Coimbatore - Ooty Monsoon Ride

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It’s been flat 90 days since I elevated to 5th Gear of my bullet, or maintained a steady speed of 90 km/hr for more than 5 seconds. Thanks to my 1 km ride to office which ends up in 3 minutes. Yes you read it right not kilometers in hours.

Well if you wonder what kept me off from shifting to 5th gear it’s my little Angel niece "Tanikshaa" who was born on May 17th and who kept us on toes in expecting the million $ package. When the package arrived as a responsible Mama devoted weekends for her ceremonies and entertaining hordes of guest other times.

When Vijay hinted that we hit Kovai I was reluctant in accepting the offer as I knew I would be summoned for the next home task any time. I accepted the offer hoping I could make it to this adventure trip.

After my last service to waynad I had rode only 1000 KM including 660 KM of Waynad. So I took my bike to get the chain slack tightened, sparkplugs cleaned and overall inspection and oiling. And I knew there is nothing to worry upon.

When we planned for Kovai it was only me and Vijay to ride. Santhan offered to join us in this trip as a pillion. Well not a problem as we can accommodate one person.

We decided that we start off early morning on 8th July and reach Kovai by late afternoon but Santhan had an important client meeting until 1:00 PM so we cannot start off until then.

I reached Indiranagar adda at 12:30 pm and was greeted by Vijay and Chander. We quickly mounted saddle bag to my bike and tied the bags with bungee cord. Bid adieu to Chander and we headed to Santhan's office. Santhan came out of office around 1:30 pm making us wait patiently for half an hour without responding to our calls and text message.

We start off around 1:45 and decided will stop in A2B Krishnagiri. Vijay and me being hard core riders doing 90 km/hr ride was easy. The weather was cool and cloudy apt for the ride.

With full throttle we started off criss crossing the Lorries and making our way to A2B Krishnagiri. It was a pleasant 90 km quickie.

We quickly filled our tanks. Thanks to 3 rs difference. Had some light food. While having food I saw our gym colleague with his wife, son and daughter. We exchanged greetings, they were heading to SriRangam.

With 40 minutes break we again hit the highway riding at steady calm speed of 90 km/hr.

Arun a Veteran on this stretch Kept checking on us on our locations every half an hour and guided us accordingly.

Next stop was in Thoppur another 77 KM ride. Vijay Leading the light I was following him just meters away. On maintaining a particular distance with Vijays Classic 500 I could feel the resonance of the thumps. I was experimenting keeping the distance within.

We reached Thoppur had some Tea and smoke. It was another half an hour break. Here we end our NH7 four lane cruising.

we took a right from Thoppur and hit state highway 20, it was calm ride again passing through Metur, Ammapete, Anthiyur, satayamangalam, Saravanampatti, Periyanaickenpalayam .

The Lights were fading off once we were reached Anthiyur. There was a light rain en route lashing out at us for about 15 minutes. We just drove in the rain and it was a short spell.

Here I must mention the road using sense of pedestrians who are least bothered about any vehicles on the road. Which was touch and go on few occasions and I realized to be really cautious when I see a white clad dhoti on the road.

With steady driving and occasional Leak/Dhum stops we reached a spot 20 KM before Kovai where Arun, and his brother in law were waiting for us. We exchanged greetings and headed to Periyanaickenpalayam - Home Town of Arathy - Arun's Wife.

A wild 15 km off-road ride greeted us to Periyanaickenpalayam. We reached Arathys house around 8:45 pm which was really beautiful and very spacious. We were greeted by their parents.

We clocked 370 KM in some 6.5 Hours including break of about 1.5 Hours which was a good timing, average of 75 Km which is below average with Vijays speed :).

We got freshened in a jiff. The Highlight for the dinner was Arathy had got in a parota Master to prepare all different varities of Parota. To start of we started with normal parota and then veech parota. I had two normal and 1 veechu and my tummy was full. Vijay and Santhan had another variety called Kuthu Porata which was minced parota fried with egg. After heart and stomach full dinner we relaxed on the terrace chatting.

Soon the Monster Mosquitoes would not allow us to continue on the terrace we shifted base inside the room where we laid the body to 180 degree rest.

Next day plan was to wake up around 5 and start off to Vellangir - ISHA.

As planned we woke up around 5 and in turns got freshened up had fresh Tea prepared by Arathi's mom and we headed to Vellangir. It was about 45 km ride. The roads were nicely laid and it was fun riding. We reached Isha and took a stroll around the Ashram. Had breakfast within the hotel.

Then we went into the Dhyan Lingam dome to 15 minutes of silence. The silence was such that I could hear the trickles of water falling afar. After 15 minutes of silence I was feeling somewhat good and light within. We headed to the Isha Store and crossed through few books and CDs and purchased few of the

From here we headed to Siruvani - Kovai Courtallam another 20 KM ride.
Siruvani is famous for its sweet waters. The sweetness of the water flowing through Siruvani forests is attributed to the medicinal plants growing in the forests. There is a waterfall and a dam at Siruvani. The waterfall at Siruvani is also known as Kovai Courtallam falls. The road to the falls goes through lush green forests.

We spent about an hour and more admiring the beauty surrounded by hills.

We started our return journey to Coimbatore main city and headed to Haribhavanam Hotel for Lunch. There after we headed to Arun's House where we met his mom and dad. His mom prepared sooper hot coffee. With travel tiredness we were being literally pushed on to the floor to doze off however we quickly headed out and filled petrols and drove back to Arathy's House we had clocked another 120 km. Once in Arathys house we saddled up had a nice Tea and headed to Ooooo ... T at 5:30 pm :)

This is my 5 th innings to Ooty. The Coimbatore - Ooty route was chaotic. Once we touched Mettupalayam the dense traffic loosened up. We took a short break before we start ascend to Ooty mountains. The uphill traffic was quite heavy being the weekend. I carefully drove up the hills in 1st and 2nd gears mostly and overtaking slow moving buses and Lorries on the way. With every passing minute I covered 2 hair pin bends and drove quite easily just before Coonor we came across an Indica which had just slided off from the tar rode and hit the side barricade luckily no one was hurt and the fall would have been fatal after which every passing second a vehicle joined in from either end holding up the traffic. We soon decided we wade through the traffic and continue the climb. Steadily we rode up to Coonor. With the sun light totally fading out. It was little easier to ride in the hills and finally we reached Ooty top. From here we headed to a resort near Fern Hill Palace the irony is this is the 3rd time I am visiting the same resort.

We reached the resort and met the same manager got into the room and took our luggage’s back. Ooty was not that cold as I would have expected to be but the calmness which I wanted to have been still there. We quickly placed orders for dinner. Had our dinner and went to rest. I and Santhan shared the bed which obviously turned out to be a late night sleep. We discussed on various pending cases and resolved one through "out of court settlement". It was hard one but I could not help much into it.

Next day woke up bit late and sipping the hot tea enjoyed the cool, calm, serene morning of Ooty.

We did not plan anything to do in ooty as we had seen almost all places in and around Ooty on several occasions earlier. We decided will go to Coonor and then head to dolphin nose point. Soon we got freshened and hit the Ooty by lanes and had breakfast in Saravanabhavan Hotel.

We rode to Conoor the weather was chilly and I could see it’s fogging up in the visor when I respire. I slightly opened up the visor and chillness was just apt to ride.

Once near Conoor Railway Bridge I had the privilege to see the steam engine chugging off which brought in nostalgic memories. Then we hit few places around dolphin nose point, Tea gardens.... Yes same stuff I know. En route I was wondering why I come to Ooty. Its Destiny.. LOL. However I loved it as I was riding on my bullet.

I had a nagging pain onto my teeth gum soon I called upon my doc for remedy she advised a pain killer and gel. Soon around 1:00 pm we returned to Ooty had lunch and did some shopping. Of course not to miss Varkey in Conoor and Ooty home made chocolates from the best in town THE KINGS ... Since 1942 :)

Santhan was of the opinion we see a movie. We decided otherwise to head back to resort and take a sound afternoon nap.

Once in resort I took the medicines and soon dozed off. Woke up around 6 pm and the pain had vanished thanks to the dentist. Had a nice tea in the resort lawn and we again went to enjoy the night life in Ooty.

Walked and rode in the lanes of Ooty and had a nice pleasant dinner and drove back.

Soon we retired to bed. Santhan had to be in his office next day morning so I warned him that if he keeps talking then not to blame me if I get up late and the consequence that follows. So he kept mum and dozed off.

Before that we packed all our stuff and kept everything read for the morning ride back.

On the Bed I read few pages from the book brought from Isha about Death :) soon I too had dozed off.

Next day morning as planned we settled the bills, saddled up and hit the descend. The traffic was almost nil and I loved it. We made a quick descend leaving behind the cool weather as we took each hairpin bend got us closer to warm weather. Sooner I realized we had descended to Ooty hills 36 hair pin bends down. There after it was empty roads riding at break neck pace we crossed Bandipura National Park, had breakfast at a hotel next to Pug mark.

After about half an hour of break we hit the road again and with same pace crossed Gundulpete, Nanjangud and hit Mysore. With the pace I was travelling I did not want to take a break and stopped around 20KM from Mandya. Thought Vijay was ahead of me and called Santhan they were behind me and I said would wait near Channapatana coffee day.

Reached Coffee day soon within 15 minutes difference Vijay and Santhan reached coffee day. We Stretched ourselves and had hot cappuccino and brownie. With the much need break again we hit the road and came into the Mad traffic of Bangalore and reached Adda at around 2:30 PM.

Overall it was speed and a pleasant 950 km ride with the best people.

I would like to Thank Arun & Arathy’s family for the generous hospitality showered on us during our stay. Hope we come again and visit unexplored places around Kovai.

This ride is dedicated to my Little Angel neice “Tanikshaa” (Goddess of Gold)

Keep thumping ... Ride Safe !!!

Cheers

Durai Selvam
Royal Knights Motorcycle Club Member