Announcement

**Divya Sharan** · 06-29-2015, 11:51 AM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

Approved!

Please continue wanderer!

**krishna77** · 06-29-2015, 12:07 PM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

Now that's what the doctor ordered. Once again congrats for your success. Can't wait to go through your experience. Your childhood friend Subhasish(from Bokaro) is a colleague of mine. He is also very excited about your success.

**saquib3005** · 06-29-2015, 02:00 PM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

Originally posted by Divya Sharan View Post

Approved!

Please continue wanderer!

Thanks for fast approval.

Originally posted by krishna77 View Post

Now that's what the doctor ordered. Once again congrats for your success. Can't wait to go through your experience. Your childhood friend Subhasish(from Bokaro) is a colleague of mine. He is also very excited about your success.

Thanks a lot again Krishna.

Yes yes Subhasish is my school mate, guess we started schooling together.
Give my hi-fi to him

**chaosaddict** · 06-29-2015, 03:00 PM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

Barhiya bhai, maza aa gaya!!!

Keep on with the flow, considering the fact that it's already completed.

**Divya Sharan** · 06-29-2015, 03:06 PM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

Originally posted by saquib3005 View Post

Thanks for fast approval.

I forgot the name of that bridge from the last pic of yours above. What is its name?

**saquib3005** · 06-29-2015, 03:18 PM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

Originally posted by Divya Sharan View Post

I forgot the name of that bridge from the last pic of yours above. What is its name?

Pathimoonnu Kannara Palam (13Arc Bridge) present in between Kollam Sengottai railway section.

**saquib3005** · 06-30-2015, 06:16 PM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

ROAD TO THE FINALS OF TRUE WANDERERS 4.0

I have always been an ardent fan of True Wanderers seasons, not just by the glare of prize and gifts but with the fact that bikers and there adventures do get considered and there are people who love to follow and know about such adventurous journeys and rides. Though I never took interest in participating into it, wonder why or is it just my lame excuses of being lazy of penning down and collecting down my experiences and pictures at one place. Be it long rides to distant places or solo journey to several far reaches of India, I can talk for long and can even whatsapp for several hours suggesting different routes and things.
This time something else was gonna come for me. It was month of February 2015 when my younger brother discussed that True Wanderers posters are out. And I was just back from my wonderful Solo Kutchh trip.

I believe there is a destiny for everyone
I believe there is someone out there for everyone
We spend our lives looking for both

But at night
When everyone sleeps
My mind wanders

And I ask myself
Do these things exist
Or are we spending too much time looking
When we should be waiting.

Yes destiny was something else, and God knows but somehow my strings with True Wanderers episode remained attached. 2 days from registrations getting closed on 12^th^th^th April(day before voting closes) morning and as usual I woke up late and after having a look on my mail I just jumped off to pick up my laptop. Yes yes yes, it was mentioned to complete the blog and submit my travel story soon before the voting closes.

1 day - 20 votes - True Wanderer. PERIOD.

I am yet to overcome the joyous feeling and still try to sink the news while writing it.

After this series of events and emotions I realized how eventful things could be, and one will get what he or she is destined to get it.

Had it not been pointed out by my brother, if my travel plans would have not been cancelled, if I would have not argued for electric power I would have never made it for this ultimate saga.

**krishna77** · 06-30-2015, 09:37 PM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

Great going!

**saquib3005** · 06-30-2015, 11:20 PM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

PREPARATION MADNESS

Results were out and I was not able to get over the hangover of the excitement of getting selected. Every day is passing by either dreaming of distant land to get lost or hearing to my friends sharing similar emotions on getting selected and how to prepare.
First 2 days I wasted doing nothing for the ride, just exchanging mails with Ashish(xBhp headquarters) or answering calls and talking with Jigar(Wrangler guy and dealing with all things of True Wanderers event).
Best part of all this was I will be paid for this ride, ie all expense ride.

NIkal padi bidhu……. Cherry upon that wonderful merchandisers from Wrangler.

My brother was planning to get his hands on new DSLRs and this anxiety I also decided to test the new DSLRs on this. And to my utter luck DSLRs arrived just before the ride on 29^th April.

Crazy sheeeeeeet, what a luck. One more thing comes up just to help in getting things done in my own way.

After playing around with it I was again to ground zero, confused in deciding which direction to go – North, South, East or West. Though I was pretty sure where I will be going, but I was turning the map just to make a plan B and plan C.

Now you would be wondering, he is making India so small, trying to portray as if whole India is accessible on two wheels. Ya I would say yes, India is ofcourse accessible on two wheels to almost all places. And what not does India have, rather I believe first visit all places of our country then.

Anyways too much of “gyaan” moving forward.

In the final days got call and also an email from Jigar informing about the details of Wrangler store where I have to visit to collect my merchandisers.
He also mentioned about the dates and timings when I will be flagged off for the True Wanderers ride. Moreover he mentioned that the flag off will be covered by media too. Man this all was turning crazy.

Alas most of the things didn’t happen as I expected.

Days past by and I kept on wondering and working upon the route and destination where I would be going. In this mad rush, I took out time to get bike serviced. But suddenly some electric issues came up and bike needed 2 days off time. All thanks to Kiran and Karan from Pacer, Yamaha, HRBR Layout they sorted up everything and also did a thorough servicing( I always rely upon them before going on long rides).

Got the bike fixed in last weekend 3 days before the ride.

All thanks to Yamaha Pacer, Bangalore guys, prepared the bike on time.

Final touch to bike electrical

Yes she is a Charm and she needs a Foam Wash

I thought of going for shopping on weekend. But for every good time there would be bad time. I was asked from office to work out office hours, which means 6-6 I have to stick to the idiot box and work. Arrrgggghhhhh upon that, crazy clients came up with idiotic issues

And finally the solution for all was to go and do shopping on weekend which indeed was mood refreshment and different experience. Thank you “Wrangler” for such warm welcome and superb sets of apparels.

Got the helmet at last moment because I wanted matt black helmet of good built.

Stickers didn’t came up and have to run to different courier centers to hunt down, alas ended up wasting time on last day and finally got it from Jigar on flag off day.

THINGS I AM CARRYING

Whenever I go for ride my friends and sometimes even my brother says “You have packed up too much”. But no, it is never more; rather when one goes out it does have a feeling how can I miss that thing.

Same was the scenario which Sauban and my friends Suhasa and Arnab were telling me.
I said the keep calm and just watch. All the things which I am carrying will be required for this adventurous trip and nothing will go waste or over weight.

“And Senorita hai na, she will accommodate everything nicely”.

Speaking this to them, so here is what I am carrying my bag and here:

My things get scattered to form this TRUE WANDERERS

FLAG OFF

Ja Saquib Ja Jeele Apni Zindagi

According to official mail, my flag off was on May 05th, 2015, in late afternoon from Wrangler Showroom, 100 feet Indiranagar, Bangalore.

It was quite sunny and exciting day. Finally the R-day had arrived and I wasn’t set, bhag saquib bhag :P. Officially I invited my friends through FB, whatsapp and some on calls too.

I got the bike washed in the morning and completed some write-ups for the blog before I start for the venue.

Reached an hour before for early media interaction and also to take stickers from Jigar, as I had not completed the sticker work since it was not delivered(bad luck). Some friends were already present before me and even they lend hands to finish it soon for the photo session and flag off event.

There were couple of media representatives for me. Well not just me, but also for Sudhir(another TW finalist).

“Look at the poser” my friends giggled. I am not used to such glam-sham and was in anticipation of very few guys covering the event, but here they were; some ready with their questions and wishes while other holding big bazooka lenses. It was a challenge to give apt answers to couple of them.

It was time, and was almost getting dusk. I was equally eager to hit the road and was also getting nervous what is gonna happen and how will time pass by as I was about to start midnight.

Yes you read it right, I was about to start midnight, and thus level of uneasiness and anxiety didn’t even allowed me to sleep well.

I was waiting when the clock hand turn; impatient man turns into iron man with mind body and soul aimed at its target to GET SET GO.

Hands on with Decals

Some accessories to display

Senorita also getting some finishing touch

Some more finishing touch

Sparkling with new Decals

Those eyes are ready to haunt the roads

I am just loving these denims

Wrangler apparels – my style statement

Friends who came for flag off

Good interaction with Jigar and Sudhir

Most unusual situation – speaking in front of camera

Ready for flag off

Jigar waves off the flag

Fitting in all the pics together

Cautionary Warning: Lengthy content with too much talking of two souls one myself and other is my bike Senorita. Our conversations on this ride is gonna make you nuts.

**susheelkumar** · 07-02-2015, 11:40 AM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

Congratz [MENTION=57593]saquib3005[/MENTION]. BTW do you stay in Ejipura nearby Koramangala. I guess I saw you. You were riding ahead of me. After going through the blog your helmet & bike can be easily spotted with all those wanderer stickers.

**SuvraGanguly** · 07-02-2015, 12:54 PM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

awesome, awesome, awesome. have read this blog multiple times, but i guess hosting it on xbhp has its own charm

**saquib3005** · 07-02-2015, 03:43 PM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

FIRST GEAR: INTO THE WILD

True Wanderers ride has to be special and I wanted to completely dedicate to the ride which includes round the clock dedication. I planned to start at midnight when whole world sleeps and I am off to distant world, in quest of chasing my destiny.

“At the stroke of midnight” no I am not making anyone speech instead I am ready to be free and to get lost.

It was time to start the ride, to get lost in the wonders of nature and its characteristics.

I saddled up and strapped all the necessary items in my saddle bag and tank bag. Senorita was also pimped up and she was ready to hit the road. Arnab and Suhasa came up to bid adieu, and along with Sauban(my younger brother), they rode along till electronic city elevated road.

Darkness also has its beauty; it hides the defects and removes all the fault.

I so wanted to capture some streak of lights, and the long elevated road did gave me chance for it.

It is always exciting to ride in open roads with no traffic around, so that one can throttle more and push more.

Soon after waving off my friends, I started ripping along the NH7.
Passed by cities, those cities which were sleeping and I ain’t disturbing them.
Ride till Salem was pretty fast and I wanted to stop.

Senorita: Lol you want to go to loo.
Me: No please, I am hungry and you are tankful, stop teasing, let stop.
Senorita: hehe your stomach is crying and you are getting annoyed.

I had a small stop, had good filter coffee and tried taking some more shots of light streaks. I know it was time pass, was just getting bored of riding in the night.

Now wonder how come someone be bored of going on True Wanderer ride!!! Nothing much it’s just mood swing. Lot of things were actually going in my mind. The place where I am going, how will it be and how will be the weather. Will I be able to make it up till the planned endpoint of the day.

To get these answers I started rolling down.

Crossed Salem and was closing to Dindgul. Around 5 hours in ride and it was already dawn. First rays of the sun were peeping and reflecting on my RVM. Time to take out bazooka lenses and play around with it.

I didn’t tell Senorita where were we going. She just knew we are going southwards. Soon I started getting the confusing direction plates for Kodaikanal. God Knows why NHAI guys have placed so many Kodaikanal direction plates. Locals helped me out in getting correct direction to Theni.

What did you all thought I am Kodaikanal, no I am not!!!

Now it was time to get lost and to wander around. Only help for the situation was locals only if they are around, else keep continuing in jungle roads.

I didn’t wanted to push too hard and it was already noon by the time we reached across Theni.

Roads were quite windy and can easily feel the presence of countryside, with cocnut trees on both the side.

I usually avoid taking normal routes and love going through the village or jungle route.

Guess, even God said “Tathastu” and I had to struggle through the narrow village roads, which ended up in a shitty road to Meghamalai forest check post.

Senorita: What!!! are we going to Meghamalai???
Me: Yes darling, that’s the plan.
Senorita: as per my information there is hardly any road.
Me: Ya not even proper tarmac. Hehe
Senorita: you are gonna cry for sure. I curse you.

After getting proper earful, I did realized the roads were pretty bad. Rather it was just stones and gravel with uncountable turns.

Route to Meghamali is quite spooky. It is through dense jungles were one can only hear all possible sounds which one usually hear in horror movies. Ride up to the hills was exactly not comfortable. Wrist was taking bad beating and so was the bike. I got bit worried about the saddle bag which was quite heavy and completely filled and packed. Heavy load on the pillion seat does make it uncomfortable to tackle bad roads.

Stopped at certain places to get the view of the forest, but it was bit alarming to hear full jungle filled with noise of Jhingur. There were many noises and no one can be seen from far. No one usually travel to this part of the world and other than craters of stones I dindt find anything on the route uphill.

Topography of the place changes very fast and even thickness of the jungle changed frequently.
But the ride was getting more crazier and slower and I was kinda liking the adventure, though senorita was taking much beating.

Creepiness and the non-ending noise of the jungle can easily make someone wet their pants.
Slowly and calmly within 2 hours I was near the Meghamali submit and was awestruck with the widespread green pastures of tea farms.

I forgot all the pain in the wrist and was just sailing through the tea farms.

Meghamalai – very underrated place, ofcourse not meant for much tourist hype and is famous for its tea states owned by unknown people. It is called High Wavy Mountains, is a cool and misty mountain range situated in the Western Ghats in Theni district, Tamil Nadu, near Kumily. One can only sea vast tea states and water bodies.

Thudd, comes the sound and I see that route has not at all changed on the upper side of the ranges. Though covered in tea states the route kept on bluffing me and didn’t showed any signs of improvement. And even the place was getting surrounded by thin layer of clouds I was sweating to my bones with my tshirt and jacket completely drenched. Even the locals and tea estate workers were astonished to see me covered in thick layer of armors from top to bottom.

I stopped by a shop cum home and had a bottle full water. Even Senorita was weeping and in her usual tone was showing her annoyance.

Senorita: Dude I aint going more upwards. Same tea estates and same shitty roads.
Me: Ya even my wrists are paining after this 20 kms of insane ride.
Senorita: So whats the plan??
Me: I can see the reservoir is dried up, lets go to the other side.
Senorita: and…..
Me: Into the wild.

I already made plan that I would be camping beside the reservoir cum lake after wandering through this High Wavys.
There were some nice rough routes through the jungle(may be due to some truck or jeep movement), and I went inside them to checkout the tea states.
After spotting the lake I started finding a particular location where I can peacefully pitch in tent and spend the afternoon enjoying the beauty and have some rest.
Circling around the lake through the estate made the job quite interesting and went to all the possible corners of the lake hidden in the forest and tea estates.
Finally through the woods and broken cement route I found a place which ended on the banks of the lake. This is it.
I was easily able to smell that freshness of water and the cold air arising after touching the water surface.
This is it. This was the moment I was waiting for. To get lost through the routes and getting into the wilderness.
I quickly pitched in tent and let off my sinking jacket to let the cold air make me cool down fast.

Senorita: I am so loving this place.
Me: Sorry for the troublesome roads.
Senorita: Naah, don’t worry, we both overcome the problems together. (wink wink).
Me: Wonder who would have thought that another day we would be riding for True Wanderer and then ending up here in the loneliness enjoying this calmness far far away from the concrete jungle.
Senorita: Hmm ya!!
Me: Let us have couple of selfies before you sleep.

Sitting by the lake, feeling the freshness and serenity, hereby pen down these words:

SITTING BY THE LAKE
The sky turns dark as if
he understood my mood,
That billowing cloud sees
herself in the lake mirror
and adjusts her uncombed hair.
The trouts spring out to wish.

The lakeside tulips take off
their ever-smiling masks and those
lilies get ready for their night show.
The hilltop just shows his sunburnt
back to be cooled by the gentle shower
that has just begun

But my butterfly heart navigates
in the space between
those warm water drops
untouched...so lonely...
thinking of…..just a distant world.

Quickly I did my lunch and started working on my blog. Lazy me, also took a power knap. The rugged route did took a toll on me and I was yawning. After spending couple of hours there I packed up and started moving ahead to a different location.
Some more water, somewhere more near the woods and nestled into the hills.
Yeah ye dil maange more.

Senorita: OMG, again we have to go through same route.
Me: (feeling bit sad for her) cmon no worries you know how to tackle such routes.
Senorita: haha bring it on. But where are we going?
Me: you will love the hills.

Descend was pretty cool and rough, because of all luggage and continuous skidding through the gravel and stones. By the time I came down Meghamalai, hills where already covered with clouds and it was slowly getting dark.

My next stop was Suryanhelli village, situated away from Munnar highway.

But I didnt took the usual route and went through the villages, clouds playing their own drama on the sky. Soon it started raining, and except Senorita everything was under rain gear or cover on the bike.

It was already around 1815hrs in evening when I reached the beautiful lake of Uttamapaliyam. Lake was blooming with weeds on sides and the cool breeze on water surface was making the whole mood refreshing.

After spending some time beside the lake and overlooking the bizarre gaze of locals, I headed up to Bodi to join the Munnar highway. Crossed multiple villages who were busy in their local festival which was going on.
Bells ringing, music playing and processions going on, and I zoomed passed them to join the freshly laid Munnar Highway. Man – o man what roads on the hill slopes.

It was really tempting and I was just like “Twist it, Bend it, burn it”

Where one side clouds engulfed the mountains completely, I was kneeling on the corners through the wet roads and dense jungle to Suryanelli. Light drizzle, dusk and cool breeze made the ride more eventful and enjoyable.

Off Munnar Highway, jungle road to Suryanhelli was dark and as it was raining it slowed down my pace and also lowered down the visibility. I stopped at a tea corner to have some rest and take a sip of tea in that cold night. It was quite unusual tea corner as all the youngsters at the tea corner were conversing with me in English and was quite interested to know my professional background and what do I do for living.
They also seemed to be quite learned and we had a good chit chat session. Soon I asked them the route to Suryanhelli and it did quite help me. I was introduced to Mr Ramesh Iyer, who was in his quite amusing rain coat(made out of plastic cut from center and placed along his shoulders with sides open). Mr Iyer was going in similar route on his Luna and asked me to follow him.

Happily I followed him at speeds of mere 2 digits until he suggested a smaller jungle route to Suryanhelli bypassing Munnar Highway.

Route did turned out to be shorter yet bit spooky because of projector lights shooing away dogs and foxes off the road. Though the tarmac quality was good I was concerned about anything appearing after every next corner.

By the time I reached Suryanelli at 2000hrs, village was already washed off after rains and was preparing to doze off.
I lied down on my bed, after having a light dinner. It was very eventful start of this ride. Visiting Meghamalai, camping at unusual route, enjoyed the serenity, hill roads, lot of emotions and drama was going in head.

I visited Meghamalai and this part of the world first time, yet I was feeling accomplished and happy what I did and all the adventures of the day. Also anticipating what would be next morning was making me excited as I have only heard of Suryanhelli and the place which I am going to visit next day.

With all these amazement and excitement I was unaware of what is gonna happen next day. What new I am going to do and which place I am going to see. And with all such thoughts it was time to see all these things through dreams and sail through those imaginations.

Photo Flash: Some dope

Electrifying lights

Dawn somewhere on the road

Launchy doing Surya Namaskar

Somewhere near Dindigul

Theni where are you!!

Bit sigh of relief

Starting the rough ascend

Rough Patches all around

Resting in shade

Standing Tall

Trying out some different route

Even I am ready for it

First look of the tea estates

Cannot look away from this greenery

Board says it loud and clear

Tea estates everywhere

Gazing in the woods

Into the woods

Time to go across

Tea estates on hill slopes

Miles of greenery

And the story continues

First look of the lake

Pesticides sprinkled over

Workers busy in their work

Nop she aint trying to run away

In search of the lake

Senorita: let me pose

<strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><em>

Time for some adventure and rest - Time Lapse of camp set up at Meghamalai

And we camp at the lake side

Feeling the freshness

Tme to poze

Processing the blog

View from inside my tent

Snaps from Launchy

Poster of the day

Night ride enroute Suryanelli

Sparkles in village??? Naah

Suryanhelli Vilage in night

In a nutshell

**Divya Sharan** · 07-02-2015, 04:37 PM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

Wow! Heavy post but worth the scrolls.

Have read your log so many times but its always a pleasure re-reading it.

**saquib3005** · 07-02-2015, 04:42 PM

Re: Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

Originally posted by susheelkumar View Post

Congratz @saquib3005. BTW do you stay in Ejipura nearby Koramangala. I guess I saw you. You were riding ahead of me. After going through the blog your helmet & bike can be easily spotted with all those wanderer stickers.

Thanks [MENTION=34906]susheelkumar[/MENTION].
Yes I live in Ejipura. Oh cool man. Glad that you recognized me.
Yes I am wearing that helmet until I get some money for new lid
Now I will try to recognize you in nearby area.

Originally posted by SuvraGanguly View Post

awesome, awesome, awesome. have read this blog multiple times, but i guess hosting it on xbhp has its own charm

Glad that you like it. Just iterating same thing here.

Originally posted by Divya Sharan View Post

Wow! Heavy post but worth the scrolls.

Have read your log so many times but its always a pleasure re-reading it.

These messages just bring big smile

Will be posting Kutchh one soon. Hope you liked that too.

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Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

Chasing The Destiny | True Wanderers 4.0

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