RIDE 2016
After taking charge as Principal of SH college, there was not much opportunity to get out and explore skills - of endurance, of bike riding etc.
This was kind of planned-unplanned thing. I enjoy long bus or train trips, as they give you (me!) leisure, sleep, sight-seeing opportunities, some reading time etc. So as we planned the Bangalore alumni chapter launch of AASH (Alumni Association of Sacred Heart's), and then added Kannur chapter launch of our professional association (KAPS - Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers), I had a tentative plan to go on bike. Visit my mom at Perinthalmanna, then to go to Mysore and Bengaluru and return via Kannur.
However, on Friday, all plans went chaupat, as there was an inaugural meeting of KOCHI BOOK FESTIVAL where I (??) too was invited to be one among the twenty (rest of them) dignitaries including Prof. M.K. Sanu, Prof. Leelavathi, Prof. K.S. Radhakrishnan, K.L. Mohanavarma, GPC Nair.... so on. to light one of the twenty lamps as a symbol of the twentieth year of the festival. Dr. V.P. Joy IAS was the chief guest, and I recognized him, and introduced myself and reminded him that he was the government nominee in the interview panel that selected me as a faculty member at Rajagiri. The function started off around 4.45 pm and I could escape after lighting my lamp only around 5.20 pm. I had to come back to college to sign salary papers, some other signatures for the students.
And then, my bike given for repair was not brought back as promised by Antappan (our local biker mechanic). Finally he brought it around 6.30 pm. OK. Not yet long ride ready? I planned to keep the bike either at Angamaly or Chalakkudy and then move on by bus(es). However, reaching Angamaly, I found no sign of any Coimbatore buses, nor till Chalakkudy. At Chalakudy, as a last resort tried to check in with Lischechi's place, and request Newton to drop me at bus stand. But (fortunately) no one was found there!
Then called up Saju and said that I was coming to Perinthalmanna and started off, accompanied by slight drizzle all through. Without much trouble, though missing the route in between and thus adding some additional 3 kms, reached Perinthalmanna at 10.45 or 10.50 pm. Saju was waiting with 2 eggs and some such anadaaris ready for the omelette I had indicated, that I might have. He promptly prepared a rather well-done omelette and then we retired for the night. Met ammachi. She was not very sleepy, but as is the case, it didn't appear to make much difference to her.
I had planned to get up early and leave latest by 6 am. However, when I finally woke up and got ready, it was 6.30. Got off from there after a mug of coffee at 6.40 am.
It was cool, as I travelled further towards Nilambur and Gudalore, it became cold. There was mist in some areas. At several points there was confusion regarding the route, and I had to stop and clarify. Nilambur - Chungathara - Vazhikadavu - Nadukani - Gudalore. At Gudalore, stopped over at Morning Star CMI School (I had forgotten all about it. Then I found St. Thomas School, and presumed it might be the CMI school. However, on reaching its precincts, I sensed it is less likely to the be the CMI school! and soon, I was proven right, as I found out Morning Star School, with a marked difference in appearance). I was welcomed by Fr. Thakidiyel Sibi and he promptly gave me a room and also treated me to a breakfast by Thomas Chettan - excellent appam and Kadala curry, and black tea - most likely of the local brew. I had reached there by 8.45 am, just about 2 hours from Perinthalmanna.
I left around 9.15 am. and was soon through the Muthumalai National Park. The forest path was excellent, well maintained, but interspersed at every 300 or 500 mts, with real rogue humps - the usual biker that I am, humps are generally jumped over non-stop, but these were such that if I were to do the same, I would and the vehicle would definitely have had trouble. So they were effective! The speed had to be restricted. No vehicle could go before me, especially on account of these speed breakers. I counted exactly 50 in that section, and soon we entered Bandipur section where I counted another 23, but with lesser frequency. The only animals of the wild I saw were monkeys and spotted deer. Once I got out of the forest section close to Gundalpet, I had relief as it had become less cold and comfortably cool.
Then Nanjangode, Mysore - I took the by pass along the newly made Ring Road and set straight to Bengaluru. Reached Kengeri around 1.30 and the rest of 20 odd kilometers was terrible and that made me realise the ruin the rapid urbanisation and its concomitant increase in vehicles, have done to the once beautiful garden city. It has become a concrete garden or jungle! In spite of the better roads and many fly overs, it was a hell, moving forward inch by inch. I was not able to find the link to Lalbagh or Dairy circle. Got the help of a fellow biker, whose question was 'Don't you use GPS?'. Yes, I felt I could have done that with GPS giving direction. However, Jio seemed to have developed some trouble - wonder whether 'Reliance' was becoming as unreliable as it had proven in earlier instances.
Somehow, managed to reach Dharmaram at around 2.30 pm. Managed to get a room thanks to Fr. Gregory being there at the entrance and Fr. Rector also being right there. (Unlike olden times, access to Dharmaram requires some planning and formal arrangement. That cannot be avoided given the complexity of matters and the increasing demand for Dharmaram facilities). Got ready in no time, and rushed to Christ, where there were just Saleem the chief organiser, Cyril - a smart volunteer and Fr. Jose. We had to wait and wait, met Fr. Thomas the VC. It was glad day as the news of new accreditation status of A from the contested B+ allegedly by a highly partisan team.
We had a simple inaugural with VC making very positive statements regarding his experience as a Heartian. We greeted him with a ponnada. He invited us to the Christmas band being played in the auditorium which he was to inaugurate. The gathering was about 30 in strength including the contingent from the college. Each had a brief allocation of time for self-intro and sharing suggestions. It was a mix of old time PDC to B. Com - B.A. and M. Sc batches. I had to take leave to make sure that I was in Kannur the next day in time for the KAPS meeting. I feared if I started next morning, that would be difficult.
Hence soon after a private mass at Dharmaram, without meeting anyone, I started off around 7.15 pm. Problems home (college) were besieging me over phone. Some 'rioting' in the approved hostels.. I tried to have a look at the Kengeri campus - stopped over, but failed to locate even the CMI residence there. Hence after about 15 minutes of exploration continued on my trip to Mysore. It was a long ride and a tiring one. Ramanagara - Channapattana (Town of Toys?) - Srirangapatana - Mysore. But thanks to instructions by Fr. Roy I could arrive at Carmel Provincial House without any hitch. Only that I had to wait for about 10 mts to get the house opened by the young superior Fr. Tito, who was at mass. I had a light supper which was already available.
One good thing I find outside our narrow Kerala boundaries (geographical and of minds) is that access to wine and spirits is much easier and less of a problem. In our pharisaical community, this is such a taboo. So, when I found plenty of wine shops (around 9.30 pm) and many people still flocking around, I was tempted to try out. I got down. Got a bottle of chilled beer for Rs. 135.00 (I compare it with our good old Dharamaram days when it was just Rs. 18.00 when we tried our bits on One Day outing days) - Knock Out. The place was very busy with locals consuming spirit in disposable plastic cups, getting some snacks to go with it. As a stranger with baggage walked in, people were very cooperative as to how to help him have his need addressed to, somewhere directing that there could be a seat inside, others instructing on parcel, then on my instruction of no plastic, repeating the same instruction, thus being very helpful! I carried the weight in my computer bag. (I had very limited baggage - but even that computer bag was unnecessary, for all through the trip, I didn't get time even to open the laptop. However, both my bags served a great purpose. Having had very limited protection against cold, the backpack protected me from behind, and the lap top bag, kept standing on the petrol tank served to prevent the cold wind from directly hitting me!). The guy didn't have Rs. 5.00 change. He coolly handed over a packet of fryums. Not that I am so keen for a beer or drink, but on that occasion just felt a thrill to have a beer. In fact, now a days, I don't even like the taste of beer. But it was fun to have a beer in those odd circumstances!
I had travelled 599 kilometres from morning till then. Not bad!
MYSORE TO KANNUR
It was way back in 2002 or so that we had travelled on bike along this route. We were a company of three and we went around and explored Talai Kavery and Kushal Nagar Tibetan settlement. So I was thrilled to re-explore the route - especially the Coorg region and Veerajpet track. After initial confusion and I got into the right track. It was about 6.45 am already. Hit the Hunsur road and Hunsur was not reaching. It was about 50 kms away. The road was good, but even strewn with humps - much more humane than the Muthumali stretch - all the same impeding free progress, serving the name of 'speed breakers' meaningfully. I lost count.
The Coorg region was beautiful. I passed Gonikoppal, and took a slight detour to find out our CMI institution - St. Thomas School. It was quite visible from the main road. On reaching there, I surprised my confreres - Puthiadath my senior and Chirakkal my junior. They appeared glad to receive me. The parish Sunday mass was on. Puthiadath shared his experiences of being accosted by the police and being in custody on account of some untoward incidents in the previous school. He had also survived some major accidents. Chirakkal was all praise for him, for having improved the infrastructure of the school. I had some breakfast with them, and then pushed off via Veerajpet (by passing it), Makkutta, the winding and beautiful pass. After the stretch deciduous forests of Karnataka region, as we enter the boarder and then into Kerala, it was tropical evergreen stretch. However, I was not going in the leisure and comfort of sight seeing.
I had altogether forgotten this stretch. Perhaps, last time, we had travelled at night. We did stay at Veerajpet and travelled to Thalassery - however, the stretch was altogether forgotten.
I passed through Makkutta, then the boarder river of Koottupuzha, then the beautiful Iritti puzha.
I stopped over at our house at Iritty. I never knew we had a house there! On the way I passed by a familiar building and I realised it was the fabulous provincial house of the adoration sisters, built by our former colleague Sr. Rosily. On reaching, I was met by Fr. .... who didn't seem to know me. I had a vague remembrance of having seen him. Then from inside Fr. Augustine came out, recognising my voice. He was my student at Rajagiri. Happy to meet him, I shared their bounty of bananas njalipoovan, and the good coffee grown there. The school is doing well. Taking some inspiration from Rajagiri, Fr. Augustine has built up the new structure with a good ground (in the bargain, converting a piece of wetland into a land-fill!). However, being at the base of a green hill, they should have no problem with water. There is a rivulet flowing by the boundary! It was a good chance meeting.
I proceeded to Kannur, via Mattannur and reached there by 1200. Found out the social service cetnre CAIROS. Met my colleague Dr. Ipe Varghese and making good use of the time remained, we decided to have a brief visit to Payyambalam beach which was just one km away. It is a beautiful and clean beach, much attractive when compared to our Koch beach, which is more than often a litter land.
We were rather hungry.. However, Fr. Shiju who happened to be an MSW, offered us lunch. We had lunch and then proceeded to the bus stand where the meeting was to be held. There was a fairly good gathering of around 30 people. I chaired the meeting, and gave the orientation and we launched the Kannur chapter of KAPS.
It was around 4.45 pm finally, when I could push off. At Mahe, I stopped over, filled the belly of my bike with abundant fuel without tax, procured a bottle of spirit for our future celebrations, and visited Mahe Church and prayed specially for those of us who were afflicted with various ailments. I also managed to have my confession in preparation for the advent season.
Then it was straight to Kozhikode, found the way to Mankavu via Pushpa theatre (wonder if the theatre is still there!). Vellyechi's place was all locked and packed under top security. If we didn't have the phone, would have had to return without having met them. Glad to have seen Daya who is doing well. Chettan was having his weekly quota, but having had to continue the ride, I regretfully refused him company. Daya, to my surprise, asked what was my quota - as if I were dependent or indulgent in the 'matter of spirit'. I had the omelette, egg cultlet and tea, and then I was all set to go.
8.50 pm.
The stretch seemed unending - though the terrain was familiar. at some point before Kuttipuram, a right turn had to be taken. I was not clear, but followed the car which was speeding in front of me. As I took the turn, a truck was there, and I had hardly any shoulder space. Fortunately, the driver did a clever maneuver to leave me unhurt. A slight shock. I should have been more cautious. It was a narrow escape! Thank God! Further ahead, a bike came from behind and passed by quickly. Felt it was bit too close a shave! Again, I thought, it was I who should have been careful, paying attention to the rear view as well.
At Kuttippuram, I had a stop over to stretch. The place was flocked by sabarimala pilgrims. The policeman, covered with muffler and sweater, was very cordial and directed me that it was better to take the new route of NH 17 from there. This was the first time, I had seen that stretch open. The initial phase was really wonderful. But after some time, there was a detour, with a patch ridden with potholes, but it lasted just about 2 to 4 kilometers, then it rejoined the highway. It was tedious, especially the sitting part. However, I went on - Kodungalloor, Paravoor, Edappally, Kadavanhra, Pallimukku and Thevara! it was just 12.50!! Just four hours.
At two places, the bike rudely hit the earth on account of invisible potholes, and those hits seemed to have jerked the nut-bolts of my backbone joints, which seemed to have settled into a pattern for quite some time. I am afraid whether some trouble is awaiting me!
I had no keys and all seemed asleep; so I went to college, woke up the security and got the new visitor's room open. I completed my log entries and then when I turned around, I saw to my great perturbation, two eyes peering at me - a rat!! However, I decided to sleep having the enemy in the room! Nothing appeared to have happened overnight. Next day, I deployed my team to discover him and destroy him. But no chance!! He seemed to have vanished into thin air!
Thus after almost 52 hours, 1247 kilometers - I still felt okay. It was more to prove to myself that I am still a great survivor, and not really old. I spent just Rs. 2000.00 for the fuel, and had half the tank full even after the trip. My friend who travelled by bus to Bangalore the same day had to spend Rs. 1250.00 one way!!
P.S. The security reported to me with a sense of achievement that the rat was trapped. He took me to the visitors' room, and found the poor chap crushed under the trap.
LOG
Dec 3 6.50 pm start reading 66761
10.50 pm Perinthalmanna. 66915
Dec 4, 6.35 am
Nilambur, vazhikkadavu, Edakkara, Nadikani, Gudallore. 8.40 am. Freezing. Warming up at Morning Star school.
Kusumalayam, Bandipur via 73 humps!!
Gundalpet, Mysore, Sreeramgapatanam, Channapatana, Ramanagara, Kengeri,
Last leg of 24 kms took over an hour!! Managed to be well in time for alumni meet.
7.15 pm started off_ 18 kms took 1 hr. 13 kms in 45 mts. Reached Mysore Provl House by 10.45 pm. Fr Tito received me.
67369 - 67372
Mysore - 67514 Hunsur, Gonikoppal, Veerajpett, Makkootta, Iritty, Kannur via Mattannoor
Kannur - 67707-67719. 4.45 pm. Stop over Mahe.
Kozhikode - Mangavu 67819 7..15
8.50-12.50 Thevara via NH 17 68008.
Total 1247
Petrol 2000.00. Still half tank!
After taking charge as Principal of SH college, there was not much opportunity to get out and explore skills - of endurance, of bike riding etc.
This was kind of planned-unplanned thing. I enjoy long bus or train trips, as they give you (me!) leisure, sleep, sight-seeing opportunities, some reading time etc. So as we planned the Bangalore alumni chapter launch of AASH (Alumni Association of Sacred Heart's), and then added Kannur chapter launch of our professional association (KAPS - Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers), I had a tentative plan to go on bike. Visit my mom at Perinthalmanna, then to go to Mysore and Bengaluru and return via Kannur.
However, on Friday, all plans went chaupat, as there was an inaugural meeting of KOCHI BOOK FESTIVAL where I (??) too was invited to be one among the twenty (rest of them) dignitaries including Prof. M.K. Sanu, Prof. Leelavathi, Prof. K.S. Radhakrishnan, K.L. Mohanavarma, GPC Nair.... so on. to light one of the twenty lamps as a symbol of the twentieth year of the festival. Dr. V.P. Joy IAS was the chief guest, and I recognized him, and introduced myself and reminded him that he was the government nominee in the interview panel that selected me as a faculty member at Rajagiri. The function started off around 4.45 pm and I could escape after lighting my lamp only around 5.20 pm. I had to come back to college to sign salary papers, some other signatures for the students.
And then, my bike given for repair was not brought back as promised by Antappan (our local biker mechanic). Finally he brought it around 6.30 pm. OK. Not yet long ride ready? I planned to keep the bike either at Angamaly or Chalakkudy and then move on by bus(es). However, reaching Angamaly, I found no sign of any Coimbatore buses, nor till Chalakkudy. At Chalakudy, as a last resort tried to check in with Lischechi's place, and request Newton to drop me at bus stand. But (fortunately) no one was found there!
Then called up Saju and said that I was coming to Perinthalmanna and started off, accompanied by slight drizzle all through. Without much trouble, though missing the route in between and thus adding some additional 3 kms, reached Perinthalmanna at 10.45 or 10.50 pm. Saju was waiting with 2 eggs and some such anadaaris ready for the omelette I had indicated, that I might have. He promptly prepared a rather well-done omelette and then we retired for the night. Met ammachi. She was not very sleepy, but as is the case, it didn't appear to make much difference to her.
I had planned to get up early and leave latest by 6 am. However, when I finally woke up and got ready, it was 6.30. Got off from there after a mug of coffee at 6.40 am.
It was cool, as I travelled further towards Nilambur and Gudalore, it became cold. There was mist in some areas. At several points there was confusion regarding the route, and I had to stop and clarify. Nilambur - Chungathara - Vazhikadavu - Nadukani - Gudalore. At Gudalore, stopped over at Morning Star CMI School (I had forgotten all about it. Then I found St. Thomas School, and presumed it might be the CMI school. However, on reaching its precincts, I sensed it is less likely to the be the CMI school! and soon, I was proven right, as I found out Morning Star School, with a marked difference in appearance). I was welcomed by Fr. Thakidiyel Sibi and he promptly gave me a room and also treated me to a breakfast by Thomas Chettan - excellent appam and Kadala curry, and black tea - most likely of the local brew. I had reached there by 8.45 am, just about 2 hours from Perinthalmanna.
I left around 9.15 am. and was soon through the Muthumalai National Park. The forest path was excellent, well maintained, but interspersed at every 300 or 500 mts, with real rogue humps - the usual biker that I am, humps are generally jumped over non-stop, but these were such that if I were to do the same, I would and the vehicle would definitely have had trouble. So they were effective! The speed had to be restricted. No vehicle could go before me, especially on account of these speed breakers. I counted exactly 50 in that section, and soon we entered Bandipur section where I counted another 23, but with lesser frequency. The only animals of the wild I saw were monkeys and spotted deer. Once I got out of the forest section close to Gundalpet, I had relief as it had become less cold and comfortably cool.
Then Nanjangode, Mysore - I took the by pass along the newly made Ring Road and set straight to Bengaluru. Reached Kengeri around 1.30 and the rest of 20 odd kilometers was terrible and that made me realise the ruin the rapid urbanisation and its concomitant increase in vehicles, have done to the once beautiful garden city. It has become a concrete garden or jungle! In spite of the better roads and many fly overs, it was a hell, moving forward inch by inch. I was not able to find the link to Lalbagh or Dairy circle. Got the help of a fellow biker, whose question was 'Don't you use GPS?'. Yes, I felt I could have done that with GPS giving direction. However, Jio seemed to have developed some trouble - wonder whether 'Reliance' was becoming as unreliable as it had proven in earlier instances.
Somehow, managed to reach Dharmaram at around 2.30 pm. Managed to get a room thanks to Fr. Gregory being there at the entrance and Fr. Rector also being right there. (Unlike olden times, access to Dharmaram requires some planning and formal arrangement. That cannot be avoided given the complexity of matters and the increasing demand for Dharmaram facilities). Got ready in no time, and rushed to Christ, where there were just Saleem the chief organiser, Cyril - a smart volunteer and Fr. Jose. We had to wait and wait, met Fr. Thomas the VC. It was glad day as the news of new accreditation status of A from the contested B+ allegedly by a highly partisan team.
We had a simple inaugural with VC making very positive statements regarding his experience as a Heartian. We greeted him with a ponnada. He invited us to the Christmas band being played in the auditorium which he was to inaugurate. The gathering was about 30 in strength including the contingent from the college. Each had a brief allocation of time for self-intro and sharing suggestions. It was a mix of old time PDC to B. Com - B.A. and M. Sc batches. I had to take leave to make sure that I was in Kannur the next day in time for the KAPS meeting. I feared if I started next morning, that would be difficult.
Hence soon after a private mass at Dharmaram, without meeting anyone, I started off around 7.15 pm. Problems home (college) were besieging me over phone. Some 'rioting' in the approved hostels.. I tried to have a look at the Kengeri campus - stopped over, but failed to locate even the CMI residence there. Hence after about 15 minutes of exploration continued on my trip to Mysore. It was a long ride and a tiring one. Ramanagara - Channapattana (Town of Toys?) - Srirangapatana - Mysore. But thanks to instructions by Fr. Roy I could arrive at Carmel Provincial House without any hitch. Only that I had to wait for about 10 mts to get the house opened by the young superior Fr. Tito, who was at mass. I had a light supper which was already available.
One good thing I find outside our narrow Kerala boundaries (geographical and of minds) is that access to wine and spirits is much easier and less of a problem. In our pharisaical community, this is such a taboo. So, when I found plenty of wine shops (around 9.30 pm) and many people still flocking around, I was tempted to try out. I got down. Got a bottle of chilled beer for Rs. 135.00 (I compare it with our good old Dharamaram days when it was just Rs. 18.00 when we tried our bits on One Day outing days) - Knock Out. The place was very busy with locals consuming spirit in disposable plastic cups, getting some snacks to go with it. As a stranger with baggage walked in, people were very cooperative as to how to help him have his need addressed to, somewhere directing that there could be a seat inside, others instructing on parcel, then on my instruction of no plastic, repeating the same instruction, thus being very helpful! I carried the weight in my computer bag. (I had very limited baggage - but even that computer bag was unnecessary, for all through the trip, I didn't get time even to open the laptop. However, both my bags served a great purpose. Having had very limited protection against cold, the backpack protected me from behind, and the lap top bag, kept standing on the petrol tank served to prevent the cold wind from directly hitting me!). The guy didn't have Rs. 5.00 change. He coolly handed over a packet of fryums. Not that I am so keen for a beer or drink, but on that occasion just felt a thrill to have a beer. In fact, now a days, I don't even like the taste of beer. But it was fun to have a beer in those odd circumstances!
I had travelled 599 kilometres from morning till then. Not bad!
MYSORE TO KANNUR
It was way back in 2002 or so that we had travelled on bike along this route. We were a company of three and we went around and explored Talai Kavery and Kushal Nagar Tibetan settlement. So I was thrilled to re-explore the route - especially the Coorg region and Veerajpet track. After initial confusion and I got into the right track. It was about 6.45 am already. Hit the Hunsur road and Hunsur was not reaching. It was about 50 kms away. The road was good, but even strewn with humps - much more humane than the Muthumali stretch - all the same impeding free progress, serving the name of 'speed breakers' meaningfully. I lost count.
The Coorg region was beautiful. I passed Gonikoppal, and took a slight detour to find out our CMI institution - St. Thomas School. It was quite visible from the main road. On reaching there, I surprised my confreres - Puthiadath my senior and Chirakkal my junior. They appeared glad to receive me. The parish Sunday mass was on. Puthiadath shared his experiences of being accosted by the police and being in custody on account of some untoward incidents in the previous school. He had also survived some major accidents. Chirakkal was all praise for him, for having improved the infrastructure of the school. I had some breakfast with them, and then pushed off via Veerajpet (by passing it), Makkutta, the winding and beautiful pass. After the stretch deciduous forests of Karnataka region, as we enter the boarder and then into Kerala, it was tropical evergreen stretch. However, I was not going in the leisure and comfort of sight seeing.
I had altogether forgotten this stretch. Perhaps, last time, we had travelled at night. We did stay at Veerajpet and travelled to Thalassery - however, the stretch was altogether forgotten.
I passed through Makkutta, then the boarder river of Koottupuzha, then the beautiful Iritti puzha.
I stopped over at our house at Iritty. I never knew we had a house there! On the way I passed by a familiar building and I realised it was the fabulous provincial house of the adoration sisters, built by our former colleague Sr. Rosily. On reaching, I was met by Fr. .... who didn't seem to know me. I had a vague remembrance of having seen him. Then from inside Fr. Augustine came out, recognising my voice. He was my student at Rajagiri. Happy to meet him, I shared their bounty of bananas njalipoovan, and the good coffee grown there. The school is doing well. Taking some inspiration from Rajagiri, Fr. Augustine has built up the new structure with a good ground (in the bargain, converting a piece of wetland into a land-fill!). However, being at the base of a green hill, they should have no problem with water. There is a rivulet flowing by the boundary! It was a good chance meeting.
I proceeded to Kannur, via Mattannur and reached there by 1200. Found out the social service cetnre CAIROS. Met my colleague Dr. Ipe Varghese and making good use of the time remained, we decided to have a brief visit to Payyambalam beach which was just one km away. It is a beautiful and clean beach, much attractive when compared to our Koch beach, which is more than often a litter land.
We were rather hungry.. However, Fr. Shiju who happened to be an MSW, offered us lunch. We had lunch and then proceeded to the bus stand where the meeting was to be held. There was a fairly good gathering of around 30 people. I chaired the meeting, and gave the orientation and we launched the Kannur chapter of KAPS.
It was around 4.45 pm finally, when I could push off. At Mahe, I stopped over, filled the belly of my bike with abundant fuel without tax, procured a bottle of spirit for our future celebrations, and visited Mahe Church and prayed specially for those of us who were afflicted with various ailments. I also managed to have my confession in preparation for the advent season.
Then it was straight to Kozhikode, found the way to Mankavu via Pushpa theatre (wonder if the theatre is still there!). Vellyechi's place was all locked and packed under top security. If we didn't have the phone, would have had to return without having met them. Glad to have seen Daya who is doing well. Chettan was having his weekly quota, but having had to continue the ride, I regretfully refused him company. Daya, to my surprise, asked what was my quota - as if I were dependent or indulgent in the 'matter of spirit'. I had the omelette, egg cultlet and tea, and then I was all set to go.
8.50 pm.
The stretch seemed unending - though the terrain was familiar. at some point before Kuttipuram, a right turn had to be taken. I was not clear, but followed the car which was speeding in front of me. As I took the turn, a truck was there, and I had hardly any shoulder space. Fortunately, the driver did a clever maneuver to leave me unhurt. A slight shock. I should have been more cautious. It was a narrow escape! Thank God! Further ahead, a bike came from behind and passed by quickly. Felt it was bit too close a shave! Again, I thought, it was I who should have been careful, paying attention to the rear view as well.
At Kuttippuram, I had a stop over to stretch. The place was flocked by sabarimala pilgrims. The policeman, covered with muffler and sweater, was very cordial and directed me that it was better to take the new route of NH 17 from there. This was the first time, I had seen that stretch open. The initial phase was really wonderful. But after some time, there was a detour, with a patch ridden with potholes, but it lasted just about 2 to 4 kilometers, then it rejoined the highway. It was tedious, especially the sitting part. However, I went on - Kodungalloor, Paravoor, Edappally, Kadavanhra, Pallimukku and Thevara! it was just 12.50!! Just four hours.
At two places, the bike rudely hit the earth on account of invisible potholes, and those hits seemed to have jerked the nut-bolts of my backbone joints, which seemed to have settled into a pattern for quite some time. I am afraid whether some trouble is awaiting me!
I had no keys and all seemed asleep; so I went to college, woke up the security and got the new visitor's room open. I completed my log entries and then when I turned around, I saw to my great perturbation, two eyes peering at me - a rat!! However, I decided to sleep having the enemy in the room! Nothing appeared to have happened overnight. Next day, I deployed my team to discover him and destroy him. But no chance!! He seemed to have vanished into thin air!
Thus after almost 52 hours, 1247 kilometers - I still felt okay. It was more to prove to myself that I am still a great survivor, and not really old. I spent just Rs. 2000.00 for the fuel, and had half the tank full even after the trip. My friend who travelled by bus to Bangalore the same day had to spend Rs. 1250.00 one way!!
P.S. The security reported to me with a sense of achievement that the rat was trapped. He took me to the visitors' room, and found the poor chap crushed under the trap.
LOG
Dec 3 6.50 pm start reading 66761
10.50 pm Perinthalmanna. 66915
Dec 4, 6.35 am
Nilambur, vazhikkadavu, Edakkara, Nadikani, Gudallore. 8.40 am. Freezing. Warming up at Morning Star school.
Kusumalayam, Bandipur via 73 humps!!
Gundalpet, Mysore, Sreeramgapatanam, Channapatana, Ramanagara, Kengeri,
Last leg of 24 kms took over an hour!! Managed to be well in time for alumni meet.
7.15 pm started off_ 18 kms took 1 hr. 13 kms in 45 mts. Reached Mysore Provl House by 10.45 pm. Fr Tito received me.
67369 - 67372
Mysore - 67514 Hunsur, Gonikoppal, Veerajpett, Makkootta, Iritty, Kannur via Mattannoor
Kannur - 67707-67719. 4.45 pm. Stop over Mahe.
Kozhikode - Mangavu 67819 7..15
8.50-12.50 Thevara via NH 17 68008.
Total 1247
Petrol 2000.00. Still half tank!
