Hyd-Chennai-Hyd
Hyd – Chennai -- Hyd
1. Journey Dates: 09 Oct ‘08 (Dashahra) & 12 Oct ‘08
2. Ride: Apache RTR
3. Riders: Me and a Pillion Non ‘x’Bhp.
4. End To End Distance: 730 km (Odo Reading)
5. Route taken:
1. Hyderabad (@LB Nagar Circle)
2. Mangalpalle (@ 30 km)
3. Vijaypuri (North) (@140 km)
4. Macherla (@170 km)
5. Karempudi (@205 Km)
6. Nekarikallu (@230 Km)
7. Addanaki (@300 km)
8. Ongole (@350 Km)
9. Singarayakonda (@380 Km)
10. Kavali (@415 Km)
11. Kovurapalle (@440 Km)
12. Nellore (@480 Km)
13. Gudur (@515 Km)
14. Gummidipoondi (@610 Km)
15. Chennai (@650 Km)
Ok Guys, the write up was pending as the pics were with my friend. Though not many but it’s good to have SOME pics at least. hai na!!
1. Earlier to this trip, I had done Pune – Kashid (Some 180 kms I guess) a year back and did enjoy a lot, so I was looking for another one.
2. I have a close friend in chennai and one in Bhopal (This Guy is pillion), and initial plan was to meet at Hyd this Dashahra.
3. So instead of meeting up at hyd, I asked my friends if we can make it in Chennai and if I could come there by bike. The answer was a hesitant ‘Yes’ as my pillion was a bit apprehensive (as if I wasn’t ) about travelling 700 kms on bike.
4. So the preparations began with asking for route (my Hyd xBhpians were up with all sorts of assistance), but my biggest worry stayed with me: What if it punctures mid – way as the journey is so long and to be completed in a day. (We had time constraint.)
5. My buddy arrived on 7th from Bhopal and we remain doubtful whether to go or not!! The main point of discussion was that he is going to Australia next month for PG and everyone from his family has warned him not to take even a minor risk and here he was getting ready for something that could be a major. (Obviously our families had no idea about this trip). Finally slept on 8th night with a plan to start at 5 AM.
Hyderabad To Chennai
1. Got up around 6 and we were on road by 8. At Khairtabad, we thought of having some breakfast so turned to Jeeva. When we reached there, first ball of first test match was about to be bowled. Had heavy breakfast and indulged into match, realizing only after sometime that its past 10 and we have not even reached outskirts of Hyd.
2. OK, we rushed and started our journey. But being Dashahra, roads were blocked by vehicles as owners were offering pooja to them. So not so quick, we reached our first stop Mangalpalle.
3. My calculation was that from here on 650 kms has to be covered, and with a rate of 60 kmph, I will cover them in 12 hrs at the max including breaks. I know now that how absurd was this calculation.
4. So after putting MP3 on, we moved ahead to Nsagar as our next stop. Reached there around 1 pm. It was the only truly scenic place we found en route. My friend was in little discomfort at that time as RTR has a narrow pillion seat.
5. After that, reached quickly to Macherla and crossed Karampudi. The roads from here on were pathetic at times with bloody pot holes. We were running out of time so couldn’t slow down either. I hit a big pothole at around 80 kmph and immediately stopped the bike to check any damage. Thankfully there was none. My friend by that time became very uncomfortable sitting behind.
And I was waiting to get to Ongole, Golden Quad starts from there.
6. So after crossing Nekarikallu and Addanaki, we reached Ongole around 7 pm. The roads from here on were four lanes. 300 kms were still to be covered but the concern was my friend’s bum. It was soaring like anything. Since he doesn’t drives beyond 70 kmph, only i had to drive. The driver seat is far more comfortable.
7. OK. The road from here on easily lives to its name of one of the best Indian highway to drive on. We took ‘n’ number of breaks in between but whenever we were moving, it was > 75 Kmph in dark. The reflectors are placed all the way to give an idea about turnings. And had there been a single pothole, God knows what would have happen. There was one pothole in a stretch of 300 kms. Were we in India?
Finally we reached Chennai around 1.
Chennai - HYD
In chennai, got an oil change to Castrol Racing and also took the bike to Ramkay TVS for some indicator problem and tightening the breaks. Surprisingly, they didn’t charge a penny.
I returned alone, as my friend was really not in a condition to accompany me. Completed journey well in 13 hrs but was drenched completely in rain as it started just I left Chennai. Anyway, the journey was good as being single i was able to drive faster and the weather was awesome.
Lessons Learnt:
1. Don’t take pillion for a drive on RTR.
2. RTR is an aggressive bike. Throughout the journey or whenever I drive even in city, I was/am always keen on finishing the Journey. Reach the destination. In a long drive, I think I should be sitting upright and enjoy the surroundings.
3. Avoid driving on a single lane road in Night. Not even for an hour. The headlights of those Monsters are killer.
RTR performed well throughout the ride. No Punctures/break downs. The oil worked really well with bike as even after riding whole day at high speeds, the engine was pretty smooth at night.
That was it.
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