With lots of help from a new friend I was able to squeeze in a bit of cycling.
Nilabja signed us up for the Wayanad Escapade with http://www.CyclingAndMore.com. After a bit of last minute gear shopping Avi and Vamsi agreed to join and we were off for some two wheeled fun. Friday night we boarded a bus at 10PM for the overnight ride down to Kerala.
Saturday morning we stopped to freshen up, change into cycling clothes, and have some coffee.
All suited up we headed to the state border of Tamilnadu to get breakfast and bikes. Apparently Tamilnadu was going to charge 28k Rupee road tax for the bus so this was the last we'd see of the bus until we crossed through Tamilnadu and into Kerala.
They issued me a hard tail mountain bike with disk brakes but no front shock lock as my trusty steed for the next two days and projected 150km. Per my running theme I was instantly and pretty perpetually entertained by India roads.
Entering Tamilnadu
On the first climb we passed several elephants grazing alongside the road. One eyed us as we past, took a few steps in our direction, and then settled back into grazing. Then the paved road turned into pot hole pass and I quickly began to appreciate the mountain bike. A bit further up the road villagers were giving elephants morning baths.
We progressed on. I use pictures of signs to help track progress. The bus didn't register while I was taking this picture. Looking back now what is the bus doing here, I though he was subject to massive tax? Maybe a different bus?
We began climbing a bit and found nice vistas of the Nilgiri or Blue Mountains.
I found myself hoping we'd go up there. We did find some good slopes and a tea plantation further up our designated route.
A bit into the climbs I found myself in a new pack of riders. We passed through a town and they pulled in for a break and ordered up some coconuts. Coconut was is inside a skin and therefore safe. The process to cut a straw hole posed only minor contamination risk. Fresh coconut water was quite tasty in the heat of the day. After sipping down the water there was a much more intricate process to extract the pulp. That involved far too much handling of the food for my dietary guidelines. I sprang for the five coconuts to offset my dependence on them for directions. Five fresh coconuts for water and pulp came to just under 100 Rupee or $2 USD.
Back in the saddle we found more climbs. In one uphill switchback Jerry took a tumble when his leg cramped up and refused to move. He was able to get untangled from the bike and step into a convenient nearby tea shop for a bit of shade and refreshment. Soon after that Nilabja came along and we rode together for the rest of the day.
Coasting downhill and giving up some hard earned elevation we found the truck with lunch. Food just tastes better after a good ride and today was no exception. The food was delicious. I managed to tear the bread and sop up food one handed.
The afternoon was just hot. I wonder if some of it was the heavy food. It was also getting late in the day and long in the kilometers. A guy on a motorcycle rode up beside and made conversation. Apparently he opened with a comment akin to "So, you're cycling?".
We crossed into Kerala and I really thought the scenery changed. Vegetation was bit more lush. We made good riding conversation covering every imaginable topic. Heading up one hill a shop off to the side with sodas and shade called out like a siren. We stopped for cool treats.
We pressed on and eventually reached the destination city. I thought maps and signs were bad in the USA. Most navigation comes down to asking three people and going with any resulting consensus. If no consistency then keep asking. We circled part of the town and found our way into the Isaac's Regency hotel.
We freshened up a bit and hung out waiting for further plans. We were hopeful for a trip to Edakkal caves but that ultimately did not pan out as the caves were under construction and closed. We walked around the city a bit, caught up with Avi and Vamsi, and then took showers and naps. Santosh joined us and the guys ordered up a tasty combination of Indian dishes for dinner. Afterwords Santosh and I explored more of the city. We walked to the ends of the lighted city and a bit beyond. The city was closing down and we needed sleep for another day of cycling.
Garmin track for part of the day: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/259406857
Nilabja signed us up for the Wayanad Escapade with http://www.CyclingAndMore.com. After a bit of last minute gear shopping Avi and Vamsi agreed to join and we were off for some two wheeled fun. Friday night we boarded a bus at 10PM for the overnight ride down to Kerala.
Saturday morning we stopped to freshen up, change into cycling clothes, and have some coffee.
All suited up we headed to the state border of Tamilnadu to get breakfast and bikes. Apparently Tamilnadu was going to charge 28k Rupee road tax for the bus so this was the last we'd see of the bus until we crossed through Tamilnadu and into Kerala.
They issued me a hard tail mountain bike with disk brakes but no front shock lock as my trusty steed for the next two days and projected 150km. Per my running theme I was instantly and pretty perpetually entertained by India roads.
Entering Tamilnadu
On the first climb we passed several elephants grazing alongside the road. One eyed us as we past, took a few steps in our direction, and then settled back into grazing. Then the paved road turned into pot hole pass and I quickly began to appreciate the mountain bike. A bit further up the road villagers were giving elephants morning baths.
We progressed on. I use pictures of signs to help track progress. The bus didn't register while I was taking this picture. Looking back now what is the bus doing here, I though he was subject to massive tax? Maybe a different bus?
We began climbing a bit and found nice vistas of the Nilgiri or Blue Mountains.
I found myself hoping we'd go up there. We did find some good slopes and a tea plantation further up our designated route.
A bit into the climbs I found myself in a new pack of riders. We passed through a town and they pulled in for a break and ordered up some coconuts. Coconut was is inside a skin and therefore safe. The process to cut a straw hole posed only minor contamination risk. Fresh coconut water was quite tasty in the heat of the day. After sipping down the water there was a much more intricate process to extract the pulp. That involved far too much handling of the food for my dietary guidelines. I sprang for the five coconuts to offset my dependence on them for directions. Five fresh coconuts for water and pulp came to just under 100 Rupee or $2 USD.
Back in the saddle we found more climbs. In one uphill switchback Jerry took a tumble when his leg cramped up and refused to move. He was able to get untangled from the bike and step into a convenient nearby tea shop for a bit of shade and refreshment. Soon after that Nilabja came along and we rode together for the rest of the day.
Coasting downhill and giving up some hard earned elevation we found the truck with lunch. Food just tastes better after a good ride and today was no exception. The food was delicious. I managed to tear the bread and sop up food one handed.
The afternoon was just hot. I wonder if some of it was the heavy food. It was also getting late in the day and long in the kilometers. A guy on a motorcycle rode up beside and made conversation. Apparently he opened with a comment akin to "So, you're cycling?".
We crossed into Kerala and I really thought the scenery changed. Vegetation was bit more lush. We made good riding conversation covering every imaginable topic. Heading up one hill a shop off to the side with sodas and shade called out like a siren. We stopped for cool treats.
We pressed on and eventually reached the destination city. I thought maps and signs were bad in the USA. Most navigation comes down to asking three people and going with any resulting consensus. If no consistency then keep asking. We circled part of the town and found our way into the Isaac's Regency hotel.
We freshened up a bit and hung out waiting for further plans. We were hopeful for a trip to Edakkal caves but that ultimately did not pan out as the caves were under construction and closed. We walked around the city a bit, caught up with Avi and Vamsi, and then took showers and naps. Santosh joined us and the guys ordered up a tasty combination of Indian dishes for dinner. Afterwords Santosh and I explored more of the city. We walked to the ends of the lighted city and a bit beyond. The city was closing down and we needed sleep for another day of cycling.
Garmin track for part of the day: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/259406857
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