[Mrs&Mr_Shenu]

A name, Tag-Line and bunch of new memories.

At office, we code, develop, deliver projects. Though work gives you money, it necessarily don’t guarantee satisfaction. Eventually, WE, the colleagues, decided to have a rider group.

Beginning

Post Covid, many eager souls wanted fuel for mind. Idea was to ride to a local destination (which means a place from Kerala) along with team members, colleagues. Destinations are always like a nearby place, 3-4 hours ride.

Inaugural ride was to Mamalakandam, a place near to Kochi and a local destination for many bikers. We gradually moved to 2-day trips with a 500 – 600 km ride for 2-3 days.

It never progressed beyond the boundaries of Kerala. After couple of breakfast trips, finally the group decided to press more and thus emerged the idea of Kochi - Valparai – Munnar - Kochi ride.

Planning

The idea to have a group of riders was already in place. We ourselves consider a rider group after couple of rides. However, thing missing was the commonality of group. So enthusiastic group members took the challenge head on.

Target was a Group Name, Logo and Tag Line.

We designed a T-shirt to create the belongingness and wore it on this special ride.

Rider Group on this ride (Road was blocked so we decided to take pictures)



First Day

Idea was to set the wheels rolling from Kochi, gather at Athirapally OR Vazhachal waterfalls for Team picture. Then to gradually ride to Valparai through dense forest route and finally reach Pollachi for stay on Day 1.

Route was:

Kochi --> Athirapally --> Vazhachal --> Malakapara --> Enter Tamilnadu --> Sholayar Dam --> Valparai Hills --> Aliyar Dam --> Pollachi

Sometimes it is easy to say thousand words with pictures. In case, you have not travelled to Kerala or specifically in this route, please note that this one of the beautiful route to ride especially during Monsoon season. The view, feel and locations are unparallel.

Few Points to note, to cross to the forest, you have to take a challan from Vazhachal Check post and then submit back once you enter Tamilnadu. It was a hassle free experience for us. Another point is, do not try to use a vehicle with has modified silencers or noisy silencers. Lot of emphasis is given on this so that riders are not disturbing the wild life. Finally, there is a chance to meet wildlife in this route (Though we were not lucky enough).

I will share the pictures to tell the story.

Another Snap of the Riders



















Yours Truly on a scenic background



The Hairpin bends of Valparai to Pollachi are legendary for the view. The Aliyar dam reservoir gives a different beauty all together.

Second day



Start from Pollachi, move via Anamalai Tiger reserve, Eravikulam , Munnar and then to Kochi...

Route:

Pollachi --> Anamalai Tiger Reserve --> Chinnar --> Marayoor --> IraviKulam --> Munnar --> Kochi

It was a hurried drive back to home. Did not snap much on camera, but lot of views in mind...

Finally the logo / sticker for the ride.



Trip Meter



Lets stop here for now. I will try to cover the rides more often for this rider group to cherish the memories and share with forum.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[SithDefender]

Originally Posted by Mrs&Mr_Shenu

A name, Tag-Line and bunch of new memories.

Is the team open to new riders from Ernakulam too ?

[Mrs&Mr_Shenu]

Unfortunately not yet as it's a closed group for colleagues. Sorry for that.

[AKSO]

Well done. Brings back a lot of good memories from some of my Go-To destinations for a ride. Are the roads still in good conditions?

[Mrs&Mr_Shenu]

Originally Posted by AKSO

Well done. Brings back a lot of good memories from some of my Go-To destinations for a ride. Are the roads still in good conditions?

Thanks AKSO.

Road Conditions are similar and bit tricky due to Monsoon induced issues (Potholes). Heard from some fellow riders that, it is still okay. They did a Valparai ride in Mid June.

[bijims]

Great trip you had there and wonderful pictures as well, I see you are a close group of colleagues and must have had a wonderful time. Thanks for the travelogue and hope to see more from your group down the road

[Mrs&Mr_Shenu]

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

– Saint Augustine

Brief Overview:

Determined to do more than just ride, we set out on a different trail this time. We needed a day-long program that included a ride. However, the challenge was dealing with the monsoon in June, which is quite impactful in Kerala.

Motivation: A monsoon ride is mesmerizing and enthralling, evoking nostalgia with a mix of emotions. There’s even a humorous caption in Malayalam.

“Mazha, Chaya and Johnson Mash Songs”

(Translated To: Rain, Tea and songs of Songs of Johnson Master)

We got few input from fellow riders, following that, we stumbled on “Vazhachal Treking”.

The ride itself wasn’t too challenging, being around 80 km one way. However, the tricky part came later, involving a trek through the Perungalkuthu Dam reservoir. The dense forest had no specific trail, making it sound exciting. The plan was set, and the trek cost 1000 rupees, which seemed reasonable.

Details of booking number:



We initially thought many fellow riders wouldn’t show up. However, we were surprised by the overwhelming response from the group, which made us reconsider the program. The trek was limited to 24 members, but we exceeded that number by a large margin. Fortunately, thanks to our good relationship with the Kerala Forest Department, we were able to secure spots for additional members.

The Ride

As usual, we gathered at our regular meeting spot. This time, around 25 bikes were lined up, with a total of 36 riders, including pillions. Since the trek was through the forest, we made sure to fill up on fuel for the bikes and food for ourselves to be on the safe side..

Route: Edapally--> Aluva-->Angamaly--> Chalakudy --> Athirampally --> Vazhachal Forest Station



Planned our breakfast at Aryaas, near to Koratty. It is a nice South Indian Cuisine Vegetarian restaurant with ample parking area and located on NH-544 itself.

Link: https://g.co/kgs/Ztte2Cm



Scenic Views:

The route after Chalakudy is indescribably beautiful, with greenery on both sides and a tarmac road cutting through the lush landscape. We passed by the famous Athirampally Waterfall but didn’t stop due to the crowd and our tight schedule.



Spotted an elephant group.




Upon reaching the forest office, the bikes filled the open space, making it feel like a busy mall parking lot. Thankfully, they provided us with a room, which we quickly filled with our bags, jackets, and helmets. The Kerala Forest Department transported us to the starting point using vans and jeeps.

Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vjRTo6jQrj5WZ2bK8

The Trek

Trailhead: The starting point is on the other side of the Peringalkuthu Dam, where a forest official and three watchers, including one lady, awaited us. The jeep safari from the forest office took about 10 minutes to reach this point.

Starting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gW6bCkUFAdGNzYZ39

From this point, we began our trek towards the forest that houses the reservoir. The trek spans about 11 to 12 km and is divided into three major stops..

The first stop is nearly 4 km in. To reach it, we had to navigate through dense forest with barely any trail or road. We crossed water streams, jumped over fallen trees, climbed steep ascents until we were out of breath, and even slipped on rocks (yes, that really happened).





The initial excitement soon faded, giving way to a deep appreciation for the closeness to nature. With no mobile network and the sounds of the wild all around, we were truly immersed in the environment. Then, the leeches started clinging to us. We had to stop every 100 meters to spray sanitizer and clear any leeches from our shoes and pants.



After all this, we reached a river stream filled with stones and a variety of butterflies. These wild butterflies clung to our shoes, perhaps attracted by their colors. The watcher group gave us ‘illayappam,’ which tasted incredibly delicious after our strenuous trek. The stream’s water was so cold that we soaked our feet in it, enjoying the blissful relief.







Along the way, the watcher pointed out a wild viper, coiled up and about the size of a betel leaf. These venomous snakes are fully capable of killing a person.



After a 20-minute break, we resumed our trek to the next stop. This next location was cozier, featuring a permanent hut where our lunch awaited. However, this time, there was no discernible road or trail. We didn’t dare lift our heads due to the challenging terrain underfoot. Leeches feasted on our blood, and we occasionally fought back with sanitizer.





The trail inside this part of the forest was tricky, as wet leaves have covered the whole way, trees were fallen on the trail which needed to be jumped over. In between, our guide told us that an allegator jumped to the water in front of us. Though we did not see it, the situation was bit scary. To boost our morale, the guide even told us that there is chance to meet wild boar or elephant too as if we know what to do in such situation. Huh?

It’s funny how the sense of time and distance fades so quickly in the jungle. The guide kept telling us that we had covered around 5 km and would reach the point in another 20 minutes. We heard this for almost 45 minutes before realizing it was a futile exercise. By the way, this was our idea, right?

After about 3 hours, we finally reached the hut, which was surrounded by trenches, with a river on one side and forest on the other. They served us the best black tea I’ve ever tasted. Then, we took our revenge on the leeches clinging to us, using sanitizer and salt in a massacre. Many of us had bleeding feet, and some leeches even jumped back onto other people.

Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/S9j4YE8qS1DARJVY7

We spent about 60-90 minutes here, including time for lunch. By now, our knees were aching, socks were wet, and shoes were dirty. But our interest grew as each member started sharing their stories. It was amusing to hear that, despite being in the same group, everyone had different encounters to talk about. Some discussed leeches (almost everyone, by the way), while others talked about snakes and scorpions. It was fascinating how we transformed from a group using Instagram and Facebook to an instant chatter group, just like in ancient times!









After lunch and the arrival of the next group, we prepared for our return. We were assured the road would be better, as it was a semi-paved road used by jeeps. We hoped this was true. However, as soon as we started, the route turned into a steep ascent where we spotted vipers again, scorpions, crabs (yes, crabs!), and slippery rocks to cross. This challenging stretch was about 1 km, according to the guide, before we finally reached the better road. From there, the experience changed. We saw a group of five loud Long hornbills, langurs jumping over the trees, wild squirrels, and various unknown birds. The walk became much easier with a clear road ahead.

On the final leg of about 4 km, Mother Nature decided to bathe us with heavy rain. By this point, no one was concerned about wet shoes or leeches sucking blood; it all became part of the journey and our experience. We encountered vipers clinging to the side of the road, which required a keen eye to spot (luckily, our team included a couple of members with a snake phobia who were particularly vigilant)..



Our clothes, shoes, and socks were drenched with sweat or rain, but the feeling was exhilarating. Despite our exhaustion, we didn’t want the trip to end as we savored every bit of nature. The couples in our group seemed to enjoy it even more. By around 4:15 PM, we reached the starting point. We jumped into the van, soaked with water and filled with a refreshing feeling rarely experienced in our daily lives..











We reached the forest office, changed into fresh clothes, and dealt with a few more leeches while waiting for our second group. They arrived after almost an hour and went through the same steps we did. In the end, we all regained our strength and took a group video together.


Along the way, we stopped at Vetillapara Bridge for an evening snack. Everyone was so hungry that we devoured over 100 snacks, including bajji, bonda, noodles, tea, and coffee. The shop owners must have been grateful for our visit!.

With around 25,000 steps logged on our activity trackers, snacks in our tummies, and loads of memories in our minds, our group traveled back home. By 9 PM, almost everyone had reached home.

Trail Description:

The difficulty level of this trek might be considered medium for those with some experience walking 4-6 km. The overall stretch was around 12 km, with a terrain that is predominantly slippery forest, filled with stones and wild creatures..



Flora and Fauna: We saw many birds in their natural habitat, along with monkeys and squirrels. There were different types of trees and wild fruits, and we even found rudraksha and wild berries. Snakes and leeches were also plentiful.



Challenges: This trek is definitely challenging for kids, and I wouldn’t recommend it even for high school students. Snakes are everywhere, so be cautious with every step you take. The same goes for leeches.



Key Highlights

Packing List:

Finally, if you are venturing for this trip,

1. A good trekking shoes is a must. Do carry umbrella rather than raincoat as it prevents leeches (As per the forest officials)
2. A bottle of sanitizer is always handy.
3. Small snacks to energize.
4. A good camera preferably an Action camera like Go-pro.
5. A walking stick as per your convenience.
6. Spare set of dress to change (This you can keep in the forest office and change into them once back)

Safety Tips: Take the trek at a slow pace. It can feel quite long, especially with the ascents and descents on slippery rocks. Be vigilant for snakes and other wild animals. Leeches will cling to you, so be prepared for that.

Best Time to Visit: Monsoon itself brings a different atmosphere. So it is absolutely a good time to visit.

Final Thoughts: In case there is a plan for Valparai visit, do take some time to explore this. Worth every moment.





Do share your thoughts and similar experience.

[KolaFreakenKL40]

Well written blog and looking forward for many rides like this with you!!!

[Mrs&Mr_Shenu]

Originally Posted by KolaFreakenKL40

Well written blog and looking forward for many rides like this with you!!!

Thanks for the support and will be looking forward to your experience on rides and drives too..

Safe rides ahead.

Nice name by the way.

[Mrs&Mr_Shenu]

What Matters the Most?

The Journey OR The Destination??

Some may say, It is the Company!!

I will apologize beforehand for this lengthy piece.

Many of you might have heard about the unfortunate incident that struck Mundakai in Wayanad, Kerala. This beautiful district has many Gems, but the tragedy has cast a shadow, making it seem like the entire Wayanad is unsafe. This perception has significantly reduced the number of tourists, affecting the livelihoods of many locals.

We had planned our next destination to Wayanad in June 2024 itself, but the tragedy delayed our trip. So we made our goal was to raise awareness among our friends about the real conditions in Wayanad.

This time, our group included a dedicated lady rider who bravely took on the challenge of a long journey. Though she had experience with gearless vehicles and cars, riding a geared bike was initially tough. She showed great courage, learning the craft and completing rides to Valparai and Wayanad beforehand.

Our ride leader, fellow Bhpian @kolafreaken40, was the go-to guy for planning the itinerary. We also had a new member who was so enthusiastic about the ride that he rented a friend's NS200 and bought Scala Riding gear just a day before the trip. More on his experiences later.

We were a group of 12 members on 11 bikes, led by Bhpian @KolaFreakenKL40, a new forum member but a seasoned rider.

Our potent combination of bikes included:
- RE Himalayan 450
- Two RE Classic 350s
- Suzuki V-Strom 250
- Triumph Scrambler 400
- Honda CBR300
- Gixxer 250
- Bajaj NS200

Day 1

Our route:

Kochi --> Thrissur --> Wadakkanchery --> Pattambi --> Thamarassery --> Kalpatta --> Tropical Home Stay, Kuruvadeep



As we gathered in Kochi, a heavy drizzle welcomed us. Most of us got drenched since our raincoats were packed away (sealed for good). If you're already wet, Murphy's Law says it's better to stay that way (yes, I coined that one!). Starting from Edapally, we were all soaked, but witnessing the red sun rise against a bright morning sky was pure bliss. We took our first selfie and embarked on our fantastic journey, already 45 minutes behind schedule.

The road to Thrissur is a national highway with plenty of open stretches, especially in the early morning hours. We quickly reached Aryaas Restaurant, a familiar stop from our previous rides. It offers ample parking, clean restrooms, and fast service, making it the perfect pit stop.

Link: https://g.co/kgs/Ztte2Cm





The stop was good for all to get rid of rain gears as sky was really getting sunny. Snapped few group pictures (some of the best of overall ride).
Another thing was the chatter among many fellow riders. This was quite refreshing, informative as we spoke about different bikes, the gears used and especially the way luggage was managed by each of the riders.







Till Palliakara Toll, we cruised along the highway, enjoying the thrill of the open road. It was great to see everyone keeping pace and maintaining a steady speed. One of our key principles is to ride with caution, avoiding aggressive and rash riding.

As we entered Thrissur, the journey took us through the narrower roads of Kerala. These roads can be unpredictable and often poorly maintained. We encountered a few spirited drivers trying to crash our party. At one point, a lady on a scooter took a blind turn without any indication. Thankfully, two of our riders narrowly missed her – a real close shave!

About two hours after breakfast, we had to stop due to the sore, heated back quarters of many riders. We joked that it was the jeans causing the discomfort. Our second stop was at a local tea shop, where we enjoyed some refreshing tea, coffee, and lime juice. It was then that we realized just how sunny and hot it had become.





The next phase of our journey was long as we headed towards the ghats. The skies alternated between pouring rain and clear patches. Our goal was to reach the foothills of Thamarassery before noon, with our lunch destination almost planned.

This route is scenic, with a mix of bad and good road patches. Narrow roads come with their own set of surprises – potholes, bikes, kids – you name it, it's there.

I noticed many fellow riders starting, moving, and standing up frequently as their hindquarters began to burn. Towards the end of this phase, many riders were running low on fuel. Finally, we reached White House Restaurant in Puduppadi. This place has received a lot of positive reviews, and rightly so. It was perfect for us for many reasons. It’s located just before the famous Thamarassery Churam, has ample parking, very clean restrooms and tables, and the air conditioning provided much-needed relief for many of us.



We enjoyed meals, chicken Malabar biryani, Mandi rice, and more. No complaints whatsoever.



Almost an hour later, our machines and bodies were refueled, our minds refreshed, and we were ready to move to the next destination.

Restaurant : WHITE HOUSE RESTAURANT, Puduppadi
Location link : https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dcke3WrP9KzSNtij7

The Thamarassery Churam is a renowned hairpin road, famous for its challenging twists and turns. The road varies in width, with some hairpin bends being quite wide and others very narrow. If you find yourself behind a large vehicle, especially a KURTC bus, overtaking can be quite a challenge unless you're willing to take some risks. We had an instance where we were stuck behind a bus and it took us a while to overtake. These roads are tricky and can test the skills of new riders and drivers. The 13-15 kilometer stretch offers beautiful scenery and exciting twists and turns.







Our initial plan was to reach Banasura Sagar Dam. However, due to an overall delay of around 1.5 hours, we arrived there at around 4 PM. Many of the riders were already exhausted and didn't have the energy for a 1-kilometer walk. Additionally, we needed to reach our place of stay before sunset. So, we collectively decided to skip the visit to the dam and headed towards our stay, with a stop for evening tea.

Finally, we reached our destination around 6 PM.

Destination : Tropical home stay,
Location link : https://maps.app.goo.gl/v3eLLESZdwA3v1bN6

After a long ride, you might think it was time to rest. No way! Our caretaker had arranged a night safari for us in a 17-seater traveler. He spun tales of wild animal sightings, and we were sold, thinking we'd be the lucky ones to spot them at night. Silly us!



By 7 PM, everyone had freshened up with a bath, evening tea, and snacks. We were ready to go. The temperature was dropping, but it wasn't too cold, maybe just below 20°C. Initially, we were all eagerly looking around. The main attraction was a group of deer, curiously watching us. After a while, it felt like they were everywhere, like pigeons. We kept shouting "Maann" every time we saw a group (funny enough, some members didn't know which side to look).

The sight was adorable as these gentle creatures were very close to the road. Finally, we got a glimpse of elephants – a group of four, covered in mud and minding their own business. Although I've seen these giants often in temples, encountering them in the wild was surreal. We didn't dare stay too long due to their unpredictable nature, as advised by our driver.





Almost an hour later, we reached Sree Thirunelli Mahavishnu Temple. Believe it or not, I was reading a Team-BHP article a few days before the ride about the same place on two Triumphs (BHPian CrAzY dRiVeR).

Check it out : https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...ml#post5847174



When we arrived, the deity was on a night procession – a lucky moment for the devoted members of our group. We took some time to look around, sipped hot tea, and then started back to our stay. There’s a famous "Uniyappam kada" nearby, but unfortunately, they were out of stock and about to close.

But our sweet time was just around the corner. I wouldn't be wrong to say that this was the best part of the whole journey.

We took a different route back, which touched the final point of Kerala and marked the beginning of Karnataka. This route also has a higher chance of spotting elephants. True to its reputation, as we reached a small bridge, we saw two elephants – a mother and her baby.





Somehow, the local drivers seem to have an understanding with these giants. Maybe it's a mutual respect, an unwritten code of sorts (I mind my business, you mind yours!). We slowly passed them, keeping quiet. After we crossed, our driver mentioned that we would have to come back the same way later.

When we returned, the elephants were now in the middle of the road. Despite multiple attempts to blink and slowly advance, they didn't move much. It took some time (maybe minutes), but it felt like time ticked slowly for all of us.



Even near our stay, we spotted a lone elephant drinking water.

This safari was worth every penny – we came back with full memories, aching joints, and enthusiasm for the next day.

However, we received sad news that night. One of our rider's grandmothers had passed away, and he needed to return home (near Kayamkulam) by morning. He planned to ride back, but we all disagreed. Our caretaker, Mr. Cecil, took him to the KURTC depot at night and ensured he got a good seat on a Fast Passenger bus. We were relieved to know he reached safely in the morning.

Mods: I will stop here for sake of enjoying this article content.

[Mrs&Mr_Shenu]

Day 2

Today was the day we moved out of Kerala, journeying through the beautiful Bandipur forest and visiting Gopalswamy Betta.

Route:

Kuruvadeep --> Sulthan Bathery --> Muthanga --> Through Bandipur Tiger Reserve --> Gopalswamy Betta & Back



The first part of our journey took us through Chekadi, an alternate shortcut suggested by our caretaker, leading us to Sulthan Bathery. This route is a natural beauty, with lush green paddy fields bisected by a concrete road. We then took a short trip through a small forest, similar to Bandipur in every way except for the bad roads. Finally, the roads merged into state roads, which were full of twists and turns.







After Bathery, the route became more familiar but remained incredibly scenic. I recommend slowing down a bit to soak in the beauty around you. Fortunately, Kerala MVD has cameras and vehicles parked in a few places to ensure that!







The next part of our journey took us through Bandipur – surreal, enthralling, and a treat for the eyes. The landscape was as beautiful as you see in videos, with kilometers of road flanked by greenery on either side. On our onward journey, we only saw a few packs of deer. But on the return trip, we had two sightings of elephants, minding their own business. One was very close to the state check post, about 200 meters away.

The only downside was the speed breakers, which dampened our enthusiasm. While I wasn't speeding or making noise in the forest, the screeching sound of tires and brakes was still a disturbance. It also caused serious shoulder pain later in the day, especially with my wife pushing against the momentum.

The final part of our ride was the journey towards Gopalswamy Betta. One thing that always captures the mind is the reddish hue that adorns the landscape with greenery. The fields are filled with various crops and red earth. The roads here are much better paved than in Kerala, wide enough to indulge in some healthy speeding.







We crossed the toll plaza hoping to see a sunflower field, but unfortunately, it was done for the season. We stopped to fill petrol at a nearby HP pump. One of our fellow riders mentioned a scam by the pump staff – they claimed to have filled the tank and tried to reset the meter quickly to create a hurry. Luckily, he was aware of this trick and stopped them before they could reset it. Needless to say, the staff weren't too happy to see our group. Nevertheless, we used the restrooms, filled our water bottles, and topped up our petrol – making full use of the services.









We took a detour to enjoy some tasty sugar cane juice and snapped some photos amidst Marigold / Genda Phool fields (100 rupees for all of us). It was hot and sunny, and our riding jackets made it tough to stand in the open sun for the photos.







We then took another route through a village to Gopalswamy, which brought us right next to the gate. I later realized this wasn't the usual route, but it added to the adventure.





We stored all our gear and helmets in a nearby shop, grabbed some water bottles, and stood in line for the bus to Gopalswamy Betta. There was a distinct smell in the air. It was around 1 PM, and the bus usually waits to fill up before starting the journey. Luckily, ours being a large group, along with few others, filled the bus quickly. The ascent took about 10 minutes.





At the top, the atmosphere was completely different. The hot, sunny weather was replaced by dark clouds and an overcast sky. The temple offered mind-blowing views all around. It wasn't crowded, and there was divine prasadam being distributed. We wandered around, mesmerized by the beauty of the place; those who have been here will surely agree.





It's always best to take some time to sit and enjoy this place, preferably alone. In my opinion, the calmness surrounding this temple, even amidst the crowd, is indescribable.







Returning from the top was a bit tricky, as we Indians love to push through the crowd. There isn't a definite spot for the bus to stop. Once all passengers are out, the rush begins like a Mumbai local train. After a few minutes to settle in, we waited for the driver. The descent revealed a majestic landscape filled with sun, red earth, and clouds. Just wow.



The return journey began with a delayed lunch around 3 PM, which meant we were running really late. This also increased our chances of encountering wildlife again, which was a bit scary.





We started back immediately around 3:30 PM, with our destination about 2.5 hours away. We took a small break around 5 PM for evening tea and to find an alternate route to minimize wildlife encounters.

After 6 PM, it got really dark. Street lights were scarce, and the roads were bad – some were really bad, with potholes and mud. We had to stop almost 4 or 5 times to ensure we were following a comparatively risk-free route. By 8 PM, we finally made it back to our stay. A hot water bath was just what we needed to refresh our bodies. We had covered over 530 kilometers in just 2 days.

[Mrs&Mr_Shenu]

Day 3: Ride back to Home

Route:

Kuruvadeep --> Chekadi --> Pulpalli --> Naadukani --> Nilambur --> Mannarkkad --> Palakkad --> Kuthiran Tunnel --> Thrissur --> Kochi



We started our day with a leisurely stroll near Chekadi. There's a charming little tea shop called "Sukuvettante Chayakkada," nestled near the Kabani River with paddy fields on one side and the Bengur Reserve Forest on the other. The narrow road, surrounded by lush greenery, was a sight to behold.





We rode to the shop, which was set to open around 7:30 AM. Until then, we wandered around, visited the Kabani riverside, and clicked some pictures. But the best part was the small chats within our group – discussing future ride plans, sharing experiences, and, of course, some occasional friendly trolling.















The tea shop is run by an elderly gentleman, and the Pazhampori (banana fry) was simply amazing. The old shop had a nostalgic vibe, with a radio playing FM adding to the experience. Thankfully, he accepted UPI payments, saving us from scrambling for cash.



The return journey is always tough. Your mind is set on reaching back, making the day seem longer. Nobody was interested in stopping for pictures. We took the first one with our caretaker, bid farewell to him and Kuruvadeep.





Kuruvadeep



As the day progressed, we changed our plan and took the long route with more stops. This route traversed through Kerala and Tamil Nadu and back to Kerala. It had all the flavors – slight rain, heavy sun, and mist.









We had a beautiful ride through Tamil Nadu where it was cloudy and misty. The roads worsened as we progressed, full of gutters. We stopped for some nice ice cream, which was quickly taken over by monkeys.

















By the time we reached Nilambur, it was hot, very sunny, and around 2:30 PM. The entire route was dusty, a stark contrast to what we saw the previous day. After lunch, we decided to extend the route further and planned to take the Mannarkkad route. This meant more distance and time, but everyone agreed due to the better roads.



One thing we excelled at during this ride was 100% accuracy in every turn and direction. However, nearing Palakkad, our luck ran out. We got split into three groups, and our group leader was missing. To add to the misery, it started raining. We finally decided to rendezvous at a petrol pump, which took almost 30 minutes out of our time.

We then decided to have dinner rather than driving back immediately. It turned out to be a great decision as we stopped at "Alibaba & 41 Dishes 'n Bab Arabia" restaurant. Just as we got in, it started raining heavily – lucky us! The restaurant staff took their time preparing the food, but we weren't in a hurry anymore (it was already late, so what's the point in rushing?).

Group Signing off with a selfie..



Lastly, here's a map of Wayanad with places of interest to help you plan your visit:



Wayanad is a beautiful district with many attractions, despite the recent tragedy in Mundakai. The influx of tourists has been minimal, but the region still offers stunning landscapes and experiences.

Thank you for reading this lengthy ride diary. Let's meet again next time to share more ride experiences!

[Mrs&Mr_Shenu]

A New Route by the Kerala Forest Department and we were the first group to try it out.

It had been three months since our rider group last planned an adventure. This time, we decided on a 75-kilometer ride to Chimmini.

Chimmini has become an Instagram sensation, known for its picturesque dam and stunning surroundings. The final 5 kilometers of the route are particularly breathtaking, offering a visual treat to all who travel it.

While planning our ride, we spoke with officials from the Kerala Forest Department. Initially, we were looking for an easy 3-kilometer trek. However, they informed us about a new trek route set to be introduced in the first week of February 2025. We were thrilled to be the first team to explore this pristine route.

This ride was unique in many ways. We had our first female rider captain, who quickly rose through the ranks after getting her hands on a Royal Enfield Hunter. Additionally, we welcomed new riders, new trekkers, and new bikes to our group.

Ride Plan:

• Edapally
• Ambalur (right turn)
• Chimmini (Trek)
• Chokkana

Location: https://g.co/kgs/eh7G5JX

Expense: Rs. 800 per head, including snacks, Kerala-style meals (lunch), and a coracle ride.

We gathered around 5:30 AM and set off towards Chimmini. The route was mostly along the national highway, allowing us to comfortably ride at speeds of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour. This stretch from Kochi to Thrissur had some ongoing construction work.

As the sun began to rise in the east, by the time we turned towards Chimmini from Ambalur, it was shining brightly. The route offered a unique experience with the increasing sunlight and a carpet of cold mist over the fields. It was truly something worth experiencing.



By around 7:50 AM, we reached the gates of the Chimmini Forest Reserve. We had shared our names and vehicle details a few days earlier, so the formalities at the gate were already completed for us.



From there, we moved to the Inspection Bungalow, where they arranged our parking and extended the courtesy of a small but tasty breakfast. We quickly finished it and were ready for the adventure.





As this was the first trek through this new route, we were accompanied by 2 Beat Forest Officers and 4 guides. They gave us a brief on the purpose of the trek and the precautions to be taken. Then, off we went.





The area around Chimmini is very beautiful, especially if you visit during the monsoon or afterwards. Unfortunately, our timing wasn't ideal as the route had less greenery and no water in the streams. However, this also made the trekking easier. We walked past fallen leaves and slowly got onto the trail, which had only been trodden a few times before by the guides.





A key part of this trek was the non-stop live commentary from the guides. They spoke about the ecology, the food chain, and the importance of treating nature with respect. The guides emphasized why it is critical for all of us to be part of the ecosystem and actively contribute to it. Some of the examples they mentioned were eye-opening for us.



















By noon, we reached the other side of the dam reservoir, where coracles were ready for us to cross. One of our groups had taken a different route and was far behind the other two groups. Each coracle could take 4 people along with one person to steer it.





This part was especially exciting with the heavy breeze. At the end, we even managed a few 360-degree spins before reaching the shore.





We had a delicious lunch and then set off back to Kochi through Chokkana. On the way, just after Chimmini, we stopped at a small stream for a refreshing splash of water. It was a great spot for some hearty water fun.



Chokkana was our last leg of the ride. This place is more vibrant during the monsoon, with lots of twists and turns through the countryside roads. Sometimes, local buses would surprise us around the corners. We stopped at one of the famous hanging bridges, took some snaps, and later gathered for some delicious snacks and tea. Some of our fellow riders even indulged in a game of football on a local ground.

From there, it was a dull ride back, mainly due to the hectic traffic back to Kochi. In retrospect, it was a day well spent, a happy ride, and an even happier trek.