So, after two days on road (i mean, with a stopover during night), I am back at Madurai.
On Friday, I started sometime around 5:45 AM from Anjuna (North Goa). The last week of February was unusually hot at Goa. Record temperatures at 39 degree Centigrade meant that it was getting hotter like it did, some 38 years ago. (Pass the blame on Global warming ?!). By the time the heat decided to take over the scenic early morning fog and chiller temperature, I had passed Cancona. I think, i will miss the Concolim-Cancona winding ride! (As an alternative, a ride on Konkan Railway along those sections will be memorable)
On my return trip, I decided not to take the beaten track of NH-17. So, I decided to take the NH 206 route that branches of from NH-17 at Honovar, Karnataka. NH 206 will take you all the way to Tumkur. But then, I wasn’t headed to Tumkur. I had to branch off at Arsikere to take the Karnataka State Highways (they should consider renaming it to Stock Market for their unpredictability). The ride from Honovar through Gersoppa is just fantastic. The terraced paddy fields and rich vegetation makes it a scenic drive. I suppose the region is irrigated by the water from Jog Falls. I happened to check Jog Falls en route. It appeared like an invisible giant was peeing with some urinary problem. I mean, no disrespect to mother Nature. It is just that the construction of dam in that region has taken away the usual charm of Jog Falls and moreover it wasn’t *the season*.
The one good thing about riding on tertiary shoots of the National Highways (i mean, NH-nnn) is the solitude and lack of vehicular traffic (i guess, the route and “time of day” depends as well). The State Highways from Arsikere towards Channarayapatna (a.k.a C.R. Pet) was half horrible and half spectacular. That is the biased state of the Highway division in Karnataka. The one half that is spectacular is aimed at the Jain tourism to Shravanabelagola (i couldn’t find any other reason why they neglected the other half). This is when, I felt how trustworthy my lieutenant, Enfield Electra was! In spite of my poor handling, it still managed to take it in its own stride without complaints.
The State Highway that connects C.R. Pet with Srirangapatna is marred by speed breakers (Speed brakers on a National Highway? Yup!). I think, they have something to learn from Kerela where NH cuts through villages without speed brakers (considering, Kerela’s density of population along the Highway). The four-lane road that connects Srirangapatna with Mysore was nothing short of spectacular! By the time I reached Mysore, I think I had covered 650 Kms for the day (that is a new personal record). Yes, I was sort of a maniacal rider towards the end.
The next day, I started off around 7 AM. By the time I reached Chamrajnagar, I had to battle my way through sections of pathetic State Highways. But then, the sheer idealism of rural milieu takes over the best part of the ride. Children wave at me as I was from *the other* Planet. I do, wave back and appreciate their enthusiasm and fun. Sometimes, my mind is blank. The sun always tries to suck out the juice in me and I try to beat it in vain.
The road that takes you to Satyamangalam through the dense forests is pathetic till the Karnataka - Tamil Nadu border. Once, you cross over to the Tamil Nadu border, it is like “dude, what the fuck is the Karnataka State Highway Department doing?”. I guess they decided to skip their section and instead go for Langur Hunting. The drive is fantastic and winding. I am quite fortunate that I took the Satyamangalam forest route. Looks like they have been laid during recent times. The NH209 section in Tamil Nadu comes as a respite and provides the required momentum to keep me going.
After stopping over at Kovai for lunch, I decided to get some இளநீர் (coconut water) with a roadside seller, somewhere in between Pollachi and Udumalapettai. After having some, I decided to take a nap on his palm leaf mat under the makeshift shelter. It was probably the subtle and some of the best aspects of road travel. I think, with the mercury raising, it feels like it is an early summer!
Temple City, the popular and ambitious restaurant group based in Madurai has a tie-up with Bharat Petroleum (BP). They provide you with a decent restaurant by the NH4 Highway, and BP has modelled it out similar to American Gas Stations with play area for kids and ample parking lots for vehicles. This tie-up has another one running on the NH7 as well - somewhere between Melur and the Government College of Agriculture.
By the time I reached my home, it was dusk. I had covered another 470+ Kms. The skin on my face and forearms was burnt (not from Beach Tan but from ride).
P.S: Now, I have to see Mr.Froggy face’s (read M.K.Alagiri) Poster everyday! 
God save Madurai!
Alter-ego says: இதெல்லாம் ஒரு மேட்டர் ஆ?