It is now Saturday and the trip is over. We arrived at Lake Song, Kottayam at around 4.30pm to the sound of Indian drums playing and dancers dancing. It was very emotional and everyone was congratulating each other on the epic journey that we had just completed.
So let’s go back to day 6 where I last left off. We were about to leave Mysore and head for the Jungle Huts in Masinagudi. We were going into the jungle!! We passed through the towns of Nanjangud, Gundulpet, which the team thought there was a conspiracy going on there, as there had been an incident involving locals the past few years. Hangala and Toppakad were places we also rode through. We stopped off for lunch at a very nice roadside restaurant, before making way. The journey was a short 120km that took us through Tiger and wildlife reserves. Arriving at the Jungle Huts at around 5pm. We were now about 3000ft above sea level in the middle of a jungle.
Tuesday was rest day at the Jungle Huts and so we made the most of not having to get on the bikes. There were those that spent the day by the pool and others that were reading in the shade. I think for all though, it was a time to reflect on what we had all achieved so far and anticipation and excitement at what was still to come. The 3 of us along with a lady called Maud took an elephant trip in the late afternoon. We clambered into the waiting Jeep and went to the elephant reserve. On the way we stopped off to see a massive bull elephant being washed and scrubbed in the river. A talk on Tigers and their preservation was given that evening and then earlier night was had before the next day’s riding.
Wednesday and we’re back on the road and heading towards Kodai. The towns we passed on the way were, Ooty, Kotagiri, Mettupalayam, Annur, Somannur, Palldam, Dharapuram and Palani. A very long ride today of 295km. The first couple of hours were very cold and my fingers felt frozen. The roads were reasonable today and mainly tarmac. There were some twisty roads at the beginning of the day, with some straight highway across the planes in the middle. I came very close to having quite a big ‘off’, as on these fast straights at around 90kmh my back tyre had a blowout. The bike fishtailed down the road, almost throwing me off. I managed to hang on and bring it under control but don’t ask me how. I waited for the support vehicle who quickly changed the back wheel and a way I went again. The day ended with more twisties as we climbed up to 8000ft to what was the only US hill station in India during the war. It was a beautiful location and very well received by all after such a long day.
Up again very early for another long day of 300km. Today we’re heading through the tea plantations and more of the Ghat Mountains on what is the most beautiful day of the whole journey. Our destination was Thekkady. Passing through the towns of Udumalpet, Chinnar, Munnar, Pulianmalla and Kumli. The scenery was absolutely amazing and the pictures I have do not do it justice, it has to be seen to be believed. We had a number of stops along the way and even spent 20 mins laying on boulders in a mountain stream with my feet in the cold fresh water. Ahhh! The roads were very twisty with hairpin bends, which made for a fantastic day of riding too. We arrived in the dark at the hotel, 4Km short of Thekkady and I had to follow in Paul as the bulb that had been replace in my headlight still didn’t work. We had a well deserved dinner and beer on the roof terrace and chatted about the day we’d just had.
The Final Day! It seems to a flown by but at the same time I seem to have been riding this trip for ever. Leaving Thekkady and heading back down the mountains towards Lake Song, Kottayam. Coming down and the temperature began to rise and became very hot towards the end. In fact most were agreeing that it was the hottest day of the trip. 190km covered over some good roads and continuously beautiful scenery. We stopped off for a bite to eat before riding on again to the first meeting point 20km before the finish. We waited there in the stifling heat for all the bikes to arrive and then regrouped again 3km from the end destination. It was amazing to be part of that and to see all those bikes revving and their riders sounding the horns as we made a way through the town towards the resort. People were waving and the children were cheering. We had made it! 1100km on a classic design motorcycle in some extreme conditions. As for the bike, The Royal Enfield Bullet, it was the perfect bike for the event.
So there we are, my Tri-Dangerthon is almost complete. Apologises for there being no pictures this time but it's took me over 2 hours to get this posted. (connection not good) I will be back with a couple more posts and pictures over the next few days. For now I am just chilling and contemplating and I can’t wait to fly back and see my gorgeous wife and family.
You can still Donate and all your support is much appreciated. Please click on Donate Button throughout this blog. Thank you.
Cheers
Rich
