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**bluevolt** · 12-03-2010, 01:47 AM

Originally posted by sheelpriye View Post

That is some distance

@bluevolt--Are the distance and timings much different from what you managed on the 250R?

Want to cross 1000kms in day-light. (Once the North East corridor gets completed, will give it a try)

Not much different, really. The P220 is a fast bike too. I did Bangalore-Chennai-Vijaywada in a day and that was 10.5 hours or so for 850+ kms.

1k a day should be possible on the Kolkatta-Agra highway. Or Agra-Delhi-Udaipur-Ahmedabad in a day.

**rubber_stamp_champ** · 12-03-2010, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

1k a day should be possible on the Kolkatta-Agra highway. Or Agra-Delhi-Udaipur-Ahmedabad in a day.

I did the Bangalore - Mumbai stretch in 13 hours, 1014 km to be exact. However, the last few kilometers, especially the Pune-Mumbai stretch was damn painful. Although the roads were a dream to ride, but the 1000 number was a killing instinct, was just praying for the ride to get over!

**rubber_stamp_champ** · 12-03-2010, 07:37 PM

Chapter 7

13.11.10: A tourist in Chennai

Since, I did not have anything in the morning, relished myself with refreshing coconut water outside the temple and headed for the Marina Beach. Despite of being a Sunday, I could not find much action on the beach. It seemed to me a beach in Goa during the off season, but I was sure to find it bustling with people in the evening.

The Chennai Tour was over and I had the entire day with me with nothing to do. Headed back to the hotel and after some preparations for the ride next day, munched on a lip smacking Biriyani. Post a tantalizing lunch, I decided to catch on with some much needed sleep and what could beat the fun of an afternoon nap? Crashed into bed and was asleep in no time.

The day was special for me as my parents were coming to Chennai as they were heading off to Rameshwaram. The train was supposed to arrive at around 8.00pm. Since I still had plenty of time with me, decided to stroll down to the Marina Beach and soak up real Chennai. The beach was fun and bustling with tourists and locals alike.

**Jithu** · 12-05-2010, 02:36 AM

Nice log

waiting for chennai -bangalore- mumbai part

**rubber_stamp_champ** · 12-05-2010, 07:54 PM

thats one of the most hellish journey of the entire ride...will take some time for that, a couple of days more, maybe!

**rubber_stamp_champ** · 12-12-2010, 08:15 PM

Chapter 8

14.11.10

8.1: Servicing in Chennai

As per the plan, I was supposed to get the bike serviced, get free by 1.00pm and head off to Bangalore by 2.00pm.

Early bird catches the worm. But I didn’t know that I had to be “pretty early” to get the things done as per the plan. Reached the service center in Adayar at around 8.30 and was surprised to find an assortment of eight bikes already stacked in the alley. Was “im”patiently waiting for the service center to open and get the things started with as I was really worried about the Chennai-Bangalore ride.

Tension was building up as I did not want to spend another day in Chennai. As all this was not enough, rain God marked their appearance and it started raining! Not at all a good sign for the day. Anyhow, I prepared myself for all the atrocities by the rain Gods and meanwhile the service center also opened up. Job card was made after hundreds of request to return the bike as quickly as possible enabling me to stick to the schedule. Finally, a grateful gesture by the service staff and I was free by 12.30 and was off to Bangalore by 3.00pm.

8.2 Chennai-Bangalore

But wait! Everything is not sweet enough as it might seem on the surface! Although Chennai bid me farewell with a nice, open and a sunny sky, the weather condition became from bad to worse in no time. Just after exiting Chennai, I could spot black clouds hovering over the sky. It seemed as if Mother Nature was determined to trouble me throughout the ride. Slight drizzling was a clear indication of a tough time and heavy rains ahead.

Now how would one feel if it suddenly turns dark in the afternoon? The weather became gloomy and every vehicle had its headlight switched on, so did mine. From drizzling to downpour and then a constant downpour played around with the electrical of my bike and it would not charge the battery anymore. This meant that the horns, headlights, speedo light or basically any electrical activity in the bike was shut down…and that was when I needed it the most!!! Moreover, the bike refuse to go past 4k RPM and it was damn difficult to maneuver the bike in the water stagnant on the road.

This would also mean that whenever I stop, I had to push start the bike, with a heavy backpack and riding gear and when it was raining cats and dogs! As the weather conditions deteriorated and it became damn difficult to ride, I took a shelter in a deserted school. Man…it was really ghostly, it did freak me. All this time I was waiting for the rain to stop and was planning on to spending the night here itself. And I literally thought of cleaning the space and keep the bike running through the night to keep myself warm.

Determined to reach the destination “in time”, I decided to ignore light showers and keep on riding. The showers became less threatening and I made a move again. Although the engine was left running, it had stopped and I had to push start the bike. A short spell of kilometers and the bike refused to cooperate. As the rains were getting heavier and the ongoing traffic was splashing the stagnant water on me with a great force. Another stop in the ride; and this time it was outside a local wine shop. Thought of sipping Old Monk as it was really chilly, but since it would have been the first time, I ignored the idea.

The weather became a bit calm now, although it was still raining and seemed that it would stop after sometime. Moved on with no lights and horns and reached Bangalore safely. Paid the toll, and was raiding the city of Bangalore. It was good to find myself drying up, but this happiness was short-lived. While the traffic was at its peak on the streets of Bangalore, it started raining again and I was stuck with a bike that would refuse to start at any given instance. That was it…the ignition turned off automatically while it was still raining. Allowed some room to push start the bike in heaviest of traffic jams.

Finally found a suitable accommodation, freshened up and came out to have dinner. On the streets of Bangalore, I could majorly hear only two sounds…it would be coming either from a K&N fitted bike or from a buzzing 2 stroker. Had my dinner, talked to the loved ones and was lost in my own dream biking world. Soon I would be completing this journey of a lifetime, was excited as well as afraid of the weather.

Note: No pictures were clicked because of bad weather.

**Jithu** · 12-12-2010, 11:55 PM

omg.. I can imagine what all thoughts crossed your mind in the chennai-bangalore journey.
Man that must be hell of an experiance for you .. Admire your determination to reach bangalore facing all odds. I had similar experaince when riding back from wayandu to bangalore.. it was raining heavily all the way from mysore to bangalore ..eventhough bike performed flawlessly it was really tough to ride . If i ride with my helmet visor the visibility was almost zero so i had to ride with open visor , rain hitting on the face like small pebbles , cars were throwing the mud on road mixed with water right on my face and i was shivering due to the cold winds.. completly wet .. Some how we manged to reach bangalore

Waiting for your bangalore-mumbai stretch ..

**rubber_stamp_champ** · 12-16-2010, 01:42 PM

Chapter 9

15.11.2010: A Date With Khivraj!

Now don’t you dare doubt my preferences when I say a date with Khivraj. As the machine was troubling me much and refused to start once switched off, I decided to get a check up done at the service center. Khivraj Probiking was the nearest service station as was suggested by one of the acquaintances.

The day had to start early as I knew that it would be the same scenario that was encountered in Chennai. Tried pushing the bike up the ramp from the parking in the basement on to the road, but the massive 150kg weight was enough to compel me to take the help of a passer-by. Was in no mood of searching for a restaurant nearby so quickly push started the bike and headed straight to the service center only to find an assortment of 6-7 bikes…yet again!

As per the experience at the Probiking, Chennai, it was already decided that if while half-a-day would be wasted in services, I would spend the other half riding Bangalore-Belgaum and stay there for a night and continue to ride till Mumbai the next morning. However, when I’m riding, things ought to go out of the way and the schedule has to slip out of the hand.

While I did not leave any stone unturned to convince the bloody supervisor to return the bike by afternoon, the latter was quite sure of returning the bike only after 5.30pm. Two hours passed and the bike was not even taken inside to get the things started. Anxious and impatient as I already was; asked about the progress of the job only to get “nothing” in reply. “It’s and electronic bike, sir. It takes time to check all the electrical." It seemed that I was a fool who knew nothing and they were masters of it. While I felt like drenching them over with all the abuses, I kept my calm and waited patiently. After two long hours, the bike was finally brought in and the work of “rectification” started.

It was found that the asshole mechanic at the PBK, Chennai had attached a wire to somewhere else and that was causing problem. It made me smile as the problem was rectified within minutes and I can, now, plan ahead. However, this was not the case as the battery was still not getting charged. Another two hours passed and the battery charger was found to be the culprit. Asked them to change the same but it was found to be out of stock!!! WTF! Am I stuck? Is this the end of the ride? How much time will it take to load the bike and get back to Delhi? All these questions and the horrific consequences started lingering over my mind and I was damn scared. Meanwhile my parents also called me up and advised me to do what I was afraid to do!

However, an idea clicked my mind and I asked them if they could arrange the spare part from any other probiking center nearby. To this I was informed that they had one available in another branch but no one could come and deliver the same. I took the address and the location and went to the other branch to collect the same. However, the guy there in the spares department could not find the spare part in the store! Another WTF situation and all the thoughts hovered around my mind again. Finally he fished out the battery charger and I was happy again!

By the time I reached back, it was already lunch time and the work was to be resumed only after 2.00pm. While I had no other option other than waiting, I was continuously praying for the ride to end on a happy note. Finally, the work resumed and the new spare was fitted. Ironically, all the efforts went in vain and the bike still behaved the same was as it did previously. I saw the bike left unattended for some time which made me loose my patience and I started shouting over the guys there. That did have an impact on them and the immediately resumed the repair work.

After a long session of rebuking, abusing, pleading and what not! It was finally found that the coil was burnt and needed a replacement, this was the final judgment and by replacing the faulty part, the bike was brought back to life. However, the sad part being the time that was actually “wasted”…it was almost 5.30 now! Hence, I had no other option to go back and prepare for the next 1000 km tomorrow along with praying for the rains to keep away!
According to the information gathered, the weather forecast and the experience with the rains until now, it would not rain or would just drizzle slightly early morning which can give me a chance to escape the heavy downpour and go as far from the city as possible. Hence the plan, leave the city before 3 and go as far as possible before it starts raining.

Had a scrumptious dinner, got a couple of paranthas packed for the next morning, packed my stuff, had a bath and went of to sleep. Tomorrow, I would be on my way back home. I was damn excited!

**rubber_stamp_champ** · 12-16-2010, 02:04 PM

Chapter 10

16.11.2010: The longest ride…Bangalore-Mumbai

10.1 Bangalore-Somewhere

While the last few hours were spent tumbling and turning on the bed and checking the weather outside on the mobile, I did manage to wake up afresh at 2.30am and was all geared up to leave by 3. While descending the staircase, I slipped and fell down with a heavy backpack on the back. Not at all a good sign to mark the beginning of the day. After some efforts, I managed to reach the basement and cranked the bike to warm it up a bit. To my surprise, it was not raining, not even drizzling…hence, with a broad smile on the face, I started off for the longest ride of the entire stretch.

Quickly exiting the city, with almost zilch traffic, I soon entered the highway. Being at a nascent stage to night riding, I was quite satisfied with the pace that I was riding on. The roads were good, less some diversions and speed breakers that would pop up without any notice. While everything was going sweet, rain Gods, yet again, marked their presence and it started drizzling. This boosted the adrenalin level in my body and I pushed myself to the limits to escape the wrath of Mother Nature. Doing this made me jump over some bumpy speed breakers making me think of slowing down to avoid an unnecessary fall. Riding, riding and more riding. I was 300 km out of the city and worst of my nightmares came true…

10.2 The Fall

**sheelpriye** · 12-16-2010, 05:07 PM

That fall was a bad part as was this

Originally posted by rubber_stamp_champ View Post

It was found that the asshole mechanic at the PBK, Chennai had attached a wire to somewhere else and that was causing problem. It made me smile as the problem was rectified within minutes and I can, now, plan ahead. However, this was not the case as the battery was still not getting charged. Another two hours passed and the battery charger was found to be the culprit. Asked them to change the same but it was found to be out of stock!!! WTF! Am I stuck? Is this the end of the ride? How much time will it take to load the bike and get back to Delhi? All these questions and the horrific consequences started lingering over my mind and I was damn scared. Meanwhile my parents also called me up and advised me to do what I was afraid to do!
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However, an idea clicked my mind and I asked them if they could arrange the spare part from any other probiking center nearby. To this I was informed that they had one available in another branch but no one could come and deliver the same. I took the address and the location and went to the other branch to collect the same. However, the guy there in the spares department could not find the spare part in the store! Another WTF situation and all the thoughts hovered around my mind again. Finally he fished out the battery charger and I was happy again!

By the time I reached back, it was already lunch time and the work was to be resumed only after 2.00pm. While I had no other option other than waiting, I was continuously praying for the ride to end on a happy note. Finally, the work resumed and the new spare was fitted. Ironically, all the efforts went in vain and the bike still behaved the same was as it did previously. I saw the bike left unattended for some time which made me loose my patience and I started shouting over the guys there. That did have an impact on them and the immediately resumed the repair work.

I mean why can't they stock and if not arrange. A spare-part counter guy doesn't know where the respective parts are, WTF.

Hope there are no further nuisance in your ride

Please bring on the rest. (This up-date was long due though)

**rubber_stamp_champ** · 12-16-2010, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by sheelpriye View Post

That fall was a bad part as was this

I mean why can't they stock and if not arrange. A spare-part counter guy doesn't know where the respective parts are, WTF.

Hope there are no further nuisance in your ride

Please bring on the rest. (This up-date was long due though)

Even I wish so.

And its good to see people waiting for the updates. Delays are bound to happen as I'm working in a 24X7 environment. But will surely bring on the rest and would end the entire log in a couple of days.

**rubber_stamp_champ** · 12-20-2010, 03:30 PM

10.3 Somewhere-Mumbai

Rode at a solid speed without stopping so as to cover maximum distance at a stretch and reach Mumbai before the pain gets unbearable as it had already started bugging me up. Stopped midway to a breathtaking view and had aaloo paranthas that were pre-packed the last night. Took a couple of photographs and moved on as it was getting chilly.

By this time the back home bug had bitten me and I wanted to reach home as soon as possible. Hence I rode continuously for about 500 km with some breathers in between and then stopped for a much neede break. Called up my parents to update them about the status, with some information restricted, while I was soaking up the bright sun. Ah! It was a lovely feeling! Also called up one of my friends in Mumbai to know about the weather there and was delighted to know that sun was shining bright.

Moved on and was soon riding on the awesome curves with a magnificent view along. Ripping the bike along the Ghats, I bypassed Pune and took the NH4 to Mumbai. Despite of a good riding experience in the mountains, the curves of this road with majestic panoramas along was a treat to the eyes. A photography enthusiast like me would stop every other second to capture the beauty of nature. But, I had to rush through things to reach Mumbai on time. I wish to come back some day and soak up the beauty of this charming stretch.
Stopped again and called up my friend in Mumbai to get the directions. The pain in the left foot had become unbearable now and it was difficult for me to even stand. I could sense the entire ride goingin vain, but was determined to complete the same. Was advised to enter the Panvel city and reach Vashi via JNPT and Palm Beach Road. Continued the ride and called him again once I was at the Panvel bypass.

10.4 Mumbai

Pav Bhaji at Marine Drive. After which we both went back to the hotel, planned for the next day and the home coming ride. Finally Vivek bid me good bye and went back to his home taking my bike along and promised me to pick me up at around 12 the next day.

Some pics from the ride and Mumbai:

**Jithu** · 12-20-2010, 05:54 PM

Was really looking forward for this episode..

Nicely written man . Enjoyed every line ..

Keep on riding..

I would like to know one thing ..
Which knee guard /jacket are you using?
Did the knee guard held in position when you were skidding on road?
I have heard many incidents in which knee guard had slip away exposing the knee .
Is you jacket in good condition after the accident ?

**rubber_stamp_champ** · 12-20-2010, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by Jithu View Post

Was really looking forward for this episode..

Nicely written man . Enjoyed every line ..

Keep on riding..

I would like to know one thing ..
Which knee guard /jacket are you using?
Did the knee guard held in position when you were skidding on road?
I have heard many incidents in which knee guard had slip away exposing the knee .
Is you jacket in good condition after the accident ?

Thanks for the appreciation bruv...good to know that you enjoyed.

Well I did not have a jacket, it was a body armor by Fox...did the job quite beautifully. And the knww guard is from Fox. And yes it held its position during and after the fall...check out its pic where it can be seen all scratched out. Since even i was not sure about it holding its position i case of a fall, I "cross strapped" it and the trick worked

**maheshPonnusamy** · 12-21-2010, 01:45 PM

wonderful ride gentleman. graet. really done a marvelous and good work boss. superb photography. congrats.

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