Kodaikanal Bike trip [Aug 2008]

All of my previous trips are less then 400Kms. I thought my bike might get into troubles if I stretch it beyond 400+ in a single day. But how long I can resist myself from not involving into road trips, I always feel like I am born to roam around. I never liked traveling inside Bangalore, only I go out if it is completely necessary. Came to Bangalore in the mid of 2003, almost 6 years, but still I am not sure where the intersection of MG road and Brigade road is. Whoever(I do not mean above 45) come to Bangalore would be tempted to visit MG Road first ! This was not the case with me, I am sure this is a characteristic which makes me a different kind. After all I came here to make money, not just get into this dreamy urban culture. I wanted to stay as much as lazy possible.

Planned decisively to Kodaikanal, no second thought this time. I know partial route until Gopichettipalayam. It is Tamilnadu afterward. So I have no concern about maps, distance etc ... One of my college-mate Palani(Its not a place name) agreed to accompany me there. We planned for two day stay in Kodai. For me itinerary will be four days. As usual serviced the vehicle, changed oil, purchased some ready to eat items. I aimed at August 15 which is a holiday, took off by 14th, now it sums up to 4 days. Early morning 4.30 started the engine, there were some of my usual passerby neighbors who gave me "All the best, have a nice time", by barking loudly and chasing me until the end of street. A nice beginning, warm start !! Took left in Banashankari circle, this time plan is not to go to Mysore and going through Kanakapura, Malavalli. I know the route good until Kanakapura, because I had visited Mekedatu many times. Until Kanakapura roads are good and not much traffic except few trucks and stray dogs. I started towards Malavalli, now the good roads are shadowing behind, could see only pot holes everywhere. Drastically reduced my speed now, consoled myself saying this won't last forever, there will be a good road ahead after some distance. But there is nothing, I was keep on moving ... Malavalli ... Kollegal ... Chamrajnagar. Ha, I am exhausted now, all the way I was scolding government authorities, passerby people were looking strange at me, so though they would think I am scolding them, shut my mouth up!

Near and after Chamrajnagar I could see a good patch of road, relieved somehow. But after 4 to 5 Kms the roads were in worst condition, bus fellows are just patching me with a dust. There were many private buses, luckily my overcoat is very good enough to cover myself completely. Otherwise I could have to park my body in a garage for a water-wash. After Chamrajnagar the forest boundary starts, roads are changing worst to good. Due to the previous day's rain the wind was so chill and ride was pleasant. I saw a sign board stating that "Tamilnadu border starts", all of a sudden the road condition changes to good to excellent. I am not completely biased here, the roads are remarkably put. You can easily accelerate to 140+ with out having any fear of getting a pot hole in the middle. After some distance Thimbam ghat section starts, zig-zag ride, a pleasant one. No much vehicle population in this road, stopped in the top of the hill to have a fresh tea.

Time crossed 12.30PM, started sliding down, many thoughts in my mind, where to stop for lunch? when approximately I can reach Kodai ??? Kept moving fast ... crossed Bannari ... Satyamangalam ... Gopichettipalayam. It is time to ask the correct route, asked locals, no one is clear, one truck driver clearly had given me the details. You can take either Kangayam or through P.Puliyampatti route, both of them are very good. I had chosen Kangayam one, planned to have lunch there, as well while coming back I planned for the next route. Reached Kangayam at around 2.50PM, many hotels, you don't need to look around. Its Tamilnadu, just close your eyes, the smell of sambar will tell you where and how the hotel is !! Had a special meals worth 35 bucks, it was awesome. One addition is Ghee from Oothukuli the nearby town, which is very well known for butter. Its hot sun, In Tamilnadu there is zero humidity most of the times, I am used to it from my childhood and I like it very much. Removed my overcoat, crossed Dharapuram. I was going non stop most of the times, my back started crying, I needed some rest; could not find a single big Banyan tree, everywhere only Tamarind trees, those will not give good shade. On the way I spotted a water tap(Its TN, there won't be canals like Karnataka), washed my face. After some distance there was a well and a garden(Thottam in tamil), looked like a good place for resting.

Switched off the engine, took off all the baggage, moved a big stone to support my back. Ha, what a comfort a stone can provide in such a place. I can't just explain that in words. The wind was getting cool so the engine. Stopped there for 30 mins, just to cool down the engine. Its time to start again, After Dharapuram, Palani city comes, there is a famous temple for Lord Muruga situated here. Its one of the "Arupadai Veedu" (Six houses) for Lord Muruga. (Own house or rented, I don't know). After Palani, Kodai is 60 Kms, out of that 40kms is sure a ghat road. Really a fun ahead, It was 4.45PM. Started climbing up, Once after reaching the ghat roads the climate changed completely, at 5.30PM fog blocked the view, nothing is visible. I have a high/low beam option, used both of them to identify the edges of the road. I was moving quite slow, this is absolutely important. A perfect Rider has 100% responsibility not only for his life, also for others life as well.

At 6.00PM it was killing cold, I stopped bike and took out my hand cloves. I always carry them even if I don't use it. Now the ride was somehow manageable. Reached police check-post, paid 10 bucks for my two wheeler. Policeman checked all my baggage suspecting that I am terrorist, might be the riding gear made him to suspect me. Even after showing all my identity he was specifically interested in my company ID card, so guys don't underestimate the value of your employee ID, it might save your already soured *** at some critical time. Finally reached Kodaikanal at around 7.00PM. So more then 2Hours climb. Got a room in "Hotel RUBY Internatinal", it is very start of Kodaikanal called "Moonjikkal". settled down all my packages, had a warm bath. Now went around to have a food, there are many hotels nearby, but none of them are good. None of them are clean, so asked everyone around for good vegetarian hotel. Finally found one near to the bus stand (I am really sorry here, Forgot the name, it was almost 6 months before). The next two days I had never gone to another veg hotel, the one I went for Biriyani is a different story, that is "Thirunelveli Nadar Hotel" near bus stand.

It was a pleasant night with no dreams! Next day morning my friend Palani came to room around 8.00PM. We planned to see the nearby places on that day, no plans were there in mind for next day. Our schedule is to visit the Lake first, at 10 we were at Lake, the ariel view it looks like a perfect star. There is a name too for it "Star lake". The around lake distance is 6Kms, made us to open our mouth widely! There are hundreds of bicycles for rent, just rent them one and start riding around the lake. It would be a worthwhile experience. We had chosen to walk, talking all things happened in the past, mimic-ed HOD, and the lady lecturer, followed the girls in the tour, got zero marks in Set theory paper .... We are near to the boat house now, so took tickets for Pedal boats, 1 hour the charge is 40 bucks, you can extend the time if needed. They are in perfect condition, you need to cycle the pedal 100 times to cross 1 meter, isn't it a nice exercise! Palani is capable of crossing that lake non stop, I used see him swimming the Sivagalai lake(which is a lengthy one, might spreads over 3kms). After having fun in lake we moved for lunch, tasted Nadar's Biriyani made in Nelli style (Thirunelveli is called Nellai).

After lunch we went to Coaker's walk, a place where you can get awesome view of the valley. This place is named after a British man who found this place. We took many snaps here, by nature this is a great place, but the crowd which pulls you there and here will not allow you to enjoy it to the maximum. So prepared to come here by week days. Weekends you will see kids, kids everywhere. End of the other side there are many shops which provide you variety of oils, normal coconut oils to pain killers. You can buy them, all of them available other side too have the similar quality. We want to get the night view from that place, so planned to come in the late evening again. Went to hotel, had a nap, around 6.30PM walked back to Cocker's walk, due to the fog visibility was less, few people around this time. There was a brief silence only the breeze broke it often, we stayed there until they close it, around 8PM. Came back to hotel room after having some idlies and parotas (Not the north indian paratha).

Next day morning 7AM we rented two cycles and planned to visit the places which comes in the same route. The places are 500 year old tree, Green valley, Guna cave, Pine tree forest and a small trek until the Piller rock. It is an uphill, so we struggled a lot to pedal the cycles forward, but that was an unmemorable experience, which lasts until the end of your life. We visited all the places en-route, took many snaps. One good thing is you don't need to lock the bicycle, it doesn't come with a lock. I could see the "Mutual Belief system" working. On the way you spot many English names in some big Villas, all of them came here around 50/100 years before, they explored this land and made the beauty visible to the world. We sat under some trees on the peak for a while, fog comes and goes, at some time we were completely blinded by it. Started drizzling, might be we mistook the fog. Started cycling down, effortless ride, just used brakes. On the way we purchased walnut, cherrys, and some dry fruits as well some chocolates, dirty cheap here. You need to bargain though!

Bicycle rent had cost us 100 bucks. After having lunch my friend thought of going home early, so I took him to bus stand, he left around 3.30PM. I roamed myself until 9.00PM. Planned to leave by next day morning at 9.00AM. Delayed due to the non-availability of petrol until 10AM. Atlast I filled-up the tank and started my journey back. I was not sad to say a Goodbye to Kodai, because I know that I will be back at some point of time again! I had chosen not to travel in the early morning, because ghat roads are more enjoyable at day time. Yes it was, Kodai to Palani is the best ghat road, with zero pot holes. The view from the top would be awesome when you reach near to the downhills. I had many snaps, you can see the zig-zag roads from the top. One thing to remind here, if you come by bus, you will have only time to vomit most of the times, or smelling a lemon always with a fear of vomitting; won't be having enough time to enjoy the surroundings. So don't prefer closed driving unless until you are not really fit for bike travel. This time after Palani I had choosen P.Puliampatti route, but this road is more open, much windy, lots of wind-farms all the way. If you have good bike choose this one, otherwise choose Kangayam route. Traveled through Pollachi, Bhavani, Mettupalayam, Sirumugai, Bannari and Satyamangalam. Its 5.30PM, so decided to halt in Sathy. Took a room dropped all baggage had a bath and went for a Chettinad style hotel, no second though after seeing Idly and chicken in the menu board(They can not afford giving everyone a junk Booklet with items only in it) !! Came back to room and slept.

Started again by 5AM next day, same route through Thimbam (Doesn't matter how many times I travel, I like this road very much), Chamrajnagar, Kolllegal, Mallavalli, Kanakapura and Bangalore. It was almost non-stop ride, very few stops also very fast(average 55kms/hr). Might be for splendor+ it is a good speed. At around 11.45 I was in front of my home! The trip has ended, but not the desire for tripping, it is a wave and constantly comes when you are depressed and goes when you think I am done enough. But it never stops for any reason until .....

I had given some information of my odometer values observed at the trip time here for the reference. Covered both the ways, one side distance is almost 460Kms. Route map can be seen from mapsofindia.com

http://www.mapsofindia.com/driving-directions-maps/nh209-driving-directions-map.html