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I was planning to pen my thoughts about this trip for the past two weeks, but some unprecedented events and some intended hectic undertakings delayed the proceedings. One of my good friends got married in Chennai in the first week of Feb. And the holy matrimony event was on a Sunday. So you have two days to go and attend and come back. And the distance to be covered is atleast 700 kms. So what do you do? You just take your bike and ride your way!
We were more than dozen of us with three cars and two bikes to accomplish the ride. As usual, you would have a delay in your launch timings and this time the reason could be attributed to my fellow bulleteer (Sameer). He couldn’t resist a power nap which extended to a merry resting escapade for a couple of hours. The delayed start implied that we all meet at Hosur at 7 in the morning. After a little discussion and exchange of notes about the itenary of our halts, the ride began.
The initial stretch was an impeding traverse as the highly under-constructed road couldn’t offer a biker the pleasure of riding. But once the initial 20 km stretch was covered, the bumpy, muddy, lopsided road transformed into a smooth even highway. The bike revered to the condition of the highway and the throttle was upped slowly. The bullet is tailor-made for these conditions and I had no reticence about raising the throttle. The very meaning of cruising was achieved and words cannot depict the ecstasy that a rider feels. As discussed, we rode at speeds of 70-80 which is considered for the health of the bullet. A 50-60 Km stretch was covered in an hour and we halted for our first break near krishnagiri for the much awaited breakfast. A good heavy breakfast and a smoke was all that was required to restart and away we went for another 150 Kms without a halt. After the Krishnagiri turn, the highway was studded with scenic structures – some natural and some manmade. Sleet of rain was just the element that could have spurred the anxiety in your heart, though it decelerated our speeds. The 4 wheelers were no where to be seen and the bikers excused themselves as they wanted to enjoy their own road. The passing towns were raced through and the brakes were hardly put to use. Vellore, Ranipet and other towns whizzed passed us without a whimper. A 2 ½ hour ride brought us within 70 Kms of Chennai. A much warranted break was sought for, where refreshments helped us to replenish the exasperating yet congenial ride.
On the way back, a tweak in the route was instigated. We sped to Mahabalipuram while the sun was beaming. The small town near Chennai happens to be a coastal stretch of land with some archeological significance. With the sweat pouring down and with the biking gear on, I looked like an alien from a different planet. Post Lunch (Which is around 4.30) we started from the coastal strip and took a new route. The first town in sight was Chengalpet, the route to which was painted with pastoral, bucolic verve. The winding roads offered a complete view of the rustic countryside, which is hard to find nowadays. Once at Chengalpet, we took a diversion to Kanchipuram, which would connect to the same highway curtailing the distance by around 50 Kms. By the time we reached Kanchi it was dusk and the sweltering heat was being altered by a pleasant weather, which was an indication of the onset of a chilly conditions to come. This was the first break on our way back and the town of Kanchi could offer us some warm cups of beverages. We entered the main highway and the bikes were put to test in the night. The vision being ambiguous, it was difficult to push the throttle, but the fellow cars offered immense protection and the requisite beam to ride at 100+ Kms/hr. This was the fastest ride of the entire tour and the covered more than 200 Kms in a matter of 150 mins. We reached Krishnagiri again and had our dinner. After a long dinner break we started pulling along slowly back to Bangalore. Back in Hosur, my bike’s headlight conked off and I was sandwiched between Sameer in the front and one of our car’s in the back.
We reached home around 2 in the night and I slept for a couple of more days before, I could be normal. The ride was strenuous, tiring, exhaustive, demanding, and backbreaking. But it was ride that gave me a satisfaction and was filled with ecstasy and delight. The distinct experience is unmatched and a must for every rider on earth to see the real, unadulterated seventh heaven.
