Rendezvous

Finally I have something nice to blog about without having to worry about revealing people's identity. My last few posts are completely only rants. But now I can blog about something that I cherish.

It was early morning on Independence day and I returned back home from my night shift job. Thats when I got a call from Andrew and he said that he and a few other friends had planned for a ride to Pondichery on bike and he asked me whether I could join them. This was just the beginning and the plan kept changing rapidly for the next half an hour and we finally decided on Kodaikanal as the destination. I was not even sure who were coming and how much money would I need. But I was determined to go on this trip.

I couldn't tell this to my parents as I was very sure that they would not let me go for the trip. So I told them that I would be going to Yelagiri by car and they agreed to it. I got a call from Andrew again and I got to know that Siddharth, Srikanth and Karthik would be the other people. We had three bikes, my Pulsar 220, Siddharth's Karizma and Andrew's Enticer. We started our journey from Koyambedu.

The traffic was quite heavy till we crossed a place called Guduvanchery, but after that it was very free. We started hitting decent speeds from there on and we were having solid fun. I had my throttle pinned most of the times and my bike was touching speeds of 120kmph even with a pillion. We took turns carrying the pillion with us. We reached Trichy in about 6 hours averaging almost 60kmph which was a pretty good pace.

We reached Dindigul in no time again and we were keeping up the pace. But from there on it started getting a little slow. The roads were getting worse and it was a two-lane road. It was getting darker by the moment and we were told that no bikes will be allowed uphill after 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm. So we had no other choice other than to pace up again. We did it with a risk and the breaks became shorter.

We finally reached the foot hills of Kodai by 7.00 pm and we took one final break before we started with the climb. Once we started it was again an awesome experience. The path was completely dark and it was getting cooler with every passing mile. We stopped at a few tea stalls on the way just to make ourselves feel warmer. We reached Kodai at 9.30 pm and it was cold. Temperatures were hovering at about 10 - 13 degrees.

It was only then that we knew that there were no rooms available. We were hungry but we couldn't go to eat unless we found a room. We finally managed to rent a room in a house for 3,000 rupees. We retired for the day after that. We got up only by 12.00 pm the next day. Once we got up, Andrew told us that he would be leaving the same evening to Chennai. So we decided to cover as many places as possible in Kodai. We had our lunch and decided to go to the suicide point and then everything took an unexpected turn.

We tried to convince Andrews but he didn't listen. We got frenched in Kodai and the temperatures were pretty low. We had to find a new room as the one we were staying was very costly. We also had to buy clothes to keep ourselves warm. The thing was that all this was supposed to be done amidst a tight financial position. We managed it somehow and Andrews left as planned and I gave him my bike as I thought it would be unsafe with his bike as his electricals would stop working sometimes. Next day we started knowing that Andrews reached Chennai safely. On the way I lost my mobile phone as it fell down in pitch darkness while I was riding. I tried searching, but I couldn't find it. Other than a puncture to Sid's bike, there was no major issues while returning back. I walked into my office directly after my long journey and thats when I took time to realise what I'd done.

I enjoyed the ride throughout. But I still regret the fact that I'd to lie to my Mom about this which was a big gamble in many ways. Happy that everything went on fine. Thank you guys for making this a memorable trip.

Cheers.

Posted by Venkat at 11:16 PM | 2 comments Links to this post  

Posted by Venkat at 7:03 PM | 2 comments Links to this post  

I've been writing a lot about me and people around me in recent days. Here I'm again to do the same stuff. Yesterday and today were two completely ------------ days ( help me find a good alternative word for " opposite ", even something harsh is acceptable ).Yesterday I was flying with enthusiam, eager, self belief, confidence, a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction and it goes on. I did something that I've wanted to do for a long time. I had all the positive stuff with me yesterday. But today, what ever I did turned out to be a shit.

Today morning, I woke up by myself so as to drop my brother at the railway station ( most of the times my mom has to kick me out of my sleep mode ). It was all pretty normal until I dropped my brother at the station. When coming back, there was this old man who was coming out of the parking lot. He saw me and stopped there. I spotted him when I was at some far distance itself. I was driving pretty slowly only. I blinked my eye and the next moment I saw was the old man on his bike right in front of me withing some 5-6 metres. Yes people, what you think did happen. I finally crashed and fell off my P220 [ ;( ]. Thanks to my crash guard, my bike didn't suffer much damage.

Please spare a thought for me guys. I hurt my leg pretty well. My right leg hit something I didn't notice, probably the other bike and it has swollen a few inches below my knee. I also have two dark spots on the same leg due to it getting burnt when it touched the silencer. Thank goodness, it wasn't too hot. My rear view mirror hit my chest and it is also paining as of now. But I didn't shed blood and all. As soon as I fell, I said to myself, " Thank God, She wasn't with me " and then after I recovered I told myself, " Why did this have to happen to me? ".

It was then pretty normal day as I successfully managed to ensure that my parents don't notice the damage that has happened to me and my bike. I was thinking that the crash should be the only bad moment for the day. But damn me again!!! What an idiot I am?? I did something stupid which I can't tell anyone as I've already done enough damage to myself. I lost respect towards myself. Thats all I can say. I'm bad at expressing what I want to convey. I suck at it big time and it never works for me.

To add to this, I got to speak to my old friend. It was amazing to speak to her but I was completely lost within myself. I didn't know what I was doing. It was just yesterday that I was speaking about this old friend to her. I never expected her to get back and actually request me to speak to her. That was a surprise but it got me into a confused state. I came back home pretty early today and then went shopping. I bloody lost 40 bucks without my knowledge. I came back home and my mom wanted me to make dosas as she wasn't feeling well. I was making it and to add to all the other things through the day, I got my finger burnt. What an amazing day?? Can it get any better?[ ;( ].

Why am I ranting here rather than trying to sort out whatever can actually be sorted? That is because I'm clueless what I got to do and where I stand. Bloody, I feel so very deserted and I just see one person in whatever I do. I sign off. No more emotions here.

Posted by Venkat at 9:51 PM | 1 comments Links to this post  

Labels: Rant

Just went through Guru's blog about the ride that we did on the day of the choreo night at IIT-M Saarang '09. Check out his blog for more details about the ride. I'm way too lazy to write it. It won't be realistic too as it will miss all the vigour that would have been there had it been written then. I know all these are just mere reasons for my laziness, but guys I can't help it.

After my first crash fall enroute to Pondy, it always used to haunt me whenever Guru proposed a plan to Pondy. I even hate travelling through ECR. But I felt that it was time to slay the demons and finally, I decided to ride out my fears off at night!!! How bizzare can it get?? I managed to do it comfortably. ( My Dad just came by me and thank goodness that he didn't see what I was writing about. My parents are unaware about this ride :P ). I was so very eager that I, at one point of time, started to push Guru to do the ride irrespective of the condition ( He proposed to get back home if it was too unsafe ) and managed to convince him I guess.

The chill weather was amazing initially and then got worse as time went by. I was just wearing the T-shirt and didn't carry my woollen jacket which I carried on my last ride to Yelagiri. At one point of time, the going got so very tough as my intestines started to shiver ( Believe me or not. I experienced it ). Here are a few things that I won't forget :

• There was a turn along the ECR which I was taking at some 50-60 kmph when I saw a bus coming towards me at a faster speed with its headlight turned off!!! What was the driver A55h0le thinking?? My handlebars just missed the bus.
• The experience at the beach at 12.00 a.m. I've never been at the beach at that time of the night. The breeze and the sound was amazing.
• The ride through the dark road between Pondy and Thindivanam. It was some 40+ km stretch and it was a experience of a lifetime and I don't think I'll ever travel through such a road at 2 in the morning.
• The way I rode through NH45. I was happy with my sense of riding on a highway. I've come a long way and felt comfortable using my high beam-low beam combo along with my rear view mirror and indicators to good effect. This is the first time ever that I felt Guru finding it tough to keep up with me and finding it tough to cope up with the condition when I was just cruising through. He had genuine reasons though.
• Riding though thick mist was also special. I experienced it even during the Yelagiri trip, but then this was way too thick and way too dark. I wasn't able to see a vehicle that was some 10 metres from me.
• The last 50km to Chennai was my toughest ride till date. Even the dark stretch that I did during this time was ok. In the sense, I was way too sleepy. I wasn't tired though. I couldn't shut my visor as the visibility was poor. But when I opened it and when accidently some dust went into my eye, I used to find it tough to even open my eye after shutting it!!! I have no clue how I managed to ride till Guru's place.
• How can I not compliment my bike. The filter needs to be cleaned and it choked when we stopped for a long duration and started again. But once it started flowing, there was no stopping my blue coloured beauty. I'm completely in love with it.

The bikes again were my Pulsar 220 and Guru's Unicorn. For other technical details about the dsitance and stuff, check out Guru's blog and we seem to be getting along well as fellow travellers :P !!! This ride would be right up there in the list of the most bizzare things that I've done in my life. One small mistake would have cost me so much right from respect that my parents have for me to the most obvious, money!!!

Posted by Venkat at 11:03 PM | 0 comments Links to this post  

Labels: Bajaj Pulsar 220, IIT Saarang, Night ride, Pondichery, Pondy ride, Saarang '09, Unicorn

I think I've started posting very frequently now in the past few days. So much is happening around me that I'm starting to wonder about each and everything. I've also figured out that I've been writing a lot of tiny posts expressing the state of my mind. This is something similar and unless you know me very well, I don't think you are going to understand a sentence in this post. Second day on a trot I've enjoyed my day. I've started doing things that I've always wanted to. I'm finding myself more expressive. All that I can say is that I am very very happy at the moment and life feels like bliss. I would love to have my life flow like i this manner always. Hoping for many more such wonderful days. Cheers!!!

P.S. : The person of interest who has been the reason behind this happiness never wanted me to be very descriptive and guess I've done the same. [@M : Anything for you!!!]

Posted by Venkat at 9:04 PM | 0 comments Links to this post  

Labels: Rant

Yes, today was a day similar to a roller coaster ride. I had my own moments of happiness and sadness. I was very happy because my bestest ( Can anyone help me with a better word? ) good friend came out with me without speaking a word when I asked her to. Not that this is the first time that we went out. But every single time, we end up having to convince each other. I try to convince her to come and she has her own reasons not to come and I will have to fight and try hard for quite sometime. But this time everything went as per plan.

I desperately wanted to go out today as I won't be able to step out for most part of tommorrow and the New Year's eve due to some domestic issues. Hence this was supposed to be a big moment and I should thank Guru for having helped me out today with this. We had good time at the Besant Nagar beach. I never wanted to leave that place within just one hour of being there. But damn the traffic. It sucks big time and we had to start early so as to come home in time. It almost took us more than one hour and fifteen minutes for the destination. It would not take more than half an hour if there is no traffic. So started back disappointingly. But then, to be frank, this is one of the happiest moments this year. I'd have liked to click a few pics today, but then, Guru seemed totally out of sorts and he was acting quite weird and never let us take a pic!!!

Coming to point of me being sad. I'm finding myself very very attached with my bike these days specially after my road-trip which kindled the love in me for my awesome awesome bike. I have all the reasons in the world to be unhappy today. I had parked my bike outside my house today morning and someone destroyed the decals of my bike. Damn!! I hate it very much. It has already happened to me and it took so long to get it set right. But today I was shattered and I almost broke down. Not that I'm trying to be too romantic with my bike or trying to make the issue big, but I felt so very attached with my bike. The very moment I saw it I felt like - " Damn! Why do you guys have to do it? It looks better when the decals were there. " I didn't know what to do other than look around the bike for any other damage. Luckily, there were none.

The second reason for me being unhappy was because of the ****ing guys at Pro-Biking, Adyar. These guys don't understand one thing. Its my bike and it is upto them to prepare the bike according to my needs. They never set the brakes right. After every service, I have to ask them to re-do the brake system and they do nothing more than a shitty job with it. My braking has gone on an all time low. They almost don't stop my bike. During this service, I guess they also tampered with my suspension system I guess. Its gone way too soft and my bike nose-dives during every single stop/deceleration. This time, it didn't stop there. They have not even done anything right with the engine I guess. The engine has lost its crisp and it goes off mid way while riding.

What the ****? This is supposed to be the best bike made in the country and all I expect is proper work done. The worst part is that they provide something called free service and this time my bill came to almost thousand bucks and nothing has been done properly. Every time I have to go to Adyar from my place at Anna Nagar to get the work done. They want me give them the bike by 9 in the morning for which I have to start by atleast 8. Damn them!!! The next time I go there, I'm going to screw them just the way they've screwed my bike.

I'm left wondering what I have to do. I'm not sure whether I'm happy or whether I'm sad. I've had my moments as I said. I again have to thank Guru for making this a better day for me.

Cheers!!!

Posted by Venkat at 10:07 PM | 1 comments Links to this post  

Labels: Adyar, Besant Nagar, Pro Biking, Rant

This Christmas, me and Guru had been on a trip to Yelagiri. We did it by bike. He is now a proud owner of a black Unicorn and I own a Pulsar 220 ( Guess you know ). We started at 5.30 a.m. and we kept riding very tentatively in the first part. The safety first thing had got too much into our head and I find it to be pretty good as it helped us settle into a proper rhythm. I was hungry and wanted to drink a cup of tea. But then we decided against it and we kept on riding upto Vellore where we had our breakfast. On the way, we stopped for a few butt breaks and then managed to click a few pics. I was wondering where I was. The highway was completely covered in thick mist and the visibility was kind of poor even when it was around 8 a.m.. There were a few places where we could see almost nothing along the highway. We decided to keep up a constant speed of about 70 kmph and reached Vellore by 8.30 a.m..

I was enjoying riding my bike as I had to keep it at 70 kmph knowing that it was very well capable of more than that. To be frank, it was kind of hard to keep it at that speed for I wanted to open the throttle for atleast a small distance. But the fuel budget and the fact that the Unicorn was yet to be given for its first service made us keep up constant speed. We had already done a Vellore ride and even then we had enquired about the distance to Yelagiri. So we had some idea what it would take. The highway on the other side of Vellore was as good as the previous section. Infact it was much better. We still weren't able to see what was along the road.


We kept cruising at constant speed. We reached the foot of the hill quite soon than we expected and we started riding slowly through the twisted road. The road was pretty good and we rode really slow to enjoy the scenery. Guru was trying to capture a few videos while riding and it did come pretty well. I wish that he had did it using a higher resolution in my cam. We reached the top at around 11-11.15 a.m. and had plenty of time there. We actually thought we would reach there only at around 1 p.m. when we started in the morning. Though we had time, we didn't have enough places there. We went to the lake nearby and inspite of me dead against boating, Guru wanted to do it as he felt that the climate was too good to ignore boating. Yes, I agree the climate was good with the sun shining bright along with the chill breeze but I felt that it would have been better to just sit by the lake and enjoy.


We gave boating a shot and finally Guru felt that I was right. We then took a seat by the lake and ate some gorgeous plum cake that I had taken along. We were actually enjoying the climate with some good bird watching ( @Guru : Am talking about the blue bird [;)] ). We made plans for the rest of the ride and left the lake by 1.30 p.m.. We planned to have our lunch somewhere down the hill. I ate one of my favourite fruit which is available only there ( I guess and they call it the "Star Fruit" because of its shape). I somehow like it a lot and Guru didn't. It tastes kind of tangy and sour and it tastes crispy and very good specially when you eat it with the salt and chilly powder. It is something that you have to try out there.


We then started riding downhill with our engines turned off. I was initially hesitant with this idea, but then Guru convinced me and we did what we called Eco-riding. We then soon hit the highway and Guru wanted to try out the Ambur biriyani. Ask him for his experience with the food. We took loads of butt breaks in between and clicked a few pics. The mist had cleared up and we were blown over by the surrounding. We then rode back to Vellore where we reached at around 4.45 p.m.. We (Yes, even Guru!!) had our lunch at the same hotel where we had our breakfast.


We again hit the highways and then rode at good speeds so as to avoid driving in the dark as much as possible. Guru felt that his head-lights won't be effective enough. We covered quite a distance in the available sunlight and then took a long butt break again. The darkness had set in and we thought it would be really tough to get home soon. Once we started riding, we got into the groove and started experimenting few things with our headlights. Even before we realised, we started maintaing decent speeds and did well to reach home by 7.45-8.00 p.m.. I realised one thing after the ride. I had completely fallen in love with my bike. It felt amazing all the way through. I was very excited to complete this ride as it was one of my dream rides that I wanted to do. I also fine-tuned my driving skills on the highway.


We had done a total of 450.1 kms ( according to my reading and 442.4 according to Guru's reading ) i through the day. The best part was that we didn't swap bikes and hence it was a personal achievement for both of us with our bikes. I am so very happy with the way this ride went on. One of my friend found me too very excited and happy and that person felt that Yelagiri had worked magic on me. Well, I'm still trying to find out whether it was Yelagiri that worked the magic on me or was it my bike!!! Hoping to do a few more rides like this in the times to come.


Trip Log :

Total Distance : 450.1 kms
Total Fuel : 10 litres ( + may be another half a litre or so )
Mileage : ~ 42 - 45 kmpl
Total Time : ~ 14 hours and 30 minutes

Cheers!!!

P.S. : Wondering what are butt breaks? Well then, experience a long distance bike ride to know what it is exactly.

Posted by Venkat at 8:56 AM | 1 comments Links to this post  

Labels: Bike ride, Pulsar 220, Road Trip, Trip Log, Unicorn, Vellore, Yelagiri Trip