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This was a long one. It’s been on the cards for quite a while now and we finally did it. After numerous rides of varying lengths during the year, on the 20th of December we set off on a 2,300 km ride, mostly along the southern coast, covering three states in what turned out to be mix of amazing roads, churches and temples, beaches and bridges, sunrises and sunsets, breathtaking views, warm meetings with friends and family and a true taste of our Incredible India.
Leg 1 : The Church Visit
Bangalore/Hosur/Krishnagiri/Dharmapuri/Salem/Namakkal/Trichy/Thanjavur/Nagapattanam/Velankanni
It’s customary for us to visit the holy shrine of Velankanni every year, so this year we made it the first leg of our ride. As always we take off at dawn, more prepared this time with saddle bags and haversack to pack enough to last us through the ride. The misty and chill December morning was the perfect start to the many long roads which lay ahead, and the anticipation and joy at the start of a ride only us bikers would understand.
After a quick breakfast near Dharmapuri, we continue on the by now too familiar route, having been through it many times before.
We pass through Salem, Trichy and Thanjavur and by evening we reach Velankanni and check in to our room to freshen up and later visit the church.
The ECR, Rameswaram, Up Next
Cheers !
Leg 2 : To Rameswaram
Velankanni/Nagapattanam/Thiruthuraipoondi/Muthupet/Ammapattam/Kottaippattanam/Tirupalakudi/Ramanathapuram/Mandapam/Pamban/Rameswaram
After completing the church formalities early next morning, we check out and hit the road again. On our last visit here we had gone up north towards Pondicherry. Since then I’ve wanted to explore the ECR southwards and as we head on to highway I understand why so many bikers love this road. It’s a joy to ride on this one. Flanked by amazing green on both sides, through quaint fishing villages, the smell of the sea wafts in the air and as we take a bend she comes into view, right there on our left hardly a stone’s throw away, sparkling a magnificent blue in the sunlight. And then it’s a hide and seek game as she disappears and pops up again keeping us company for many, many miles. Truly one of the most enjoyable roads to ride on.
Near Ramanathapuram we have to get off the ECR and onto the Madurai/Rameswaram road. It’s about lunch time so we break for a relaxed lunch. Curious glances and more curious queries about “From where?” “To where?” “By bike??” We smile and chat awhile, got used to it by now.
After lunch we ride on and soon pass Mandapam and then reach Pamban Bridge. As we ride up, it’s like an invisible force has slammed our brakes! We pull over and marvel at one of the most breathtaking views we’ve ever witnessed. The sea stretches as far as the eye can see all around us and the rail bridge below is a sight to behold. It takes a while to drag ourselves away from there, the view is so hypnotic.
Finally we break ourselves away and ride into Rameswaram and check into our room
Dhanushkodi/ Kanyakumari: Up Next
Cheers !!
Leg 1 : The Church Visit
Bangalore/Hosur/Krishnagiri/Dharmapuri/Salem/Namakkal/Trichy/Thanjavur/Nagapattanam/Velankanni
It’s customary for us to visit the holy shrine of Velankanni every year, so this year we made it the first leg of our ride. As always we take off at dawn, more prepared this time with saddle bags and haversack to pack enough to last us through the ride. The misty and chill December morning was the perfect start to the many long roads which lay ahead, and the anticipation and joy at the start of a ride only us bikers would understand.
After a quick breakfast near Dharmapuri, we continue on the by now too familiar route, having been through it many times before.
We pass through Salem, Trichy and Thanjavur and by evening we reach Velankanni and check in to our room to freshen up and later visit the church.
The ECR, Rameswaram, Up Next
Cheers !
Leg 2 : To Rameswaram
Velankanni/Nagapattanam/Thiruthuraipoondi/Muthupet/Ammapattam/Kottaippattanam/Tirupalakudi/Ramanathapuram/Mandapam/Pamban/Rameswaram
After completing the church formalities early next morning, we check out and hit the road again. On our last visit here we had gone up north towards Pondicherry. Since then I’ve wanted to explore the ECR southwards and as we head on to highway I understand why so many bikers love this road. It’s a joy to ride on this one. Flanked by amazing green on both sides, through quaint fishing villages, the smell of the sea wafts in the air and as we take a bend she comes into view, right there on our left hardly a stone’s throw away, sparkling a magnificent blue in the sunlight. And then it’s a hide and seek game as she disappears and pops up again keeping us company for many, many miles. Truly one of the most enjoyable roads to ride on.
Near Ramanathapuram we have to get off the ECR and onto the Madurai/Rameswaram road. It’s about lunch time so we break for a relaxed lunch. Curious glances and more curious queries about “From where?” “To where?” “By bike??” We smile and chat awhile, got used to it by now.
After lunch we ride on and soon pass Mandapam and then reach Pamban Bridge. As we ride up, it’s like an invisible force has slammed our brakes! We pull over and marvel at one of the most breathtaking views we’ve ever witnessed. The sea stretches as far as the eye can see all around us and the rail bridge below is a sight to behold. It takes a while to drag ourselves away from there, the view is so hypnotic.
Finally we break ourselves away and ride into Rameswaram and check into our room
Dhanushkodi/ Kanyakumari: Up Next
Cheers !!
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