Touring on two wheels

2009-01-24T23:44:00.000+05:30

Welcome!!!!!

We have started exploring the world of highway biking,which indeed is a fabulous and splendid experience. This is a real boon for ardent lovers to showcase their passion for biking on roads. It not only reaches the physical plane but also bestows a soothing effect to the mind. This has made us act smarter and achieve targets better. We are just getting grooved into this lane of biking now. We have started off with our four days ride to Ooty. We are really happy to share our experiences with you and enlighten you on facts about highway biking.. All the awe-inspiring moments have been snapped and enclosed here, do delve into them and rejoice further..This site has been started with the goodwill of communicating with other bike rangers and thus needs your constant support and motivation for its useful outcome. We eagerly await your valuable suggestions and comments for further progress..

Saarang ride - A short night ride in the ECR

2009-01-24T23:43:00.000+05:30

22|01|09

This was the first ride of the year 2009 for us.It wasnt really a ride.We three(Dilip,Vignesh and me) had gone for the choreo night of Saarang 09 (IIT-M's culturals).After this show we rode till the ECR view Point which is some 40 kms from the city.Nothing much to write in the log so enjoy the pics :)

The riders:
Dilip and his trustworthy CBZ Star

Vignesh and his peppy RTR

Me and my blue beast

The Old Mahaballipuram Road (IT Corridor)

Our First stop for Hot coffee

The customary pic at the Toll Plaza -ECR

The Destination - View Point at ECR

My Pulsar 220

Dilip's CBZ Star

Vignesh's RTR

Random Pics

The ECR - OMR Connection Road

Ride de Thirupathi

2008-12-05T13:37:00.009+05:30

Dec 2nd '08

Riders

Ravikumar-Honda Stunner
Shafeeq-HH Hunk
Vignesh-Apache RTR
Ganesh-P180
Myself-P220 blue
Dilip-P220 black

The planning had started some 10 days before the ride.We had our exams getting over on Dec 1st.So the ride was planned on Dec2nd.

Log:

As planned we were to meet at the Shell bunk at Padi by 6 am which was the usual Chennai Xbhpians meeting point.Everyone except Ravikumar was there on time and I called Ravi numerous time just to hear his phone going unanswered.So we were only 5 riders and we started.After moving away from the city and entering the outskirts we stopped for some photos.This is when I got a call from Ravi saying that he had overslept and he wanted to join us.We asked him to come to a hotel where we were heading for breakfast.

After the photos we went past the first toll booth on the GQ and took the immediate diversion to Periyapalayam.We stopped by the hotel for breakfast and by the time we finished eating our hot idlis and pongal Ravi joined us.From there on it was a single lane road.We expected this route to be better than the usual Thiruthani route which would have hit badly after rains but we were soon proven wrong:( .Yes the bad roads started and we couldnt keep speeds more than 50kmph :( .So our average speed went down.We were very careful spotting the potholes and alerted the fellow riders.

When we entered AP the roads were better with sparse potholes.We stopped for a few pics.

And right before the diversion at Puthur we spotted an elevated mud road and went there for pics.

There on we didnt stop anywhere and maintained speeds of 80-90kmph and soon reached Thirupathi.We headed right away to the Tirumala Ghat roads.After the usual checking and getting tickets for the bikes there came the most interesting part -The Ghats!!!

Everyone were excited to ride on the ghats and there we went zooming through the twisties bending and leaning :).We were taking the corners at pretty good speeds and we maintained considerable gap between two bikes.We stopped at a view point and took a few snaps.

From there we started one by one.I was the first one to start and Dilip was next to me.We both were enjoying the ghats to the fullest and I stopped at a place to catch the others in action.This is when I got a call from Vignesh and I knew something was wrong .I gave my mobile to Dilip and he spoke to find out that Ravi had fallen while taking a corner.Dilip and I parked our bikes and started walking back as it was a one way we couldnt take our bikes along.We didnt knew where this has happened and we were walking for about 15 mins before we reached the spot.We found that some loose gravel on the road was the culprit.Stunner's gear lever was broken into two and by the tie we both came Shafeeq had tied the broken pieces together with a string and Vignesh and Ganesh had done the first aid to Ravi.Ravi was fine and his bike too except that he cant engage the first gear.With the 125cc bike without a first gear and on ghats,he had a tough time!But he managed.Once again we were right on track and soon reached Tirumala.We went straight to a hotel and had a good lunch.

After lunch we headed to the "Perumal Padham"-which is believed to have foot prints of Lord Venkateshwara.The route was steep and deserted except a few tourists.This place was chilly and had woods all over.It was a nice spot for pics:) and here they are!

Now the downhill ride starts.We had a nice time riding downhill.There was a huge Hanuman temple on this route and we stopped by to offer our prayers.

The recent rains had made beautiful waterfalls on this route.One of the water fall was flowing right on the road and it was a spectacular sight.Few pics.

Soon we were at the foothills and after a short tea break we were back on our riders.The return route was through Thiruthani,Thiruvallur.This route was a single lane one and with darkness coming in we had a tough time riding.We split into two groups ,with one 220 leading each group.The 220's projectors were helpful to spot the potholes and avoid them.We reached the outskirts of Chennai and decided to slit to get back home.And I faced the worst traffic in my life before I got back home.

Diwali ride for a Cause with Xbhp

2008-11-18T16:09:00.007+05:30

It was Diwali season and being part of the India's largest biking community - Xbhp, we wanted to do something for the society.And the plan was put up at Xbhp that we will ride to an orphanage to spend some time with the sweet kids there and make them happy!It was Sunday October-26th.Praveen had known an orphanage which wasn't famous and it was located at some 10kms before Pondicherry.We were 11 riders on 10 bikes all belonging to Xbhp.Vignesh and I had done our best to collect sweets ,money and other contributions from our friends .As planned we were to meet the gang at Cozzee(our usual Xbhp meeting point at Besant Nagar).But due to some issues we were not able to make it there so we SMSed Praveen saying that we will meet everyone at the second meeting point -VGP Golden Beach.We were on time to the point and saw Allen and his friend waiting with his Thunderbird.Vignesh and I were having coffee at a nearby shop and there came the gang!After a 5 mins chat we were on our bikes and rolled on!

As it was a rainy morning we were all equiped with rain gears.We were on the move sedately at 60-70kmph.Our first stop was at the famous ECR park where we switched over to our rain gears.

After this were back on the rides and were cruising at descent speeds.We stopped twice for the line up pics en route.No matter how many time I ride through the ECR ,the roads are always exciting and scenic!!

We reached Pondy at around 10:30 am and headed to a hotel for breakfast.After this we hit the Pondy beach,as we were waiting for Praveen's friends who were the ones to take us to the orphanage.

We went to the orphanage by 12:00 pm .We were so happy to see those kids!They were all exited upon seeing our bikes and they were very friendly.After a few clicks of pics with them and having fun we served food for them which we had bought.They were so disciplined and well mannered.They had their meal only after offering prayers to The Almighty!

Post lunch we gave the gifts we had got for the kids.After this we had a photo session with them :) .At about 4:00 pm we were back on the bikes and headed back home.The return ride was a fast one with hardly any stops.

So many rides done but this one remain very special simply because we made a few kids happy!

Ride to Vedanthangal

2008-11-12T21:33:00.005+05:30

21|09|08

As decided and planned we were heading to Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary which is located some 80kms away from Chennai.we were riding along with our biker friends of Racing Department.I woke up in the morning to see that it was raining outside.I called others and told that we will start half an hour late.And finally everyone except Karthik met at the meeting point.Then we headed to a petrol bunk near Tambaram where Dilip and Ajit joined the gang.By the time we were tanking up our bikes and checking air pressure in the tyres Karthik joined us.Finally everyone were ready to start.We were zooming through the wet roads of GST.It was free of traffic as it was a Sunday.We stopped at a place for a small photo shoot.

After this we proceeded straight to Vedanthangal.The last part was through very narrow and uneven roads,enjoyed riding though!

We were not disappointed to see that it was off season.Who cares we didnt come for birdwatchin,we came for the ride :) .After spending sometime we headed back home.

From here it was a speedy ride back home!We were home for lunch!Though it was very short,we enjoyed it completely!

Tri state ride-Day 4

2008-11-12T19:54:00.001+05:30

Day 4- 18|08|08

We started from Perundurai in the early hours of the morning and it was raining too.The roads between Perundurai and Erode were under construction and we had to shift lanes often which involved some off roading as well.The visibility was poor dude to the rains.We managed to reach erode.Stopped for a tea.Waited for the sun to rise.After this we were confident and we headed to Salem foe breakfast.After breakfast we took the State Highway to reach Ulundurpet from where we can head to Chennai in the GST.The State Highway was pretty good.We maintained speeds of 80-90kmph.Upon reaching Ulundurpet we planned to push further to Thindivanam for lunch.At Thindivanam we had some snacks and skipped lunch so that we could reach home soon.From there it was a speed ride.We reached outskirts of Chennai around 1:00 pm.Then rode through the traffic and reached home finally!

We had this nice feeling of completing our longest ride so far!Saw our bike which were almost brown in colour and thanked them!I couldn believe that my bike was just a week old
DAY1 |DAY2 |DAY3 |DAY4

Tri state ride-Day 3

2008-11-12T19:37:00.004+05:30

Day 3-17|08|08

We were ready by 7:00 am and checked out of the hotel and were heading towards Tamil Nadu.Ooty is hardly 100kms away from this place.We had to travel through other part of Bandipur today.The roads before the forests started were very bad.These bad roads continued for some 15kms and then we entered Bandipur.

As soon as we entered the forest we saw many deers grazing around.This part of the forest was different from the one we travelled through the previous day.We took many pics and shot videos.Vignesh managed to shoot some part of the ride while riding his bike.

We passed through this stretch of forest where the trees were burnt in a forest fire.

And then finally we were leaving the Karnataka State and were entering Tamil Nadu State.

This part of forest inside Tamil Nadu is the Mudumalai Reserve for tigers.

We had to take the Kalatti route which is a shorter one to Ooty.This route had 36 hairpin bends and we enjoyed bending and leaning in every hairpin bend.Vignesh wasnt confident in taking the hairpin bends.The reason could be that because it was his first time riding in the Ghats.

After the ghats we entered Ooty .It was so refreshing climate.We could feel the cold air passing through our helmets and gloves.

We headed straight to Dottebetta-the highest peak in Nilgiris.

Reaching Dottebetta we went to the park.It was in the afternoon and we were surrounded by mist all over.

Clicked pics there and left in a while.We spotted the track down the hill.I wanted to reach that spot.So we managed to find our way down there to the track and it was worth reaching that spot.Clicked some awesome pics.

We were going to Cunnoor.Stopped by a shop to get tea and chocolates for home.The roads between Ooty and Cunnoor were laid recently and there was minimal traffic.This time we enjoyed the ghtas completely.It was such a fast run.We both were zooming through the hills and reached Cunnoor in no time .

Had a nice lunch at Cunnoor and left to Mettupalayam.This stretch of ghats was so crowded with traffic and since the roads were under construction vehicles were regulated by stopping one side for sometime and allowing the opposite side to come.This was so irritating and consumed lot of time.

Here I had a crash!!!Vignesh was well ahead of me and nowhere in sight. I was doing speeds of 50 and there was this Honda City fellow who overtook me and was going.He was speeding and coudln accomodate an upcoming bus in one curve ,he had braked hard and skidded.He was right accross the road blocking the road.I come out of a curve and was shocked to see a car parked right accross the road!!!Man!!!!I applied the brakes and thanks to the disks I managed to slow down but coudn avoid hitting him.Banged the car and fell down.When I got up the car had cleared and went.I found that the air vent kinda thing on the front fairing had broken and there was a crack on the fairing .....I was so worried to see my 6 day old 220 having a crash .I had bruises on my left knee and it was bleeding.I stopped by and did some first aid work.Tried calling Vignesh but the mobile wasnt reachable.Finally the ghats section was over and reached the plains.I met him here and explained the entire episode.

We pushed hard and reached Perundurai for the night.Located a descent lodge the hit the sacks!
DAY1 |DAY2 |DAY3 |DAY4

Tri state ride-Day 2

2008-11-12T16:10:00.001+05:30

Day 2 -16|08|08

We kept alarm at 5 00 am and as usual got up late.Finally we hit the roads by6 am.After having coffee we headed towards Bandipur National Park.We had to ride through the Bandipur forest to enter Kerala.We were damn excited as we are riding thro the forest!!!.The forests were some 30kms away from Gundulpet.The roads which led to the forests were good.We stopped by to take some pics and videos.

After the photo session in a few kms we came across this board and after a while the people started to disappear and we were entering the forest.It was so scary to ride thro the forest.I was expecting wild animals.We were not supposed to stop anywhere but the beauty and sound of the forest made us stop for a few pics.We took some amazing snaps!!!It was drizzling very lightly.The climate was awesome!

Then we started again in a few minutes Vignesh spotted an elephant that was eating bamboos on the right side of the roads.Before he told me about the elephant ,the tusker charged at us with a loud trumpetting sound.We were scared like anything and accelerated our bikes to move from that spot quickly.Man that was a real WILD experience!!!!

After this incedent we were riding really close with each other in fear of animal attack :) .Then we saw a checkpost-there it was KERALA!!! wow....I was so happy to see people around hehe ;) .The police at the checkpost looked for our license and let us go.We saw these sign boards and clicked pics!

The forest part was over and we were going to a town called Batheri.We asked the route and reached the place.I went to a Bajaj Service center to lubricate my chain.We enjoyed riding thro the awesome twisties of Kerala.The climate was also supporting.

We went to Edekkal caves and a dam(forgot its name).The dam was very peaceful and was free from crowds.The entire places we visited in Kerala was having a nice drizzling weather.

After having our lunch at Batheri we headed back to our lodge at Gundulpet which means we were riding thro Bandipur again!!!!This time I wasnt scary but was eager to spot animals ;) .

We were lucky and we spotted a herd of elephants which were peacefully having their lunch ;) .Clicked a few pics and we were out of the forest.

We had enough time so clicked as much pics as we could!!

Reached the lodge by 5 30 pm.Relaxed for a while and went out for dinner.While having dinner this crazy idea popped!!We decided to ride through the forest again in the night!!!!!!I know we were crazzy!!!Came back to our room took the necessary things and we on our rides!Before even we entered the forests Vignesh was afraid a lot and he convinced e to head back to out hotel :( .Reached the hotel and went to sleep keeping alarm for the next day!
DAY1 |DAY2 |DAY3 |DAY4

Tri state ride-Day 1

2008-11-12T16:05:00.002+05:30

Day 1-15|08|08

Firstly I want to thank my parents for letting me do this trip on my 4 day old P220!!!.....After a months planning by Vignesh and me the day had finally arrived!!!We slept only by 12 or something the previous night(it usually happens before every ride!!!).....The alarm woke me up by 2:00 am....I called vignesh immediately ...he needed more half an hour of sleep so we slept and got up at 2 30....After a quick shower,I was ready by 3 30...By this time vignesh had already reached my place and was waiting for me.Managed to tie the saddle bags and met him outside my gate.We headed to a nearby temple and prayed for a safe trip!

We zoomed through the empty streets to reach the Golden Quadrilateral(GQ)that leads to Bangalore.Vignesh was all excited as this was his first ever long ride(His previous was jus 100 odd kms!!!).We stopped near his college as he wanted this pic :)

We were doing speeds of 60-70kmph only as I din want to stress my new bike(it was jus 500kms old).I wanted to maintaining this speed till I complete 1000kms which meant 500kms more.Vignesh didnt mind it.Sun was yet to rise and we were crossing toll booths one by one.At one such booth we stopped for a small break,by tis time Mr.Sun had come out to wish us good luck!I literally meant those words as we din want to have a rainy ride in the first day itself.Though the clouds were very dark we din experience rain.We reached Vellore and stopped
by a tea shop.After a few minutes we were back with our rides on the GQ.

It was very tempting to rip the bikes ,but I was very concerned not to cross the running in limit.We were munching miles at a very slow rate.We took many pics en route.We wanted this pic with The National Flag and our bikes.Managed to click it and a small kid took a pic with both of us in it.Thanks to him!
After this our next stop was at a BP petrol bunk which is located some 10kms after Vaniyambadi.Had a 20 mins stop there.Than started our slow run again.We were heading Krishnagiri and when we reached we spotted a descent hotel for breakfast.There we asked a taxi driver about a detour to Mysore without entering Bangalore.He told us to take a left at Electronic city.After asking the route we were back on the roads.This stretch of the road was awesome with ups and downs.Clicked a few pics here.

By 11:00 we reached Hosur.We stopped at a automobile shop to buy engine oil for our bikes.Here locals guided us the same route the taxi driver had suggested us.After the traffic till electronic city we found the Mysore road finally(But it wasnt over here!!!!)The roads were like runway and there were sign boards saying no stopping!!!But these roads ended abruptly...We did some off roading before we reached the actual Blore-Mysore expressway.The off roading was very bad,Vignesh's bike had taken hard,the silencer was hanging down...some bolt had come out.So stopped at a local mechanic shop and fixed it and we were back on the roads!Just a few kms before Mysore my bike completed 1000kms( :) :) :) ).I was damn happy as my runnin in period was over and I started to rip the bike.It was literally responding so good ...I felt the difference as the bike opened up!

We reached Mysore and asked the way to Gundulpet where we planned to stay for the night.This part was good stretch of road with lot of twisties:).Vignesh started to have back pain so we exchanged bikes.After ripping we reached Gundulpet and found a lodge with parking for our bikes.Checked in and unloaded our luggages and went for dinner at a nearby restaurant.We hit the beds by 10 pm.Tomorrow we are heading to Wayanad!!! :)

DAY1 |DAY2 |DAY3 |DAY4

Run-in Ride

2008-11-12T11:45:00.001+05:30

This ride was done on 13|08|08.Even though it is not a proper long ride but it was my first ride my 220 so thought of sharing with you guys.It was on 11|08|08 when I got my 220 delivered.Before getting my bike I had planned on this Big ride.Everything was set for it ,except that I didn't get my bike delivered.So finally I got her on 11|08|08.Before the Big ride I wanted to complete the first service of my bike.For the first service I had to complete atleast 500kms.So I had planned on short ride to Pondicherry.

I got my registration number only on 12|08|08 evening.As soon as I got my number took her on a spin within the city and completed 100kms within 3 hrs of only city riding.Then on 13th I started off from my home to my college which is located on the Old Mahaballipuram road at some 50kms away from my home.Till my college I was accompanied my friend in his P200.

P220 and P200 at ECR Toll Plaza.

After reaching my college I showed my new bike to my friends and left to Pondy by 8:50 AM which was some 110kms from my college(one way).I was strictly running-in my bike.So planned not to cross the 5k mark on the RPM.I was cruising on my new bike on the ECR at 60-65kmph with my mp3 players in my ears.I stopped on the way for pics.

I have gone through this route for more than 5 times but I have nerev noticed such a beautiful place!It was this stream flowing beside the roads on the left side.I managed to take my bike to the bank of the stream and clicked some pics.

After this I rode for some half an hour and I reached Pondy!Didnt want to enter the town.Stopped by a shop and got a pepsi ,drank it and started my ride back!On the way back I was stopped at a Police check post and was checked for papers(The police fellow was surprised to seee me riding to Pondy and back on a two day old bike).After this I stopped just once for these pics.

After a while I got a call from my classmate asking me where was I.I said that I was some 20 kms away from college,he asked me to come to college so that I can attend my lab session!!!!I thought it will be a good idea to go to college so that I will get attendance for my lab.I was just in time for my lab by 1:00 PM.My classmates were shocked to see me back in college .I was thinking yes I know I am crazy.Thats it, this was my first sweet ride with my 220

Finally I was able to complete 500kms(with last10kms being covered from my home to Pro Biking service station)and getting my first service done on 14|08|08 and started on the Big Ride on 15|08|08.