle, of course with our bikes in the foreground.

PS : Anyone who can guess what the road ahead had in store for us will get a special prize... :-)

Keep Thumping...its only one Life !

Keep Thumping...its only one Life! Well, it is not just a blog title. It is more of a philosophy, state of mind or the search for knowledge or the ultimate truth that we all want to discover and that we all call the “Self”.

For some it is a life style, which they have consciously adopted over the comforts they were blessed with but never asked for. For some it is a style statement which they want the world around them to know. And then, for few it is a force of habit which neither they will be able to give up nor they are able to reason.

And for me, it is about moving around, refusing to be stationary. Believing that the journey is more fun than the destination. It is about leaving home and breaking that shell which engulfs you, ties you down and makes you fragile. It is a goal which I have set for myself and a rainbow colored dream which I see over and over again. It is a thought which stir up a movement within me.

As I said, keep thumping…after all its only one life !