dichkaun
Well-Known Member
Slow start to 2023 with scarcity of rides till last month when I managed to sneak in a 3 day ride to kerala coast.
A short photolog below:
Bike Ride: Guruvayur and Vagamon – Triplog
Day 1 – 536Km
First ride of 2023. Decided to ride down to Kerala coast before the summer takes over. Also had to take care of some unfinished business.
Early morning heading out on Hosur highway, took a side road to watch the sunrise. Sat on a parapet to watch the sun slowly rise up over the fields and spread the morning light.
First break after Krishnagiri for some tea. Ended up having a second glass.
At Salem turned towards Coimbatore. They really need to create a bypass to Salem cutting wide off the city.
Tunnel after Palakkad.
At Thrissur, decided to turn towards Guruvayur and then go to Chavakkad beach.
At Guruvayur, the road was partially blocked due to a temple procession. Beautiful and colorful. I did not mind the block. Thoroughly enjoyed the bright dresses and drum beats.
Next was to search for a hotel room. Called a few places and then realized the price at MMT was much cheaper than what they were quoting over phone. So booked Sreepathi Indraprastha hotel. Room was decent.
After a cup of tea, headed out to the beach. Looking at the map, I saw there was this side beach a little north of chavakkad which was supposed to have pine trees.
I was surprised since Pines typically grow at high altitude and cold temperature. I had to go to this beach.
Followed google maps to this beach and indeed there were pines growing, though somewhat different then the tall ones we find in Himalayas.
The beach was mostly empty except for a group doing a pre-marriage shoot.
After wading in the water for a while, I settled down a little above where water would reach.
Some pictures from the beach.
Hung around till the sun was below the horizon. On the way back to the hotel, I had a burger for evening snack.
At the hotel, I opened up the map to plan for the next day. I was of the mind to follow the coast south and spend the night at another coastal town.
However, looking at the map, I realized than Vagamon was not far. So made plans to head there.
later headed down to the hotel restaurant for dinner.
Day 2 – 361Km
Six am was my departure time. I was in two minds on whether to stay at Vagamon or somewhere ahead.
The way from Guruvayur to Thrissur is tricky. So I let google maps guide me and it promptly took me through some by lanes and once even through someone’s backyard. On way saw this magnificent church. Stopped long enough to take a picture.
Beyond Thrissur I headed south on the NH544. Stopped a a little after Angamaly for tea and breakfast. A little after that hills started.
For a moment I thought of taking a diversion to see the Idukki Dam, but then decided against it.
The hills were mostly dry and brown. In between the flowering trees indicated the arrival of spring.
At Kanjar, stopped to ask direction and I was promptly directed towards a side road. Having my doubts, I asked another person who reaffirmed that it was the best route to Vagamon.
And both were correct. The narrow route took me through some beautiful tea plantations.
Reaching Vagamon, I rode to the Pine forests. It was a tourist epicenter. Dozens of buses brought hundreds of tourists. One had to struggle to find a place to stand. Took a picture from somewhat far off and turned.
The Vagamon meadows were somewhat better. While the main viewing area was crowded, I drove a little ahead and then took a trail and landed on a stretch of meadow which was all for myself. Parked myself under a shaded tree and finished a packet of biscuit along with a bottle of water.
After a while, leisurely rode through more patches of tea gardens.
Decided to heard to Dindigul. Could have planned a little further, but the famed biryani sealed the deal for Dindigul.
Beyond Kumily, it was a hot and dusty ride to Dindigul. Took a room via MMT and slept for a while.
In the evening, walk to a Thalappakatti Biryani place. The biryani was good, but I will take one from Shivaji Military hotel over this any day.
Day 3 – 387Km
Nothing much to this day. Left the hotel at 0600. Straight route to Hosur and then via Chikka Tirupati to home. Stopped for a couple of times for water and snacks.
Through the entire trip, roads were excellent. Food as usual in small towns is awesome.
Meteor 350 performed very well. I did get a bit of discomfort in the tail bone. Need to so something about that.
Ride Month : Feb 2023
Distance : ~1290Km
A short photolog below:
Bike Ride: Guruvayur and Vagamon – Triplog
Day 1 – 536Km
First ride of 2023. Decided to ride down to Kerala coast before the summer takes over. Also had to take care of some unfinished business.
Early morning heading out on Hosur highway, took a side road to watch the sunrise. Sat on a parapet to watch the sun slowly rise up over the fields and spread the morning light.
First break after Krishnagiri for some tea. Ended up having a second glass.
At Salem turned towards Coimbatore. They really need to create a bypass to Salem cutting wide off the city.
Tunnel after Palakkad.
At Thrissur, decided to turn towards Guruvayur and then go to Chavakkad beach.
At Guruvayur, the road was partially blocked due to a temple procession. Beautiful and colorful. I did not mind the block. Thoroughly enjoyed the bright dresses and drum beats.
Next was to search for a hotel room. Called a few places and then realized the price at MMT was much cheaper than what they were quoting over phone. So booked Sreepathi Indraprastha hotel. Room was decent.
After a cup of tea, headed out to the beach. Looking at the map, I saw there was this side beach a little north of chavakkad which was supposed to have pine trees.
I was surprised since Pines typically grow at high altitude and cold temperature. I had to go to this beach.
Followed google maps to this beach and indeed there were pines growing, though somewhat different then the tall ones we find in Himalayas.
The beach was mostly empty except for a group doing a pre-marriage shoot.
After wading in the water for a while, I settled down a little above where water would reach.
Some pictures from the beach.
Hung around till the sun was below the horizon. On the way back to the hotel, I had a burger for evening snack.
At the hotel, I opened up the map to plan for the next day. I was of the mind to follow the coast south and spend the night at another coastal town.
However, looking at the map, I realized than Vagamon was not far. So made plans to head there.
later headed down to the hotel restaurant for dinner.
Day 2 – 361Km
Six am was my departure time. I was in two minds on whether to stay at Vagamon or somewhere ahead.
The way from Guruvayur to Thrissur is tricky. So I let google maps guide me and it promptly took me through some by lanes and once even through someone’s backyard. On way saw this magnificent church. Stopped long enough to take a picture.
Beyond Thrissur I headed south on the NH544. Stopped a a little after Angamaly for tea and breakfast. A little after that hills started.
For a moment I thought of taking a diversion to see the Idukki Dam, but then decided against it.
The hills were mostly dry and brown. In between the flowering trees indicated the arrival of spring.
At Kanjar, stopped to ask direction and I was promptly directed towards a side road. Having my doubts, I asked another person who reaffirmed that it was the best route to Vagamon.
And both were correct. The narrow route took me through some beautiful tea plantations.
Reaching Vagamon, I rode to the Pine forests. It was a tourist epicenter. Dozens of buses brought hundreds of tourists. One had to struggle to find a place to stand. Took a picture from somewhat far off and turned.
The Vagamon meadows were somewhat better. While the main viewing area was crowded, I drove a little ahead and then took a trail and landed on a stretch of meadow which was all for myself. Parked myself under a shaded tree and finished a packet of biscuit along with a bottle of water.
After a while, leisurely rode through more patches of tea gardens.
Decided to heard to Dindigul. Could have planned a little further, but the famed biryani sealed the deal for Dindigul.
Beyond Kumily, it was a hot and dusty ride to Dindigul. Took a room via MMT and slept for a while.
In the evening, walk to a Thalappakatti Biryani place. The biryani was good, but I will take one from Shivaji Military hotel over this any day.
Day 3 – 387Km
Nothing much to this day. Left the hotel at 0600. Straight route to Hosur and then via Chikka Tirupati to home. Stopped for a couple of times for water and snacks.
Through the entire trip, roads were excellent. Food as usual in small towns is awesome.
Meteor 350 performed very well. I did get a bit of discomfort in the tail bone. Need to so something about that.
Ride Month : Feb 2023
Distance : ~1290Km
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