Goa Bike Trip : Bikomaniacs 2014: Part 3

                            "What we all want in life, to travel,  fall in love and be happy" 

Sorry for the long hiatus. I was busy for some days and lazy on the remaining. Idleness is an enjoyable disease to indulge in. Escaped from that beautiful beast just before addiction sets in.

Bikomaniacs Goa Trip Part-3

October 31^st 2014, 9 am.

Chennai- Bangalore: Heavenly Surreal Journey

My trance like state at the Yelagiri foothills was brought down to reality by a loud honking passer-by truck. Kick started my stallion and I was trotting on the blissful empty six lane highway. Winter sun was still lazy, slowly jogging behind me. And we both were sluggish and chasing my shadow till noon. Post noon we became brisk and let the shadow behind – chasing us!

When you are on a long drive, you tend to have more time for yourself which is so difficult to get, in the fast lane- city life; possible to analyse your life at a distance. Solutions to intricate problems appear easily.

My mind started swirling in the myriad of past present and the future. It is a great fun to let loose your mind wander around and secretly follow that. After a few hours of frenzied fantasy hunting, it settled down to the harsh reality of Indian roads.

Indian Roads

There is only one rule on these killer zones –that is “NO RULES”. Things are predictably unpredictable! Vehicles come from wrong direction or any direction even on highways– with speed. Slow moving trucks keep right always, forcing you to overtake on the left side. Yellow signal means – speed up in our country; on the other side of the signal, restless crowd would start few seconds earlier- ideal recipe for a disaster. Powerful bikes and mindless drivers make another perfect match. Traffic police does not stop overcrowded- two wheeler family vehicles. Many drivers have become habitual honkers even on empty roads.

India ranks number one in road traffic accidents. Tamilnadu, particularly Chennai tops the list at national level. But wearing helmet is not compulsory here! Among those who use it, at least half of them don’t know how to wear it. I heard frequently from relatives of head injury victims saying– “he was wearing helmet, in spite of that he suffered this severe damage”. Later on I noticed many don’t fasten the strap. I stop here otherwise, would end up writing a book on this topic.

We were aware of these dangers. Confirmed about our life covers and family’s future before starting the tour. All of us knew, the success of the trip relies neither on reaching destination in time nor having fun during journey; that depends entirely on returning back home safely.

Every rider on Indian roads develops his or her own technique. Like a test batsman to survive on uneven surfaces to combat spin and pace bowling. Concentration is the key, need to be vigilant all the time. Play every ball on its merit. No slogging. No calculated risks. The riding style depends on-how you value your wicket. Of course, the only difference is- there is no second innings in real life!

I am a defensive boring batsman not only on the roads – even on the cricket field, whatever gully cricket I played. You can predict the style of bike riding based on one’s personality. Fortunately speed does not thrill me, rather it scares me. Even my car driving speed is around 80 kmph on highways. And I have one peculiar disease – can’t trust anyone else’s driving – 4 wheeler or 2 wheeler. While travelling in a bus gingerly search for a middle row seat.  I don’t know yet, how to choose a safer seat during train or air travel. If anyone knows please share with me… (Ha…Ha…Ha...) I’m sure Murali would have some name for this phobia.

To my support my RE boss Munian suggested me not to drive above 80 kmph with this 350cc machine and warned me - RE is for stability and endurance not for speed. I used that excuse whenever my speeding co drivers saw me angrily - helplessly. Thanks Munian!

Among four of us, Arvind is a bit flamboyant, no secret in that. Venki and Kathir are the only two competitors of speedy driving to Arvind from our batch. Why simple innocent Kathir drives crazily is one of the unresolved mysteries of 21^st century. There are always some exceptions to the common rule! Yet, everyone feels, he is the safest driver on the earth. Kathir am I right?

My initial plan was to have lunch at Krishnagiri. But, even with my defensive batting, I reached there around 11: 30 am – too early for lunch. Hosur at 1 pm and reached Bangalore at 2:30 pm much earlier than I had predicted.

When I entered the city, heavenly surreal drive hit the hard reality of traffic congestion, dust and heat. Started sweating -mainly due to the riding jacket and head buff I was wearing. We booked our stay at Keys hotel, on Hosur road near Electronic city which means easy entry and exit from the traffic choked ever growing new Bangalore city – changing its face from garden city to concrete city.

350 km in 6hours. Felt happy about the distance covered and safety of my driving. Never crossed 80 kmph speed. That gave me the much needed confidence for the remaining days. Took hot shower. Had my favourite mutton biryani and slept off.

Bangalore Stay

Doorbell rang at 4: 30 pm. Karthi had arrived. After many years I met him. Please don’t imagine bollywood filmy style reunion - hugging or high five or big loud cheer- macchaaan! Rather ours was south Indian art film style, dull hi with a miser smile- even though the joy was same.

Aggressive batsman Karthi covered, Salem to Bangalore in quick time 200 km in less than 4 hours. No news from Shankar and Arvind, yet. No reply to the messages we had sent. We thought they might be driving.

By evening Bangalore weather became cold and enjoyable. Our tired body and soul needed some spiritual fuel to enlighten us. Decided to start our party early. Bought coffee flavoured expresso vodka from a liquor shop just opposite to the hotel. Could not resist cursing TN government for providing substandard Tasmac brands. We went on with many rounds. Had wonderful nostalgic chat. We make perfect combination for the conversation to get going; one likes to talk, one likes to hear!

Finally at 9 pm we got call from Shankar and Arvind and we were shocked to hear that they had just reached Mysore. One of the unwritten rules of our trip was – no night riding. On the first day it had to be broken, due to the unexpected event involving Arvind’s luggage bag strap entangled and jammed the rear disc break. They had to find a Honda showroom to dismantle and repair it. And there was a few kilometres wrong route journey as well. Shankar has written in detail about it in his blog. Link http://drshankarnagalingam.blogspot.in/

Next day our plan was to meet at Channarayappattana, around breakfast time; 180 km from Bangalore, 80 km from Mysore. We had to start early.

Nov 1^st 2014, Saturday: Meeting of Fabulous Four

                                   

We woke up at 5 am and we were on the roads by 6 am. “NICE” ring road. Another dream like drive – we were cruising along the six lane expressway with the early morning serenity and cold weather. But Karthi later on told me that he felt sleepy to drive so slowly at 80 kmph speed???!!!

We reached Channarayappattana at 10:30 am. Again I let you to imagine an art film style friends’ meet! All were excited and happy. Had roti and sabji for breakfast in a Dhaba. Before starting had one fabulous four snap.

Our real Bikomaniacs Goa trip started!

We were heading towards Shimoga through Arisikere and Tarikere route- 160 kms. There was a junction immediately after Channarayappattana where Bangalore Mangalore Highway intersects the Arisikere state highway. Google navigation suggested us to take Arisikere road; villagers warned us about bad road and suggested to take Hassan route which was 80 kms longer. Fortunately we decided to trust Google and surprised to see the roads were in good condition throughout. Two lane state highway road was lying like a post meal sedated python in front of us. Almost two to three kilometres road was visible at a stretch. By seeing that we decided to have video shooting of our speedy bikes – spent about half an hour.

Passing through small villages and seeing their slow paced frozen life style, I realised time moves slow here; one second lasts for five seconds! Altogether felt like being on a different planet!

By 3 pm we were only 25 kilometres away from Shimoga. Skipped lunch – no one felt hungry.

Expect unexpected: Bhadravathy Dam

                                                         

All of a sudden we noticed a sign board showing direction to Bhadravathy Dam- 15km from the state highway. Unexpected small deviation from the main itinerary makes journey interesting. All of our bikes turned towards Bhadravathy dam without any hesitation, without seeking our permissions.

Bhadravathy Dam was built across Bhadra River, which originates from Western Ghats and flows east wards. Bhadra River joins Tungabhadra near Shimoga and joins finally Krishna River.

There was a feast for our eyes. Green carpet paddy fields welcomed us. One needs permission in advance to tour the dam. So we had to be content with only front view. There were 4 to 5 Kannanigaru guzzlers having fun near the Dam. By seeing us their excitement doubled. When they came to know we were from Tamilnadu that euphoria further increased many folds (like sikkittanda sitthappu!). One of them almost forced us to take photos and started an argument. Sensing the imminent trouble we moved away quickly.

                                                          

Shimoga

When we were entering Shimoga the day was telling its love to night through wonderful evening poem. Thin cold air was carrying the smell of fertile green paddy fields. Merciful twilight was cuddling the small town which was shivering in cold. Setting sun was showing his artistic skills on the canvas-sky. Return of birds to their nests after a long hard day’s work and the conversation they had with their loved ones were music to ears. Night duty insects were buzzing and humming trying to create a symphony.

We reached our nest –Akash Inn Hotel. Hotel was clean and spacious. Had hot powerful shower, felt like a much needed massage to our bodies.

Shimoga was colder than Bangalore. We were tired and hungry. Warm liquid slowly entered our system peg by peg- gave us the enthusiasm, energy to have fun filled typical boyish talk at the age of forty. Our chats are always predictable. Girls, booze, sports, nostalgic college stories… Men will be men. We remain the same even after 20, 25 years. Forty could not change anything.

The next day would be a long day for us. Needed to cover a long distance to reach Goa before night sets in. Jog falls and Ghat roads in between…

We settled down below warm blankets at 11 pm and set our alarm clocks at 4:30 am.

(Thought of reaching Goa with this 3^rdpart. But,this is going like an endless Sinbad story!)

Cheers!

11-01-2015,

10 pm,

Chennai.