Well, I wasn't obsessed with tracks, never before , more inclined towards touring - but now the quarter mile matters too..
The track day started with a sleepy morning, right after a night shift - a few kilometers away, FURY, INSIDIOUS & EL LOCO was waiting for me..
A quick introduction and we zoomed past , reached the MMSC in no time..
A short introduction, followed on.. a Briefing Session by Varun.. Praful started the session blistering into the tracks and others followed suit.
I sat back, enjoying the fellow riders beat it out at the track.. Then a typical grunt, as though a group of lions entered in..
Pondered out, 3 SBKs.. My jaws popped out - first time seeing a SBK in flesh! Realising a virtual dream, came back to the pits to see whats cooking..
Soon Manoj signaled to the pits stating that somebody had a fall.. Rushed back to Varun, he was busy registering the almighty's..
Started my TBTS, for the first time - the bull marched on to the tracks.. A long way on, slowly one corner after the other.. @ C7 saw manoj down with a crash..
He was down with a few scratches, but his P220 frame was bent and a scratched silencer. Came back to the pits & saw INSIDIOUS with a tored up back
A matter of fact, INSIDIOUS had a fall, manoj informed us & i went and saw manoj himself with a fall.
Manoj recovered and came back to the pits, enjoyed the next 1 hour seeing the R1, GSXR, CBR.. Our very own Kushanth's ZMA & the two mopeds doing miraculous speeds within the pits
FURY borrowed my jacket for a few laps around the tracks and it started tempting me to ride around the tracks.. When FURY came back, I got back my jacket and started off..
The first lap was casual, speeds only around the 80's.. Cornering was a big No No!! The huge foot pegs started scraping with a slight lean on to the corner..
But managed to do around the 60's to 70' around the corner.. The fastest was 95 , from C3 to C4 not to mention my TBTS was still with the run-in period!
The ride really perforwed well, quicker starts than what i expected out of the bird and first time i went till the 5k RPM..
Came back to the pits after few laps, the bike was fuming hot! Chilled out with the budding bikers and then it was a unexpectable call! A ride on the CBR!!
The virtual dream came down, i rode down the 12 exciting coners.. if not as the rider, as a pillion was a totally uncalled for experience..
The dangerous corners around the triple digits was so scary!!
The wind just blew past me in the other shorter straight around C3 & C4!
The miraculous 150's and the pillion experience just counting on the edge of the tyre was indeed impressive..
But the corner C4,5,6 &7 took a toll! Softly shouted at Suneet to head back to the bits
Came back to the pits with a jubilation! Phew! Wish some one had captured the ecstatic moment!!
Joining back at the pits, again a blow - this time it was karthik who again had the fall..
INSIDIOUS tagged along with me on my TBTS and we went to see karthik fell apart from his R15. He had a sour knee which bled and his ride was badly broke!
Couldnt help him much as the FIRST AID Kit wasnt there in my ride, not sure where it was , so went back to the pits and got the bandages from GURU and came back to the spot..
Felt sorry for Karthik that it literally took 30 odd minutes to treat the wound Applied the antiseptic ointment and took INSIDIOUS back to the pits.
Later, Varun, Joel & Co. got back the ride back to the pits in one piece , that too with the clip on, literally broke!
Then it was time for posing with the babes.. well i meant the SBKs.. The CBR, R1 & the GSXR.. Few nice clicks and i was back to the pits seeing the Desi bikes in action..
Later, took FURY's Pulsar for a Spin, the gear shifts.., the handling was totally different from that of my Bird..
was more happier riding my bird than the pulsar (No offence to Fury / Pulsars) but felt my ride was more relaxed than that of the pulsars w r t the handling
Varun finished his Knee downs on the R15 and came back announcing the last few laps, the needles struck around the 1PM mark.
Then it was time for the group photos and the adieu's..
After a tiring day at the tracks, with the sun beating down went back to office sweating, with the riding jacket ON..
My colleagues saw me as though i came back from a unknown territory
Over all, a tiring day.. but a wonderful time.. first time meeting many of the fellow xBhpians and what not the first time experience in the tracks will never fade away from the memories..
Finally.. Me & INSIDIOUS (With Ace's Lid ) on my TBTS to see what happened for Karthik...
P.S: Sorry this is just a Copy Paste from my blog, Couldn't write eloborately about the performance of TBTS , hence the blog.. please pardon my BAD ENGLISH or the poor grammar
Picasa Album Link here
Monday, March 9, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
A Solo Trip to Heaven
The leaves were approved well in advance, but working in shifts made life miserable. It was a mix up of night and day shifts and i was tired. The weekend came and it was a delightful track day GTG. After a sober night shift, headed directly to the tracks and had a blast! Returned to office from the tracks, life was screwed up. With just a couple of days to go, i was consoling myself to get these two days roll off ASAP
Tanked up in a nearby petrol bunk, Returned home after a exhausted 11 hours at office on Monday night, 4 hours to the d day! 11:30 PM - had a heavy dinner and packed up the things. The saddle bags weren't there and so had to manage with the backpack.Searched for the camera, and i found it wasn't there!! I forgot to get it from my friend and the trip looked bleak! Finally managed to get hold of a broken 4MP camera and my 2 MP mobile camera as reserve.
Off to bed at 12 AM, woke up at 3 30 AM. Eyes gave up and i slept off, 4:15 AM, mom woke me up and asked if im riding that day! I woke up , got ready in 15 minutes and 4:30 AM i was ready. Sipped a wonderful coffee and the trip began @ 4:45 AM
Day 1: It was cold, but the leather gloves and the riding jacket were comfortable.
Rode for the next 50 kms, slow and steady @ 3k RPM wit a max speed of 70-75 Kmph. Stopped for a coffee break near thindivanam toll plaza. opened up the throttle and it was in high 90's. The climate was wonderful and i enjoyed riding in a decent pace.
With not much traffic around, i casually i rode on the middle lane and then a merc sped past me alerting me up from the dreams and the sleepy morning. I was thrown apart from the middle to the left most lane. Stopped for a butt break and then it was the turn of truckers and the road diversions.
Roads were OK till then, but for the next 20 kms till villupuram the roads were bad, mostly muddy and filled up wit potholes. further on the roads were good, but the diversions never ended. took the diversion to salem, the state roads started. it was scenic, greenery all over and i enjoyed riding around the 80's. Around 9 AM, stopped for butt rest near kallakuruchi. The traffic gradually increased as there were many schools and colleges in that road. After about 1 hour of zig zag riding, the traffic became less and rode on further.
The sun started beating down, It was HOT! Stopped near Bhavani (CAUVERI RIVER) for a snap and pushed the bike a bit. Git dehydrated and stopped near erode for a break at the aavin parlor. Quickly emptied a glass of milk, a cool drink and a palkova (some sweet made out of milk).
A hour of non stop riding got me to avinasi. Took the diversion to Mettupalayam. It was around 480 on the odo and i haven't tanked up! I was puzzled that my bike gave more than 45kmpl!! I tanked up again and zoomed a head. I wanted a change and so took the odd way out. After Mettupalayam, it was the usual CONOOR route, but i took he diversion towards kothagiri, another hill station. It was indeed a pleasent ride, the roads were phenomenal.. It was curves, curves and more curves a head. The temperatures lessened and it was perfect to ride on! After numerous curves and corners, It was as though KILLER & JOEL gave a drill
Stopped for a nice cup of tea, i started a head to Doddabetta - the highest peak in South India! Spent a good hour there, a few snaps and i came down. Reached OOTY in about 30 minutes and was roaming like a nomad with no clue on where im going! Finally stopped near the OOTY lake. Saw a couple of hotels opposite to it. Booked a room, parked the bike and went out for a long walk. Bought a few home made chocolates and emptied it immediately Came back to the hote, had a nice dinner and hit the sack @ 7:30 PM. A couple of hours later, my girl friend called me, Told her Im in OOTY, a solo trip. She scolded Me - #@!$%^&# - I crashed to the bed again
I ended the day with 570 Kms on the odo, the longest i have done on a day.. it was tiring but enjoyable.
Day 2: started with a wonderful cup of fresh Nilgiri masala tea. refreshed myself and went out to see a white horse. The guy asked if u wanna go solo or you need a guide? Also he mentioned that the horse itself would take me back to the same place and not to worry. With a brave thought, i told i would go SOLO He just accompanied till the end of the road and then i was all alone into the forests and the villages. The horse was nice til the first corner and then phew it started running up fast! I was puzzled and afraid where it is taking me to! i had absolutely no control on the horse and what ever i do , it just zoomed a head. the bumpy ride gave a sore back and it swollen up the butt It came to a grinding half after 30 minutes of non stop running.. and then.. the horse wont move no matter what i do! I thought of getting down from the horse and walk back., but what will i tell to the guy who would wait in front of the room.. after a while another guy who was riding a horse came along, tagged me with him and dropped me at the hotel! I was thrilled and it was a fascinating experience..
Came back to the room and started ahead to Pykara. the ride wasn't smooth, as with a sore back.. reached the view point and the place was so beautiful. Took a few snaps and then i started back. Reached pykara and the lake was wonderful. Waited for some one to tag along as they wont allow solo riding on a boat After 20 minutes of pleasant scenery from the boat, i came back to the shore - took a few snaps and went to the other side of the lake, the Pykara dam. Went a head into the dam, couldn't take the snaps as the watchman was too adamant not to allow me take snaps - reached back to the hotel room in 30 minutes and went out for lunch. Took rest for some time and it was time to visit the gardens and parks in the evening. Paid the Botanical garden, a visit. It was nice, with green green and green plants everywhere! The crowd was heavy and i didn't enjoy it. A few clicks and i started from there.
Stopped at a service station, washed my bike and went to the room. parked the bike and went to the OOTY Lake, a nearby park and for Go karting! It was dark and i came back to the room. Ordered the dinner and packed up things. Had a shower as i was tired, finished the meal and crashed on the bed around 9 PM - 67 Kms of riding around Ooty - Odo - 001378
Day 3: It began with a shivering mood. Woke up at 5:15 and had to manage with a cold water bath at 5:30 AM!! Settled off the bills and started at 6:00 AM. The weather was awesome, it was misty everywhere and i could barely see the vehicle in front of me. It was cold even after wearing a thick tee and a riding jacket and the gloves.
The foggy weather also made the helmet visor foggy! every breathe made it worse! Cautiously rode down at the 40's. The corners were no longer easy. Even a 40 KMPH turn was skiddy. Relaxed a bit and set off in a very slow pace. It was indeed cold and i needed to be extra cautious with the truckers and cars coming against me.. It took about 30 minutes for reaching CONOOR and another 30 minutes to reach Metupalayam.
From there the flat roads started, and i opened up the throttle after a long long time! managing around the 80's, it was tough to cope up with the jay walkers and stupid cyclers pedding across the roads! crossing villages from mettupalayam and annur and avinasi was a tough task! I wanted to take a different route and so took the diversion to Mettur. The intial roads were dumb. With just potholes and not roads, i could mange only 10 kmph for about 3-4 kms and then the roads with a bit of potholes started..Further more the scenic village roads started. It took a while and i reached mettur finally around 10 AM. Spent some time at the Stanley reservoir and started back home.
Took the road towards Dharmapuri and hence skipping salem. I reached NH7 and then it was time for the long long straights! The sun was out already and it gave me a tough time. Stopped so many times for butt breaks and tea breaks. After 70 odd kilometers, i stopped in Krishnagiri.
The sign board read Right to Chennai and Straight a head to Bangalore.
I was wondering if i was to go straight ahead to Bangalore, get scoldings from my girl or what else to do. I took the RIGHT decision
100 odd kilometers, i stopped for lunch at Ambur and then at vellore, 140 kilometers from home. A hour of non stop riding and i reached near kanchipuram and i was exhausted. Stopped for a cool refreshing tender coconot on the way and the sign board read "99 Kilometers to chennai".
From three digits to double digits in a mater of hours.. i was happy with the progress..finally reached the outskirts of chennai around 3 30 PM. Then i had to deal with the numerous college buses and the Hyundai buses plying around. They were riding at their own will, thinking they were the lord of the streets.. with nothing else to do, i started with the zig zag riding and i finally reached home at 4:00 PM.
A fascinating 1140 Km trip.. A solo trip on my new ThunderBird.. It was all jubilation once i reached home.. The memories would never die so soon.. Overall, a wonderful trip to remember and prosper for the coming days...
If i can, why not you?? Leave Home!!
The Picasa PhotoStream link is here
Tanked up in a nearby petrol bunk, Returned home after a exhausted 11 hours at office on Monday night, 4 hours to the d day! 11:30 PM - had a heavy dinner and packed up the things. The saddle bags weren't there and so had to manage with the backpack.Searched for the camera, and i found it wasn't there!! I forgot to get it from my friend and the trip looked bleak! Finally managed to get hold of a broken 4MP camera and my 2 MP mobile camera as reserve.
Off to bed at 12 AM, woke up at 3 30 AM. Eyes gave up and i slept off, 4:15 AM, mom woke me up and asked if im riding that day! I woke up , got ready in 15 minutes and 4:30 AM i was ready. Sipped a wonderful coffee and the trip began @ 4:45 AM
Day 1: It was cold, but the leather gloves and the riding jacket were comfortable.
Rode for the next 50 kms, slow and steady @ 3k RPM wit a max speed of 70-75 Kmph. Stopped for a coffee break near thindivanam toll plaza. opened up the throttle and it was in high 90's. The climate was wonderful and i enjoyed riding in a decent pace.
With not much traffic around, i casually i rode on the middle lane and then a merc sped past me alerting me up from the dreams and the sleepy morning. I was thrown apart from the middle to the left most lane. Stopped for a butt break and then it was the turn of truckers and the road diversions.
Roads were OK till then, but for the next 20 kms till villupuram the roads were bad, mostly muddy and filled up wit potholes. further on the roads were good, but the diversions never ended. took the diversion to salem, the state roads started. it was scenic, greenery all over and i enjoyed riding around the 80's. Around 9 AM, stopped for butt rest near kallakuruchi. The traffic gradually increased as there were many schools and colleges in that road. After about 1 hour of zig zag riding, the traffic became less and rode on further.
The sun started beating down, It was HOT! Stopped near Bhavani (CAUVERI RIVER) for a snap and pushed the bike a bit. Git dehydrated and stopped near erode for a break at the aavin parlor. Quickly emptied a glass of milk, a cool drink and a palkova (some sweet made out of milk).
A hour of non stop riding got me to avinasi. Took the diversion to Mettupalayam. It was around 480 on the odo and i haven't tanked up! I was puzzled that my bike gave more than 45kmpl!! I tanked up again and zoomed a head. I wanted a change and so took the odd way out. After Mettupalayam, it was the usual CONOOR route, but i took he diversion towards kothagiri, another hill station. It was indeed a pleasent ride, the roads were phenomenal.. It was curves, curves and more curves a head. The temperatures lessened and it was perfect to ride on! After numerous curves and corners, It was as though KILLER & JOEL gave a drill
Stopped for a nice cup of tea, i started a head to Doddabetta - the highest peak in South India! Spent a good hour there, a few snaps and i came down. Reached OOTY in about 30 minutes and was roaming like a nomad with no clue on where im going! Finally stopped near the OOTY lake. Saw a couple of hotels opposite to it. Booked a room, parked the bike and went out for a long walk. Bought a few home made chocolates and emptied it immediately Came back to the hote, had a nice dinner and hit the sack @ 7:30 PM. A couple of hours later, my girl friend called me, Told her Im in OOTY, a solo trip. She scolded Me - #@!$%^&# - I crashed to the bed again
I ended the day with 570 Kms on the odo, the longest i have done on a day.. it was tiring but enjoyable.
Day 2: started with a wonderful cup of fresh Nilgiri masala tea. refreshed myself and went out to see a white horse. The guy asked if u wanna go solo or you need a guide? Also he mentioned that the horse itself would take me back to the same place and not to worry. With a brave thought, i told i would go SOLO He just accompanied till the end of the road and then i was all alone into the forests and the villages. The horse was nice til the first corner and then phew it started running up fast! I was puzzled and afraid where it is taking me to! i had absolutely no control on the horse and what ever i do , it just zoomed a head. the bumpy ride gave a sore back and it swollen up the butt It came to a grinding half after 30 minutes of non stop running.. and then.. the horse wont move no matter what i do! I thought of getting down from the horse and walk back., but what will i tell to the guy who would wait in front of the room.. after a while another guy who was riding a horse came along, tagged me with him and dropped me at the hotel! I was thrilled and it was a fascinating experience..
Came back to the room and started ahead to Pykara. the ride wasn't smooth, as with a sore back.. reached the view point and the place was so beautiful. Took a few snaps and then i started back. Reached pykara and the lake was wonderful. Waited for some one to tag along as they wont allow solo riding on a boat After 20 minutes of pleasant scenery from the boat, i came back to the shore - took a few snaps and went to the other side of the lake, the Pykara dam. Went a head into the dam, couldn't take the snaps as the watchman was too adamant not to allow me take snaps - reached back to the hotel room in 30 minutes and went out for lunch. Took rest for some time and it was time to visit the gardens and parks in the evening. Paid the Botanical garden, a visit. It was nice, with green green and green plants everywhere! The crowd was heavy and i didn't enjoy it. A few clicks and i started from there.
Stopped at a service station, washed my bike and went to the room. parked the bike and went to the OOTY Lake, a nearby park and for Go karting! It was dark and i came back to the room. Ordered the dinner and packed up things. Had a shower as i was tired, finished the meal and crashed on the bed around 9 PM - 67 Kms of riding around Ooty - Odo - 001378
Day 3: It began with a shivering mood. Woke up at 5:15 and had to manage with a cold water bath at 5:30 AM!! Settled off the bills and started at 6:00 AM. The weather was awesome, it was misty everywhere and i could barely see the vehicle in front of me. It was cold even after wearing a thick tee and a riding jacket and the gloves.
The foggy weather also made the helmet visor foggy! every breathe made it worse! Cautiously rode down at the 40's. The corners were no longer easy. Even a 40 KMPH turn was skiddy. Relaxed a bit and set off in a very slow pace. It was indeed cold and i needed to be extra cautious with the truckers and cars coming against me.. It took about 30 minutes for reaching CONOOR and another 30 minutes to reach Metupalayam.
From there the flat roads started, and i opened up the throttle after a long long time! managing around the 80's, it was tough to cope up with the jay walkers and stupid cyclers pedding across the roads! crossing villages from mettupalayam and annur and avinasi was a tough task! I wanted to take a different route and so took the diversion to Mettur. The intial roads were dumb. With just potholes and not roads, i could mange only 10 kmph for about 3-4 kms and then the roads with a bit of potholes started..Further more the scenic village roads started. It took a while and i reached mettur finally around 10 AM. Spent some time at the Stanley reservoir and started back home.
Took the road towards Dharmapuri and hence skipping salem. I reached NH7 and then it was time for the long long straights! The sun was out already and it gave me a tough time. Stopped so many times for butt breaks and tea breaks. After 70 odd kilometers, i stopped in Krishnagiri.
The sign board read Right to Chennai and Straight a head to Bangalore.
I was wondering if i was to go straight ahead to Bangalore, get scoldings from my girl or what else to do. I took the RIGHT decision
100 odd kilometers, i stopped for lunch at Ambur and then at vellore, 140 kilometers from home. A hour of non stop riding and i reached near kanchipuram and i was exhausted. Stopped for a cool refreshing tender coconot on the way and the sign board read "99 Kilometers to chennai".
From three digits to double digits in a mater of hours.. i was happy with the progress..finally reached the outskirts of chennai around 3 30 PM. Then i had to deal with the numerous college buses and the Hyundai buses plying around. They were riding at their own will, thinking they were the lord of the streets.. with nothing else to do, i started with the zig zag riding and i finally reached home at 4:00 PM.
A fascinating 1140 Km trip.. A solo trip on my new ThunderBird.. It was all jubilation once i reached home.. The memories would never die so soon.. Overall, a wonderful trip to remember and prosper for the coming days...
If i can, why not you?? Leave Home!!
The Picasa PhotoStream link is here
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