With all the exitement of doing the first long drive on the Safari, started out from home post lunch from home. Loaded cushions on the back, just in case the little one feels like playing with her paint box and also dropped wanted-unwanted-might.be.wanted stuffs for the trip. Still have acres of space left!
So all said and done. Off we went at 15.30 .
Starting speedo image:
Took the NICE road to hit the Hosur road. Toll are 16+13+15.
First surprise: Cruising at 80~90kmph, I noticed a red light on the dash - ABS!!! Kept driving and thought what it could mean - sensor wrong or something majorly wrong. Since I did a wash the day morning, I suspected sensor. Drove for few more KM's and stopped by the side. Recollected Suman's ABS light (on his Leh trip). So, I stopped for sometime by the road side and then started after couple of minutes. ABS check light came and went off. But then, 5 minutes into the drive it was back. Ignored it and drove on.
What a dream driving on the pot-hole filled, muddy, auto & bus and what-not infested roads where everyone keeps a distance from you. Unlike the Alto, where you have to be careful, here others are taking the care. You just need to make sure of it. Starting getting used to truckers and buses giving way for you - sweet!
Reached Krishnagiri and this is what the display looked like:
On taking off from there, did some brake pumping and voila, ABS light gone (hope it didnt knonk off!!!).
A coffee stop on the way (yes, we carried hot water and those coffee powder mix)
There was rain, heavy rain through out the journey. Since the roads till Namakkal are great 4 laned ones, not too much of circus.
One interesting incident: me on fast last doing ~90kmph. A side road, that seems to be coming from the nearby village/town, has two buses racing each other, a town and a private one behind it. Half a KM ahead from where I am, both of them get onto the highway. Expecting the private bus to jump straight to the fast lane, I honk and flash light. What do you know, the bus stays on the slow track and the driver is waying his hand asking me to pass! WOW!!! Sweeter!
Met couple of buffaloes on various modes of two wheels, who ride only on top of the middle line and who drive at a neck-breaking speed of 30kmph. No horn scares them. Reckon they are out with a mission!
Uneventful journey... till I reached Musiri.
I took a turn from Musiri to Kulithalai thinking the roads are tarred better on the other side. WRONG!!! The road I was in is completed and work was going on at that stretch! With the rain at full blast and vehicles driving at only highbeam, it was, in a word, nightmare!
Add the confusion with the road's side being dug for 2feet for laying and marked with sand bags, even more dangerous. With the amount of rain, most of the places were under a good amount of water. Bikes stalled, small vehicles had water almost to 3/4th of tire level. But I was just cruising thru. That was when I realized the worth of the machine I brought!
Reached home after close to 6hours on road, delayed due to the rain Gods play.
Family slept well, watched rain, played games and ate a lot.
Vehicle Usage: This trip, with the natures play along the way, ensured that I used most of the features (except 4x4 & ABS). Had to use the rear wiper, the defogger, the rear fog lamps and also the wiper idler timing change (what a neat feature!). Tried out the 4x4 near my brothers house. Nothing much, just some mud runs.
Comfort and ride quality: Not sure why, but I had a back-ache by the time the trip was completed. Tried all the settings on the lumbar support, but none worked out. Not sure what is it that I am doing wrong. But did not have this on the return journey; might have been my overly casual way of sitting!
Family had a great time. With the space and comfort of the vehicle, they had nothing to complain. With the a/c controls there, they managed themselves and I was never disturbed. Leg space also provided to be a great blessing since one can recline the seat and stretch out well and sleep.
A great drive and a comfortable one at that. The first outing of my family without the little guy, Alto. He was parked at my house while we traveled.
Mileage achived was 12kmpl.
Have given it for servicing today morning at Concord Mysore road center. Looking forward to this weekend for some local outing and the next weekend, where I am traveling to Kerala - a long vacation.