The Dakshin, Leg 1 - Day 4

It was the final day of the journey and I expected to cover maximum distance today. I was so exhausted that I could not force myself to get up before 6.

My nephew, aged five, was enamoured by my bike and outfit from the time he saw me. So we urged him to mount my bike and pose for a couple of photographs. Fear was all over his face as he posed for a few snaps. By the time he got comfortable, I was ready to leave...

By 7.30 I was on my way to Palakkad. Independence Day and the early hours made riding a breeze. A thin drizzle only added to the exhilaration. The road didn't look much different from how I remember it fifteen years ago. But for the traffic, everything looked the same.

Time-08.45; Odometer- 23722; Palakkad

After the mandatory tank-filling at Palakkad, I proceeded towards Coimbatore. The greenery slowly began to get subdued and after a few kilometres into Tamil Nadu, brown began to dominate the landscape. This change never ceases to amaze me.

I had begun to feel the heat while riding down the L&T highway at Coimbatore. I stopped by the wayside, topped the oil and peeled off the raincoat. I didn't expect to need it again.

Oh, on I burn
Fuel is pumping engines
Burning hard
Loose and clean

Oh, and on I burn
Turning my direction
Quench my thirst with gasoline

So gimme fuel
Gimme fire
Gimme that which I desire

Time- 11.40; Odometer- 23866; Chittodu

As it is the norm with me, a cup of tea and no breakfast forms the first half of riding while going solo. By noon I stop somewhere for brunch and this time I stopped by a dhaba at Chittodu. Curious villagers gawked at the bike while I ate. Then the expected questions follow. This time, I spun a tale of my own.

'Where are you from?'

'Bangalore'

'What do you do?'

'I sell computer parts.'

A few kilometres onward, I spotted the joint where we had lunch on our way to Coonoor for the MBMC4A. I have come a long way!! The weather was warm, but what raised my hackles was the way the bus drivers drove. Just about every bus driver would overtake one or more trucks or buses by driving down my side of the road. And almost every time I had to brake hard, stop off the road and wait for their royal highnesses to proceed.

I reached Salem at 12.30 only to find grey clouds gathering in the sky. I hardly rode another 5 km when I had to don my raincoat. So much for not needing it again. But then, I had hardly ridden another 5 kms in the rain when the sun came out in all its shining glory!!

For all the trouble that truck and bus drivers gave me, nothing came close to what happened as I neared Kaveripattinam. The middle of the road was littered with potholes so I stayed on the left end of my lane doing a comfortable speed. A tempo driver was riding in the middle of the road when he suddenly swerved towards me to avoid a pothole and use the gap between him and me to get ahead.

I went off the road and instinctively leaned on the foot pegs. I could feel the rear wheel skid on the sand while my mind kept telling me over and over again- You are going to fall! Miraculously, the bike climbed the road and I thanked my stars.

Around this time the folks from the RTMC had stopped for a break. By the time they realised who was riding furiously down the road, I had gone a long way ahead.

So near, yet so far!

By the time I reached Krishnagiri, I badly needed a break. I managed to hang on till Hosur where I stopped for tea and stretched my legs. An hour later, I got home.

Time- 17.10; Odometer- 24141; Bangalore

...And the road becomes my bride
And the road becomes my bride!
I have stripped of all but pride
So in her I do confide
And she keeps me satisfied
Gives me all I need

And with dust in throat I crave
Only knowledge will I save
To this game you stay a slave
Rover wanderer
Nomad vagabond
Call me what you will

But I'll take my time anywhere
I'm free to speak my mind anywhere
And I'll redefine anywhere
Anywhere I roam
Where I lay my head is home, yeah

I cannot wait for the next big one.