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This is my first travelogue. Please forgive me for any silly explanations.
Since, my childhood I have been visiting Shrine Velankanni every year for the past 33 years. It was my dream from my youth to visit Velankanni in my bike. But Fear and passion are things which do not mix. I always had the fear of what will happen if my bike has a puncture and what if something went wrong. All these pulled me to a state of just being a city commuter. But the though of riding a bike for more than 3 hrs at a stretch has always given me goose bumps. Then The good thing that happened in my life was joining X-Bhp. It has changed my life I would say. X-Bhp gave me a new meaning to safe riding. All the travel blogs and the freedom that the rider gets from each ride has made me even more confident in fulfilling my dreams. So on 15/01/13, I have decided to go to Velankanni on my trusted Yamaha FZ-S. The first thing I did was to enquire about safety equipments. So, brought a pair of gloves, knee pad & Elbow pad. Changed the visor of my helmet. Change the oil to Motul 5100. I thought I was good to go. But I was wrong. Then I found out those simple things which we miss out might be the most dangerous one. When I brought my Pulsar in 2002. It came with a crash guard as mandatory fitting. But my FZ-S did not come with this feature and the Yamaha sales person has also not indicated about this to me and I too did not take notice that it does not have a crash guard. I am amazed that Yamaha has found saree guard to be more needful than a crash guard. Anyway, I brought the much needed crash guard and fitted them myself. Now I am good to go, so I though. But things will take its own course I was taught by elders. The most critical requirement was all but forgotten by me. The all needed permission from your spouse and parents. I had to do a lot of convincing that I will be safe throughout the journey. And I was somewhat successful in convincing everyone to allow me for the journey.
So it began.
The preparation:
Topped the tank full with petrol at IOCL bunk in airport road and deflated both the tyres and filled with nitrogen. Packed the bags with dress need for a 2 days ride. Took all the required tools including puncture kit, chain lube, etc. Took basic medicines, chocolate, water, duct tape(just thought it might come in handy) and some nylon rope(this thing came in handy). Nikon camera, Bikes original papers and cash.
Day 01:
The Onward Journey (25.01.2013):
At 2.30AM. I woke up and could not hold my excitement of the journey. I even thought of starting at 3.30AM. But I controlled my excitement and went to sleep. Got up again at 4.00AM. Did the morning chores and was ready by 4.20AM. Did a small prayer and started by 4.30AM. The excitement was to the highest but controlled my self and started at stable speed of 70km/h. Took the OMR and was happily cruising at 85km/h. Passed by my college. Just took a snap to rekindle my college days.
Took a butt break at Mudaliarkuppam . The view of odiyur lake was breath taking. The morning mist and the surrounding was so beautiful. I though of the things that I have been missed for so many years for not taking this ride a long time ago. The freedom of being on the road. Truly, riding the bike definitely touches your soul. Updated my status to my family. It was 6.30AM.
Fisher man at the lake
Bugs after having there breakfast(blood) decided to plunge on my helmet visor
Then started off again on to the beautiful ECR. Came across 2 accidents involving trucks. Stopped and prayed for the safety of those involved in the accident.
The sunrise
I reached Puducherry at around 7.50AM.
Found a pond full of lotus
I was cruising at 80km/h through the whole stretch. Did not want to strain the bike. Looked at the fuel guage and it was 3/4th of the tank. Decided to full tank in Puducherry as the petrol is cheaper @ Rs.65.55/l. Reached cuddalore at about 8.30AM.. It is good that most of the cities like Puduchery, cuddalore, Chidambaram are having by-pass, which makes long distance travelling a pleasant experience. Well after Sirkali, the roads were not that good but manageable. Reached Karaikal at about 10.00AM. The average speed was down due to traffic and poor road conditions. And finally reached Velankanni at about 12.00 AM. Took a nice room, relaxed, had a bath and visited the shrine and went to the beach. Had some delicious fish fry and sat at the beach for almost 2 hrs. Then did some petty shopping at the bazaar and hit the bed at around 11.00PM.
The excitement doesn't end - DAY 02
cheers
Mathews
Since, my childhood I have been visiting Shrine Velankanni every year for the past 33 years. It was my dream from my youth to visit Velankanni in my bike. But Fear and passion are things which do not mix. I always had the fear of what will happen if my bike has a puncture and what if something went wrong. All these pulled me to a state of just being a city commuter. But the though of riding a bike for more than 3 hrs at a stretch has always given me goose bumps. Then The good thing that happened in my life was joining X-Bhp. It has changed my life I would say. X-Bhp gave me a new meaning to safe riding. All the travel blogs and the freedom that the rider gets from each ride has made me even more confident in fulfilling my dreams. So on 15/01/13, I have decided to go to Velankanni on my trusted Yamaha FZ-S. The first thing I did was to enquire about safety equipments. So, brought a pair of gloves, knee pad & Elbow pad. Changed the visor of my helmet. Change the oil to Motul 5100. I thought I was good to go. But I was wrong. Then I found out those simple things which we miss out might be the most dangerous one. When I brought my Pulsar in 2002. It came with a crash guard as mandatory fitting. But my FZ-S did not come with this feature and the Yamaha sales person has also not indicated about this to me and I too did not take notice that it does not have a crash guard. I am amazed that Yamaha has found saree guard to be more needful than a crash guard. Anyway, I brought the much needed crash guard and fitted them myself. Now I am good to go, so I though. But things will take its own course I was taught by elders. The most critical requirement was all but forgotten by me. The all needed permission from your spouse and parents. I had to do a lot of convincing that I will be safe throughout the journey. And I was somewhat successful in convincing everyone to allow me for the journey.
So it began.
The preparation:
Topped the tank full with petrol at IOCL bunk in airport road and deflated both the tyres and filled with nitrogen. Packed the bags with dress need for a 2 days ride. Took all the required tools including puncture kit, chain lube, etc. Took basic medicines, chocolate, water, duct tape(just thought it might come in handy) and some nylon rope(this thing came in handy). Nikon camera, Bikes original papers and cash.
Day 01:
The Onward Journey (25.01.2013):
At 2.30AM. I woke up and could not hold my excitement of the journey. I even thought of starting at 3.30AM. But I controlled my excitement and went to sleep. Got up again at 4.00AM. Did the morning chores and was ready by 4.20AM. Did a small prayer and started by 4.30AM. The excitement was to the highest but controlled my self and started at stable speed of 70km/h. Took the OMR and was happily cruising at 85km/h. Passed by my college. Just took a snap to rekindle my college days.
Took a butt break at Mudaliarkuppam . The view of odiyur lake was breath taking. The morning mist and the surrounding was so beautiful. I though of the things that I have been missed for so many years for not taking this ride a long time ago. The freedom of being on the road. Truly, riding the bike definitely touches your soul. Updated my status to my family. It was 6.30AM.
Fisher man at the lake
Bugs after having there breakfast(blood) decided to plunge on my helmet visor
Then started off again on to the beautiful ECR. Came across 2 accidents involving trucks. Stopped and prayed for the safety of those involved in the accident.
The sunrise
I reached Puducherry at around 7.50AM.
Found a pond full of lotus
I was cruising at 80km/h through the whole stretch. Did not want to strain the bike. Looked at the fuel guage and it was 3/4th of the tank. Decided to full tank in Puducherry as the petrol is cheaper @ Rs.65.55/l. Reached cuddalore at about 8.30AM.. It is good that most of the cities like Puduchery, cuddalore, Chidambaram are having by-pass, which makes long distance travelling a pleasant experience. Well after Sirkali, the roads were not that good but manageable. Reached Karaikal at about 10.00AM. The average speed was down due to traffic and poor road conditions. And finally reached Velankanni at about 12.00 AM. Took a nice room, relaxed, had a bath and visited the shrine and went to the beach. Had some delicious fish fry and sat at the beach for almost 2 hrs. Then did some petty shopping at the bazaar and hit the bed at around 11.00PM.
The excitement doesn't end - DAY 02
cheers
Mathews
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