Enduro India 04
When 18 Bhp is just enough - On a  Royal Enfield 350 Bullet.

We rode 1200 miles in 7 days through the southern Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The route was challenging on both rider and bike covering terrain from:  Desert reaching a sweltering 40˚c;  9,000ft mountains; Cities; National Wildlife Parks and Tea Plantations; through hairpin after hairpin.
Unfortunately Wendy did not accompany me on this adventure though we spoke regularly when mobile coverage was found
 

23rd February 2004 - Depart UK For Bombay Via Calicut Via Trivandrum

24th February - Arrive India

25th / 26th February - Kozhikode
This period was important as it offered us the chance to meet the medics, mechanics, and team leaders. It also gave us a much-needed intro to the Indian roads and the trusty Royal Enfield Bullet.  Although informal and relaxed, we had several talks to listen to from the team and much information to take in. We made use of this time to recharge our batteries, get used to the heat and the people sharing the room. These were Steve, Justin, Beef and myself. During this time we Practiced riding around the hotel car park and getting used to the reverse pattern gear change and not forgetting the thing was on the other side of the bike too. We took our first road trips out to the Cancer Care Clinic of the Pain and Palliative Society whom some of the monies raised had gone towards it's new building, and the beach approx 30 mile round trip to each.

1st Fall was at the beach - my own fault of course, I followed Randy (yes a yank and Harley rider) up a steep outcrop of rocks I went up about 3/4 of the way before the bike stalled and I came down backwards all the way to the bottom faster than I went up but dropped it as I couldn't see where I was going. Watch this video clip from the helmet camera I had which captures the event: Video Clip 1

27th of February – Rally starts: Calicut-Masinagudi
This day sees the first of many early starts so needed to go easy on the booze the night before, there was a serious ride ahead.
5am wake up call. 7am departed Calicut. For the first leg of the tour and a nights stop at the Jungle Hut.

Pictured below our first nights stop at the Jungle Hut, Masinagudi, nr Mudumallai Wildlife Sanctuary...

28th February: Masinagudi-Palghat
After a wonderful evening around the campfire it was worth getting up to see the amazing dawn in this incredibly beautiful region, the sun strikes out from behind the Nilgiri hills and illuminates the camp as we tuck into a hearty breakfast. Today saw the start of the serious riding. we were in the saddle till late afternoon early evening on this challenging day, concentration was a must , especially in India, we Headed towards our next nights rest at the Hotel Tripenta, Palghat. We were joined by "Sam" who became part of our riding team. so from L to R Justin "the Tourist", me, Steve "Egor",  "Sam the Fireman", Gary "Beef"

2nd Fall  - We were having a really good fast ride through hairpin after hairpin and decided to rig up the helmet cam - the idea being I would follow Justin "The Tourist" through the turns and get it on video - We went through them like mental bikers really tearing up the roads, Well you would wouldn't you? locking up the back end to swing the rear round, eventually I took it too far and whilst I was negotiating a group of bikers (who had held us up) and a right hairpin I skidded it round and the foot peddle dug into the road I eased off with the break (mistake) and high-sided flipping me up the other way and spitting me out of the bend - all captured on video - I escaped unharmed but the bike was a little battered (a Jap bike with all its plastic would have been written off!)  Video Clip 2 

3rd fall  - We decided to go safely after I fell so trundled on down the mountain when Justin decided to stop suddenly for photographs and overshot the bend hitting the wall, I was sure he was going over the edge and lost concentration for a split second, when I looked forward I was headed directly for the same wall. I took evasive action threw it over and ran into some sand and leaves and slid over... shouldn't have happened...

4th and last fall  - We were again enjoying the ride and the twisties when we came to a bridge where some others riders had stopped to get a rest and take some photographs Justin slammed on his anchors and skidded to a halt I couldn't stop in time and took him out and ended up on the floor with my foot under the bike petrol and oil all over the place. everyone was laughing and taking pictures (Ideal opportunity) until I politely asked them to get the bike off my leg.

29th February: Palghat-Kodai Kanal
After a wonderful evening meal, a very humid and tightly packed sleep (I slept on the hotel roof) we awoke for another big days ride. Today we experienced South Indias’ finest riding on the amazing ascent up the Western Ghat mountain range towards one of the highest points of the rally; Kodai Kanal. The roads demand safe riding and constant awareness as you can ride for half an hour without seeing another vehicle, which can give a false sense of security on the tight bends. Trucks and coaches like to use the entire road so it pays to anticipate that every bend has something coming the other way.

The vistas in this region are simply stunning and there were many stop points up the mountain to take it all in.

 

1st March: Kodai Kanal-Munnar
We rose to a chilly morning due to the high altitude; we had a slightly easier ride today, although in distance it was still nearly as long as the previous day. We descended the mountain towards the temple town of Palani which we past through briefly yesterday. After some necessary town work we left the bustle and head into an awe inspiring ride of wildlife reserve, sanctuary and National Parks all the way to the tea country of Munnar. This area had good roads and breathtaking scenery.  All in all an outrageous days ride

2nd March: Munnar-Thekkady
Today was a ‘half’ day. Compared to the previous 3 it was a walk in the park. Due to the ride becoming more demanding from the 3rd onwards it was felt it would makes sense to have the chance to rest a little. The day started with a beautiful descent through the clouds. Leaving the tea behind us we moved through the cardamom and coconut groves into the spice country of Thekkady. Once we arrived there was the chance to visit Periyar tiger reserve (the biggest tiger reserve in the South), take a trip to the spice plantations, enjoy a full body massage or simply sit by the pool with a Kingfisher (beer not bird) in hand. Well we had earned it hadn't we?  I have a video of a near miss with a Landrover which if you look at the road you can see a huge crater which breaks over the edge of the road and down the mountain. By now I am used to the roads and the traffic so take it in my stride... 
 Video Clip 3

3rd of March: Thekkady-Angamali
Today was a mixed bag, we experienced the beautiful Idukki wildlife reserve, where we had the chance to see India's 2nd biggest dam. we also had our first real experience of busy towns and main roads on your way to the Hotel Surya in the airport city of Angamali. It’s a harsh contrast from the beauty we have experienced but it’s all part of the Indian experience.

 


 

4th of March: Angamali-Calicut
The NH47 and NH17 are two of the most demanding and adrenalin packed roads you are likely to experience anywhere on Earth. If we thought yesterday demanded full attention, today (although fairly short) left us exhausted physically and mentally. It is a mind bending ride through some serious traffic and although not ‘beautiful’ it is one hell of a rush to ride. Any biker that has completed this stage joins a special club. No one will understand the experience unless they too have ridden it. We left early to avoid the really heavy traffic. The road was easy to navigate and led us to the city of Calicut and the finish line. 7 Kilometres outside Calicut we all meet up for refreshments at the Toyota Garage before riding down the coast road to a warm welcome at the Taj Hotel. This stage was extremely moving as the entire group rode in slowly together, very few people will have ever experienced a feeling better than this on 2 wheels. But don’t just take my word for it…  here is a video clip of me catching up with the group after Colin (Local guy on the trip) got his own back and removed my ignition key whilst riding along...  Video Clip 4  Colin is seen at the beginning of this next clip in the red jacket grinning all over his face before we join the main group arriving back at Calicut and the final stages before arriving at the Hotel Taj. Video Clip 5

4th & 5th of March: Taj Hotel Calicut
Time for us to rest, swim and celebrate. Anyone that wishes to can join us in the Hotel garden to witness an amazing Indian martial arts and dance show, there is also a great buffet meal. The bikes are handed over to the charities and it’s an emotional goodbye to our machines that have served us so well for the last 10 days or so.

6th March: Calicut/Depart for Bombay - 7th March:  Arrive UK
We have the morning to pack our bags and the rest of the day to chill by the pool or catch up on some shopping in the town, the coaches leave for Calicut airport at 3pm.