An Unforgettable - Insane bike ride 2

Some say... others Do it...

Some preach... others practice...

Untill when will you be keep waiting for the right time...

Either propose her or stop thinking about her...

If there's any moment to accomplish your dreams then it is right here... right now...

Dont wait... go ahead and cherish your dreams...

Down with mid-term exams :P, body pain, cold n cough... i must visit a doctor and take some medicines: as the journey is already scheduled... it should not get cancelled... ;) Thus, took dosage worth 360 bucks... and advice to take rest... only not to be followed later... Although medicines were always there with me during the entire journey, quite close to my heart - in shirt's pocket ;) it never got used... forget about the rest...

Eagerly awaiting for the Strategy exam to get over (alike all other colleagues) so that i can get onto the ride... but, oops last date for final exam fee submission is today... let's do it instead of delegating the task to friends... :P

Its' 4.32 p.m. with almost all colleagues being audience to Mr. T.N.Seshan: did not wanted to miss the event and photography... ;) but, one should not get distracted... let's embark on the journey... Considering next big town on the way being Hassan, some 220 odd km. away, let it be the place to halt at. Although i did not wanted to give Shravanbelagola place a miss... but cudn't help it either... no point in deviating 18 Kms. one-way off the highway @ 9 p.m. to visit the place.

Reached Hassan by 10.10 p.m., took Fish meal, got bike fuelled up for morning journey to Mangalore and found a decent hotel to stay in. Wow... the room had a big Sony Bravia TV... its long since, i hooked onto an idiot box... n by the time i thought to doze off, it was already post 00.00 hrs.

Hold on its not yet decided whether i should go to Mangalore by Sakleshpur circuit or through Belur-Halebidu-Mudigere; the later being tough and lengthy road to drive on... but had the positives of visiting Halebidu-Belur. Although the later one looked more exciting, the mind was in a fix whether to visit those places alone or sometime later with friends... i mean walking around archeological sites and temple complexes alone; seems bit insane... So kept 2 alarms one at 5.30 and other at 7.30 a.m...

By 6.15 i checked out. Dew has settled on the bike and i was left with no cloth to wipe on. Man, how can i give a skip to a spare cloth piece; probably i can. What better time to put best use of newspaper lying on the street. The bike started on the 1st kick, but eyes could not make out the road ahead: foggy morning. The photographer inside me resisted every time i attempted to accelerate the bike. Cant stop myself from halting at several places en-route to capture the amazing pics of nature. One dont get to see them often.

The state government has put lots of efforts to revive tourism here... but it seems there's a tussle beteen the tourism and road transport ministries. The roads are extremely pathetic... to say the least. Bet you cant drive >30 kmph. with my speed being amazingly high at 20-25 kmph.

The Chennakeshava temple complex at Belur and Hoysaleswara-Kedareswara temple complexes at Halebidu built by Hoysala Dynasty rulers in Dravidian style were superb, to say the least.

Its 8.45 a.m. and time to move on to Mangalore my next destination. If the previous stretch of road was any bad then this stretch of around 70 kms. was worse. The next stop was Mudigere, 38 Kms. away from Belur, taking little over 1.30 hrs. to reach. Time to have a breakfast now : 10.15 a.m. before proceeding 120 kms. further to Mangalore.

Time over-runs are what one should always manage; particularly when you are time bounded : commitment to return back to college tomorrow latest by 2 p.m. so that i can present my Consumer Behavior assignment... unusual dedication to studies... probably because i had prepared a major portion of it and others wont be able to take it over well :P

The next stretch of 56 Kms. to Dharmasthala was covered in close to bang 100 mins. One could not have experienced any ride less bumpier than this. Just wondered how would it have been, if there would have been any pillion. Although the Manjunatheshwara Temple was 13 kms. off the so-called highway and i was running out of time by a big margin; i visited one of the sacred places in South India and famous pilgrim center - dharmasthala; as if i had an appointment with Bahubali. Gents visit and give their offerings to Digambarnath bare chested.

By 1.11p.m. i got back to the state highway after visting Shri Rama Temple mid-way. Its 1.45 and i better take lunch here rather than waiting till Mangalore-75 Kms. away. By 3.15 i entered Mangalore, to see the Kalash circle. In next 45 mins. the Kadri Temple and Gokarnatheshwara temples were visited. Although they weren't there in the itinerary, it is always better to ride across the city streets through the main temples - as it would cover a major portion of the city. This philosophy must be applied only when you dont know what to do and where to go in a city; rovided you are not a gourmet.

So, as planned to leave the city by 4 .m., after taking short rest at some restaurant, i kick started 15 mins. early towards Someshwar beach, near Ullal town. Half an hour more and i was there - strolling through the beach. Ohh... i have received missed calls from Samir and Netra, it would definitely be regarding attendance for the Colloquium. Called up Samir to know that all my friends were enjoying the last few mins. of the event.

The desire to get drenched in the Arabian sea, was growing with each passing moment. So, i kept jacket, helmet, shoes and other belongings aside on the beach. Meanwhile, there was always an apprehension: what if someone runs off taking camera, bike keys and clothes :P Stupid mind, it wont let you off from thinking this way; untill you get out from enjoying the beach water. Its 5.30 p.m., time to proceed...

Considering Madikeri 240 kms. away to be the next destination to halt at, i planned to reach there by 10.30 p.m. But after crossing 55 kms. at Kasargod in an hour and half i decided to take the short-cut to Madikeri through Suliya - the road being short by 60 kms. than the alternative route i had selected earlier. I cannot forget that stretch of road - no vehicles for half an hour on the pot-holed 60 kms. stretch. It took me 2 hr. 8 mins. to cross it - i think this description is sufficient enough to explain the ride on that stretch.

If the previous stretch was any bad then it was to be continued again post Suliya to Madikeri - the next 63 Kms. ride costed me 2 hrs. 38 mins. only. By 10.36 p.m. i was there @ Madikeri, completely exhausted - washed-out. Time to take some badly needed rest. Booked a room in the lodge and got a hotel, open past 10.50 p.m., only to serve me.

265 Kms. to cover in around 6 hours to reach bangalore by 1 p.m., the task seemed quite possible but considering yesterday's constant ride of <30>4hrs. the task wasn't a cakewalk even. By 6 a.m. i had left Madikeri - The Scotland of India. In a hurry, i thought of giving Abbey Falls a miss, this is the decision i repent now.

By 8.15 a.m. at Hunsur, i stopped to have breakfast. Ah, the road from here on to Mysore, would be any biker's paradise. Unfortunately my bike cannot accelerate more than 85-90 kmph, else it would have gone 100+. Reached Mysore by 9.09 a.m. half an hour earlier than expected, i went on to explore the Infosys Mysore campus. The campus is amazing; at least that is what it felt from outside by peeping through few of the magnificent structures. Its 9.26 a.m. now, time to move on.

At 10 a.m. i was welcomed by the Historic town of Srirangapatna, although had visited the Srirangapatnam mandir last time on my way to Ooty with friends, it seemed as if god is asking me to meet him again. So i took a left turn to visit the Ranganatha Swamy temple, Lord Vishnu - reclining on huge coils of the serpent Sesha, with multiple hoods. Within next 25 minutes i was back onto the highway to Mysore.

On the i was welcomed and thanked by the Sugar City, Mandya; Channapatna, Land of Toymaking; Ramanagar, Silk City; Bidadi, Industrial town, etc. By around 11.45 p.m. while i was 60 kms. away from Bangalore, i received a call from my team mates, enquiring me my whereabouts. I assured them to join them back for class presentation, on time. I reached the college by 1.15 p.m. an hour before the class begins. 1 hour was enough for me to refresh, have lunch and check out the presentation.

Pon D Insane bike ride

Not all the time you should reveal what's in your mind.... not all the time you should consult people.... not all the time you should consider others' opinions....

Sometimes silence pays off...!!

Idea to visit some place... far off... was always there on mind... it just got executed on one fine Sunday morning...!!

Defying the academic calendar set forth by SIBM Bangalore, no holidays for week together... not surely on Sundays.. ;) The journey to Pon D began bang 15 mins. earlier than scheduled time...

for one thing is sure that the marketing class has made me punctual enough...

The journey scheduled to start off at 5 a.m. to cover roughly a distance of 654.3 odd kms. began @ 4.45 a.m. All permissions for night out were taken, tyre tubes got replaced, PUC being made, brakes got repaired, Camera got fully charged... just hours before the trip.

Considering that my bike remains on reserve fuel mode for most of the time.... i had asked my friend a night earlier to get it charged up.... the realization that this is going to be my first trip out alone, played on my mind. My first stop on the NH 7 was a few kms. before Krishnagiri - to take beautiful pics of the rising Sun. To cut it short - The morning landscape was amazing.

At no point of time i thought of Highway robbery/high jacking, road rage, bike accident, bike not getting started, etc... as advised by my friends...for not going on the trip; friends... who were bit over cautious/gave warnings... but not enough to change my mind ;)

By the time i reached Krshnagiri some 90 odd kms. I had gained my rythm... tireness/boredom wasn't there in the air... at anytime during the trip... But soon the beautiful NH 7 ended only to give way to narrow- potholed, dividerless, traffic abandoned NH 66...

Suddenly it seemed as if i am the only person using this road... a village road... wherein, people were having bath alongside the road, sheeps crossing the roads (NH 66) freely, alas chicken shops lined up with long queues early morning.... Ganapati Visarjan celebrations going along...

No more concrete jungles, only greenery all around and the air so pure...

The second stop being the breakfast break at Uthangarai... at around 8a.m. typically cooked roadside dosas with a cup of tea... suppressed the hunger.

Next stop was at Gingee fort built by Chola Dynasty rulers in 13th century. After taking hundreds of beautiful pics of the fort for half an hour. The drive continued further east towards Pon D. Suddenly i felt as if i may run out of time to reach Pon D... enjoy there and come back to hostel before 11 p.m. deadline...;)

The journey now had to be non-stop, slowing down only to confirm that i am on right track, dont hit people and vehicles. I was flagged by many, but eventually gave a lift to a worker. Not that i am suspicious of people flicking things out from the saddle bags, but just dont wanna apply brakes @ 70 to give lift :(

Though my Caliber was nonetheless after modifying it, however, at times wished it could have been an Avenger or a Bullet, so that, i could amuse a few people, turn their heads. By 10 a.m. i could feel the heat - temperatures soaring up. Time for some thanda - also let the engine too get cooled off. Enjoying the journey, the bike ride was more important than reaching the destination.

By 11.11p.m. i entered Puducherry. 1 k.m. down the road and the roads were full with traffic, vehicles all around - beeping out. With traffic signals all around and same polluted air it felt i was back in the streets of Bengaluru. At the 1st traffic signal - a question aroused in the mind - where i need to go ahead...Let's go to the main market !!

One can definitely recognize the difference in architecture of the city/UT influenced by the French. Took few superb pics of beautiful structures on the Goubert road and then headed to a beach on the East Coast road. With little time in hand, i rushed to Auroville to visit Matrimandir. One can find umpteen number of good cafes and pizzeria restaurants on the roadside.

By 12.45 i reached Auroville, rushed up to get the pass, visit the Matrimandir and move around the handicraft center. It took an hour to get back onto the bike again. Took a U-turn and went on the Cuddalore highway road to reach Chunnabar Boat house. Had a great ferry ride followed by delicious lunch at the Chunnabar.

The journey to come back started at 4 p.m. Considering it the journey to be 320 kms. i thought i could possibly reach the campus on time, but it was later only to realize that the weather is not with me and it started raining heavily post Tiruvannamalai. But, as if the heavy winds and rains were gonna stop me, i reduced the bike speed from 70 to 45 only to march ahead.

Within an hour the rains stopped, so did the heavy winds leaving me with wet clothes, to feel cold. By 9.15 i was back there in Krishnagiri and stopped to take my meal. It was 11.11 p.m. i reached the campus, with the same enthusiasm, that i had started with.

Express Yourself

Ever thought why do people write blogs ?

Most of the people write blogs to express themselves. 

I ever wondered why do people tend to write or pour out their thoughts through verses and why do they think that their will be many people sitting idly reading out your blogs. But since nowadays, blogging is "en vogue"people have started penning down their thoughts and share them up with others.

I am not good enough in writing. I mean expressing my complex thoughts in words. Neither am i a voracious reader but still i read books to a limit so that it never sucks.

I wondered why do these buggers write a lot and what the hell they get out of it ? 

By now, i have read quite a many blogs. Each blog has its own colour, emotions and creativity. 

Sometimes the very thought that strikes me while reading these blogs is that how do people get that spontaneity and how do they bring in or express their very emotions into contents or paragraphs with simple decorative words.

People write or express their thoughts in words to make it more effective when they have none near them to listen or share their feelings. In a craze they pull out a paper and pour out their thoughts in a piece of paper just like bursting out to their friends. Sometimes these crazy scripts become memories or even great novels. Who knows??

For some, a blog has become a marketing instrument, that helps one to promote oneself; if one wants to become known, one can try to make a consistent blog and promote it; in this way one may get to be known by others, he may get to be popular.

For many others, writing is a form of relaxation; they need to write in order to put order in their thoughts; a blog can be something like a journal.