Topic Approved

Thanks for the quick approval MG sir.

congrats on the first solo. . hope you had fun on the road . . .

from?
route?
ride?
photos?
where was the stay?

etc
etc

For a very few people might know me, let me introduce myself properly. I'm Harish Kumar from Madurai currently pursuing my B.Tech Automobile in SRM University, Chennai. I always had the passion for automobiles in me. But the passion for biking was brought out by Xbhp. I started riding at the age of 15. But my dad was clear that I would ride in city roads only after I'm 18. I must be grateful to him I feel as I'm out in the roads now as a proper disciplined motorist. After a long wait for my riding senses to mature, I finally got the oppurtunity to do my first solo ride.


Bike: KB100RTZ(1991)
Destination:Thekkady


As a rookie I had least experience in long distance riding. I must thank P.S.Raghavan sir at this point for giving me precise instructions for my tour.
The most concering thing was that I am going on a 21yr old 2-stroke bike which has meagre spares around. But I trusted my bike. Very much. So planned to leave on 2nd morning. The twist is that I planned to ride only to Cumbum initially. Thekkady was nowhere in my mind. You'll later know what made me go there. Previous day did a thorough check and also took her to the mechanic for water wash. Topped the 2Toil and adjusted the brakes. Woke up on 2nd morning at 5AM although I planned only to leave at 7. Couldn't help, I was filled with excitement. Packed whatever I felt were necessary. Water, snacks, extra tube, extra oil and a basic tool kit. As a rookie my riding gears were limited. A helmet, Half-cut gloves, Black shade coolers, Jeans Jacket and Sports shoes(Will buy a complete set soon). Started from home at 7.07AM. Went to the bunk and filled for 500 rupees(around 7.5lts). Already had 1 ltr in the tank before. I presumed the milaege to be 35. So the range was 262.5kms and I by my plan I was about to ride around 220kms. Mind you my fuel gauge is broken so I had approx values.

Riding gears
















At the parking lot






Left from Madurai and planned to have breakfast in Theni. Since it was my first tour ever I had to stop four times before I reached Theni. Most of them were to drink water and I snapped some pics along. Discovered that I had a niggle with my camera and was left with no option other than taking pics in my low end mobile camera!! Murphy's law was working it seems. I maintained 60-70kmph. There is one cool curve near Andipatti. In fact I went back little to be a little more faster around the corner. Then reached Theni at 9.00AM. I knew the place a little so instantly hit Meeakshi Bhavan and had dosa and coffee. Started from Theni by 9.30AM. As I was moving towards Cumbum, it started becoming cool and I realised that I was nearing forests. Now I was doing 75kmph constantly till I hit Cumbum.

Nearby Theni








The curve near Andipatti






As a rider's habit I also tend to see all sign boards. As I was going suddenly I saw Thekkady 42kms. The very sight of the mountains were pulling me. I was like" Its now or never Harish!". You'll later know why I felt this too. And I set to Thekaddy instantly. Started climbing after about 25kms from Cumbum. The hill wasn't that steep. My bike was doing a great job. I was mostly in fourth gear doing 40-45kmph. Sometimes to 3rd and 2nd on the hair pin bends. The bike's torquey nature made the climb easy. And the bike was damn stable and fun around the corners. Stopped at few points to capture nature's beauty and the penstock of the Periyar hydel power station. The penstock was running right under the roads, I mean the ovebridge. The size of things were astonishing. Proceeded to Kumuli. Must tell you all this. Kumuli is a place which belongs to both Tamil Nadu and Kerala. You'll see Tamil Nadu bus stand first and then you'll need to cross the Kerala border check post. After the check post you'll see Kerala bus stand, everything is malayalam, black autos and kerala culture. Bikers who have been there might have noted this.



Then went ahead to Thekkady which was 4kms from Kumuli. You'll need to pass the forest check post and pay a sum of 50 rupees to enter Thekkady. Reached there by 11:15AM. Called my dad and told him I was in Thekkady. My dad was asking how it was there and told me to enjoy!! By then I was little hungry again. Had few bites. Must say, the monkeys there were notorious and intelligent. They knew exactly how to steal food. Lucky me I was having my snacks inside a building. Walked around and was enjoying mother nature's beauty. Checked the boating timings and booked one ticket. Be careful. There are two counters. One handled be KTDC and the other by Forest Dept. KTDC will cost you a freaking 150bucks and the other will cost only 40bucks. Unaware I booked the KTDC one!! My boating trip was only at 1.30PM. had lots off time till then. Went around again listening to songs and checking out things. Ya you know what I mean!!


Then it was time and I went to the boating area. Only then I knew why the difference in cost. The KTDC boat was big with decent space and attached chairs. The other one was shabby looking and cramped with plastic chairs!! But still I felt 150bucks was way too much!!! Went around the lake and saw a few deers and one elephant. Otherwise nothing. I was in the wrong season at the wrong time. That was all with Thekkady. Left there by 3.00PM and had mild lunch at Kumuli. Then started from Kumuli at 3.30PM. I decided to do a non-stop stretch from Kumuli to Theni(60kms). Way down I had no reason to accelerate and was cornering like hell(of course with due care and respect to other motorists). After descending I was constantly doing 75-80kmph. The KB didn't miss a beat. Was goin strong and overtaking was a breeze as I was in the power band most of the time. Must tell you. No four wheeler driver these days drives below 80kmph. I'm telling this particularly because I was overtaken by a freaking Nano!!


Hit Theni by 4.30PM. Mind you. That is 60kms in one hour including 15kms of hills. I myself was astonished when I saw the time. Went to Meenakshi Bhavan again had snacks and tea and hit the road again by 4.45PM. Now my concern for fuel rised. I had planned for 220kms and had already ridden 216kms. Checked the fuel tank and was surprised to see a lot a fuel remaining say around 4 lts!! So started to Madurai and was consistently doing 75-80kmph with a few bursts to 90. The bike was doing great. But by now I had back ache and pain on my neck. Of course the bike's seats were so and cannot be compared to today's bikes comfort level. Reached Madurai outskirts by 6.15 and then slowed down due to traffic. Reached home by 6.30PM. Must tell you. I was freaking out looking at the fuel level in the tank. Atleast two more litres left!!! I had no idea how my bike plunged into a diet program. Was it me or my bike?? I had done 296kms total. Calculated and found that my bike had given a mileage of 45.53kmpl!!!! All this maintaining 75kmph throughout the tour partly with hill riding!!


Facts learnt:
1. Respect all riders on the road irrespective to their vehicle speed and size.
2. Beware of people crossing cooly when nearing villages.
3. Beware of animals crossing the road.
4. Safety is your prime concern. Nobody is racing here.
5. Its better to ask people around before you dive into something.


Was excited totally for I was back completely safe and devoid of any problems in between the journey. Plus my bike was doing a great job!!
My mom was asking if my lifetime destiny was over. I told her it had just started!!!!!!!! I will be bringing my bike in another month to Chennai. Will make it to the G2Gs as and when possible. I know my text might seem a liitle childish. Hoping to learn a lot in the future. Pls feel free to point out any mistakes or make any suggestions in the trip and the trip log.

Congrats bro.. Hope you enjoyed a lot. Nice pics too.

Very nice trip there. Bring on the pics please. Am hungry for pics now.

Breakfast at Theni




Odo at Theni i.e. 80kms travelled


On the way to Cumbum










Vineyard




Just started climbing




Periyar Penstock










Down there is the Hydel Power Plant


Couldn't resist!! Just can't stop taking pics of her!!

Harish, Awesome trip log mate!
The first long ride is always special. However elaborate trips you do later on, the exhilaration one feels on the first long ride is hard to match. And kudos to you for doing it on your beloved KB.

@Aneesh@4GHz: Thanks bro.

@Lonely Rider: Thanks bro. Have a lot of pics to upload. Keep watching this thread for more.

@need4torque: Thanks bro. As you said the first trip was very exciting and also I learnt a lot of things related to biking through experience.

On reaching Kumuli


At the Thekkady forest check post




Sorry. A few pics may have smaller resolution since I accidentally switched it.

On the way to Thekkady











Yes! I came all the way to have it here!!


The Lone Ranger


Jackfruit Tree




The Boating Ticket
















Life jackets are compulsory


Descending


Vaigai River


Back home. the Odo reads 4839. That makes 296kms on the whole.


The route

Harish very good trip for you, and glad you enjoyed it..The pictures are good...if possible invest in a 8 Meg pixel cam ..The photos and memories of your trips will last a lifetime.
Good to see you extended the trip to Thekkady.The problem with most ride is you don't want to return back, but keep driving and keep exploring....Once the bug bites, you are finished..Good trip ,Pictures,and description...
It is heartening to see the lush green vegetation on either side of the road.I used to visit these areas every month on official duty, and happy to see that modernization had not ruined it..yet.

Wish you many more such happy trips.

Ride safe, ride responsibly.

good trip man, glad to know that you enjoyed it , for the next trip get a better camera , and post a lot more pics and keep exploring

You have just proved to be an example of the fact that it doesnt matter what bike you have to ride, its the will to ride that matters! Awesome! Doing that trip on a Kb! simply amazing. Ride on!

good trip and well written brother.very descriptive and neatly written I liked the bit about the ktdc and forest ticket rippoff.Good warning to other future travellers.

enjoy riding...rise safe.