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**The Monk** · 01-01-2018, 10:48 AM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Thread Approved

Lovely pictures these. Waiting for many more

**Murali 03** · 01-01-2018, 06:05 PM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Waiting for the travelogue...

**akshay** · 01-02-2018, 10:19 AM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Nice. This is a ride that I am planning to do this year. Please mention more about road conditions, hotel stays and if possible the best route from Tumkur in Karnataka. Well done.

**tuffswooshsamy** · 01-02-2018, 02:39 PM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Originally posted by The Monk View Post

Thread Approved

Lovely pictures these. Waiting for many more

Thank You for the approval and Happy New Year ..[emoji3] [emoji3] .Will come up with the remaining part very soon.

**krishna77** · 01-08-2018, 10:02 AM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Nice teaser! Bring it on!

**tuffswooshsamy** · 02-13-2018, 12:16 AM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Vellore to Dhanuskodi Part -1
Sorry to keep you all waiting and for updating the travelogue this late. Was busy planning and executing my solo ride from Vellore To Baripada and back.3200Kms in total.

So lets start

Who are we- Before I start narrating my ride let me first give a small introduction about the riding crew. So as I wrote earlier we were 3 person coming together for this ride .Shyam –that’s me , Sriram -my friend and colleague and his friend Lokesh, fondly known as Loki off course no godly power which could have come handy at times and no this ride is not in search of Teserract. We are no way related to any characters of the MARVEL/CAPCOM family although I like to fancy about having some super powers. So coming back to reality, all 3 of us are public sector bank employees and needless to say have a life that’s very repetitive and you may not differentiate one day with the other as daily bank activities makes all the days look the same except for the occasional loud talks with customer .The Plan-For us riding is the one of those activities that adds joy to our life and keep us affirmed that we are still living life instead of just being alive. After numerous short rides we were now longing for a long ride to a place far from where we lived. Sriram was the one who braved and offered the idea of going to Dhanuskodi to me. Dates for the ride were prefixed 23-24-25, as December was quarter end we knew that no leave request will to be granted and we have to make it back anyhow by 26th Morning and show our faces to our superiors. 3 days was all we had to visit Dhanuskodi and return. I confirmed Sriram that I was in for the ride even before knowing the itinerary. All this was discussed between me and Sriram and Loki was supposed to join us at Tiruvarur on 23rd. We had planned to start on 22nd evening itself to reach Tiruvavrur. Vellore-Tiruvanamalai-Kumbakonam -Tiruvarur was the route finalized to reach Loki .After that we were supposed to take the East Coast Road(ECR) or the SH49 which connects Chennai to Pondicherry and has been extended up to Kanyakumari and is one of the nicest roads to ride on . This was what we planned. But seldom everything goes according to what you have planned. It turned evident very soon in our oncoming ride.

Ride Day 1, 22nd Dec Time -08.00PM - 03.00AM.Finally after waiting for a month the day of ride 22nd Dec came, I was extremely happy and excited for the ride to start. It was time for me to let loose the shackles of daily routine life and turn myself into a wanderer and embrace the sheer pleasure of riding till that point where road has nowhere else to lead.My ride Snowy-pet name for my Dominar was all set filled up with fuel to the brim ready to take its master wherever he wishes.Now the wait was on for its Austrian orangy sibling KTM 390 to arrive .We had planned to start by 6in the evening, it was already 5 and Sriram was still stuck in Office but on the contrary I had left office by 3pm itself thanks to my boss who let me go on my request.These are the days when your good rapport with boss pays off.I had packed everything for the 3 days to come.mounted them on my bike and by 6pm was waiting on NH38, Arni Road, Near CMC Medical College .By this time Sriram has just reached home and his packing was yet to be done.He arrived only by 8pm all this time although i was irked but tried to keep myself calm, thanks to my friend on phone who kept me distracted and busy. So finally Sriram arrived at 8pm, ready with all the excuses like office work, boss not leaving. city traffic etc ,without spoiling my mood anymore i just let it pass as most of the reasons might have been genuine.Yes i knew they were genuine. With the thought to experience Dhanuskodi blue seawaves pampering our feet ,cool seabreeze caressing our forehead, warm sunshine glowing up our eyes we finally started riding.Roads were still busy and occasional traffic at places reason being bridge constructions at some places.We rode straight for 2hrs and then took out dinner break just before reaching Tiruvanamalai.It was initially a tea &puff break but since it was around 10pm we thought let's have dinner aswell.Few Dosas and Omelette and we were done . Received some suggestions from the hotel owner aswell to have chosen bus over bikes.We gave a big smile and left.

Bikes for Day 1

So we continued the ride,we had almost another 200odd KMS to go before we rest for the day.Now the roads started looking deserted ,as there was nothing to look around our full focus was on the road.Riding at night feels awesome as there are less distraction on road and you can maintain a good speed.But there are cons aswell of riding at night, so there we were back in our minds praying god to ward off any unwanted incidents.With trees on both sides of the road and everything dark beyond.For a moment we felt like we were going through some dense forest.We kept riding till another 2hr on the deserted curvy roads and then Sriram had to stop for fuel at Pidagam which was nearly 140kms away from our initial destination.Yes you read it correct there was a change in plan, after filling fuel we had call Loki who said that now he has moved to Manargudi and we have to divert to Manargudi instead of Tiruvarur.In middle of the night around 12AM and we were searching through the GMaps to find our new route.Fortunately both Manargudi and Tiruvarur were equidistant from our current place.Instead of taking a left diversion from Kumbakkonam we had to Ride straight to reach Manargudi.After fixing our new destination we had started again. I don't know how many of you will agree on this, riding at night is really fun but sometimes too much fun becomes problematic.After crossing Ulundurpet we cam onto NH 38.After a long time We came across a straight patch of nicely laid tar.In no time We were doing triple digit speeds.So engrossed were we in our speed that we had actually missed a turn that was supposed to be 3 km back and Google Lady was suggesting a UTurn now.How did we miss the turn? I am the one who was using Google Navigation but Sriram was the one who was leading.Funny Right.I am a slow Rider and always keeps chasing Sriram.This time also he went ahead missing the turn.and I had to chase him down .After the chase was over we took a u turn and then stopped for a coffee break.A strong Kumbakonam Filter Coffee was enough to charge us up for another 3 hr ride.

Coffee Break.

After this we were on the right track.The roads were narrow this time and their curves were unpredictable.Temperature was now declining and without the thermal liner we were not properly prepared for it.Some how we managed and reached Manargudi at around 3.00 am.Loki had already reached Manargudi and booked a stay for us.It was very late and we needed to rest before we start our ride again .Hoping next day to be better we called it a day and crashed into our beds.

Our Stay For The night.

Day 2 was really going to be exciting as we all were riding together to Rameswaram. Beautiful East Coast Road so we thought we can all rush to our destination but that exactly didn't happen.

**krishna77** · 02-13-2018, 09:40 PM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Nice!
But, too much of HDR!

**tuffswooshsamy** · 02-13-2018, 10:45 PM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Originally posted by krishna77 View Post

Nice!
But, too much of HDR!

Yah correct .My Cellphone Camera is set to Auto HDR

**ady2k** · 02-16-2018, 12:16 AM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Nice, Please share more pics.
About night driving, Considering safety, I disagree. I have a friend who prefers to ride at night, and he says its totally a different experience.

**tuffswooshsamy** · 02-19-2018, 01:50 PM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Originally posted by ady2k View Post

Nice, Please share more pics.
About night driving, Considering safety, I disagree. I have a friend who prefers to ride at night, and he says its totally a different experience.

Sorry for the delay , More Pics Comming Soon..About Night driving ,I agree everybit with you aswell as your friend.Its Risky ,at the same time it's Fun and avoid doing it Solo.

**tuffswooshsamy** · 02-25-2018, 04:14 AM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Ride Day 2 ,23rd Dec .

2nd day starts in the bed.We were so comfortably sleeping in our cozy beds that we had forgotten that we were suppose to wake up for our ride .Thanks to our family back home,who still have this habit of waking us up even though we are all grown up,although i agree that we are still lazy to wake up early.So after attending the phone calls we all were awake by 7.00am.Loki had to attend to some Office work so he left early .To kill some time we went to nearby Rajagopalswamy Temple also known as the Dakshina Dwarka(Dwarka Of South).Spread across 23 acres of land, whose ancient portion dates back to 12th century.It was a delightful experience to have visited a temple early morning .We offered prayers and yes we were blessed to have been able to visit this Temple.Thanks to Loki for changing plans at middle of the night.Not everything you plan works out.Travelling teaches you a lot of things, it was a reminder that there is a bigger planner above us all ,believe in him,he has better plans for you.Some Pics from the Temple.Loki had already arranged everything for our darsharn through his contacts in the Temple.

Majestic Temple Entrance

Corridor filled with all these pillars with beautiful sculpture .They seem to have 1000 pillars here .May be more.

One of the Idols. Thankfully they allow cellphones inside

An Elephant

Temple Elephant.A common sight in most of the temples here but this one was in a happy mood.Swinging trunk like a pendulum ,as if it was set in some loop.Enjoyed watching it.After we were done with the Temple visit we returned to our room packed our stuff ,vacated the room had our breakfast in the same hotel and then left towards Thiruthuraipoondi where Loki was waiting for us.
Ready to leave.

From Manargudi to Thiruthuraipoondi It was around 30 km and was the worst patch of road that we rode in our entire Ride.Roads were patchy and broken.Due to this in KTM the clamps used to hold the auxiliary lights gave up.Luckily the wire attached to it saved it from falling off the bike.So we had to stop for some time to dismantle the aux lights and cut the connection. We were another 10 KMS away from Thiruthuraipoondi from there we were suppose to meet Loki and enter the ECR route.From that point onwards roads were buttery smooth.Greeny fields on both sides,white Clouds floating in clear blue sky.It felt so nice to be riding through this.We reached Thiruthuraipoondi met Loki and headed towards Muthupettai -> Thondi.Its the same ECR route that leads you straight to Ramanatahpuram a left turn from there takes you straight to Rameswaram->Dhanuskodi.A proper break was long due now.So we stopped for some tea and puff also to fill petrol.If u ever stop never miss the chance to take pictures.

Selfie With Sriram

Sriram and Loki filled petrol and they left but i could not. The scene opposite to the petrol bunk was so tempting that i had to stop.Parked my bike on the other side of the road and took pics.Just see for yourself if i should have missed this.You have to stop for a while and feel how serene this landscape is.

The bad part of riding with a fixed destination is you have to keep moving constantly.You have to let go your current fixation with beautiful landscapes and look ahead for new ones.That is exactly what we did and we were not disappointed.We had ridden for another 100 KMS or so and then we came across this bridge.We had already crossed some 2-3 bridges by this time all of them tempting us to stop but this one, we had to stop.In Fact we had crossed this one too but Sriram suggested that we should stop and take some clicks.We were so busy clicking pictures that we almost forgot that we were suppose to keep riding.But this place was worth spending some time.

The View on left

View on the right.We even saw some jellyfish floating.May be the sea was close.

Sriram Started Posing

Then it was Loki’s turn

Finally I too Joined in

Bikes also wanted to be left alone for some time

Unknowingly we had spent almost half an hour at this place to gather some memories.We were happy with what we had captured ,enough to keep us happy till we get another such spot. Rameswaram was roughly another 120 km and the day was about to end.We could have munch this distance easily with our powerful machines but we had someone with us who was slowing down things for us. It was Loki,not really Loki but his bike.The Classic 350 was showing its peculiarity.As soon as it's goes beyond 80 kmph it shakes so vigorously that you would feel like it's about to throw you off.Loki must have literally felt like sitting on a bull-et.May be the issue was peculiar only to this classic.So what we did was everytime we would give Loki a 15 min go ahead and we will trace him back again we would go ahead of him and then wait 15 min for him to reach us.This whole process was repeated till we reached Rameshwaram at around 8pm.We did mock him few times for riding this slow but all our laugh was put to silence after hearing this “why don't you try riding the classic” .Both of us didn't even dared to ride the classic,we were happy with our bikes.Before we reached Rameshwaram we had take just 1 break that was during the sunset and some tea.Must say this day was amix of patchy and smooth roads, lovely scenery and a beautiful sunset at the end. Managed to capture it before it went down.

i may not be a morning sunrise person but evening sunset is what i crave for

A riders picture is incomplete without its ride

Another bike another frame but same feeling.Serene

Today the roads were much straighter compared to previous night where we were going nuts over the twist and turns while approaching Manargudi. Dominar light are not efficient on curves but even my extra fitted Aux lamps also were not able to predict as to where the roads were heading.Today we were happy that there were no unwanted surprises like change in plans.We crossed the famous Pamban Bridge and reached Rameswaram .It was already dark so couldnot take nay clicks .After searching for a while we booked a stay which was walkable distance from the main Temple.Its name was Hotel Temple Tower.Rooms were descent for a night stay.

Next day we had planned to visit the Rameswaram temple which is one of the Char Dham(4 Pilgrimage sites ).Hindus consider it highly sacred to visit all the 4 dham during ones's lifetime.Completed 2 dham with this place.

Next day was going to be a seashore ride .Passing through roads with sea on both side ,braving the scorching sun on top, striving the gusty wind blast to reach an abandoned town. Dhanuskodi-The Ghost City .

**nirvaana** · 02-25-2018, 10:29 AM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Great pics.

Did your friend on Classic also write a travelogue? Would be nice to hear from him :P

**tuffswooshsamy** · 02-25-2018, 11:36 AM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Originally posted by nirvaana View Post

Great pics.

Did your friend on Classic also write a travelogue? Would be nice to hear from him :P

[emoji1] Yah will.surely ask him to pen down his experience.Rarely you come across moments that give you jitters while riding this definitely was one of them for Loki.

**ksuresh92** · 04-21-2018, 05:10 PM

Re: 1st Travelogue Vellore-Dhanuskodi

Nice ride !

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