First of its kind

A diary of most of my bike rides, in approximate sequence.

Sub Title: First of its kind
Approx distance: 150kmCompanions: None
Target destination: Somewhere on Coonor highway.
Highlights: My first taste of Nilgiris and chilly mountain breeze.
Pictures taken: No
Route: Coimbatore- Mettupalayam- Coonor

The bigger picture:

A semester holiday meant no friends in hostel and an overdose of TV. A power failure forced me into an early lunch and set my thoughts racing. I observed the cloudy climate and I wanted to make the most of it. I wanted to do a bike trip to a new place and immediately chose Conoor. It was 12:30pm and not much sunlight was left for the day.

In no time I was heading on the highway towards Mettupalayam Road. A biscuit packet, wind-cheater and water bottle in my shoulder bag were the supplies I needed. As I tackled the rough highway at 60kmph maximum and caught a glimpse of Nilgiris from my bike, I felt elated. I wanted to do this for nearly two years and one lazy afternoon it materialized. I heard myself saying to the huge mountains, ‘I am coming there’.

A tender coconut quenched me thirst and the vendor doubled up as the weather forecaster and warned me of some showers. At that point, I only intended to go upto the Buruliar check post and take a U-turn, but my plan took a U-turn instead.

I crossed the plantations on the Mettupalayam-Ooty highway admiring the pleasant climate this region is endowed with. Also the roads had a thin layer of water or moisture than kept its coloration jet black. A blue bike on a black road surrounded by greenery was a pleasant sight for my eyes. I crossed Kallar fruit plantation and headed for an ascent into the Nilgiris. I was awe struck as my bike pointed its head towards the dense green mountains.

The weather was moist and threatened to rain any time. With every passing metre the wind became chiller and was pushing me to reach the peak. I simply could not believe that I am actually doing it as I had dreamt. The roads were slippery and I felt a few rain drops on my body. I didn’t want to stop, but I noticed a fellow biker stopping for a costume change. He seemed like a regular traveler of that route and had leather jacket and gloves. On seeing that, I chided myself for not investing in a pair of gloves and stopped for a biscuit-break.

I parked my bike in a wide section of the road so that I don’t obstruct the free flow of traffic. I was admiring the mist-covered peaks and fresh mountain breeze. A passing biker thought I had a break-down and offered for help, but I thanked him and sent him on his way. Suddenly, a group of ten Bonnet Macaques emerge to relieve me of my biscuits. I mistook then to be friendly, but one male showed its canines and conveyed its intention. I had to leave my biscuits to those locals and got into my jacket. It provided the warmth needed for another uphill ascent.

I wanted to turn back at Buruliar check-post, but I paid the toll Rs7 and headed straight into the mountains. I made very slow progress as I was attracted to look into the deep gorges and valleys below. A rain cloud provided the much-needed misty appearance to the evergreen forested mountains of Nilgiris. It was around 2:30pm but felt like 6:30pm in Coimbatore. A look into my watch only pushed me further as I had plenty of time and light to get back home. As I scaled hairpin after hairpin, I was teaching myself new lessons in cornering. A light drizzle only restricted my reaching Conoor. I came across a road-side church with Mary and Jesus in a glass enclosure, with most of the transparent area misty.

As the drizzle grew in intensity, I was planning to turn back with about 4km to hit Conoor. I caught a glimpse of the narrow-gauge railway track of Nilgiri Mountain Railway and wished that the train would pass by, so that I could wave at the passengers from my bike. I remember seeing some old movie where a jeep and train would go side by side in the mountains in picturesque setting. But I came to sense that I would get completely wet if I carried on and slowed down for a U-turn near a hairpin bend. A group of three bikes were on a downhill journey.

For the first time in my life, I was heading downhill fully assisted by my 12-bhp engine and gravity. I was exploiting my disk-brakes to the maximum and they are worth the extra initial and maintenance cost. In no time, I caught up with the bike group of three. I could clearly make out a dynamically superior LML-Energy bike taking the twisties with full control. I didn’t mean to race with him, but followed him very closely and was almost gave him a good challenge on hill-biking. I was pushing the bike more than in the open highways and was making full use of the banking in turns. I was traveling at twice the uphill speed and was thoroughly enjoying the mountain road- potholeless and smooth tar surfaced.

The chill breeze and continuous drizzle had my kidneys and bladder working overtime and I had to relieve myself in a pit stop. This happened in a place covered with huge trees and lots of birds in its canopy. This is one of the best restrooms which people can get anywhere on earth- answering nature’s call amidst nature. It couldn’t get better than that.

The rest of the hill ride was eventful as I set myself new cornering and braking standards. I even touched 70kmph in one of the twisties. Most of the mundane traffic comprised of buses and a few MUVs. Whenever I passed a bus, I was the centre of fascination for the passengers as they gaped their mouth wide and ogled at my bike. Or did they look down at me as a stupid college-kid riding in chilly weather? I don’t know. I covered the rest of the journey back home still thinking about the hill ride.

For me the first experience of downhill ride was so exhilarating and I simply wanted to do it again. God damn the people who think riding in adverse conditions are risky. The first experience of hill ride was as pleasant as the first kiss or first love, as they say. For me it was the ultimate way of bonding with my bike and enjoying its power and handling to the maximum.