Awesome day today !
Before going to bed last night, sorted everything out for the morning. Wiped down the headwear, gloves, bags, helmet, sprayed the helmet with “helmet interior cleaner”. Yes such a thing exists, and makes sense. The helmet acts like a room you are boxed in all day, your window to the outside. Only makes sense it’s kept clean and sanitized, and fragrant !
Woke up by 5, packed up, made myself some coffee, and headed to check out. Breakfast was to be served at 730, I was to leave by 8. Loaded up the bike, while sweating like a pig even at 7am. Had breakfast and was off by 745.
The weather was ok, the roads were great for the most part, crossed a few towns, took very few breaks. Finally took a left away from the coast and towards the green forest area.
The fuel range indicator said 120kms, the distance remaining was 60 kms. Fair enough.
The roads became narrower, the roadsides became lush green, the temperature started lowering… Almost 2 degrees every 1000 ft of climb. This was the best ride day I’ve had so far. Winding roads of top notch tarmac, and very little traffic.
Halfway through the mountains, took a break and parked the bike. After starting it again, I see the range as only 60 kms. 50 more kms of drive. Which was showing 120 kms a few mins ago. 10 kms was too little of a buffer and now that got me nervous. Starting using optimal gear shifts and RPMs to ensure i reach munnar in the fuel capacity left. After the next break, it started showing 108 kms on the range again. Something definitely wrong with the fuel computer on this bike. Not the first time I’m noticing it. Somehow made it to the top, and the range still showed 80 kms left. It has a mind of its own.
Saw a nice hotel, booked it online while standing outside and then went in.
Dumped my luggage, ate some food and headed out again, this time to vattavada, apoarently the end of this mountain range. Again, beautiful roads, 45 kms to vattavada, crossed a million acres of tea plantations, spice gardens and so on. Breathtaking scenery. Surprised I’ve never been here in the 23 years down south. Crossed a wildlife sanctuary while on the way, reached vattavada, nothing much to see here. Found out there is a tribal colony and a viewpoint on top of a mountain nearby. So headed there next.
Roads were worse than Bangalore – well was nothing but a horrible stony path climb of 6 kms or so. Took about 30 mins to reach the top. No cars, only 4x4s crawling up.
Reached the top, and pictures can’t so justice to what I saw from up there. Amazing stuff, but it was time to head back. The forest reserve I had come through would close the gates by 6, leaving me stuck there. So headed back, and made it out by 530.
Stopped by a tea factory, situated in the middle of tea gardens, which is also where they package all the stuff and sell it. Pickep up a few things there and headed back to the hotel.
Time for dinner and to crash.
Pics worth drooling over…
