Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Solo Bike Ride to Pondicherry

This was my second long Bike ride. A total of around 800 kms to and fro from Bangalore to Pondicherry and back. Made it a weekend trip. The underlying concept that initiated my ride was a crazy thought to shoot on the beaches. I rode solo all the way. After all riding solo has its own fun. There are many pros and cons involved when you ride alone. I was inspired by Gaurav Jani's "Riding solo on the top of the world".

I started from Bangalore on Friday at 3:00 pm( i think it is too late to start). And reached Pondy(as they call Pondicherry / Pudducherry ) at around 11:00 in the night. Damn late. It was a real hectic back breaking ride. But thanks to my Pulsar. She carried me well throughout. But for a flat Tyre that happened in the middle of nowhere. i had to push back my bike for a couple of kilometers to get it fixed. Also i realised late that a Bolt from the front disc brake had gave way. It dropped somewhere I do not know. So there was this constant "khat-khat" sound for almost 200 kms. I got that fixed the next morning in Pondy.

On My way to Pondicherry I crossed Hosur - Krishnagiri - Uthangiri - Thiruvannamalai - Ginchhy - Pondicherry. I was very tired by the time I had reached Pondy. It was too tough for me to find a Guest House or a hotel. This was End of December and almost all of the hotels were were booked. I had dropped in the city without any planning. When I tried for getting room booked, while still in Bangalore, I got sad replies. So i made it a point that I will rather go and then see.

After hunting for half an hour to 40 minutes. I came back to the out skirts of the city near JIPMER where i has seen a small guest house as soon I had entered the city. The guy at the desk had told me that I can look in the city and return if I did nit get any room. the same happened. So I was bound to take up his room. He charged Rs 100 for 24 hours. Almost at a throwaway price. But the place was also not too good. It was a dingy room. He was left with only one room I suppose. the place was more of a hostel types. Mostly medical students some other people stayed who wanted to spend some weeks in Pondicherry.

I threw my bag on the table and crashed on to the bed.  Was too tired.

Next morning I made it a point to wake up early and went straight to the sea-face. Wow, what a lovely view of the morning. Catch some of the snaps on my photo blog www.just-vagabond.blogspot.com,