UNWINDING

The Lone Ride !!!

2015-03-09T10:11:00.003+05:30

I was coming back from Sri Lanka to Chennai with a very heavy heart as my Girl Friend for the last 5 years had very seriously mentioned about breaking up. Though it all had taken its toll on me. I was certainly not in any frame of mind to do anything at all. No Office, no friends nothing. I kinda just wanted to get home and be with mom.

So after i got to Chennai the very next day I rode to Bangalore on my bull. with so many crazy thoughts coming back to head. I was crying inside the helmet, behind my shades. The tears would not stop, the feelings and emotions were definitely getting the better of me. Some thought or the other would pop up. So many feelings like love, anger, disgust, insanity, lost, destroyed, pain and many random things I had never felt in life ever before.

So the pain was getting on my nerves. But I as kind of doing what I loved doing the most. That is to be on my Bull's saddle. I was simply riding it to get home and chill with mom. This was not my first solo ride. Its been a month since I did this ride. I did ride a few 100 kms before I travelled back to Colombo. Its almost 15 days here now and I am kinda getting better with the pain and everything reducing in the head.

Apart from just the riding, my yoga and meditation have also helped me to cope up with the stress. It has been a crazy few days. The pain n the memmories are still there. Let’s hope they heal fast and help deal with the demons.

But this definitely was the most loneliest ride I have ever had in my life ever. I had ridden non stop from Chennai to Blore in about 4 hours.

Ladakh - The dream that eludes !!!!

2014-08-26T16:46:00.001+05:30

This is one dream that has certainly been eluding me and a few close friends for a very longtime now. We had planned to get to Ladakh quite a few times and never even got close.
Now that i work in Bangalore and my friends are abroad, I had given up on Ladakh fr a few years until suddenly out of nowhere Praneet's call lands on my cell and he begins with the customary superlatives and then mentions Ladakh and says that I have to get to Delhi by the weekend and we shall drive to Ladakh. These words were like music to my ears and I kinda felt the rush of a few thousand orgasms.
I had a different battle/ war to fight at home to get the necessary permissions to travel to Ladakh. I was allowed to go on one major condition, i.e I would not ride a 2 wheeler in the entire trip.
I reached Delhi and began calling Praneet, he was in some place with loud music and so he cut the call and sent me a message asking me to get to RSVP in JayPee Continental. I took a cab and reached the place only to be greeted by Praneet, Nishu, Divya, Silvia and a few more friends. We danced and partied all night and by the time we got back to the guest house, it was around 7 in the morning.
We slept, took rest and then in the evening we went to Red Fort, a place that I had not visited in my 2 years stay in Delhi. A nice place, but the heat was killing us ( Me, Praneet & Silvia ), we had to get to the airport to pick up Deniz and Rubina.
We picked them up, got to the guest house and then headed tp party. The evening was so much fun, dancing and chilling. Once done we headed back to the guest house to crash.
We began in the after to head towards Shimla. We took our first break to eat at a customary dhaba near Karnal. We had our shares of Lassi's and Parathas. We also stopped en route at a place which was called Tiger Trails, we had to take a winch to get to the other side of the hill. It was a nice ride and we had a jollyful time. Then we started on our way to Shimla. We reached there quite late and managed to find the place designated for our night stay there. We drank, ate and had a joyful time. Deniz was at his dragoneous best, spitting out fire and made our evening worthwhile, while all this was happening, Rubina was busy removing her making up.
We got up and went our way to explore shimla, we checked out of the place too, we had our break fast in a very dingy place in the corner of a cross road, Deniz would vouch for the fast that the restroom probably had a better view than most places in shimla. We also walk to Mall Road, climbed up the small view point and clicked loads of pics everywhere.
Then we headed to Manali, the distance to Manali wasn't too much but just that we had to encounter winding roads and the scary sound on the tingling waters of River Beas. We drove slowly and cautiously to get to Manali. We stopped at a few places where the view was amazing. We took our time to reach Manali. We had our difficulties in locating the place where we had to stay for the night.
We crashed in our respective rooms and drank, ate and made merry before we all crashed. In fact I slept much earlier than the rest.
Then we continued on our way to Leh, the drive was through Rohtang, we had an amazing time while the weather began to get more cooler and the winds began to get more chillier, we began to see the snow clad mountains and also snow covered on most parts of the roads, it was an amazing experience in itself. We were all clicking ourselves to glory with the DSLR's. We stopped at a very nice point from where the view was breathtaking, all we could eat there was Maggi, Break Omelet and Chai Tea. While riding on our way to Rohtang just before we reached there the mountains had come crashing down thereby closing the roads. We were left with no option but to return back to Manali. Disgusted as we were, we wanted to still continue on the ride and see a few more places. So after much discussion and contemplation we decided to drive to Dharamshala/ McLeodganj.
We started the next day, the ride to Dharamshala was simply beyond the mind to even fathom, we were like the only souls in that part of the country driving through the mountains, it was so much fun, we reached dharamshala very late in the night. we couldn't see much of the countryside in the night, but the view in morning from the balconies of our hotel rooms was simply awesome. We had sumptuous break fast before we left to the Dalai Lama Monastry. That was another place that got ticked off the Bucket List. We also drove around the super tiny roads of the town in Mcleodganj. All that was so much fun. Once done with all this we decided to head to chandigarh.
The drive to chandigarh was very much a descent from the Himalayas to the plains. It was a long drive, praneet's mother did not like the idea of us driving to get home in the middle of the night, so we kind of drove a little quicker to make it back to Chandigarh. We in fact got to Parwanooo. The town from where Praneet belonged. We slept well there after our customary celebrations.
Then the next day morning I took my Bus to Delhi and then a flight back home in Blore. the other continued on a tour around chandigarh and then Delhi before they headed to Thailand and other places.

We all have our itineraries booked for next year, this time around we hope to scale the peaks and cross the passes that will get us to Leh/ Ladakh.

Things to Note - You will need a Whole lot of guts, adversities are a way of life up there so the temperament to withstand them is also the key, all necessary medicines, Diamox should be treated as a compulsion, eat less but eat many no of times, keep smiling, enjoy everything you see and feel, beauty is in abundance, every nook and corner calls for a click and will keep you mesmerized. Take your time, switch off your mobile phones, no laptops and all other electronic goods, for you are as close as you can get with Nature.

Cost - Around 50k per head for a round trip including airfare, food and stay. Around 10 days.

Pack less and travel light. Carry camera with loads of extra memory cards and batteries.

As Ladakh has been one dream that has been eluding us for a long time. We are wanting to get to the top of the world and so We are already considering to book our air tickets for next year.

Praneet, Silvia, Rubina and Deniz have a special mention as they made this trip a memorable and fascinating one. I now know that I have friends in different parts of the globe.

Ladakh - The dream that eludes !!!!

2014-08-26T16:42:00.001+05:30

Bouquet Girl !!!!!

2013-07-19T15:09:00.000+05:30

This was when I saw a pretty girl with a bouquet, walking close to Forum Mall, she just got off the Auto and glanced towards me when I smiled and she smiled back too. I took it one step ahead when I asked her if it was her Brother's Bday ??? She turned around smiled and nodded to say No. Her smile was even wider and she blushed more by the passing second.

This is definitely a moment to remember for a lifetime.

Was fun !!!!!

Kavya's Wedding

2013-07-17T12:48:00.004+05:30

Kavya is one of my oldest friends from childhood. We probably hadn't met for like at least about 10-15 years. We have been in touch through facebook for about a year now. It was good to know that she was getting hitched. I went for the reception and forgot to get my camera along. I just attended the function. It was fun when I got on stage with my Parents & Mallesh Uncle, her Dad. He stopped me on my tracks and asked kavya to recognize me and she instantly recognized me and it was all smiles and the party continued.

I got back the next day and this time with all the ammunition to click away. Though a new kid on the block with a camera. I was kind of happy for some decent pics I managed. It was fun clicking in a wedding, that too one of my best from childhood. It was just awesome.

Some of my Fav's are just put down below.

These are some of my favorite pics apart from the others that i clicked.

My Tryst with the Monkey Clan

2013-07-17T10:31:00.000+05:30

The Surprise Birthday Gift to the UNKNOWN

2013-07-17T09:41:00.003+05:30

This was more of helping a awesome friend in crisis. I received a call sometime on Monday while I was driving. It was Varun, who was like how far is ITC Windsor manor from your home/office and do you know any Cup Cake shop in Bangalore, I was like yes there are a few in Indiranagar and then there is always Just Dial. I asked why ?? and he said, its one of his friends Birthday tomorrow i.e Tueday and that he wants Cup Cakes to be delivered to her.

I said ok and asked him to give me a reminder call on Tuesday morning, which he promptly did. I made a few calls and found out that Bite Me Company was Open in Indiranagar and that I could get the Cup Cakes from there. I called them up and asked them to make sure there are Half a Dozen cup cakes for me.

In all this I had forgotten to ask Varun his friends name. All I remember was him telling me that he has a friend working in ITC Windsor Manor, Bangalore and that I had to make sure she got her Cup Cakes for her birthday.

So with this vital information I got the Cup Cakes and rode to ITC, there I reached the reception and there were these guys who were staring at me, as I was wearing these fully formal clothes with my helmet in one hand and this Cup Cake parcel in the other. I was like, dude its one of your colleague's birthday today and she should more or less be a pass out from Manipal. They had this weird sarcastic look on their face and then one of the guys looked at me and said yes we have a Girl whose birthday it is, but she is on leave. I said wow, he was like do you know her name and I was like, no shit - I dont. But then he was kind enough to call her up and then I spoke to her - NIDHI and told her I am Varun Vishvesh's friend and that I was there at her Office's reception to hand over her Bday cake.

She was like thank you so much. You may please leave the cakes in the recption and that she would collect it from there in the Evening.

All this major confusion happenend because Varun's Phone concked off wherein he wasnt able to charge his phone and so I was not able to get in touch with him. But then I thought having known his request and his wish to surprise his friend, i dint wanna play spoilsport to the surprise and so I just went ahead with delivering the Cup Cake.

having done that, i now know that Varun and his friends are very happy and that NIDHI also got a pleasant birthday surprise.

Once again, Happy Birthday NIDHI !!!!!!

Thanks to Varun Vishvesh for an eventful tuesday !!!!

Shivgange - Ride & Trek

2013-07-08T11:53:00.001+05:30

As planned on the previous ride, I was all clear on where i was headed to this weekend. All I wasn’t sure was, who would partner me if at all someone would join in. This time it was Ravi who somehow managed to scrape some time off on a sunday from his busy schedule that he adheres to all week as vasu Sir was on some pre planned work at home.

We started at about 12.15 near Vasu Sir’s house. We both headed on to Tumkur highway and continued on our merry ways untill we realized that we both had to fill petrol. We stopped for Gas and then vroomed on.

The road was awesome, we reached Dabbaspet and took the left to Shivgange and reached there by around 1.30 pm. We parked our bikes and started the climb.

The climb has a few temples, Devi Temple and Shiva Temple to begin with before the actual climb to the Top begins. On the top there is a beautiful statue of Nandi carved out of single. The climb to the top is about two kilometers from the parking lot. But this is actually more of a steep climb that most trekking enthusiasts will enjoy. The climb was very steep, but was manageable.

The climate was very windy and cool yesterday and so we were able to cover the distance more easily. We enjoyed the trek, as it began drizzling on our way to the top, the camera wasn’t put to action. But once the rain stopped, we began clicking and manged to get a few decent snaps.

The descent downhill was as mush scary as the ascend. My legs began disco dancing (shaking) after a certain point of time, because of the jerks my knees had to encounter.

It was fun spending a sunday enjoying in a different way.

Shivganage – 65 kms from Blore

Time Taken – 1.5 hours

Route – Blore – Dabbaspet – left to Shivgange

Road – Decent roads.

PS : Photos will be uploaded soon.

When Going to that - Kahin Bhi Le Jao Place !!!

2012-12-13T15:32:00.003+05:30

The day began very late for Me and Raghav at his place.

We began discussing and wondering where to go and enjoy the day. while i was sipping my morning chai, Raghav was lost in his own thoughts to decide where to go. He then came up with this crazy idea of going to Agra on a long drive, the idea was good but considering the distance and time constraint i convinced him to drop the idea. I then sugested we go to Murthal Dhaba on Karnal High Way to have Paranthas and Lassi. The idea seemed to be okay and it looked like we were going there.

Then when we got to Aashna's place to pick her up, she like took forever to get ready and in between her getting ready she disapproved the idea of a dhaba and wanted to go to some place sporty. So then we got back to square one and began discussing on where to go. Then when she finally was like ya I got all the matching stuff done and have covered myself in 3 shades of make up.

We decided to like at least hit the road before we went about discussing.

I was like kahin bhi le chalo yaaar, bahut bhoook lagi hai !!!!

I suggested Eatopia for a place, i know it looks like a Harry Potter railway station but then I was too hungry to be discussing and not knowing where we were going. Then it was like no no on every suggestion and was like we have to go to some place else. Lot of joints from vasant kunj/ vihar came up, even saket was sugested, CP was a huge NO, Even GK was also in consideration. Then out of no where Raghav suggested American Diner. I had never been there, with my obsession for food and this suggestion of a new joint was always greeted with a huge grin and a sign of approval from my side.

It then all of a started to pour down from the heavens. The climate became simply scintillating and the idea of the drive seemed more apt and appropriate.

We drove towards Indian Habitat Centre and headed to The American Diner. Where we had to like wait for about 25 mins before we went in and then another 10 mins before we got the table.

We utilized the time to like roam around and see the place as well as enjoy the weather. We clicked a few pics here and there. And then even got a pic clicked on the counter at the joint.

The food there was amazingly delicious with Aashna ordering some Fettucheeney Stuff and we went for the normal Soup and Burger Stuff. It was like a nice time spent in a very kool place with lovely company from Raghav Mehrotra and Aashna Gupta. We kept picking on Aashna for the entire day, she was game for it all and it was simply simple.

We also headed back to noida and had tea and maggi at Amity noida in "Balli Maggi khaoge to Balle Balle ho jaoge". Here Aashna was like shivering to death before the Chai like eased her life a bit. The maggi was like before from college times. After all the food and chai we had the shopowner refused to even charge us for the food that we had considering the bond we shared when i used to study in that college, but then we still convinced him to accept the money. It was out n out fun.

Thank you guys for that Amazing Day, which will be etched in my memories forever.

Pics from the Exploration trip

2012-10-02T23:19:00.001+05:30

Telugu Ganga Exploration Ride with CTC

2012-09-24T20:51:00.001+05:30

This was my first outdoor trip with the Chennai Trekking Club, I had made it a point that i would get my friend Dewang, lalith and jaiwal to join the trip. I was eagerly praying that the weather gods be kind on us and let us make our trip. As it was pouring cats n dogs the night before the trip in all parts of the city.

On the scheduled day we were to meet at 4 near guindy flyover. As usual, the night before the trip, the anxiety and the enthralling adventure that awaited I couldnt really gather any sleep at all. I got up at 2.30, got ready, took blessings from Mom and Dad and left for Dewang's (my pillion rider's) house. He stayed in Perungudi, a good 30 kms away from my house in Nungambakkam. I picked him and reached the starting point at guindy by 4 am. There we met all the fellow riders, and waited for a few more to join us. We then began by about 4.15 am. We stopped on our way near motel highway for 2 more riders to join us.

Once they all joined, we were about 10 bikes, we embarked on our journey to explore the banks of the Telugu Ganga. We had Arun take the lead and I took the role of the sweeper, so that we atleast knew ad could keep track of all the other riders. We took a small break for TEA as everyone needed to restore the power levels in their respective systems. Everyone began with testing their cameras and mentally preparing for the endeavour.

We then drove to Poondi reservoir, we reached there by around 5.40 am. It was a paradise where any Photographer would just love clicking away to glory. The birds were all in harmony, their synchronization while they flew across the reservoir was a treat to watch. It was so overwhelmingly amazing to watch. the local fishermen were also busy fishing in there.

Then we all took the route that was adjacent to the reservoir that lead us to the canal from where the water was flowing into the reservoir. Once we got to the Canal, we just stuck to it and began with the exploration.

It wasnt all that bad or deadly to begin with, it was a gravel track with lots of powdered little stones. But once we hit a few kilometres, the actual fun in the exploration began as we for sure knew that we had hid god for saken lands in tamil nadu where there was little of no trace of a human being for a long long time.

The track then began to be layed with loads of wet soil, slushy muds and water pits. It was just an adventure that was beyond imagination. There were huge pits of water, through which we had to drive our bikes, if that wasnt terrifying enough we had to endure sloshy muds and totally wet slippery soil. I had a great time thuming away on my Bullet Classic 350. After driving for sometime, we all reached a place where the soil was so slushy and wet that most bikes got completely stuck in the mud. If it wasnt for Lalith Sir's presence of mind and perseverance we wouldnt have really made that pit hole. He simply thumped his Thunderbird across the pithole and stopped his bike along the road. then one after the other we slowly somehow managed to drag our bikes across the pithole. By the time, I crossed this slush. On the other end jaiswal and lalith had already mentioned what i would say when i would finally drag my bike across the slushy mud and already had a laugh about it. And there was after clearing the pithole and saying exactly what they had a laugh about - Oh Common, I will have to wash my bike again !!! When we stopped there to gather our wits, what we obeserved was that there was enough mud in everybody's mud guards that we could have easily built a bridge across the canal.

We stopped for break fast at uttukottai. a place where we had idlys n dosas n pongals n vadais. Topped up our energy levels and then continued on. Loads of slippery grass, more slushy muds and wet soil with gravels, pits created by tractors and other heavy machinery too were there to make the ride more gruesome. Loads of gravel and soil got stuck in the tyres, more than like ever before, most of the bikes were bought to a screeching halt.

Thanks to all the tools that Lalith had got, that most of us were able to dig out the soil that was stuck in the mud guard, the issue was that once this soil solidified, it began rubbing against the tyres, causing the tyres to loose their shreds. We kept ridin along the canal and stopped at a point where there was like a huge platform to go down below near the canal. If walking there to the water wasnt a crazy enough idea, both lalith and jaiswal got onto their bikes and drove down near the water, how they managed to drive back up is another crazy story.

There we like waited for a very long time, only later did we get to know that most of the remaining bikers were keen to remove the fron mud guards off their bikes in order to save the lives of their respective tyres.

Once they all caught up with us, we rode on, as we reahed a cross road, i decided to get to a point from where i could go and get some water to drink. But then as it had already hit lunch time, we decided to grab a bite closer somewhere and so stopped at a small eatery/ dhaba in satyavedu, where we all had parotas and dosas to eat, veggies had salna while the non veggies had chicken and omlettes too.

Then we continued on untill we got back to the caanal again and began riding all along the canal once again, only this time to reach a little waterfall of sorts created by the farmers in the nearby area by like lifting up a pike a letting water to fall from a height, most bikers stopped and jumped in for a quick shower to escape from the unforgiving sun that was belting its fury down and to get away with the sweat and duust that had engulfed their otherwise clean souls.

If that wasnt enough when another spot was identified everyone who knew swimming jumped into the canal and enjoyed a brief swim for about half an hour (the after effects which most of em bore for over a few days after the trip) with sore muscles.

Then we moved on stuck to the canal and kept driving in the unforgiving terrain, our bums were bearing all the brunt and everytime we stopped it was getting more painful to get back on the saddle.

Our ride continued, clicking loads of pics along the way, crossing fallen trees and more sloshy pits and water borne pits. It was evening and everyone was eager to sip tea, but the irony was that we just coouldnt locate a tea shop and every one made an exception and had cold drinks instead and drove for like another 50 kms before we actually found a tea stall and refilled our levels.

By then we were already on our way back to chennai, we were about to reach uttukottai, when the rain gods unleashed their wrath upon us. Driving back becme more of a deadly adventure as the road was completely invisible and we had to really on reflexes to drive through the rains.

We somehow made it to tiruvallur and stopped to have tea, even after waited for a considerable time, jaiswal dint arrive and so lalith went back in search of him, when lalith too dint arrive we also went back and just a few kms before jaiswal's bike had got punctured, we got that rectified and then drove back home. This time we took the services of an Innova and just drove behind it udging the road by the brake lights that flashed on the Innova.

When we reached Motel Highway we bid adeau to th eentire team, this was an amazing journey from which we had so much to learn that it was super fun riding along this terrain and also got to learn a lot on how o drive in this terain and how to prepare one's body both physically and mentally for such a gruesome and toiling adventure on your saddle.

Dream on.... cos its Game on

2012-05-14T16:48:00.000+05:30

A dream they say happens mostly when you are fast asleep and are completely lost in that meditative state of mind called Yog Nidra. But then there certainly are times when we would have experienced something even when we are wide awake. That is just the mere proof for me that says that it is our mind that dreams and not us. Our mind is in its own world enjoying all by itself. It is indeed very necessary for us to have a dream and to simply focus on our dream and work towards it because in the end gradually we would get to our dream.
When we dream and believe in our dream, the entire universe works to make sure our dreams are fulfilled.
That is simply why i believe that we must Always Dream On cos Life's Game is always On !!!

The Firaaaang in Me !!!!!

2012-03-25T12:02:00.000+05:30

I have had my share of jokes and laughter on me being a FIRAAAANG. Have travelled to places far and wide, depending on the co ordinates in Hindustan, I get treated as a West Indian, Afro American, African or Malaysian respectively and a citizen of many other countries.

Now this incident to be narrated is the latest that happened last weekend.

I was on my Road Trip with my Fellow Club mates at V11 Royal Enfield Riding Club. Me along with 10 other club members rode to Pondicherry on our Bullets. We halted at the beach huts at Auroville.

The next day me and Prasad, along with with Balaji, Harish and Lalith decided to roam around Pondicherry, We headed to Marine Drive.

I was riding on Rajesh's Bike. An Old Bullet Standard that was re modelled.

Somewhere in the traffic we kinda got split and I was suddenly driving all alone on the streets. I brought the vehicle to a halt at the Marine Drive and parked the vehicle when a Traffic Constable rode his bike and camped next to me and began

Consable : Vehcile,your's ??

Me : Yes.

Constable : Show Papers, vehicle Papers !!

Me : Here take them ( giving him the papers )

Constable : Driving License

Me – Here take it ( giving him the license )

Constable : Insurance is expiry, vehicle not in name, your name.

Me – Yes, yes. Friend's vehicle.

Constable – No Insurance, huge fine. 150 Dollars only.

Me – Sir, no. Fine too huge.

Constable – Fine is compulsory. You Pay or I take Vehicle to Polics Station.

Friends passing by, suddenly see me talkin to somebody, they stop and Prasad comes to me and asks, Yenna Aaache Machhi ( What Happened Buddy ?? in Tamil )

That was when the look on the Constable's face began changing. He understood that his prank dint work out instead he turned out to be at the receiving end of my Prank.

Prasad just looked at the constable and handed over a Rs. 50 Note and said Iddu Podam Sir, Kalambinga kalambinga. ( This is Enough, now carry on )

We all laughed our asses off for a very long time.

That was when Prasad and the other began analysing what all the Constable would have thought and planned to do with 150 Dollars that he would have got from the Firaang in ME.

V11 - Royal Enfield Riding Club

2012-03-13T04:57:00.001+05:30

This is like the moment I have been waiting for from a very very long long time.
Always wanted to be a Biker, in a very pleasant and enjoyable manner and not professionally though. Ever since I got my Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 350, i have been etching to go on a ride. The day came when i joined the velavan club rider for a trip to Kolli malai ad then went on a second trip to Bandipur.

Once we got back from the trip, there were enough members on the team who wanted to somehow begin a Biking Club, so we got together and Formed V11, the Velavan Motors Royal Enfield Riding Club.

I am very priviledged to be a member of the club.

Now the journey begins, where i can actually get the team together and make all the dreams come true.

The next scheduled trips are to Pondicherry and also to Goa.

Into The Wild

2012-02-06T14:44:00.000+05:30

The trip was scheduled for 26-28th Jan 2012. The day before the trip, i happened to get to Velavan Motors to get my bike tuned. I happened to meet Prasad and Balaji apart from certain other members of the Back Up Crew. I headed back home, the adventure that awaited just wouldn't let me sleep. I was wide awake by 4.30, its hard to believe that i saw the rising sun after a very long time. I reached Velavan Motors by 5.45 am and to my utter disbelief everybody had come in on time and i was the last Biker to arrive. With the Luggages quickly loaded onto tthe car. Hari the Lead Biker began the tips, rules to be followed while driving.

The Bikers Gathered were

Hari ( Lead Biker ), MP Prasad, Sharon Padmanabhan ( Myself ), Lalith, Jaiswal, Suresh, Manikandan, Aravindan, Christudoss, Balaji, Saras, Anand, Rajesh, Saravanan, Harish, Prabhu, Jagannathan.

By around 6 am we mounted on our BEASTS and began to Roar our way to Bandipur.

We first halted for Petrol at Poonamalee. Then as soon as we hit the Highway Hari hit the throttle and we were sailing past other vehicles with the onlookers on the road baffled and amazed to see like 18 bikes roar past them. The thrill was just so amazing, can't remember the last time life felt so fulfilling.

Hari was to lead the pack, but we behind him took turns for 2nd and 3rd place. The pack ws divided into 2

In the lead pack, it was Hari, Me, Prasad, Lalith, Jaiswal, Mani and Christudoss. The rest were following behind.

All of us were cruixing at 90's and 100's, the only difference being the overtaking maneuovers. We at the lead just hit cruize control and whizzed past the other vehicles with utmost ease. Then Hari decided it's time for a Re-group and we stopped at some distance after kanchipuram. We had all just got off our bikes and were waiting to signal to our 2nd pack, in the mean time one of our bikers Suresh was like drafting behind a CAR and before we could signal to him he had already sped past us. We just had to let him go, as he hadn't noticed us. Then the rest of us regrouped and then we began to Roar again.

The thrill and the joy and the respect the road, the other drivers were all giving was just too awesome. It just felt so amazing.

Only when we reached the Arya Bhavan, CCD wala Petrol Bunk, we saw Suresh Waiting for us, nearly after 45 kms from where he crossd us. As and when we reached him, he was like I dint C u guys behind me, I was driving to catch u guys at the front, but when i din't see u i thought I must atleast wait for the Sweeper to catch up with me and then to proceed further.

Then we moved further to a place called Pallikonda where we all had Break Fast, most of us Gobbling Dosa, Idly, Poori and Coffee. Once done, we decided to stop next at Krishnagiri, to our utter suprise after finishing Break Fast at pallikonda by 10.15 am, we reached Krishna Giri by 11.45. and then while we were sipping coffe and waiting for the 2nd pack to arrive, discussions on lunch began to happen, but as everyone's stomach was full they kind of wanted to keep on the road and cover up as much distance as possible in the day.

From Krishnagiri we drove on and halted at Hosur - This halt was majorly to get our stock of Liquor for the evening parties.

Once the Stuff got loaded in the vehicle, we took a deviation from the regular highway wanting to explore a more crazier route.

We took the Hosur - Thally - Kanakpura Route. On this route fortunately, Prasad’s bike ran into a Screw that gave us another break and photo session near a lake. Here the tyre tube that we accidentally purchased in Krishnagiri was used effectively to keep the pack pouncing forward.

The road was splendidly awesome with loads of twists and turns and some breath taking views. It was unfortunate, we missed to take pics on this route Thally – Kanakapura. It was a Different terrain altogether, ghats, hilly plain terrain passing few villages. Enjoyed it thoroughly, will surely hit it back again just for the missed photographs.

Once we hit the Kanakpura main Road, we halted as we saw a few roadstide stalls for a quick Munch.

Grabbing cheap fried rice, Ash fried Omlettes, Sandwiches, Bhel Puri's and Paani Puri's.

There on we wanted to go through Nanjangud - Mysore and then Bandipur via T Narsipura.

Just as we crossed Nanjangud, it was beginning to get dark. So we again took a smal regrouping stop, tok rest for abut 15 mins before we began to proceed further.

There was a huge discussion in this break on whether to take the simpler route or the challenging T Narsipura road, spend most of this break on decidind whether to ‘GO’ or ‘NOT GO’. Finally Hari decided to take the T Narsipura route and his decision was ruled out by the impeccably bad roads. With a fair amount of distance left to cover as well as the parameter to reach Bandipur before 9.00 PM as that is the stipulated time for vehicles to enter the Forest Reserve.

Then before we knew it, we were in the middle of Mysore, so we kind of had to wait at that signal so that we could guide all the other Bikers. Once everybody had regrouped we hit the throttle again. As soon as we began, we had to take a right turn once done the road seemed Smooth and Wide, I hit the throttle over taking Prasad and Christudoss only to hit a Huge Hump on the Road. It just seemed like I had hit Flying Gear, As i regained my senses and realizing that I was still on my bike was when everyone in and around me had a huge grin on their face as everyone had hit the Hump real hard and went flying in different directions, our sweeper Rajesh hit the hump so that that he was virtually sitting on the petrol tank.

With darkness hampering our visibility and head lights of opposite vehicles turning us occasionally blind on curvy roads the road began to get difficult and the air also began to get completely chilly. The lights from the on coming vehicles was a real pain, the road ahead was barely visible and so our speeds reduced considerably and we were more concerned about safety. As we reached Gundlupet, Karnata Bank, Opp to a Petrol bunk it was 9.00 PM. The courteous Ashwini Residency resort manager sent us jeep to Gundlupet to take us through the alternative way to reach bandipur as we couldn’t ride through the usual way.The escort Jeep was there in NO time. From there on we began the ride into the Forest, little did we know that after the Highway, The narrow road, the villages now we would get to Off road on our bike at about 9.30 pm. The ride into the forest ws almost 25 kms. That felt so cruel after 575 kms and 14 hrs on the road, that it kinda took us almost 2 hrs to get to the resort from that point.

Once we reached the resort, there was this huge sense of achievement and the spirit which was waiting in the car that beckoned in everyone's minds.

There were small small cottages, it ws 3 Bikers in one Cottage. There was time for us to freshen up and then regroup for Bon Fire and Dinner. Tiring was thejourney but still everybody was ther for the bon fire and dinner. The plan for the next day was yet to be decided. We just left it at that and went to sleep. I got up by 8.30 and asked for Coffee, and as i walked outside, to my horror i saw my fellow bikers playing Cricket already. No points for guessing what I did - Just ran in to join them.

Then we all regrouped for Break fast and decided that we must like just drive in to the jungle and see it for ourselves. It was Me, Hari, Anand, Saras, who all ventured in to the wild. We went to the pond close by to see loads of Elephant foot marks and a few deer marks and Loads n Loads of Shit on the banks of the pond. Then Hari we bagan to trek into the Jungle and walked a few kms (to be exact its less than a KM J)looking into the trees hoping to find a few cats in there in a hot afternoon just to check the intensity of our luck, but as usual we returned with the luck of being unlucky.

By afternoon after lunch we decided we will go to a few places close by and as we roared again, this time I mounted on Prasad's bike leavin my bike for it to take rest.

We went to Mudumalai and then drove to Gundlupet to fill Gas and also to get money from ATM's. On our way back from Mudumalai it was decided that we will hit the road towards Masinagudi, just to have Tea.

The roads again were so much fun, with loads of sleeping bends and curves. We spotted many many Langur's and Peacock's. On our way back we did see 2 antelope's/ deer's. The camera's had a ball, lots to capture and the views were simply amazing.

We got back to the resort and then took rest before we began partying again. Thsi time the Resort owner surprised us by revealing to us the Dance Floor that they had come up with in the middle of nowhere. Then all of danced and partied.

The journey back began with the customary photography sessions and other routines.

The Bikes Roared waving Good bye to the Resort and taking the Chamarajnagar Route.

Rest to be continued.

The Rocking Bhajan

2011-12-15T22:03:00.003+05:30

radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

Jis desh me jis bhesh me jis dham me raho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

jis dham me jis kaam me jis naam me raho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

jis rang me jis sang me jis dhang me raho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

jis rog me jis bhog me jis yog me raho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

jis deh me jis geh me jis sneh me raho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

jis rag me jis anurag me jis virag me raho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

jis maan me jis samman me jis apman me raho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

jis dharm me jis karm me jis marm me raho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

jis gyan me jis dhyan me jis dhyey me raho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

jis vrundavan me jis mathura me jis gokul me raho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

chahe haridwar me chahe hrishikesh me pryaag me raho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

chahe is lok me chahe parlok me golok me raho
radha raman radha raman radha raman kaho

Girivalam - Tiruvanamalai

2011-10-12T23:07:00.002+05:30

I had just finished my lunch when Kamesh bhai, said hey sharon, are you comin to tiruvanamalai, i said yes and in no time we had already hit the road, after a quick pitstop at home to change clothes. Once we reached the Temple, we went in for a quick darshan and then began our walk around the saccred hill, this walk is very ancient and has its own sacred values and history. It is said to be very sacred when one walks around the hill on a full moon night. This walk is termed Girivalam. We started the walk around 9. pm, which we had to complete by 11.50 so that we could finish off before the Lunar eclipse was to set in.

As kamesh had predicted we covered about 6 kms in the first hour itself, 5 in the next hour and 3 in the next. By the time we did around 10 kms, i already had blisters in both the feets. I just continued walking chanting Om Namah Shivaya all the way.

Gagan had forgotten his HTC mobile at the end point where we had assembled. But then by god's grace once he rushed back to the spot he found his mobile.

We finished the walk as per schedule, once done we then left. Had tea on the way back and reached back home around 4.30 in the morning.

One amazing trip.

I was back in this temple after about 12 yrs, the best part was that i did this walk on a tuesday evening and the very coming sunday i was at the temple again. This time with Dad n Mom, while on our way to a marriage.

Back On Track

2011-10-12T22:22:00.000+05:30

For some crazy ass stupid reason, I kinda haven't written in a very very long time. I feel very ashamed that i like havent even checked my blog for like ages now. I have been thinking of making up an excuse that would kind of atleast help me take the weight of not meeting my own expections and also to fail in such a manner.

I really do love writing. In fact i have been doing loads of activities and the main issue or the roadblock or hassle is only that where i sit n work in my dad's office they have the "Web Filter Violation" thing which doesnt help me log in and write for my blog.

But then i know that passion to blog should have actually driven me n motivated me to somehow drag myself to a cyber cafe or a friend's place, so that i could have blogged. But then as the saying goes, "Better late than never". and that its never ever tooo late.

This blog is actually like the lull before the storm. I will be writing more stuff on a very regular basis now.

This simply reminds me of my Home work exercise on my Yes+ course.

What i wanna say is that i take completely responsibility and blame for not writing/posting on my blog.

I don't wanna make up any excuses and make myself happy.

Like my dad always says. a horse can loose its way, but once it gets back the saddle and the other racing gear, it surely knows as hell as to where and how it is supposed to move.

So now i am back with my gear and on track.

Blackberrielia and Eggs Box 360

2011-05-19T02:26:00.001+05:30

It's akin to that zombie instinct, if i may say so, where the infected subject is desperate to transfer the virus to us normal humans! I've been subject to the same... they try and lure by extolling about something known as 'bbm' (which I suspect to be the active element which helps the virus spread..)
They also very strongly recommend you to some crazy ass Eggs that are all put in a box to make us a huger box.

It's all in the air, my friend! Beware, and stay safe!

This is a God Damned Epidemic.

"Zindagi" - "Mazduri"

2011-05-19T00:27:00.001+05:30

Just Something that each and every one of us must keep in mind at all times good or bad.

We normally feel that our life is finished, over, doomed, khallas, khatam and so many many prefixes can be added on to it. I'd rather say that we must always assume the saying "Whatever happens, happens for the best."

Its not easy to feel so when one has failed in an examination. Instead suicide seems a better option.

But then history has a say for itself when you we look at the lives of the multi billionaires who haven't really done well in academics. They just had belief in themselves and knew everything would work out positively in future.

They were constructing an absolutely bright future from Debris and Salvage

This picture easily depicts the state of mind that we always ought to be in and work towards. One must always strive to do better in all situations.

It's just my interpretation and one school of thought.

Any comments and interpretations are welcome.

Capturing Osama

2011-05-11T02:19:00.001+05:30

Just the one man the entire world was searching for, gets captured all off a sudden. Ever wondered why ?? and more importantly did you wonder how...??? I just simply got this picture and could not help but put it on the blog just to enlighten everybody on the role our Super Star Rajnikanth played in capturing the Terrorist. if you still dont believe me, then check out the picture below.

Obama thanking Rajnikanth

Bolo Rajni Babu ki Jai... ki Jai...ki jai

Ode to the Padmanabhan

2011-05-05T20:12:00.001+05:30

This post has been taken from http://nevermadeitasawiseman.blogspot.com/2011/02/ode-to-padmanabhan.html That is Raghav Mehrotra's Blog.

"He just pinged me on Fb one fine day and said Bhai.. I want you to check a link.... i really dint have much to say..... i have always been much of a reader and so i love to browse through blogs.... he just sent me a link and this is what i got to read that day."

In a strong desire not to break my new years i am here.. Not clearly knowing what to writ..well its not like thats the case every time but i usually hav a topic in my head.. None today..

Well i should write about something i have been delaying for quite some time.. To be precise from the 25th of december 2010

Mr Sharon Padmanabhan.. And his blog unwinding..

http://sharoon3112.blogspot.com

Met him one day at a gathering.. some common friends we had.. Well he seemed different.. Both in the retarded way and the sweet n joyful way..

But i soon realized that his retardation was one of the coolest things that evening..

So here was a fun loving sweet guy.. Okay..

one day on fb he had put up a link to his blog.. Out of sheer boredom n hope for a shot of madness i checked it out..

I can remember which post it was but i remembering saying to myself." okay dude! This stuff is really good." it wasent the madness i had expected it was who he was.. It was beautiful.. Heart felt stuff...

His blog gave a good feeling.. Something was there in the way he wrote that u had to read more.. I remember once when i knew that i dint hav anything to do in the metro i copied all the old posts of his to my ipod at home and for 45 min just read his stuff.. Heart warming to down right funny.. He can control your feelings for the time you r reading his posts..

I owe him a lot. As it is because of him that i started blogging.. I know the blog is not very famous yet but one day it will b.. I just kno it cuz writing gives me this good feeling its like a thirst being quenched.. And before i read sharoon bhs simple take on things around one self i would hav never gotten down to actually writing...

Thank you bh..

I kno u kno but still.. u rock..

"I have always had people coming up to me to say, Bhai you are this and you are that, you did this and that, but this was for the first time that someone had taken the time and pain to actually sit and pen down their feelings for my actions. "

Thanx a TON Raghav. (http://nevermadeitasawiseman.blogspot.com)

You are a Super Star.

Family is Everywhere

2011-05-02T14:02:00.003+05:30

As I have been travelling more often than not ever since I was a Kid as my Dad always kept getting transferred every once in a while. Having been in places like Cochin, Bangalore, Nagpur, Bombay, Hyderabad, Noida and now Madras. I have never felt alone or in any desperate need for friends when ever there was a change. This has mainly gotta do with my attitude towards life. I have always believed that everybody in this world belongs to one another and that I could easily be friends with anybody on the streets too. Be it any place, I have been able to have always made friends like family. One just has to feel oneness with the world and that would easily just trigger of this feeling - Family is Everywhere. Friends are a family and have to be treasured and preserved with utmost care. it can be ranging from 5 year old to a 90 year old. from a Rickshaw driver to a Manager. It just has to spring up from within.

One can only feel lonely because of fear to speak up or to interact with colleagues or classmates. This can be removed only when the individual begins to accept the fact that Family is Everywhere around.

I just hope everyone is in agreement with my Idea.... ???

Beating Chennai's Heat

2011-05-02T01:07:00.000+05:30

A few means I have adopted to beat Chennai's Heat.

Padma Sadhna n Kriya
Satsangs
Sitting on my Bean Bag on the Balcony where I have cool breeze
Studying at home.
Staying Indoors as much as possible.
Having loads of water.
Getting a pair of Shades
Having a Cap on.
Juices n Fruits as much as possible.
Ice Creams in the evenings.
Using the Microwave more often to cook.

Wow.... I am beatin the Heat easily without gettin effected much. Hope everybody has their plans and Strategies to beat the heat.

Change Your Perception by Rahul Joshi

2011-03-26T01:06:00.000+05:30

This is written by a very Dear friend Rahul Joshi, who volunteers with the Yes Plus team Noida Full Time and works Part Time with Adobe Inc

Life isn't designed to run from the hardships.

But is to teach you to face challenges with smiling lips.

Troubles ain't meant to make you depress.

But they come to make you accordingly dress.

Quarrel never shows someones protest.

Rather, People Quarrel to show that even you can be the best, unlike the rest.

And neither do people criticize to show dislike.

But they instead grill you for your next strike.

Friendship doesn't means a timely support.

But, is a feeling that someone's always there to escort.

LOVE is not meant to ask.

But, it's rather a give and forgive task.