Trip to Mangalore

“CHASING THE SUN” ON A BIKE

I chanced to read an article in “The Hindu” about a 47 year old attempting to ride on his RE from Chennai to Mangalore, leaving C

hennai at Sunris

e and hoped to be in

Mangalore before Sunset. But his machine could not endure and his attempt failed.

Inspired by the attempt of that gentleman I wanted to try the same on my P 220. I was sure my ‘definitely Male’ bike woul

dn’t let me down, but what I was concerned about

was my health, whether I could endure such an arduous ride particularly after having unde

r gone a surgery in my groin area just a month before.

I waited another month and six days and chose to leave Chennai Marina beach and ride to Someshwar beac

h at Mangalore. I chose 13th Feb 2011, a Sunday.

As luck would have it, there was a Marathon event organized on the same day and Traffic on Chennai beach road was diverted and I had to change my starting venue to Foreshore estate beach. My good friend Ramesh and his son Rudran were there to see me off and wish me luck. Rames

h was kind enough to lend me his neck collar pad and that surely saved my neck from becoming stiff during the ride.

After a few photographs and well wishes I left Chennai beach at 06.32,

though the sun failed to appear due to haze at the horizon.

As expected there was v

ery less traffic and I crossed Poonamallee in just 2

4 minutes and went full throttle reaching Vellore in 1 hr and 50 minutes, had my breakfast and continued onward to Bangalore. After Vellore my bike refused to touch its top speed of 135 and never went above 120 how much ever I tried. I noticed the engine had a different drone as if straining to pull. I pushed hard to get to Nice ring road under four hours but made it only at 1045 where a gentleman guided me so well I did not m

ess up my track. After paying a hefty toll of Rs 50/-

for the bike my next stop was at Reliance bunk at Nelamangala. I filled “him” up and found he

has guzzled Rs 940/- worth of fuel. My earlier trips to Bangalore I could always make it up to Vellore on my return leg and fill up there.

I left Nelamangala and was on my way to Hasan supposed to be my next stop. My bike continued u

nderperforming in the same way and now I noticed a slight wobble in the ride too. Two tender coconuts at Channaroyapattna took care of my draining fluid levels at a cost of Rs 22/-. No multinational cola can refresh you better than your desi coconut.

It was during that halt that I noticed the rea

r wheel had a flattish tire. So that was the reason

for low top speed and increased fuel bill. I just inflated the tire and hoped to reach Hasan where I would have my lunch and get the tire fixed. I reached Hasan at 1420 hrs. After lunch I got the tire fixed and carried on to Terra incognita.

The road for the first

40 Km after Hasan was not at all bad but I was not ready for the next 40 Km. From Sakleshpur it was hell on those roads. I really have not come across such a bad stretch of road in my life. Government apathy at its worst. I don’t know how the poor LPG tanker drivers drive through those moon like craters. Road between Srinagar and Leh is an Autobahn in comparison. It took me 1 hr 20 minutes to traverse 40 KM.

The time was 1620 hrs when I got out of the hell ride and still had a 100 km to go. I had two hours to do that and wasn’t unduly worried. It was a pleasure, riding the rest of the way even though the road was very bad in a few patches. I had time enough to stop at a Church in shape of Jesus Christ and take a few photos.

Mahaveer circle in Mangalore welcomed me at 1750 hrs and so did Mr Tharique,( an online well wisher w

ho agreed to meet

me in person if I did reach Mangalore), a few minutes later. He took me to Someshwar beach.

It was a small beach with silvery white sand but clean. A sm

all rocky hillock was battling out with

tireless waves. The sun seemed to have shrunk in size and appeared red probably angered by my chasing him successfully.

Knanaya Catholic church

I bid good bye to the Sun who was intent upon drowning himself in the Arabian Sea.

I met one of my kind

The most unbelievable part of my journey was I never felt tired. I believe that if one does what one si

ncerely likes to do, one can never be tired.

Mr Tharique was kind enough to take me to his bachelor’s den and cooked some real good sambar a

nd rice with cabbage curry which I devoured and retired for the night.

Next day I left for Chennai at 0940 hrs and was back to my home at 2130 hrs.

On my return journey I did feel achy and tired and even thought of stopping at Chithoor and resting up at some hotel. But I rode on sheer willpower which brought me back home by 2130 hrs.

Now that I have successfully complet

ed my longest ride (My Odo reading - 753 KM !!) in a day’s trip and 1546 km in 39 hrs I believe I can do more and already started thinking of the next one. Goa ! Probably after summer.

By the way don’t tell anyone I am only 64

years young and intend getting younger.Following lines are for the young aspirants who might attempt with faster bikes and zeal.

I had taken all the precaution and protective gear such as knee/elbow guards, full mask helmet, ear plugs to cut out the wind and engine noise,(which actually makes you more tired) first aid kit including tourniquet, thick cotton pants, wind cheater, riding gloves, dark glasses, cott

on helmet inner and a bottle of water for which I had no need because of tender coconut . I also carried in my pocket a note giving all required details of me including my blood group and contact numbers.

Happy biking… Thanks Bajaj….

G. Varadharajan

Ex. Indian Air Force

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