[silverstreakcbe]

The Plan

Having met in our earlier group ride in Dec, we wanted to do our next ride towards south. We decided to do our trip in the month of February. We planned in January and decided the dates for the ride as most of us did not have enough leaves/holidays to do the ride. The plan was to drive to Theni since two riders in the group had homes there and volunteered to be the host. Then visit couple of places there and then next day start from Theni, ride towards Bodimettu and through Munnar. I have heard the road between Bodimettu and Munnar was very picturesque and excellent to ride with broad and well laid roads.

Pre-ride activities

We wanted the ride to look more unique, hence we ordered similar T Shirts as per size requirements. As we knew summer has already begun, we had selected the right material and type, prepared mentally for riding in the scorching heat. We expected light to medium traffic enroute to Munnar and moderate to heavy traffic down to udumalpet. After jotting down the route-map, fuel-stops, food-stops, stay and tentative expenses per rider. We discussed and decided all the DOs and DONTs during the trip.

Day-1(22/02/25)

Customary Rituals at starting point

Started on time. Lot of hydration breaks, photoshoot breaks. Summer already has begun here in down south. We had 6 water bottles which got emptied even before we were half-way through.

Refreshment break near Dharapuram


Near Batlagundu


Near Theni

Barring from couple of flyover works, the entire stretch was smooth. The roads between Sembatti and Theni was very busy stretch with lot of traffic. We took the new four lane bypass through Bathlagundu. Stopped here for some fun photoshoot, posed all boys stuff for photos.

Please don't judge us for riding on the wrong side. This is a brand new highway and is not in use yet. There were places we had to take detours to the wrong side, that also helped for Photoshoot.

Pose for the Ride


Sun shoot


Bike Worship


Taking center stage


Stick Together


Being tall when needed


Boys are Boys!

One of our riders were the host. Lot of Wind Turbines on the way to a small village near Kandamanur with lot of village scenery, cows, goats and dogs on the way. But the road was very smooth, twists and turns. Finally, we reached our destination around noon, lunch was ready to be served. We had sumptuous lunch served on traditional banana-leaf and with lots of kindness. We got used to the scenic spot, Dogs, cats, etc.

Parked safe, being at home

Rested for some time and then we started to our first spot, Thottipaalam (Aquaduct) just before Kumily. It took us couple of detours before we found the actual route to the place. There were no roads, kind of offroad. We spent significant time in bathing in the fresh water flowing down the canal enjoying the scenic location and mountain around us.

Thottipaalam


Refreshing Bath



Yes, We can do off-road!

While returning, we identified a spot to do some off-roading. And one by one, we tried our best to show-off our skills. On the way back, we had dinner, visited couple of places before settling for the day. After many years, we got a chance to sleep on a village terrace with lots of stars to gaze at. Chit-chatted for some time and then plan for the next day and then crashed.


Day-2(23/02/25)

Got up very early, refreshed and went to terrace for capturing scenic beauty. The host did not allow us to leave without having breakfast, that’s The Indian Village Hospitality, lots of love and care. By the time we all got ready, had breakfast and ready to leave, sun was in full spell. We bid farewell to the noble souls and started towards Munnar

Beauty of Bharat, Its villages!


Mesmerizing Views


Annadhatha sukhibhava!!


The Noble souls (Host)

Next stop was at Bodimettu. After filling up all our tanks (Stomach & Bike), we drove towards a famous temple to seek blessings on our way. After getting the blessings, we resumed our journey, we found a nice spot for a photoshoot and once again Boys will be Boys. Spent some time fooling around with candid moments. After photos, we resumed and reached Bodimettu. The Journey from Theni to Bodimettu was quiet challenging as well, with lots of heavy vehicles across border, the weekend tourists and bikers like us. It needed some skills to overtake the heavy trucks and buses considering the blind curves and limited space. Finally reached Bodimettu and break for refreshments.

Bless our way


One for the hills


What's a ride without fun and being Candid!


Gateway to the Hills

Once we finished our break and refreshment, the next stop was to reach the famous “Gap Road” enroute to Munnar. Once we got into the Toll Road, it was wide open and behold the most scenic roads in India. As the Sun blazed down, we enjoyed the moment with a great formation ride. We kept our speed and formation ensuring we stuck to our disciplines.

Speed


Discipline


Together

The importance of proper riding gears (First hand)

As we were cruising our way towards Munnar, we saw some commotion on one of the corners, with a bike stuck on a dry drain and people scrambling to check on the bike and the rider. We immediately stopped to help. Three of our riders helped to pull out the stuck bike from the drain. Then we checked on the rider, gave some water to drink. The rider was bit panicked, but physically all right. What the rider told us was, he applied the front break on the downward curve, that pulled him to the side. The scariest part was the distance the rider was dragged before stopping and we could see the scratch mark of the bike on the concrete walls. The most important thing that we visibly noticed was, the rider had bruises only on riding gear. We were relieved to know that he was alright and able to handle himself with no major injury. We hope, he would have taken care to confirm that he had no injuries. Later, we used our bike tools to help them straighten the ill-fated bike’s clutch and put it back to place. Once we confirmed his companions arrived, we resumed our journey.

Marks on the wall are of bike scratching the distance


Pulling out the bike


Fixing the clutch lever assembly

Enroute, we stopped for photoshoots and reached Munnar. Entering Munnar was like we were getting into some major city, very heavy traffic. We spent close to 1 hour just to get ourselves a nice hotel for lunch and parking. We were totally exhausted by the sheer traffic the city was having. Munnar on Weekends, give it a serious thought!!

Riding back

Those who are aware of Coimbatore to Munnar stretch, would know what it is to ride between Munnar and Udumalpet. Until Marayoor, it’s all about rider skills of judgement and bravery. After Marayoor, you become Godly rider!! Seriously, those planning to ride bikes on this stretch, give it a serious thought. The roads are scraped at many places to make way for new roads. The road laying gravel and materials lie on the roadside itself which posses a grave danger of bikes rolling to sides if applied brakes inappropriately. The ride back to Udumalpet was fun, but very tiring and exhausting. Once we reached Udumalpet, we took a well-deserved break, had snacks and refreshments.

We started our journey back to Coimbatore via Palladam. As usual, traffic between Palladam and Coimbatore was heavy and even more frustrating. Somehow, we all made it safe to the de-briefing point. Huddled for one last time, we had some cool drinks, discussed on positive and negatives from the ride, rider experience, dos and donts for next trip, fuel consumed and other nitty gritty things. Finally, we all made it to our respective home after a refreshing and exciting ride.

Ride Metrics

In total, we drove 589 kms, on an average the bike consumes 18.5 litres of fuel for GS 310.

Rider's Verdict

GS 310: (+) Suspension & BMW ABS Front Brakes top-notch. (-) Lack of digital console with ride statistics.

R 310: (+) Agile & Nimble, (-) Tyres suited only for tarmac

RR 310: (+) Takes road with ease, (-) Hard front suspension

Hope you enjoyed this thread. Till next time, Chill!!

[Laxmistart]

Nice travelogue just curious, why did you choose the Palladam route instead of the Udumalpet-Pollachi-Coimbatore route? except for entering Pollachi town, where the roads aren't great, the rest of the route has decent roads, was there a specific reason for your choice?

[silverstreakcbe]

Originally Posted by Laxmistart

Nice travelogue just curious, why did you choose the Palladam route instead of the Udumalpet-Pollachi-Coimbatore route? except for entering Pollachi town, where the roads aren't great, the rest of the route has decent roads, was there a specific reason for your choice?

Our de-brief point was at Ondipudur L&T Bypass. Also, the traffic between Pollachi-Coimbatore, crossing Ukkadam, riding through city to reach our meeting point were all favoring the Palladam route.