Off to Pondicherry

The annual ride to Pondicherry was a tad delayed due to work commitments, but made up for it for a good ride.It was planned to be a evening ride to Cuddalore - our eventual destination for the night at my friend's home.Hence packing was done by morning, saddle bags, tools, rear back rest, everything..Came back home around 3:30 from office, even Aparna was home by then.
This was a quite anticipated ride not for the fact that i was going to pondicherry but that i was donning (to be interpreted as flaunting) my new ride gear.All set and kicked off at 4:15 sharp with my new Fieldsheet apollo pants and joe rocket gloves.

Within 10-20 min of the ride, the benifits of a proper ride gear became evident, the vibrations were isolated off my palms and wrists, the gauntlet made sure that wind dint gush into the jacket sleeves and my knees felt more secure within the armour.Its better to buy a riding gloves which is slightly tighter coz they tend to stretch upon usage. Initially the little finger was cramped for space but not now anymore. Perfect ingridients for lesser tiredness resulting in longer unbroken rides.

Hosur-Krishnagiri went in a flash and was in no mood to stop, tackled bad roads and reached chengamby 7:20. 190 KM in 180 min.. not bad for a slow moving fully loaded 350CI chugger.Had sumptous early dinner and hit the roads by 8. Enquired the locals abt the road conditions of Tiruvannamalai - Tirukkovilur stretch.Hitherto nightmarish even by bus standards,I used to travel by bus on this route and not even once i could take a peaceful nap for 5 mins.But now it is transformed to a real beauty. smooth glider for 35 km without a single hump or a ditch. Completed in 20 min flat :)Took a left towards Cuddalore cut through the Trichy highway and reached Cuddalore via Banrutti.This route is in good shape compared to Dindivanam - Pondy route and 25 km shorter too. I couldnt believe my eyes when i did Bangalore - Cuddalore in 5.5 hrs flat.Reached my friend Shan's home and had good time talking to his parents and rounded up the day.

Got up the next morning lazily coz of a sore ass after riding 325 KM with only one break. packed up and left to Pondy.The intent of visiting Aurobindo Ashram on that very saturday coincided with the Mother's birthday. The entire complex was a frothing sea of humanity. Faith, help, kindness was all pervasive. Sat quietly in the ashram remembring those good ol times with my friend, we used to sit at the very place where i was sitting alone.
After an hour, faded away from pondy towards ECR on the ever enchanting ECR. Ride to chennai was a breeze intercepted by a roadside beach break.

Trust me, Chennai traffic sucks nowadys ala Bangalore. It took me more than an hour to negotiate through south chennai to central which used to consume less than half an hour couple of years ago.And theso called pleasant weather made me gunning down to my aunts house at frantic pace, the rest of the day was the next day morning was spent on family commitments.

Left chennai by 2 in the afternoon and reached bangalore by 9 surviving the chennai chillness and a brief stopover at chittoor.The roads after entering karnataka at mulbagal is undergoing road expansion all the way to bangalore, a bit uneasy for night ride, but will nbecome a beauty in the coming months.Riding time 5.5 hrs
Overall a satisfying and a fast ride by my standards.