Why should i ride my bike to Chennai when i can fly or take a train paid by my Bank? I could not think of any satisfactory explanation for wild ride as this. Just a ride for the sake of a ride. Nothing to see or enjoy except for the ride. May be to compare its is like a drunkard starved of drink and being offered a pool of scotch. You just jump right in and that’s what i did and this is what happened.



I was not going much on long rides above 500 kms in one go since my last year Chennai Bangalore ride, an opportunity presented itself by way of an official review at Chennai. Last year for the same thing i had taken my N250 via Chennai, Bangalore. This time i decided to play it cool and promptly booked the train tickets. My ninja had a maintenance service and i had put in a new battery from probiking costing about 10K. Was not keen to go for any other battery other than the OEM one. After that had some chotta rides of some 400 kms each and bike was in tune.
A week before the scheduled departure on Mar8th2014, i could sense the train journey slowly vaporize in to thin air. It was then a choice of taking the Ninja or Impulse to Chennai. Saddle bags were out and so were the required tools. This included an air compressor and a battery from a home UPS. I was not keen to draw power from the bike battery as i am not comfortable with such mods which may affect the bike electrical. Also i checked up the tubeless tyre repair kit and found that the tyre plugs were aged and they may not fit properly. After some hunt got a new set of tyre plugs for the kit. My bike is running on Castrol fully synthetic oil one year old so it should be okay. Coolant level was within limits and the air filter cleaned chain oiled and that’s pretty much required for the ninja. Weather prediction was a cloudy sky i was mentally prepared for some rain.



Packing the saddle bags had its own problems. The bags were fully extended to accommodate what was required like 2 big bottles of water, air pump, battery, tools etc so that it weighed quite a bit. I was also doubtful whether the bags will sustain the heavy weight. But its better to pack all the light stuff in the saddle bags and the heavy stuff in the top bag in my case a cramster shoulder bag. I have to work out a lighter solution to power my air compressor with the current battery weight about 2 kgs which i have to carry in my bag. Also i had meetings at Chennai requiring formal wear and i had to make my self comfortable on that too. The only universal stuff is my riding boot a orazo which can be a formal shoe and equally great riding shoe. Saved me pack in a formal shoe. The spare bike key was stuffed in the saddle bag also some cash and a cell phone in case i loose my key/wallet/phone. So some backup stuff is always recommended. Also a first aid kit and snacks to top up the package i was ready.



I was supposed to commence the journey at 5-00 am on 8^th Mar 2014 and got up at 4-00 am. Fixing the saddle bags took its time and finally i could pull out only 6-00 am late by one hour. The roads from my home town Thiruvananthapuram to NH4 is bad. Traffic , narrow and bad patches especially after parassala it had taken 2 hours to reach the NH4. First pit stop was planned at CCD kovilpatti. But before that i had a customary stop at thirunelveli for a visor change and a few pictures.







Next stop was at vadipatti Madurai had chappathy and curry. Was going relaxed as i had to reach Chennai within a reasonable time. The ride speed was pegged between 80 to 120 kph with some bursts for overtaking etc which is what i call a warm up speed for ninja on a highway. But this time i had decided to limit my speeds due to the heavy saddle bags fixed at the rear and just have a relaxed ride. There was no rain but cloudy sky mostly saved me partly from the heat even though i was prepared to endure the same. I was taking short breaks every couple of hours and drinking enough water to keep myself hydrated. Had the evening tea at krishnagiri and reached the Chennai Bangalore highway around 6-00 pm and turned in towards Chennai. Called up good friend Dr.Sudershan who rides a Ninja 650 and fixed up dinner at his place. The ride from krishnagiri till Vellore was good nice road. Form there the road was less than perfect with patches and toppings and some random pot holes i was not very comfortable finally reached kanchipuram at about 9-00 PM for dinner at Dr.Sudershan’s place. After dinner thanks to Dr.Sudershan i was able to lube my bike chain which was very much required. At 10.00 pm started for Chennai and with less than perfect roads reached adayar at 11-30 pm. Unpacked parked my ninja with cover on top she was hidden for the next five days. Met Xbhpian Ganesh ( Argee ) had a great time near Adayar Probike showroom at 6-00 am early morning on 12^th Mar 14. Regards to Ganesh to spare his valued time so that we can meet.
























On 13^th Mar 14 it was back track time. Review sessions over by 5-30 PM, it was a rush to change from formals to Blacks and get set. Luggage mounted and i sat on my bike turned on the ignition and after 5 days of idle under the covers she purred to life without a hitch ever. Did the customary warm up and at 6-10 pm i was rolling. From my spot at RA Puram i joined the evening traffic towards poonamalee via adayar. The bike in spite of the jam traffic was cool with the radiator fan kicking in many times and after 2 hours of stop go reached poonamalee with a brief stop at shell pump in the city for a tank fill and stock some snacks. Was prepared for a full night ride including the city crawl. City crawl over it is the bad roads till Ranipet before vellore. I was hoping that i don’t encounter any bad potholes and damage my rim. Finally crossed Ranipet and felt some sense of relief. I decided to take short breaks every hour or so that it is a relaxed ride.

















Reached krishnagiri , thoppur toll gate BP pump at about 2-30 am and filled up the tank. Tried to get some sleep but could not so decided to ride on and crossed salem and was heading towards Madurai. Riding speeds were tightly capped between 80 to 120 and rarely did i crossed this speed. For night ride on the ninja i feel the max speed with the current headlights is 120 kmph. At a few places i stopped and tried to sleep by sitting on the bike with the helmet on and my head and my arms crossed on the handles. It works for me by being to sleep for a short burst which is enough. I reached Vadipatti near Madurai and saw the first light of dawn. Really it was a great feeling to see light after a long night on the road.











Shortly reached Vadipatti BP pump and i topped the tank and had a cup of tea. After a short break here started for Kovilpatti CCD so that i can munch something and have a good coffee. In about 2 hours reached there and had the final pit stop and after the same had the customary stop at thirunelveli for a photo brief and i was heading home.









That 85 kms from Aralvaimozhi took more than 2 hours and quite a torture to say the least. Finally reached home and it was another long one over.