This travelogue is again one of those kinds where I had taken my Royal Enfield to celebrate the 5th Anniversary event of the Royal Enfield club from Coimbatore, the Kovai Thumpers Motorcycling Club (KTMC). This was hosted by them quite deep into the forests of Sathyamangalam. The place was Wild Valley farm, Geramalam, Sathyamangalam (http://www.wildvalleyfarm.com/the_farm.htm).
Registrations were done one month prior to the event. And the day was 2nd April 2011 which was the final of the Cricket world Cup 2011 and India was playing in the final. Was all speculated if we could watch the match as guys have already told that we will not mobile signals inside the resort. I had called Rajith several times asking him to confirm the screening of the match which eventually was done. And now its time to saddle up and ride. This is the first major ride after the Rider Mania 2011, so it was most awaited.
2nd April:
We wanted to ride as far as possible before the sun can torch us down as this being the peak summer in south India. So as per plan we assembled at 5 Am near the usual spot, Shell bunk in Porur. Ride mates were Rajith, Ravi, Sailesh, Ezhil, Ratheesh (first timer) and myself. Started thumping while Ravi and I missed the bois near the right to Poonamalle bypass. Thinking the bois are behind us and as already decided to meet them near Kanchipuram we dint wait. Again we took a stop to regroup near the CCD on the highway but still no signs of them. So decided to catch up with them near the Reliance bunk near Kanchipuram. Nice morning and Ravi took lead and I was tailing him. Reached the Reliance bunk and waited for a long time but no signs of the bois, so decided to meet them in Vellore and sent a text to them and started. This is when Ravi’s TBTS 500 refused to start and he started pondering on it to find some electrical issues. Tried rectifying it for almost half an hour but in vain. Now we both realised that the bois are ahead of us. Ravi then suggested that I move forward and catch up with the bois meanwhile he will stay back repair it and start off soon. Seemed sensible so took off alone from there and reached Vellore in another hour and saw the text that Rajith had left me and hour ago that have moved forward and will wait @ Krishnagiri for Breakfast. So had to cover 110 to catch them up. So I decided on no Tea till I catch up with them and started ripping since guys were an hour ahead. Finally caught up with them @ Krishnagiri around 9.30 Am. Had a good breakfast and it was 10.30 when the sun was smiling all above us. We had to move forward and face it. It was hot and we could feel it all the more when we hit the highway. Rode some 30 odd and found the only place where we can get some shade, under the flyover.
Stopped there and took some water, snaps and shade. This was all because we had relatively a lesser distance to cover from there. Reached Thoppur on the highway and took a right to reach Sathyamangalam. And all 5 of us were on good speed, with Sailesh on his Karizma. The odd man out for this trip. The route from here was well known only to Ezhil and we had to follow him. We crossed the Mettur bridge and stopped for some snaps, while Ezhil was urging us to move forward without stopping.
Took some rights and lefts and reached the road which will lead to Sathy. Things turned all good and we pulled over for some tender coconut some 30 kms to Sathy. The state highway was heaven with trees and some shade all through the way. Rajith and I could not resist doing 60 kmph on neat roads. I lost patience and went ahead and could soon see Rajith following, let him forward as its a 500 and needed respect. Tailed him and we were dancing left and right on the state highway. Sexy ride!!! But we had problems with bending too much on the right as the brake pedal kisses the base and its a bad feeling. We reached Sathy and coincidentally joined Hari who was riding from Coimbatore. I needed to top up some fuel since there were no bunks thereafter. While guys stopped for the Bolero, Shantanu on his P220 and Buvan on his gifted CI 350 to catch up. Took a good break and moved forward to reach Thimbam crossing 27 lovely hairpin bends. The second was more special for me. Was tailing Rajith and Hari both on 500, the first one was good and they raced ahead while I fell a little back. Then came the second hair pin Turned to my right just to see a truck waiting without honking to kiss me. Podra brake ah !!! Stood on the brake. Bleddy was shaken a bit. Then adjusted and rode the rest without much issues. Lovely to see how Hari was taking the turns when his side box lock was bad and he had to put his right leg to support it from not falling. Since this was the airfilter, he found the bike was not pulling if its left open, so had to cover it. After the hair pins came Thimbam. The venue was some 40 odd kms still and there no more sign boards and the road was too narrow for ghats, but the only positive it there was not any trucks expected in the opposite side anymore. We took a good break in Thimbam with some chais. I was very anxious to know about the result of the toss. Had to make some calls and then got the info about the toss goof up and SL was batting. Then hunger call was on for all of us. It was already 3PM then. Drove ahead and the next 30 odd kms were great to ride. Was my first time in Single lane Ghats section roads and I loved it. Then came the check post and met up some of the RTMC guys and next is the venue. On one of the rights from there, Rajith went a bit faster and it cost a fall for him. The bike went sliding and out moderator took a somersault and then came to a stop. It cost him a bent crash guard, a broken left mirror, damaged head light, broken visor and scratches on his LS2. Riding gear saved him that fall but still he had a stiff body from there. The venue was some 3 kms from that spot. He was down badly, since he is a guy who take utmost care of his bike and the only thing he speaks to me about is always about bikes, how to maintain them and rides. Reached the venue and met long seen guys Adeth, Keshav, Venkat, Biju n co. The place was an absolute beauty, with tents set up around and a bon fire in the middle. It was a very lonely place to host the celebrations. But the best pick i would say. Went ahead after registering and saddling down for lunch, picked up the booze and headed directly to the Olympic swimming pool for a dip.
Came back and had a chat with Ajith and co and headed for the shower by when the SL innings was over and heard that the last over was smacked all over the park. Meanwhile guys were addressing the crowd one by one about the event and KTMC. The match and the anniversary celebrations went hand in hand.
We all got introduced to guys whom we dint know till then. It was Veedol, Arun, Eashwat, Dead dog from RTMC. Got along and booze was the stimulator. Then as you must have know by now as to how the match had fared, I was more interested in the match when Gambhir got out. Guys were tensed and cursing him for the rash shot and gave away his century himself. And then all those tense moments, there came the six from the blade, and time for celebrations onlee, screaming on top of our voices. Best place to watch a world cup final.
Man it was history made and we cannot forget KTMC 5A for our lifetime now. Went high for me, took dinner and crashed since ride out was at 9 in the morning.
3rd April:
Nice day break and was not surprised to see guys moving here and there and saddling up. F
inished my breakfast and found Rajith has already left, since he had to take the same route back home and wanted to leave early because he wanted to avoid night drive with his visors missing. Shantanu, Rajith and the car gang left well before us. Sailesh, Ezhil, Rahteesh, Gokul, Reju sir, Sooraj and I left a bit later and took a different route to climb down the ghats. No signboards and Ezhil had forgotten the route. We drove up and down the same road and finally got the correct route.
Down we came, and this was indeed a great ride in Ghats. We stopped for a break, where Reju sir and Sooraj had to take a different route to Palakad and the rest of us continued to reach Thoppur.
There was again confusion in the route and we missed a shorter route to Thoppur and ended up riding an extra 10 kms in the hot sun.We took another break en route when i had one of the most delicious brownies which was 2 days old. Thanks Ezhil.
Finally we all reached Mettur together and Ratheesh had to fill up again since he was on a 500. So the rest went ahead of us as I stayed back with him. Started back to Thoppur I lost Ratheesh in the traffic and reached Thoppur ahead of him. Till then I dint get his mobile no, and finally got it from Sailesh and asked him to catch up in the Ghar Dhaba near to the toll booth. Had a good sumptuous meal and started ahead. Planned to take a break in Vellore, some 170 kms from there. Gokill and me leading the front and guys were all ripping in the hot sun. It aint a pleasure to constantly rip the bike @ 80 in hot sun. You will feel asleep. Thanks to some Pulsars and Apache’s which kept me on my toes. Atleast I had some fun trying to catch up with them. Took the right from Krishnagiri and rode will full josh. We fell into a formation for sometime but broke up after Sailesh and Ratheesh fell back. Before reaching Ambur, Gokill signalled for a break and we took it gladly. Regroup point was bad as some political rally was. It started to become darker and we wanted to ride as a group. But after every ten kms some one would fall back. It was not working and Gokil and me went ahead. Ride was good after that and we pulled over some 20 kms to Chennai for a regroup but guys went past before we could notice them. Gokill and I took a short break and rode back home safe. Thanks to KTMC for the wonderful hospitality and the Indian cricket team for bringing back the cup home.
So where to next ??? – This time I have an answer. Madrasbull will be celebrating its 9th Anniversary (MBMC 9A) in Yellagir during 30th Apr and 1st May. Will come back to this space soon with photos and write up. Cheers until then...ride safe.
