Southern Raid 2 - Marathon

Thermometer down the south showed frequent low temperature, and some lady named cyclones kissed the shores of Bay of Bengal occasionally and it is rain every where. During this time our plans for the 'Southern Raid' was on. This ride is considered very special because for the first time all the South Indian Jawa-Yezdi clubs ( Chennai - Bangalore - Mangalore - Mysore - Trivandrum) took part in this.

Destination : Chennai - Kodaikannal (600 km one side)

In October monthly meet the destination is fixed as Kodaikanal , and the date as December 3rd -5th, 2010. As usual some members nodded and others were blank,thought it is not possible to go such long distance. Some were confidence about their health, irrespective of their age and their Machine. The cost for the trip and details were provided by Srini(Moderator of Roaring Riders) and waited for the YES_NO reply. It took a time for most of the members to decide on the trip.

The rooms were booked, momentoe, badges were ordered, Banners got printed and all were set for the ride. The bike papers were checked and bikes got serviced. Now we are waiting
for day and praying the god for Rain free weather.

Day 1 - Dec 3rd,2010.

My alarm cried at 2.30am. which was not a usual time for my clock. I got up from my bed and freshen up. I sipped a glass of Kattan coffee(Black coffee) made by Mom. By 3.00am I was out from my home, and throttled towards direction of Airport. Around 3.30am, I was waiting near the Hotel Radison, and I saw a huge guy crossing me waving hands in Yezdi. Later I came to know he is 'Rassu kutty'.

4.30am most of the riders were present and as expected, some were late. Backup car ( shy Jai's - our sweep) was loaded
with baggage, tool and small person like Hassan. The route map and reflector jacket were distributed. 5.00pm the first batch left from the spot. We decided to have a first stop at Vilupuram for breakfast, which is 150km from Chennai.

Luckily the weather looked very pleasant for riding. We crossed Chennai - Chengalpattu and reached Villupuram around 8.00 am without any hassles. We stopped at an hotel for Hot iddlies, oily pongal and desi chutnies. We filled our stomach, and the next plan was were to fill our fuel tanks? We took the Villupuram by pass, crossed Dinidivanum and reached Trichy were we filled our tank full. Till we cross Trichy the route was excellent and there was no issues with the bikes or rider. The weather stayed calm and cool.

Next our ride was towards Dindukal direction, for Lunch stop. By 3.00pm we reached Dindukal. This place is famous for 'Thalapaakatti Biriyani'. Some guys wanted biriyani, and so went for the search of real Biriyani, and following them Silk Jai too went loosing the way. After lunch, we moved towards Vathalagundu, and one point of junction towards your right you will find a board pointing Kodikannal 52km. The watch showed 5.30pm, its getting darker and all we want is to reach the Kodai city before rain. The ghat road looked very dangerous and most of the path is damaged due to rain and lights were very poor. Some of our fog lights did'nt worked. Any how we managed to cross half of the distance and took a small Chai break near the falls.

My bike had some problem to climb the hills because I have changed the 'jet' which comes in carborater for better milleage. Sekar ( Engineer) gave me the confidence to ride and some tips to ride. It was pitch dark, the Mini buses in opposite direction were riding mad. Quiet risky one, which I realised later. Srini backed up me till I reach the destination. We reached the Hotel CS around 7.30pm. As I parked my bike, I found my clutch cable got cut.Good that it didn't happened while riding through the ghats. Later I found Rasukutty's bike silencer came out from its place, which later got tied up with help of clutch wire. Idea given by

kero. Well now all Chennai guys have reached the spot and unpacked their luggage s in their respective rooms. Couple of hours later we heard Roaring sound from the hill slopes. Its not the lion. Its the Jawa Yezdi bikes from Bangalore + Manglore + Mysore. There were 21 bikes of different models. I believe there was two 350cc bikes. We got introduced to them and their room keys were distributed by Srini and Hari.

Meanwhile the Camp fire was getting ready - ready - ready. Yupe, It took hell out of time to burn the logs. At last we got warmed up. Its time now for some fag and drinks for some team and others are ready to bed. The dinner was Chappathi, Veg Rice, with Chicken curry and some Vegetable side dish for hard core vegetarians. The weather outside was getting colder and colder. Its Fog every were. So far there was no rain.
Suddenly no were we heard large bursting sound with big fire ball lighting down the hill.Later we came to know that was not any terrorist attack, but just a jeep got crashed to Lamp post and it created the sparks of fire. Due to this the hotel was dark for some time.


Day 2 (4th December, 2010):


Luckily Professor was not snoring, so I had sound sleep with my jackets on. Some were around 4.30am I heard our bikes sound and was wondering who is riding in this cold. Later I came to know those were guys from Trivandrum club who just reached Kodai. Well my sleep was waked up by 6.00am when the hotel fellas switched on the motor, which was just near my room. Srini, Anand were up and we moved to kitchen to sip HOT tea. It was hot until it was in the flask. Before it reaches our mouth it turned warm. It was damn cold. Later we all had HOT water bath, and were ready to grab some Iddlies - Pongal and vadas. The Break fast was excellent.

The Southern Raid T-shirt were distributed and all of them were in SR attire.


Meanwhile Srini was planning for site seeing and he was talking with the Manager for
arranging the mini bus.Three buses were arragned, and most the guys wasted some time in small gang chats before they got into the bus. Well it happens when the group is large. Srini was in full tension. Well we hope the weather will cool him.


The Mini bus 7.1 DTS, took us to some important tourist spot like Polkers path were we most of them had fresh ICE CREAM, carrots and did some photo shoot.

Later the bus took us to Top Lake view. The guide said the lake will look like Indian map. We had our own imagnination on it. Then it was Pine forest were most of the Movie shootings happen. This place looked very pleasant for our eyes, and also strange to see many pair of Lady slippers. After seeing the slippers everyone had some stories in their mind. Now it is towards Suicide point. This place was very slippery and dangerous. Did some photo shoot here and waited for the fog to clear to view the ' Guna's cave'. Only some them were lucky to glance it. After leaving this place the bus stopped in Govt., shopping mall, were we shopped some home made chocolates and oil. Here started Professor and Rasu story. Professor bought some Aloe vera and Rosakulkandu ( not sure about the spelling). He said this helps better download', which is made up of Rose and Honey. And RAsu caught him here. He asked, "Sir, we know who Roja(ROSE) is (Actress) but who is HONEY ?" Professor was finding difficult to answer. He just blushed....

Back to hotel now......

It was almost 4.00 pm, we had lunch. Usual chicken and Veg curry with fried rice was served with some pakodas. Sipped Hot chai along with lunch. Gradually the weather was changing, and it started drizilling. The whole hill was covered with fog and we couldn't view the valley. Its party time now, and we all members gathered in the hall. Moderators from each club gave their brief discription about their clubs and experience. The story behind the formation of each club was very interesting. This shows how we all of them are bounded to this soul which is considered dead when 100cc was introduced. This meeting proved the moto - YEZDI JAWA are forever bikes ' and there will be always someone engaged in this rally to keep them alive. Memento and shot glasses were given to all the riders and later the program ended with signing the SR banner.

Its very chill and dark ! Camp fire is on. Its mella now. Hari switched on his Car stero and danced like Prabhu deva to the desi beats. Well the night party ended with Dance, Drinks, coffee, chai, cigars, jokes, Professor's Honey jokes and Fer0 -kero Dostana acts. It was very fun filling atmosphere....

Day 3 ( 5th December, 2010):

By 7.00am, we were ready with our luggage and our lions are waiting for their masters order. Sand-witch was given as breakfast by the hotel guys which was not sufficient. Anyhow we managed to have it as starter. Exactly 7.30am we left the hotel, waving bye to all the other club riders. We reached Dindukal and stopped for the real breakfast. Then it was non stop ride to Trichy to refill our tank. After filling the tank full, we throttled till 2.30pm to reach Perambullur for lunch at Reliance A1 hotel. We ordered some biriyani and fried rice. Now our stomach is full, and the map showed 255km for Chennai. I was asked to leave early before other rider starts, since I generally never ride more than 75km speed. They promised me to join on the way.
Well, I just left some kilometers away from hotel and saw a Yezdi parked, and a person waving hands. I just stopped to see. Its our professor again. I told him that we are not going to go for any stop until we reach Chennai, because the rain started to pour.
As I see the Sign Board descending 220km ... 200 km ... to Chennai , it was more thrill and speedometer was metering up. The speed didn't lasted long. Gradually I reduced the speed to 60kmph. The weather was completely changed. Heavy rain, poor road lights and fear of Highway dogs, and other speedy vehicles reduced my speed. At this moment I should salute Professor's energy. You don't believe, I almost dragged him to stretch of 250km non stop ride. When I was almost nearing Tambaram, Professor missed the track and there was no clue were he went.

Well now Iam in Chennai city.

My speed is only 30kmph now. I got stuck in the Koyemedu traffic and took an hour to reach home. Once I opened the gate, my daughter heard the 'Dapa' Dapa sound of my bike and came running towards me and hugged. She asked " Where is my Chocolate'.

I sms'd all my fellow riders to know their safe reach. Thus our 2nd Southern Raid came to an happy ending note.

What I learnt :

Carry set of gloves if you going for a long ride that too if the weather is cold.
Do fix good Lights. Carry your tool kit, extra spark plug and cables.
Always look around for dogs in the highway. They are always surprise visitors to you.

Memorable Funny events:

Kero - Fero love story,
Karthik getting trained under Fag guru - Rasukutty
Rasukutty running behind Professor ( almost he opened the Rest room door when he was in) to know who is Miss.Honey.
Fero loosing his number plate in the highway.
Oro bike been water washed by Highway lorry.

Kms:
Chennai - Chengalpet( 45 Kms) - TIndivanam( 65 Kms) - Villupuram( 40 Kms) - Ulundurpet( 40 Kms) - Trichy( 125 Kms) - Dindugul( 116 Kms) - Batlagundu( 45Kms) - Kodai ( 60 Kms)

Bikes : Chennai - 11, Banglore - 9, Mysore - 11, Trivandrum - 8, Mangalore -1.

Cheers !!
Keep riding.