#loveofRides
This page is about the following:[Less words, more action/photographs]
1. Ride stories, maps( South India and Coasts) with photographs
2. Best cycling trails (Chennai, Bangalore)
3. Technical stuff on cycling [with external links]
1. RIDE STORY -I [Aug'2014| Motorcycle|1250km round-trip approx]
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| Scenic moment on Madurai-Dindigul highway #RideStoryI |
Route: CHENNAI-TIRUNELVELI
To start with, look at one of these photographs taken (low quality cellphone) during the ride; Need I say more? Its a completely good quality road, comes under the maintanence of the local state of TamilNadu. It is scenic in the second leg of 350odd kms. You can choose to ride by streams, riverbeds and the coastal regions if you are an explorer
Motorcycle and the timing:
Its roughly about 650 odd kms, I covered the entire distance in about 11 hours, which includes the nap-time, resting and also regular maintanence stops on this Royal Enfield Electa UCE. Mine is slightly tuned for a better mileage and it vibrates past 100+ kmph.
Is this a great motorcycle? Worth the hype/pricing in India? - I will cover this entirely in a technical blog. You can write to me, will be glad to respond
Idea/Motivation:
Nothing motivates me like the love of my family. Dad and Mom are aged, and have lived such a life that I miss them almost everyday. That is the best motivation for the route and ofcourse, the great affinity towards solo riding. It kinda gives a self-satisfaction, having worked on Computers and with commercial setups in the city. Time to un-wind, huh?
btw, this is what I was doing in a boring corporate meeting( Non-technical , inspirational talk) when I was in USA:
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| MissMyRide #USA |
Ride Experience:
The ride to TVL was too good with wonderful weather, cool all through ( good for my engine and tires) on a one-stretch ride. But the ride back to Chennai was affected by conrinuous rains from Trichy. So, this means, In August-September, if you are riding down South in India, please be prepared for monsoon rains. The rains from NE monsoons here are highly challenging and I DO NOT SUGGEST you RIDE SOLO. Unless you have prior experience and are capable. NOT THE FIRST time, please !
Not to mention, I also witnessed a live accident during this trip, where a local rider slipped and fell off the fly over onto the service lane, with cracked head. Call to the Ambulance was in vain. I approached a petrol bunk where an ambulance was parked, only to endup searching for the driver whom I didnt find !! - A WORD OF CAUTION.
But things have changed a lot, I assume; For emergencies - CALL 108.
Take away:
1. If you are a foreign National/ not from Tamil Nadu, its better to ride along a local who can speak in Tamil fluently. It helps, although not mandatory
2. Ride with all regular safety gears (goes without saying), but be prepared for a humid/hot and sudden burst of thundershowers
3. July is the best time to ride this route, you can also visit Kanyakumari and Pamban bridge during this time; Ride during the day - highly recommended !
4. High speed riding [100+ kmph] : Not recommended at all.
Reason: There are sudden bad patches, and blind crossings. There is a video in youtube, on all accidents and deaths that occur on this highway. per year fatalities are alarmingly high.
5. Carry just enough cash. No major thefts/ anti-social activities on this route.
6. Plenty of gas stations, eateris, tea/coffee joints and good amount of mechanics all through this route. Unless you have an imported motorcycle, theres nothing to worry about. just ride, relax, enjoy !
3. July is the best time to ride this route, you can also visit Kanyakumari and Pamban bridge during this time; Ride during the day - highly recommended !
4. High speed riding [100+ kmph] : Not recommended at all.
Reason: There are sudden bad patches, and blind crossings. There is a video in youtube, on all accidents and deaths that occur on this highway. per year fatalities are alarmingly high.
5. Carry just enough cash. No major thefts/ anti-social activities on this route.
6. Plenty of gas stations, eateris, tea/coffee joints and good amount of mechanics all through this route. Unless you have an imported motorcycle, theres nothing to worry about. just ride, relax, enjoy !
ROUTE SUGGESTED:
TAMBARAM -> MELMARUVATHUR -> TINDIVANAM -> VILLUPURAM -> TRICHY -> THUVARANGKURICHI -> MELUR -> MADURAI -> VIRUDHUNAGAR -> SATTUR -> KOVLIPATTI -> TIRUNELVELI
ALTERNATE: [If you love coastal and its aphotography ride; Rough roads; two-way traffic,]
THIRUVANMIYUR ->ECR-> MAHABALIPURAM -> PONDICHERRY->KUMBAKONAM -> TANJORE -> MADURAI
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