The Ride to Penakonda

My ride was to start at 5.30 AM from home, but the weather and sleep pushed this time to 6.30 AM. My Son came down to say goodbye and I started out. There was no issue with the bike and she came to life with just one nudge of the kicker.

The weather was slightly foggy and cold. But my jacket, gloves and helmet kept me warm. Had to pick up my colleague enroute. I did encounter a little bit of traffic at Old Madras Road at 7 in the morning.  After some adjustments we proceeded on the route to the international airport. Apart from a few stops because of the traffic the ride was smooth. We had a breakfast stop at a restaurant near the turn to Nandi hills. After an hours stop we began the ride again.

I had carried both my helmets. I used the HJC helmet with the non fogging visor and my pillion used the Cross helmet. I do recommend the non fogging visor especially for the weather conditions in Bangalore and also because most of us start our rides quiet early. the Helmet is also brightly colored to give high visibility in all conditions during both day and night. Both the helmets were rigged with the Sena speakers. This made communication with my pillion very seamless and clear. I din't have to shout over the buzz of the wind or dangerously take my eyes off the road and turn back. I have been a great fan of Sena's headsets. They have been absolutely reliable in all my rides. The clarity of sound and the noise cancellation when I get a call is very commendable. When the visor of my helmet is closed people calling me don't realise that I am riding. Since the voice is clear and comes directly into the helmet, it becomes easy for me to communicate with the other person without getting distracted from the road.

The other gear which has been a charm to me is the Ram Phone Mounts - X-Grip®
holder on my bike. I have ridden over different terrains and it keeps my phone absolutely safe. Another interesting device which has made life so much more easier on the bike is the Bolt charger. Not only does this charge my phone but also acts as GPS tracker to let my family and friends know where I am on the ride.
The distance was about 160 kms and route was a poem.

Long straight roads undulating through smooth inclines almost philosophical in a way. I felt that I could just let the throttle open. Especially after riding my bike on the clutch crucifying congested roads of Bengaluru, my bike just opened out to the new freedom. The machinery has stood the test of time. My cast iron engine was giving me the reassuring thump. I could feel the bike express its happiness and consent about being on this road. I din't go beyond 120 and kept her cruising at 100 KMPH, not wanting to push her too much.

We reached the farm after a small off road ride. We bypassed the Penukonda town and took a small dirt road and reached the farm. The farm is a quaint 38 acre space run by one of the strongest women I have met thus far. Ms. Chandra Kanjilal is an epitome of a strong Indian Woman. Tireless and full of energy this ageless person has been a role model and beacon of hope for all, especially the women in the rural areas. She says she has retired, but her itinerary was full. She did manage to spare some time for us and was a wonderful host. The farm is now jointly run by the SST trust and Hank Nunn Institute(HNI).

A ride is an intimate affair between the rider and his machine. Sometimes it also is the camaraderie and the bonhomie of being in a group, to a destination across obstacles. To me riding has been a form of meditation. I feel a deep connection between me and the bike. I listen to her reassuring thump, pushing her limits sometimes and making corrections the minute I feel her complain. It is a silence which is unique as it transports me to a place where there is nothing more than the bike, the road and me. I sometimes am listening to audio books or movies. As the road winds in front of me my brain has no choice but to remain active, as its torn between the need to just immerse completely into what the ears are picking up and responding to every nuance of the road. Anyways I am getting carried away.

So usually a ride is very satisfying for the riders but deep in the conscience - there is a selfishness to this feeling. I wanted to promote Riding for a Cause. This could mean riders ride to a place to volunteer in some social activity either as a charity ride or for enabling awareness. I feel if 10 riders ride into a village you could have all the village gather around them and the bikes and this could also become a spot where awareness initiatives could start.

So I would want to create more of these Charity rides to this amazing place just a 2 hours ride from Bangalore to increase awareness on mental health issues and also to raise charity. I do hope I am able to strike a chord with all my fellow riders about this cause.

I am posting some pictures of the place. There is a definite poetry in the desolate openness captured in the pictures. Philosophically I feel it is reflective of the state of mind, and the journey of life. A road an endless meandering stretch meets the eye both in front and back

 
 

Dawn @ the farm

The Road ahead

 

The Road behind

Dusk

Prelude to the Ride to Penakonda

It's been a while since my last long ride. I am planning a trip as a part of my work. Will be going to a farm in Penakonda - https://goo.gl/maps/A2KVpNtybCm
It's a 3 hour ride from home. The route is towards Ananthpur and has very good roads. Will start the ride early tomorrow, hopefully leave home by 6 in the morning.

The purpose of the ride is to propose this as a day ride to a group of riders as a part of the charity drive. It is one of the many ways we - Hanknunninstitute.org are planning to raise funds and awareness. I want to bring in the concept of 'riding for a cause'.
In this case apart from the ride, we would be planning a few activities at the farm which would raise awareness about mental health.

The weather these days have been very good. It's been a little misty in the morning but apart from that, its been wonderful. I am also carrying my tent, to explore the possibility of creating a camping experience there.

Will post more about the ride.

Trip to Yercaud (2014)

Date 5th and 6th of July

When the idea of a trip came up, there were many places being discussed. We then narrowed down on Yercaud because it was almost equidistant from Bangalore and Chennai. So it was decided that the four families - Two of us from Bangalore and two families from Chennai would rendezvous at Yercaud.
We sifted through the stay options and finally decided on the Waterfall Cafe because

1. It was near the Killiyur Falls
2. It was a place which could accommodate a boisterous crowd like us
3. It was a comparatively new place

The place was awesome. There are only 3 rooms in this place, book this if you are coming as a group. There are 2 really large double rooms and then you have one smaller room. The larger rooms can easily accommodate 2 families. They also had two separate bathrooms in each of these large rooms. All the rooms were clean and the service was very good. Once you walk down to the open area which is next to the an aqua-duct which feeds into Killiyur Falls, you have a paved space which doubles up as a chill out area and the place where the barbecue and fire is set up. 

The advantages of the place are

• Location
• Privacy
•  No TV
• No 3G connectivity
• Access to the falls
• Great Barbecue
• Amazing people and service
• comfort food like sandwiches and rolls which can be completely customised to suit the individual palette

The cons are

• Remoteness of the location
• lack of smaller private rooms
• safety - barricades near some dangerous rocks which are easily accessible by kids
• Good tasty food needs to be brought from their hotel in the city

I would recommend this place to anyone who is planning a trip with friends. I think right now this place can accommodate 9  adults. The place would be even more breath taking just after the rains.