Re: Chennai>MetturDam>Ooty>Chennai In 24 Hours

Good pictures and good set of information too!

Me And My Blue Bird



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Thanks a lot for the appreciation, krishna77.

Shivanasamudra Falls

Today, I solo-rode to Shivanasamudra Falls on my son's Classic 500. I left at 6:10 am from my Basaveswara Nagar home via Jayanagar. I took Kanakapura/Malavalli route for the up journey and Maddur/Channapatna/Ramanagara route for the return journey.





I had sumptuous and tasty breakfast comprising 1 masala dosa [₹ 24], 2 idlies [₹ 14] and coffee [₹ 10] at Vasu Hotel, Kanakapura: self-service, no luxury tax, no VAT and no tips.



With full of energy, I rode to Shivanasamudra Falls [Gaganachukki] after crossing Malavalli on nice NH 209.













Later, I rode to Bharachukki, where I paid ₹ 10 for parking charges collected by Karnataka Forest Department. On the way, I spent some time in clicking some nice photographs of an disused old stone bridge known as Lushington Bridge, which 'acted' in many Kannada and Tamil movies.























Mission accomplished, I rode back home via Mysore-Bangalore SH 17 and reached home at 1:20 pm in time for lunch.

Re: Shivanasamudra Falls

Really nice ride and lovely clicks Ravi!

Cheers & Ride Safe

Re: Shivanasamudra Falls

Thanks a lot for the appreciation and compliments, [MENTION=34531]ridermax[/MENTION].

Bullet Baba Om Banna Shrine

Yesterday [17 Sep 2014], we visited the Bullet Baba Om Banna shrine located on NH 65 about 53 km from Jodhpur towards Pali in Rajasthan. We were to drive from Jaisalmer, RJ to Vapi, GJ. The direct route was the one via Barmer and Sanchore. When my son mentioned that this shrine is located on Jodhpur - Pali NH, I immediately changed the route to the one via Jodhpur just to visit this shrine although it involved a detour of about 180 km! Please see here for the background details of the shrine. Here are some photographs clicked by my son and daughter at the shrine:





The casket was decorated with a xBhp sticker!

Royal Enfield Bullet Electra Fire Bike @ Shimla Mall Road Fire Station

I saw this Royal Enfield Bullet Electra Fire Bike parked at Shimla Mall Road fire station:

Re: Me And My Blue Bird

Amazing sir, I always wanted to take my CL500 on the highways, never been there before. You are such an inspiration. I will definitely take him on the NH4 one day and post the pics and my travelogue just like you ...

Re: Me And My Blue Bird

Thanks for the nice words, [MENTION=64547]TheArcher84[/MENTION]. I wish you and your Classic 500 all the best for the long highway cruising.

Blue Bird Goes Off The Road!

Today, I took Blue Bird out for a 75-km ride on the picturesque East Coast Road [ECR], connecting Chennai and Puducherry [Pondy]. The main purpose was to charge Blue Bird's OE factory-fitted battery, which is perfectly alright now. After 35 km or so on ECR, Blue Bird turned to left towards the Bay of Bengal for beach-riding or sand-cruising or off-roading, maiden attempt for Blue Bird in 1.5 years and me in 60 years.







I rode on the beach in the first gear without depressing the clutch lever all along. Only once, Blue Bird got stalled, while taking a sharp turn. Apart from that, we enjoyed the beach-riding or sand-cruising or off-roading. Now that we scored well in our maiden attempt, I would like to take Blue Bird closest to the blue waters, the next time.

Re: Blue Bird Goes Off The Road!

Your machine looks too good in between the sands.

Chennai>Gandikota>Belum Caves>Chennai Within 23 Hours

I took Blue Bird for a long ride to Gandikota and Belum Caves in Andhra Pradesh on 17/18th March 2015. For the first time, I wore the knee protectors and riding jeans - apart from my Cramster riding jacket - and also used MapMyIndia navigator for the entire ride including night, thanks to the 12V charger of my Blue Bird.





There are numerous routes available from Chennai to my destinations. I selected my routes as they comprised good roads mostly. I under-estimated the cold and hot weather prevailing in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. In fact, I had removed the thermal and water-proof inner layers of my Cramster jacket and wore the mesh jacket only as it is summer now. But, I was shivering for a considerable period due to severe cold and foggy weather upto Nagalapuram during the onward ride and at Chittoor while returning. At Gandikota, I could not trek wearing these riding gears due to scorching sun.









Even after almost two years, Blue Bird managed to turn many heads in five places exactly. My navigator also attracted many people in these places. The owner of the road-side eatery, where I had breakfasted, asked me about the price of Blue Bird and its fuel efficiency. When I was replying to his queries in smattering Telugu, a truck driver, who was also breakfasting, came and asked me as to whether I was getting backache, while riding long distances. I replied to him in the negative. Then, he was interested in the navigator and asked the price details. He informed me that his truck was equipped with power steering and GPS vehicle tracking device. His boss monitors his movement sitting at Vellore. He said he would ask his boss to get a navigator fitted to his truck so that he would drive easily within cities without asking for the route.

Then, while I was clicking photos at Gandikota, a school boy came to me and asked about the navigator. I gave a demo to him and he seriously listened to my lecture.

Again, when I was waiting for more than half-hour at Muddanur railway level crossing for passing of two goods trains, another truck driver, his cleaner and a pedastrian started discussing with me about Blue Bird and the navigator. Ditto at a cool drink shop at Jammalamadugu and at the eatery where I had my dinner.

While returning, I was stopped at Chittoor town at midnight by cops asking for the documents. When I showed them, I was allowed to proceed without my becoming poorer financially.

Now that Blue Bird is fully charged, I need not worry about her battery getting discharged for some more time, thanks to this mega ride!

Re: Chennai>Gandikota>Belum Caves>Chennai Within 23 Hours

Awesome Sir! You are truly an inspiration. Its great to see the routes covered by you are spreading out like veins across South India. Wishing you more miles ahead.

Re: Chennai>Gandikota>Belum Caves>Chennai Within 23 Hours

Thanks a lot for the wishes, compliments and nice words, [MENTION=66657]YashwanthBK[/MENTION].

If Goa is not in south India, Blue Bird will cross south India in 2015!

Re: Chennai>Gandikota>Belum Caves>Chennai Within 23 Hours

Some nice pics there Ravi!