Day 2, 26th Dec. 2016: Smooth tarmacs, Bhangda Pepsi and Pondy 26th Dec 2016

Ready to Ride

A relaxed nights rest at Bengaluru was a welcome after the endurance test of the first day. We woke up early the next day and were ready for the next stretch of our ride. We had a nice “SOUTH INDIAN” breakfast. Idli’s, sevai upma, sheera, Sambar-chutney and coffee…something which was going to be almost like a routine from here onwards.

Due to the sudden change in the location of our night halt, we had to recalibrate our route a bit. Of course we had Google maps to guide us.

The luggage was on the bikes now…we were all geared up and ready to ride. It was, I guess, a rare sight for the onlookers…Bikers from Maharashtra in Bangalore…going for a cross-state ride.

We started off a bit relaxed today. By 8:30 we were riding. The initial road was through many small villages. Small roads with many potholes, cycles, 2-wheelers..Ocassional four legged creatures crossing our paths…something which we had almost forgotten after the first days ride.

A small break

A very small patch of this road even went through a forest department plantation and was a surprise. Slowly we passed these small roads and were greeted by the Bangalore- Tirupati highway near Konadasapura. This was again bliss…smooth…big roads once again.

We were cruising comfortably around 100 kmph on this road. Moderate traffic was an added advantage. This road is lined with numerous flyovers, well planned.

Changing landscapes

The usual landscape here is agricultural…huge fields but as we approached Kolar this suddenly changed. We were driving amidst huge boulder hills on both sides. In the total ride on that day this patch was an experience…

Bhangda Pepsi

We halted at Hotel Royal Restaurant a few kms before Vellore. It’s a small but nice restaurant offering veg and non-veg food, juices and many other things. The first thing that the captain suggested us was BHANGDA Pepsi…we were thirsty no doubt and we went ahead. What came on the table was an awesome mélange of Pepsi, Jaljeera and Lemon...tasty and thirst quenching!

Kumbakonam Certified Kaapi

We were done with the meal and the Pepsi was long gone in the system… before starting for the rest of the journey some booster was required and bingo...Kumbakonam certified coffee stall was in front of us. Again this coffee too was delicious. But more interesting was the way in which it was prepared. The skill and precision of the person was impeccable.

We started our eastward journey again. Some part of the road went through Andhra Pradesh and just before Vellore, we turned south. Here we left the national highway and joined the state highway. The size of the road was considerably smaller now, but the drive was still pleasurable.

Gingee

On our way to Pondy, we were going to visit the Historic Maratha fort in Tamil Nadu, Gingee. We went through Vellore, Arani, Chetpet and reached Gingee. But we missed our window. We forgot to consider 2 things..one that we were on the eastern side of India, where the sun sets comparatively earlier and second, it was cloudy too. So by the time we reached the fort, it was dark and we couldn’t go in.

So we quickly saw the silhouttes of the fort walls and the temples at the base in the fading light of the day and got back on the road. We took a final stop before Pondy to replenish and rehydrate and off we zoomed. The road got much better after Tindivanam and by 7:30 PM we reached Pondy.

We entered Pondy from a busy market street..Just like Laxmi Road, Pune. Traffic, pedestrians..it was a different world!

We reached our abode for the next 2 days..Ajantha Beach Resort. All we needed now was a nice relaxing dinner with some chilled beer!

The windy Pondy Promenade was a soothing sight from the rooftop restaurant in our hotel. After a sumptuous meal and a chilled time..we retired to our room..The bed was welcoming after 2 days of hard riding, and we didn't have to wake up the next morning...wow..such a relief..