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Awsome pics Dinesh.Keep them coming
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Day 6 – Munnar – TopStation – Munnar – Dam – Munnar
Day started for me with early, since I got to join the others for the Ride to Top Station. Within half an hour all a small group of riders were ready to roll. We heard the engines getting started and followed by the 2-stroke beat of Aargee RX and the loud music of Apar’s Joel’ed R15. Apar, Aargee, Praful and Praveen left first and soon after a 10mins we all were ready to explore the route to Topstation. I first lead the team out from the hotel and once we hit the awesome – beautiful stretch to TopStation – we were blessed with such a roads. First stop we had was the Matupatty Dam Bridge, and with some photo being taken, my first incident of the ride happened – I removed my right glove and kept of the bridge wall and informed our Tarun to take care of it when he moves as he was sitting next to it. After clicking the picture of the dam and the riders; when I returned I found the gloves missing. Glove had fell off into the Dam L due to the wind as Tarun never heard what I said. Riding without gloves in the cold is horrible but with occasional sunlight in some sections made me to ride comfortably. Me n Tarun were coming in last as we trying to capture some snaps of the nature where as the others were more into taking the twisties. We took a detour to a forest checkpost and were redirected to the Topstation route and by the time we were there, the shop-keeper of the lonely tea stall in that place was busy preparing tea for the riders who reached. More Discussion on bikes, routes to explore was being discussed.
Karthick all geared up and waiting for ur to start
Matupatty Dam
After the discussion, we went for a small walk to the TN part of Top station which was meters away :-). Clicked some pictures of the places, valley’s around and a group photo, we decided to head back to the hotel, meanwhile Tarun and Padmanaban decided to explore the View point in the TN section which was another half a km trek downhill. I and Sudharsan decided to click some group pictures enroute to hotel but by the time we started from the place other bikes left and we had only 4 bikers coming at the back. So we were waiting in a good location for taking some pictures but still the group Sriram, Ram, Anand, Deepak weren’t anywhere in sight. Meanwhile I asked sudharsan to click some pictures of me taking a corner. After sometime we had the company of Sriram and Deepak, enquired on their delay – we came to know that Anand’s chain cut loose and are on their way back to get it fixed with Ram accompanying him. Now with some more pictures of us 3 taking the corners, we 4 rode back directly to place where Breakfast is served. Gobbled some nice idiappams and egg curry; sun started to shine a bit so I was in the group who decided to stay back in the room whereas the Bangalore went for Top station and the Kerala guys for an off-road experience.
A house in the Valley
Thinks its a Chruch on the other side of the path
After some discussion under the shade, all of us decided to take power nap so that we can fresh for the evening ride by 3pm. After the nap, I came to down check whether the riders who all went were back – but none were there. Its usual as an enthusiastic riding group would explore which in turn be change of schedule. Had a late lunch at the hotel restaurant itself with some roti’s, meanwhile one by one the group reached back the hotel and discussions were on where to ride for photo shoot. Earlier during our discussion Ram was suggesting for photo to be taken with the Ninja at the nearby church which was 3 floor tall. My cam wasn’t able to zoom that much so borrowed Praveen’s cam for the shoot J After couple of pictures, they came back to parking to check out the picture and were happy with the result.
With Praveen's Camera to capture...
.. the close up shot this
It was time to gear up for the ride and soon all the 60 engines growled as the entire guest in the hotel watching us we rode to the nearby Dam for photo shoot. Tarun and Praveen tried to set-up the camera so that the entire group can be captured. It took some time to settle down and after the snap, we rode to another place for photo shoot which was among the tea estates but the roads were bad. Somehow all the bikes made it and lined up for the photo shoot. Once again Tarun was busy setting up his 10-20 lenses to shoot the photo and it has come out really well. Ride after that shoot, I would say was really awesome – as the headlight lighten up the dark, and me riding in the middle of the group was enjoying the view of line of bikes among the forest straight in front of me and also from my RVM. Sudharshan tried to capture some but only a couple was worth posting as the others were much blurred.
Praful
Spot the photographers
Bikes lining up for the photoshot
Mr. Ravi
Ride back to room
Next half an hour we reached the room and all relaxed up for the dinner, also most of them kept their things packed so that it will be easy for their next ride. Soon we received the information that the Camp fire and dinner will be served in a location nearby and it was a time scheduled one and our slot was 9pm – 11pm. All moved to the campfire location, some walked to the location to enjoy the nature. The camp fire was set and with some music around enjoying the warmth of the fire. Soon dinner was served which kept the group occupied for next half an hour. After that we had the introduction of the riders under campfire light and was good to know likeminded people but wasn’t easy to map all the person name and their id’s. With the introduction, done all of us went back to room and riders who are starting early morning went for sleep while other took it ease with some talk and I moved to my room to get into the warmth of the quilt.
A Reflection shot
Camp Fire
Dinner Time
Introduction Time
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Day 7 - Munnar - Athirampally - Thrissur
Woke up around 6.30 am and by that time a part of Chennai gang have left and the Bangalore riders were getting ready to leave. Went down, talked with them for sometime and bid them a safe ride back. Now we have the kerala guys who will be start by early afternoon apart from us – which has me, sudharshan, rajiv, pratheep, Deepak, Ram, Sriram, Padhmanaban and Karthick who have planned to ride to Athirampally Falls and then decide on further destination after there, whereas Sunny and Ravi would do a relaxed ride back to Chennai. After bidding safe ride to others, our group rode to Athirampally. The intial ride downhill roads were worse and after 10 kms or so we were blessed again with awesome roads and it was fun riding. With a stop in Adimally for water and chocs, we decided on our next stop as Chalakudi and the Ninja left us behind J. Soon after 40km we reached Kothamangalam, for a break. Since being a Sunday, and these people in kerala really gives the meaning for holiday – the place where we stopped was a shopping complex kind and all the shops were closed. Soon the place became our workshop for fixing the RX and Thunderbird. Padmanaban literally broke down his thunderbird into parts and fixed up his engine oil collector cup J. With a group snap and we were on roll to chalakuddy and messaged Sudharshan and Pratheep about our co-ordniates. We had lunch at chalakudyy and started our ride to Athirampally which was another 30 kms from there. Roads were really good and we covered the distance in a breeze and met Pratheep and sudharshan who were waiting for us. We were discussing whether we will stay there or visit the falls and ride some more distance ahead so that those who are returning to Chennai the next day would have less distance to ride.
Sunny and Ravi leaving back to Chennai
We getting ready to check out Athirampally
Our Break place at Kothamangalam
Got the entrance tickets for the Falls and walked up for the falls. The top of the falls was easily accessible, but to reach the bottom we got to trek downhill which was steep. Came all the distance to see the falls, doesn’t want to miss the chance to see falls from ground level. So inspite of the tiredness and with my riding boots on I walked downhill and sudharshan joined me, whereas all the others decided to have view from top. Falls was mesmerizing and go to check it out during monsoons with full swing. Soon the security was whistling to inform that all of us leave i.e. to climb up back. Now its the tough part climbing up was very tough and somehow I managed to do that and reached back top and to the exit. Once out drenched myself with water and juice and relaxed. We decided to hit the roads to Thirussur and get some place to stay. Once we reached chalakudi , we again took a break for some snacks and drinks and a group photo with Deepak and Karthick. From here on we became 7 riders to Thrissur who headed to Thirussur for getting a room. We reached thrissur soon and after quite a search we got ourselves a decent room within our budget. After a quick dinner and a discussion on the route to take tomorrow we went to sleep.
Local trying to capture the falls in his mobile camera
Path to bottom of the falls...
Sunset
Part of the awesome roads
Our Riders
Group who went to Athirampally - From here Deepak and karthick left to Coimbatore and we heades Thrissur
Our Last minute discussion for next day route and place
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@Dinesh:- Brilliant pics! Especially the Athirampalli falls - Sunset is fantastic.RX100 1996 | Karizma 2004 | Karizma-R 2011 | RXZ 1999 | RX 135 1998 | RX 100 1993 | CBF150 2005 - 2011
2012 - Meghamalai | Kuttralam | 2011 Ooty | Munnar | 2010 Point Calimere | Horsley Hills | YercaudComment
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Pictures are great...once again the rising mist of water at the bottom of the falls gives one the feel of chill,and the Sunset is captivating.
When Was The Last Time,You Did Something For The First Time.Comment
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One brilliant log. Rating it a well deserved 5*
Cheers
P.s:- Who is Mr. Ravi? Active on forums?Comment
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Day 8 – Thrissur - Bekal
As planned all were awake and ready to roll by 7.30am. After the customary group picture, Sriram, Padmanaban and Ram left to Chennai. We 4 me, Rajiv, Pratheep and sudharsan were on our up north to Kasargod – a coastal town famous for the seas shores and Forts. Since we have around 230 odd kms to cover but most of part our ride we would be crossing through the cities and we were to expect the traffic – which was reason to start early. Our initial stop was decided to reach Calicut and cover the most of the distance before heat gets us. With some glitches in getting the route correct soon we were on the roads and with some short cuts we reached Calicut well early then our estimated time. By 9.15am we have crossed the city and halted for breakfast. Once again the breakfast was awesome with appam, idiappam and Fish curry, Chicken curryJ. After a relaxed breakfast, we set our next destination as Kannur for lunch, but the roads had something else in store for us. The ride after that was very much heated up with the traffic jams and took away lot of our time crossing the cities and we reached kannur. I think it must be near kannur, we stopped after the horrible riding in traffic. But the place was infested by police’s and we were getting weird looks from them. Later only we realized that we have stopped near the Central JailJ which was reason for lot of polices around.
A Quick stop to catch...
to Catch the elephant getting transported :-)
A Back water stretch
Waiting for the Railway gate to open
Had some tender coconut to cool us down and some electoral to boost our energy we begin our ride. The ride after this was getting on us and it was really hard to concentrate and ride as the roads we pathetic and with couple of breaks and after a discussion – we decided to stay near the Bekal Fort itself which is around 20kms before kasargod. It was around 3.30pm we reached the fort and rode directly to Nirvana. Yes it was actually a Nirvana for us after riding which we did. We quickly made some deal and crashed in one of the suite room with 2extra beds for 4 of us. Ordered food for us, and informed the restaurant guys to get us as soon as possible – very hungry after all the ride. Actually Nirvana was resort next to the Bekal fort and since being off season we were the only one who their guests. It took another half an hour for them to make the food for us, but it was really worth the wait. Amazing fish curry but the mistake we made was that we ordered along with fried rice, but still it made good combination. Also we gave the orders for our dinner based on the suggestion from the service guy – fish fry and Prawn gravy with white rice.
With the fort a few yards away, we thought of taking it relax, but we were informed by the resort guys that the fort closes by 6pm. So with a quick refresh, we were ready to capture the fort in our lensesJ. Fort was truly amazing and the ASI had made some pains to maintain the history of it. This fort was famous for the Uiraye Song in Movie Bombay. With each of us in each direction, we went of capturing the grandeur of the fort and the beach. Actually by the time we reached the place where there were steps leading down to the beach, it was late and the gates were closed. Soon we could hear the whistles of the security to remind us of the closure time.
Bekal Fort
Tired on exposure setting with the help of Zaphod
Thats Zaphod
Rajiv
Boat at a distance
Slowly we walked out of the fort and decided to explore the beach nearby. The beach gave us a mesmerizing view with the fort walls on one side and the open Arabian Sea on the other side. Sun started to set and Zaphod set hi tripod to capture some shots; meanwhile Pratheep was trying capturing the Crabs. Poor guy was lying in the sand and waiting for the crab to come out and soon Rajiv joined him. I was clicking the nature around and all the things happening around me. After sunset was captured by Zaphod, we requested for some action silhouettes J - I tried some acrobatics but were that good L and one shot came well, then me and Rajiv tried a jump and that too came out well. Now it’s time for all the 4 to be captured. After the shots are over, Rajiv and Pratheep went back to room to keep the bags and grab couple of beers and a cool drink for me. With a awesome moon light and the entire coast for us, with a chilly drink to soak my throat – it was the best way to end my trip and relax, as we have no other destination except to reach back home. By 9 we reached back to room, and the food was ready to serve for us. It felt like heaven when I gobbled fresh fried fish with some rice n prawns, words can’t be expressed it was so nice and the best sea food I ever had. With a happy tummy cuddled into the soft quilt to grab the much needed sleep.
Way to Beach
Our Zaphod setting up the Tripod for Sunset
Sunset Pictures
Trying to Catch Crab... by their lenses
My best of the Crabs :-)
Fort and Beach
Awesome Dinner - Fish we had :-)
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The food, the beer under the moonlight and the entire frigging beach for yourself is something that has to be experienced first hand.
Baby TourerComment
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Thanks SheelpriyeOriginally posted by sheelpriye View PostOne brilliant log. Rating it a well deserved 5*
Cheers
P.s:- Who is Mr. Ravi? Active on forums?
Ravi is from Chennai and he was Sunny(sunny-side-up) guest for the tri-state ride. He is non-xbhpian.
Thats a awesome way to end our ride!! Still those hours spent in the beach is fresh in memories !!!!Originally posted by Zaphod View PostThe food, the beer under the moonlight and the entire frigging beach for yourself is something that has to be experienced first hand.Last edited by bikerfas; 04-03-2011, 04:04 PM.Comment
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Nice log, really & great pics
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Dinesh, Sooperb pics to cherish the memory of ride & reminds me the DIY session of Deepak's RX & Padhu's TB.
Btw, Why Rajiv's face looks terror looking at the Agent?...
Last edited by whizzkid_ram; 04-03-2011, 05:21 PM.B o D a C i O u S
Wander logue
Grand Southern Raid | Munnar | Yercaud | Ootacamund
The increase in performance is directly proportional to the size of the hole in your pocket :DComment
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lovely pics bro
sigpicIf you ride like there's no tomorrow, there won't beComment
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