Experience of a Recruit!!!
Passion and Flair are the key words that one could associate with the Group - on the Ride and Otherwise too!
We started off, I and Goutham, sharp at 7 AM at Savitha Dental. I being new to long rides on groups, Goutham set the rules of the road and two of us to follow. Pretty crisp for the induction. I had my apprehensions on taking speeds while 'running in' the bike. However, Goutham's brand new Mac 500 - having done 600 odd gave me the confidence to do the speed on mine too. For a start, Goutham helped the warm up to restrict at 80. However slowly he teased me up to catch up with him and of course with periodic "breathing in" on the engine. Phew! I did my first 90. By the time confidence sets in - its breakfast time guys!
We had the usual V40 joint - Red Chilly to have the eggitarian (Gautham's) delight - the Mutta Dosai. After a 45 minute break started off on the road again.
The group would probably remember - on my first meeting I having asked the question on "Proper Riding Gear". Stupid on my part to have asked given the speeds!!! Would recommend freshers to probably google on "How important is a proper riding gear". Dom, appreciate the rule.
Well, the above intro on riding gears was important. I was on skating knee guard for the time being. And the thing was hurting me after couple of hours. Yelagiri was still 62 kms off, and the pain of the stretching velcro became unbearable. I zoomed up to Gautham for the break and to loosen up the knee guard. The second break was faster. However all breaks have an important aspect - "Dum Break!!!" Made good use of it and hit the road again. The next break was predicided at the foothills - for the next breifing session.
Here was my first "going off road" experience. We turned from the NH on to the Jolarpet road. There was a pretty nasty curve just about the foothills. We were at 80 or so. I could see Goutham banking the curve with ease. However, right at the curve, I could see the loose sand on the side of the road pretty late. Instinct advised me to get off road and not to do the curve. Not to worry - only a few passerby on the road - just curoiusly looking at me as to what was I trying!!!
Going up the ghats was completely a new experience on a bike for me. Banking the curve on a Hairpin was explained by GG (oops!!! the expansion comes in later - pls read on!!!) and followed by me. The next double "dumming break" was at the view point. Here is where we get to know Dom was running couple of hours late.
Mike Bernard's Le Auroville was the most hospitable place - the way he greeted the Bullet guys! While on the tea and getting settled down, Domnic joined us with his new possession - U-Mac (I rather leave the naming in ceremony to Dom himself). We could hear the thump far away on the road.
Yelagiri had the Paragliding festival on during the same time. After lunch, we headed on for it. Unfortunately, due to brief rain, they had shifted off that day's schedule to the next. Not to get disheartened - we decide to explore more of Yelagiri. Small country roads with muddy patch were there to welcome us.
Gautham's explanations skills and "gyans" on the session is where the GG aka Gyan Goutham comes in.
The Day 2 started off after the breakfast. This was the day with my induction to greater speeds - clocking in 100 at a few stretches. I am a firm believer of team work and of course the OBAMA chant "together we can"!!! I was sharing with the groups - if I were alone, I may not have done this speeds. Dom and GG also had their brief bouts of 120 or so to chase a few santros. All in all - we were watched by all the passerby and onlookers - obviously with an awe!
How amazing would it be if all us were to join and ride in a formation - it would be a spectacle!!!
On any surface - V40 is the best!!!
V40 Mahesh
