[Mr.Boss]

Where did it Start?



I'm not sure either to blame or appreciate the New Normal, a.k.a Work From Home. Every time I read this short form WFH, a similar one *** comes in my mind during recent days

After 16+ years this new normal had given me the opportunity of staying at hometown with my parents for months together. This is something we haven't imagined of and we aren't sure if we would get this chance any more (unless I change my Job) In the mean time there is nothing stressful then working at home for hours and hours together. There are days my average work hours went past 16+ hours with all 3 meals at my work desk. Physical movements, chit-chats, F2F talks everything went for a toss.

This Work-eat-sleep routine had given a fantastic development of Single pack and thanks to our Fitness coach graaja for taking few of us towards IF and motivating us towards fitness. IF and minimum 1 hour physical activity got added to my new normal now.

But still being in front of this stupid box started adding more frustration and decided to leave it for a couple of days and spend time with my beloved machine, Red candy, RX100 and nothing beats taking her on a twisty roads in the midst of estates, valleys, chill climate.

One advantage of being close to Coimbatore is, take any highway for 100km we end up in a hill station.



Skipped Munnar since I visited early this year (very last trip just a week before lockdown)

Ooty and Kodaikanal were parked aside for already planned drive / ride for the Christmas and New Year weekends

Only option left out is Valparai. Packed necessary tools and spares (RX riders can vouch me here) and headed for a day trip.

[Mr.Boss]

Preparation

Something more than regular transmission Oil, 2T oil, air checks. Had to pack some basic tools and spares including,
- 3 screw drivers
- 8 to 16 size spanners
- Couple of pliers

- HL & TL bulbs
- Accelerator cable
- 2T oil
- Fuel hose
- Spare tube (with increased tubeless and 17" wheel sizes 18" is sometimes difficult to get, especially at remote areas)
- Wires
- Insulation tape

I ended up using this kit, more details to follow.

Apart from this I took a power bank and charger with necessary cables.

Made sure the weather is favorable with local forecast

Agenda

Ride - eat - click - repeat

Since most of the places were covered during my earlier trips sight seeing was out of my agenda. All I planned was a cup of tea at Waterfall estate, Brunch at Valparai. Ended up having late lunch / snack at Koolangal river.

[Mr.Boss]

Random snaps enroute Pollachi

Before start of the journey, fueling and air check


Once I touched Pollachi highway




Few km before Pollachi






And some 'Fancy' numbers in between

[Mr.Boss]

Aliyar Dam view
I didn't bother to check if they allowed visitors inside the dam, passed it and straight away started climbing the ghat section

View point from other end of the dam


Hardly few feet left out. Seeing this after so many years


Contrast color


Some locals fishing there


View after climbing further


Twisty roads are addictive


First break

[Mr.Boss]

Some Random snaps on the Go

Aliyar Dam view point


1st break


Twisty roads




Mandatory or customary view point




Small falls and streams on the way














Wish it was more greener to have a contrast snap


2nd break


Couldn't resist spamming with more snaps of Red Candy






Somewhere near Koolangal river


Near a forest checkpost, could be the officers stay

[Mr.Boss]

Tea at Waterfall estate





Need of the hour










By the time I was about to leave, entire premise looked almost abandoned. Wish I could have started the photo session again.

[Mr.Boss]

Estate view

This is something we couldn't skip or miss to click a couple of snaps. Lovely place

[Mr.Boss]

Koolangal River

First time to see less crowd here








And my all time favorite dish

[Mr.Boss]

Mist Spreading zone

[Mr.Boss]

Expect the unexpected

1 or 2 hairpin bends ahead of mist spreading zone I started feeling poor throttle response and bike struggled at some places. I was puzzled if I ended up to fuel reserve level. Managed to reach the plain and open area where I could take a break and check what went wrong.

Carb flooded and started leaking fuel




Sometimes a gentle tap on the lower cup should sort out the float issue, but it couldn't help. Thankfully had all necessary tools to open the lower cup, clean the float pin and that's all it needed to bring back to life.

[Mr.Boss]

Aliyar River

Had some spare time to explore the aliyar river. Wish it had some more water

[Mr.Boss]

That's all about the short ride, hopping to make Ooty and Kodai ride in upcoming weeks.
Some highlights about this ride
- First long ride with this bike after restoration
- Doing a 300km ride after so many years
- Started by 11:00 am and returned back by 08:00pm
- Surprised to see 42kmpl FE
- Brake caliper started to rattle after the trip (sliding pins worn out or the grease dried)
- If at all someone noticed the LH side view of the bike was never exposed, it's intentional since it has an un-treated scar. I feel heartbroken every time I see this



Hopping to sort this out soon.

Thanks for spending your time here

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

The timeless RX100 amidst the picturesque tea estates of Valparai comes as a nice breath of fresh air IMHO, especially with everything that 2020 has thrown at us.

[Mr.Boss]

Few more points I missed to add earlier
- 2 wheelers were allowed at pass aliyar checkpost without any checking, but all 4 wheelers are being checked and made to register their entry
- ePass can be registered through https://eregister.tnega.org/
- Couldn't get a solid information about crossing TN-KL border (athirapally route) in a 2 wheeler. Some locals said it is allowed and some said only local residents were allowed
- I could see only a handful of KL registered vehicles during the entire journey
- Road work is in progress at few places (especially at hairpin bends where it was broken due to recent rains and some narrow areas are getting widened)
- All shops and restaurants are functional, including the homestay and lodges
- Only a few percentage of people wear mask and follow social distancing (only self discipline can help us)
- Fuel station near market is crowded like anything.
- Due to restriction in tourism for past few months, all the piles up stocks (spices, Oils, home made chocolates) are coming out with fresh packing. Be cautious

[h14]

Such a treat to the eyes! Wishing you many more happy rides on the Rx.

P.S. next time when heading out like this, do call me