After the tiring day with almost no sleep for more than 36 hours it was almost time to head back to Bangalore. The day was really interesting except for horrible heat and almost losing 2 kg’s after losing lot of body fluids in the form of sweat.
2:30 pm: The plan was simple, reach home ASAP via GQ crossing Vellore and Hosur on the way. Started after saying good bye to Praveen, took the road towards Punnamalai and was able to reach Chennai outskirts in less than 20 mins covering almost 22 kms from Adyar. I remember that yesterday the same distance took me almost 1:15 mins as I took the route through Chennai.
3:29 pm: Took my first break after crossing kanchi (1361 km). The road was almost empty with couple of trucks, but it was really hot and I was sweating even riding at 90-95 kms/hr constantly. So had a bottle of chilled water it was time to move. After couple of km’s there was a board towards Chitoor. As the 4 lane was real bore I decided to take the same route that I took yesterday morning.
4:35 pm: Crossed Chittor and it was again time for a short break. Had a glass of Orange Juice and moved on. The road was good and was ripping easily at 90 kmph even on a 2 lane. Overtaking kept me busy and didn’t feel bored at any time on this highway which was not the case on the 4 lane.
7:00 pm: Crossed Kolar and drove for almost 20 kms, I was almost exhausted. The road was also not good as 4 lane constructions were under way. Driving was getting touch with the lights and dust that was making the roads less visible. The icing on the cake was that there were a lot of diversions which were less visible with the lights falling in the eyes.
7:45 pm: Reached home and it was a big relief. There was a traffic jam because of a railway line near Chakkasandra just before Bangalore. Somehow managed to get out of it because of a 2 wheeler and the bike was at any given point of time above 80 kmph even in the city.
Over all it was a good weekend trip after a long time. Slept for only 4 hours in the last 50 hrs, rode with the bulls, owned my first riding jacket (speed and strength “devil in the details”) and my new pair of gloves (Fieldsheer air perforated). Sorry no pics as I didnt want to waste any time before it got dark.
Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/vrksin7784/BangaloreTirupatiChennaiBangalore
Chennai (0 kms) -- Kanchipuram (71 kms) -- Chitoor (156 kms) -- Palamaner (195 kms) -- kolar (268 kms) -- Bangalore (334 kms)
Gear Used
------------
1. Jacket (speed and strength “devil in the details”)
2. Gloves (Fieldsheer air perforated)
3. Helmet (AGV)
Friday, April 2, 2010
A day with bulls!!!!!
A really tiring Saturday, riding from Bangalore to Tirupati and then to Chennai and again having party till 2:00am in the night will not allow you to wake up at 5:00 am and go for a morning ride. But will never regret this as I really enjoyed this trip. This was a day out with the Royal Enfield group “V 40”, around 9 riders turned out and it was me along with my knight in Chennai. The plan was to go and have some dirt track practice in one of the Farms near Chennai on the old Mahabalipuram road.
Something about the V40 group, this group was started by Royal Enfield to spread awareness of safe riding. This is based out of Chennai which includes employees or Royal Enfield as well. So it was a real nice thing to see lot of bulls at one place.
Started with 10 riders and 2 pillions and by the time I flexed my muscles we were already at the destination. It was merely 15 km’s on the highway. So first thing the riders did was to draw the track and then they did some high speed dirt riding.
Something about the V40 group, this group was started by Royal Enfield to spread awareness of safe riding. This is based out of Chennai which includes employees or Royal Enfield as well. So it was a real nice thing to see lot of bulls at one place.
Started with 10 riders and 2 pillions and by the time I flexed my muscles we were already at the destination. It was merely 15 km’s on the highway. So first thing the riders did was to draw the track and then they did some high speed dirt riding.
Bull that got stuck...took around four guys to get it out of there :PPP
KD crashed but nothing wrong with the bull..that what you call "BULL POWER"
This day was interesting with few of the bulls getting stuck and ending with couple of crashes. We don’t see the sight with bull’s crashing when we are riding in the city. Saw couple of bull cowboys which is not an easy sight to see :P…..
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Tirupati to Chennai
5:30 pm: Spent the whole day with Satya Srinivas bava who came back from US with my new Jacket (Speed and strength) and Gloves (Fieldsheer). I was very excited to see them, tried them and they were perfect fit. The day was pretty hot and I was almost sweating like pig. Had some heavy lunch at Mayur hotel and it was time to take some rest as I haven’t slept the whole night. Got up, everything was packed and it was time to leave. Left Tirupati and it was a straight road towards Chennai. This was my first time to Chennai, so was really excited.
8:00 pm: Crossed Puttur and Nagari on my way, these were the state highways but pretty good roads. The plan was to cover as much distance I can during sunlight as this was a 2 lane and didn’t want to cover a lot of distance after dark. Saw a sunflower garden on the way, so it was time for pics.
Took a break after riding for 110 kms and when enquired figured that I have reached Thiruvallur. This was bigger than I expected. The road between Tiruttani-thiruvallur was the most pathetic. Lot of pot holes with narrow roads and water source on one side of the road. These 22 kms almost ate up an hour of precious time. Had a bottle of cold Pepsi as I was really thirsty and was sweating as I didn’t remove the outer lining of my jacket.
10:00 pm: Finally reached Chennai Besant beach after riding for 4:30 hours in total and 1:15 mins in grueling traffic. It was hot even being 10 pm in the night and really humid. At this time Praveen came to pick me up and we went to Sachin’s (Royal Enfield Marketing manager) place. They were having a get together and they invited me as well.
Finally left there place at around 1:30 in night and went to Praveen’s room. I spent the night there as needed to leave by 6 am for a ride with V40 club started by Royal Enfield.
Tirupati (0.0 kms) -- Puttur (25 kms) -- Tiruttani (88.0 kms) -- Thiruvallur (110 kms) -- Chennai (164.9 kms)
Took a break after riding for 110 kms and when enquired figured that I have reached Thiruvallur. This was bigger than I expected. The road between Tiruttani-thiruvallur was the most pathetic. Lot of pot holes with narrow roads and water source on one side of the road. These 22 kms almost ate up an hour of precious time. Had a bottle of cold Pepsi as I was really thirsty and was sweating as I didn’t remove the outer lining of my jacket.
10:00 pm: Finally reached Chennai Besant beach after riding for 4:30 hours in total and 1:15 mins in grueling traffic. It was hot even being 10 pm in the night and really humid. At this time Praveen came to pick me up and we went to Sachin’s (Royal Enfield Marketing manager) place. They were having a get together and they invited me as well.
Finally left there place at around 1:30 in night and went to Praveen’s room. I spent the night there as needed to leave by 6 am for a ride with V40 club started by Royal Enfield.
Tirupati (0.0 kms) -- Puttur (25 kms) -- Tiruttani (88.0 kms) -- Thiruvallur (110 kms) -- Chennai (164.9 kms)
Bangalore to Tirupati
5:10 am: Finished my office at 4:00 and rushed back home as I planned to leave at 5:00 sharp. Left home and took the old madras highway towards Hoskote. Road was real bumpy because of pot hole and lot of speed breakers, finally managed to cross Hoskote. The next point to cross was kolar and crossed it comfortably in 1:30 hrs, there is 4 lane construction going on so lot of diversions.
7:15 am: Saw a CCD and it was a real relief as I was really feeling sleepy due to night shift. Travelled for some 79 kms and took my first break. Had a cup of hot Cappuccino and it was time to leave as I was planning to hit Tirupati before it’s too hot. Then I figured that I have got my new camera and was supposed to take some pics. So here are some first pics using my new Nikon L110 long zoom camera.
9:00 am: Crossed Chittor at this time and I was on my planned time. Touched AP border (119 km) at 8:00 and it was a really good feeling. Now I can talk to locals in Telugu and can find some nice movie hoardings with some known faces. Crossed Palamaner(8:15) on my way to Chitoor, the roads were amazing on the way and was able to cover 105 kms in less than one and a half hour. The bike was new so preferred to keep the speeds under 85kmph. The 6-7 kms before Chitoor was real bad as you leave the Chennai highway and we need to take a left turn towards Tirupati.
10:40 am: Finally reached my cousin’s place in Bhavani nagar (Tirupati). Took the detour at Chittoor towards Tirupati and the road was really good.The bike was a real heard turner with people staring at the bike in traffic. There was a patch that was bad in between but can be managed on a 2 wheeler.
Bangalore (Indiranagar) (0 KM) -- Hoskote (30 KM) -- Kolar (62 KM) -- Palamaner (141 KM) -- Chitoor (184 KM) -- Tirupati (256 KM)
7:15 am: Saw a CCD and it was a real relief as I was really feeling sleepy due to night shift. Travelled for some 79 kms and took my first break. Had a cup of hot Cappuccino and it was time to leave as I was planning to hit Tirupati before it’s too hot. Then I figured that I have got my new camera and was supposed to take some pics. So here are some first pics using my new Nikon L110 long zoom camera.
9:00 am: Crossed Chittor at this time and I was on my planned time. Touched AP border (119 km) at 8:00 and it was a really good feeling. Now I can talk to locals in Telugu and can find some nice movie hoardings with some known faces. Crossed Palamaner(8:15) on my way to Chitoor, the roads were amazing on the way and was able to cover 105 kms in less than one and a half hour. The bike was new so preferred to keep the speeds under 85kmph. The 6-7 kms before Chitoor was real bad as you leave the Chennai highway and we need to take a left turn towards Tirupati.
10:40 am: Finally reached my cousin’s place in Bhavani nagar (Tirupati). Took the detour at Chittoor towards Tirupati and the road was really good.The bike was a real heard turner with people staring at the bike in traffic. There was a patch that was bad in between but can be managed on a 2 wheeler.
Bangalore (Indiranagar) (0 KM) -- Hoskote (30 KM) -- Kolar (62 KM) -- Palamaner (141 KM) -- Chitoor (184 KM) -- Tirupati (256 KM)
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
First ride to Nandi hills with white knight
These are the initial rides that you will really hate becuase you are in the running in period and can not go over 60 kmph. I wanted to finish the running in fast, as my office is just 3.5 kms away i have hardly covered 130 kms in a week. So finally decided to go for a small trip around bangalore to cover as many kms as possible, finalized nandi hills and decided to be there for Sunrise. I was accompanied by Anurag(BN'er) and his colleague on his ZMA-R. Started at 4:00 am and the plan was to reach nandi hills by 6 as i can't go above 60 km/hr.
Waiting for Imran (Anurag's colleague)
The road was pretty good as this was the NH-7 and was a complete 4 lane atleast till nandi hills diversion. from the diversion to nandi hills the road was a single lane but amazingly smooth except for couple of spoil sport speed breakers. on the way there were other bikes who were just zipping past us and i felt really bad as i was not able to do anything about it. Finally reached the place at 5:45 am and saw a big line at the tickets counter. After around 15-20 mins got the tickets and now it was a trek to the top of the hill.
The road was pretty good as this was the NH-7 and was a complete 4 lane atleast till nandi hills diversion. from the diversion to nandi hills the road was a single lane but amazingly smooth except for couple of spoil sport speed breakers. on the way there were other bikes who were just zipping past us and i felt really bad as i was not able to do anything about it. Finally reached the place at 5:45 am and saw a big line at the tickets counter. After around 15-20 mins got the tickets and now it was a trek to the top of the hill.
missed sunrise becuase of the clouds
Amazing view from top of the hill
After witnessing the sunrise we decided to sit down for some time, cool breeze was flowing and the weather was really good. there was this group of boys that was making hell of a noise, was feeling just to push then off the cliff :P. After 30 mins or so we finally decided to move on and have some thing to eat. went to the restaurant and ordered for a rava masala dosa to which the waiter replied "saar we have only plain rava dosa but i can give the masala separately". we laughed our hearts out and felt that he just have to put the masala inside the rava dosa.
Took some on our way back and it was time to get back on the highway, now the real tension started. my bike was blinking on the reserve and there is no knob that we usually have it in the carburetted versions. So i was not sure how much petrol was left in the bike and being a new one it was only giving a mileage of around 20 to 25 kms. finally saw a HP petrol pump and that was a sigh of relief. filled the tank and it was time to head back to city's gruelling traffic as it was already 9 am. Even being a weekend the traffic was horrible and because of the fiercing sun the ride was even horrible. Finally reached my sisters place and took bath with cold water to cool the body off. Over all the trip was pretty good, covered around 140 kms and that took my odo to 355 kms.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
the Night White Knight comes Home
It was the D-Day when White Knight was going to come home. Booked the bike as soon as I moved to Bangalore and there was a waiting period of over 1.5 months. But luckily the HH salesperson called me one fine morning and informed that the bike is ready and I can come and collect the delivery of my vehicle.
I was very excited as i waited for almost a month. Rushed to the showroom at 4:00 with my friend Kshitij and got the first glimpse of my sparkling white Karizma ZMR covered in dust. The salesman then sent the vehicle for washing, once done the vehicle was then cleaned and a litre of petrol was poured in so that I can manage till the next available refuelling station. The mechanic there started explaining me the details to which i responded that i had already ridden karizma before and he smiled.
Took the keys, the number was to be alloted the next day but i was not willing to wait for one more day. Kshitij took couple of initial pics using his mobile and then i hit the starter. Engine note was much better than the older karizma and a lot deeper too. As i was riding out of the showroom it was like i am walking on the red carpet, everybody was just starring at me. I had to go to office, but the first thing was to get the blessing's for the bike. So went to pick up satya and rushed to Hanuman Temple to get the puja done. Not like pune, the pujari here took his own sweet time and made sure that the complete puja is done.
I was really happy, offered him Rs.101 along with coconut and some fruits. The best part was he was not even expecting anything and went into the temple after the puja was performed. So dropped my friend Satya at home and headed to office.
On the way back to office everyone was just staring at the bike. Believe me, it was definately a head turner. There was this bajaj pulsar owner who almost hit an indicab as i passed by. Uploaded the pics to orkut, picasa and also shared them with my friends.
I was very excited as i waited for almost a month. Rushed to the showroom at 4:00 with my friend Kshitij and got the first glimpse of my sparkling white Karizma ZMR covered in dust. The salesman then sent the vehicle for washing, once done the vehicle was then cleaned and a litre of petrol was poured in so that I can manage till the next available refuelling station. The mechanic there started explaining me the details to which i responded that i had already ridden karizma before and he smiled.
Took the keys, the number was to be alloted the next day but i was not willing to wait for one more day. Kshitij took couple of initial pics using his mobile and then i hit the starter. Engine note was much better than the older karizma and a lot deeper too. As i was riding out of the showroom it was like i am walking on the red carpet, everybody was just starring at me. I had to go to office, but the first thing was to get the blessing's for the bike. So went to pick up satya and rushed to Hanuman Temple to get the puja done. Not like pune, the pujari here took his own sweet time and made sure that the complete puja is done.
I was really happy, offered him Rs.101 along with coconut and some fruits. The best part was he was not even expecting anything and went into the temple after the puja was performed. So dropped my friend Satya at home and headed to office.
On the way back to office everyone was just staring at the bike. Believe me, it was definately a head turner. There was this bajaj pulsar owner who almost hit an indicab as i passed by. Uploaded the pics to orkut, picasa and also shared them with my friends.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
....and the Eagle flew away
It was one of the disappointing days in my whole like as this was the day when i was going to sell my Eagle. I bought it in sept 2007 and it has been a great companion. I still remember how excited I was the day i took the delivery of my stunning black karizma-R bike. Did my first ride to Harihareshwar even though it was still in the running in period. it was an amazing machine and does not tire the rider at all. that day it was raining like hell and still it was just munching the miles as any other normal day.
any day..any time...just start the bike and go on, this was how i used to ride it and i dont remember even a single day when it has complained. But as i was moving out of pune and don't want to get into the issues of transferring the vehicle to another RTO i finally decided to sell it. Got hold of a person who is a city commuter and promised me to take good care of my very own Eagle. He was pretty impressed by the way it was maintained.
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