It is hard to believe that 24 hours ago, I was carefully negotiating the unmanned ghat section of a hill station and at present, I am sitting at home with the material comforts of a modern lifestyle. This year has been so drastic with the changes it brings. One day I am somewhere in no man's land and the other day, I am totally in an urban modern lifestyle. So, it was another weekend of travel and this time, I just fell short of the 1000 Kms mark by just 100 Kms. The tan from the other side of the coast is slowly fading and I found myself drenched in torrential rain last evening during the return journey of the trip. Bubbles, you keep asking me to do this and that but, whatever I do, wherever I go, you are always the one for me.
Before we go deep into this post, a quick shout-out to the 'lorry'. Thank you, 'Lorry', for the safe journeys over a couple of years covering 25000 Kms and counting till date.
So, after finding myself at wit's ends, I had made an impromptu trip that was supposed to be a visit to the family members. But, during the return journey, I found myself at a crossroad that said an additional 200 Kms could take me to a hill station that has always been missing in my list. Without thinking any further, I decided to take the road leading to the hillstation. Yercaud! Finally, conquered.
But, with almost a decade into this Biking chapter, it happened only yesterday. The road to Yercaud from Bengaluru is simply a driver's delight. Except for few road works that bring a frown on our face, the journey is so fast and thrilling.
So, I started at Noon yesterday from Bengaluru and proceeded towards the town of Salem. And, after a quick refuel, I approached the ghat section of Yercaud when a mild drizzle welcomed me into the ghats. I took my time and clicked a handful of photos to celebrate the 25000 Kms mark with the 'lorry'. The place as such did not interest me. It was the journey that brought in a sense of adventure. I had enquired about the other side of the hill that would be so deserted and would involve a mild off-road adventure ride to reach the town connecting the rest of the highway.
With daylight fading fast, I had to ride down the hill before the threat of summer rains looms large. This, being the season for sudden and wild thunderstorms, I had packed my luggage with a spare footwear, rain wear and even winter jacket just in case the night chill was unbearable to ride. So, with these gear packed, nothing seemed to be stopping me from riding nonstop back home.
It was a 400 Kms journey ahead. The more I ride, the more I felt comfortable. This was strange. I was not tiring out. So, I kept pushing harder down the hill and reached the off-road section. It was too much for the 'lorry' to take because the 'lorry' comes under the supersports segment and what I was asking it to do was off-roading. Still, it was so adventurous and after reaching a small village, I stopped to take a drink. The calmness, the greenery, the lifestyle of those people made us urban creatures look like aliens there. The unchanged Life of the good old times was so evident that they still appear to be many generations behind in terms of lifestyle and technology.
After a relaxing evening chat with the village seniors who were seated under a tree to discuss about their day also had some time to talk to me about the 'lorry' and my weird looking Biking gear. When I told them about my return journey of 400 Kms for the night, they forced me to leave before it gets too dark fearing wild animal movements along the deserted ghat section ahead. It felt like they were strangers few minutes ago but their care made them like our own near and dear.
Upon carefully riding through the rough and neglected stretch of the ghats, I finally rode downhill to a place where the highway seemed to the dividing line between two mountain ranges. On one side was Yercaud and the other side was the Kalrayan Forest range. It was such a beautiful sight to enjoy while riding on a Bike and as the daylight fell, the rains had begun.
I had quickly changed to my wet weather riding gear and it was so much fun to ride through the dark and densely vegetated rural highways. At many places, I found branches of trees falling within few yards from where I was and lightning strikes touching the ground in the nearby terrain. It felt like a video game but there was a mild fear that this being reality, there is no room for any error. I rode a full 150 Kms to reach the vast expressway and that was it.
The remainder of the journey was to be on this expressway and I decided to stop at our favourite coffee shop to sit and relax for the late evening. Since this coffee shop was near our city, I could feel the summer heat giving me that mucky feel and I changed to my airy riding gear and packed the rain gear back. This cafe sits facing a mountain and the expressway separates them both. For a late evening sip of coffee, this seemed perfect. And, as I let go of the 'lorry' and sit back to relax, as ever, Bubbles \(^_^)/ takes over. It felt like you and me sitting and enjoying our usual talks for the evening.
I never felt tired. It was the sense of returning to this city where Bubbles \(^_^)/ resides that kept giving me the energy. I skipped dinner and rode nonstop to reach home in a couple of hours. The journey was over. Now, it was time to get back to the hot seat. Constantly stressed and pressurised, this is the seat for everyone to simply avoid. With you vanishing from the tracker, I sit and wait for you to come here again. Bubbles \(^_^)/ -rPhoenix
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