Un planned rides has become the order of the day for me. The month of march is the holi month for us bankers. The annual accounts closing is done and no leave, holidays etc is the norm. So for me my annual performance review meeting was to be at Chennai from 11^th mar 2013 to 14^th mar 2013. So there was a chance for me to travel to Chennai. I had casually mentioned that i may ride from Thiruvananthapuram to Chennai to my better half so that she has enough time to reason me out of the adventure. Getting your parents consent is a lot easier than this i was thinking. With the on set of summer by mid april the ride has to take place now i thought. So my wife gave her consent to go by car. So she has loosened to that extend i thought. i left my options open. If the weather is okay it was go for me. Had some thought on the route to be taken Thiruvananthapuram , Madurai, Trichy,Chennai. I had to reach Chennai by 10^th Mar 13 evening. Thought of dropping in to Bangalore say hello to my Junior there and ride back to Thiruvananthapuram. The flip side no TA for an official travel as my bank doesn’t as yet entertain such travel especially on 2 wheels.
The saddle bags were taken out and the tank bag was discarded. I have already scratched my ninja’s tank more than required. So no tank bags on solo rides especially as i will have to refuel manytimes. Plenty of water, tools,puncture kit,foot pump tucked into the bags and official cloths in to a cramster shoulder bag strapped on to the rear seat. The rajays saddle bag i should say one of the best investments i have made till date. Even at the blistering speeds of the ninja the bags till date never even once gave a feeling that they are there and has not budged an inch. Photo equipment is my windows phone a Samsung omnia w with a 5 MP Cam. That was done by 9^th and i was set to ride. Started on 10^th morning by 5-35 am late by half hour. Had the customary bow at althara devi temple near my home and i was on my way.





entry point to NH when you ride from thiruvananthapuram





this place is always special. i must have travelled at least 30 times on this way



After inching my way through traffic, bad roads reached the highway after 93 kms and had the first major pit stop at CCD near sattur about 150 kms from Madurai. Had a sandwich and coffee. But it did not go well with my stomach. Lesson learnt first meal should be what you normally take. Exotic choices can wait later into the day. Nothing much on the riding front just locked the throttle a couple of times only to clock about 140+ . beyond that it was sedate riding at speeds between 80 to 120.






From Madurai and the road leading to the trichy highway was long and bad. Thankfully after some 35 mts of riding the so called bye pass road, i reached the high way much to my relief.
Sun was shining bright and hot it was. Target was to ride about 100 kms non stop take a pit stop in some shade and ride again. Was keeping a sedate speed between 80 to 100 and yes ninja gives good milage at those speeds at about 35 kms to the litre.





hot sun whew and yes i was prepared for this










Reached chengalpattu and good friend and doctor shri.sudershan was waiting on his ninja 650. We rode together till adyar as he had to collect some stuff from Bajaj Pro biking and my staff college was also next to this place at RA Puram. We had some snacks from sangeetha hotel next door and he rode back to kanchipuram and me to my staff college. Parked my bike at the 2 wheeler parking and after some time put on a cover and my bike was hidden there for the next 4 days.







speedo at 777 at adayar chennai - PBK




On 14^th time 5-30 pm time to move onto banglore. An early departure was delayed due to late termination of our session. Now no way i can avoid the Chennai traffic. The plus point i knew the road from adayar to poonamalee. My arrival by bike was kept a secret from my colleagues and on 14^th the cat was out of the bag. And before they realised i was out riding to Bangalore by 6-00 pm. Ride inside Chennai took a long time and before poonamallee stopped at shell pump and topped ninja with the the best petrol and took a 20 mts break. It was dark when i reached poonamalee. Had taken liberal breaks at Kanchipuram,Ranipet, ambur,krishnagiri and hosur. The Chennai Bangalore high way is under construction to 8 lane so there were umpteen diversions which has taken a toll on riding time. One had to be very careful on unmarked highways and i was in a relaxed mood and finally reached Bangalore at 1-00 am.




At ranipet engineering college ATM Wallajah




at CCD near Ambur







after vaniyambadi toll gate




speedo at bangalore - 354 on odo



bike takes another break there at the guest house






It was a busy day on 15^th ( wanted to meet RiderMax but skipped the idea) and 16^th i had to pull out. So started the return ride to thiruvananthapuram on 16^th morning 6-00 am.











more pictures to follow