[Meteormariner]

Originally Posted by tasty911

Also shifted back to RE's liquid gun semi-synthetic oil from shell fully synthetic I was using earlier. Just checking if there is any noticeable difference.

Hi sir, now that you have clocked decent miles with the liquid gun, how does it fare against the fully synthetic oil that you have been previously using?

[tasty911]

Originally Posted by Freespirit27

That's a lovely ride and wonderful clicks too. A trip to Valparai is definitely worth it. Ponmudi is on my list too, someday..
Ride safe

Thank. See if you can time your trip post monsoons. The greenery has a magical effect.

Originally Posted by Meteormariner

Absolutely stunning photographs and well written travelogue as usual. Looking forward on the next leg of your ride.

Thank you. Updating next leg today.

Originally Posted by Meteormariner

Hi sir, now that you have clocked decent miles with the liquid gun, how does it fare against the fully synthetic oil that you have been previously using?

I haven't found much difference. Planning to stick to liquid gun going forward.

[tasty911]

Day 3 – Ponamudi to Valparai

I was up at 0530 and out the door at 0600. I wasn’t sure where I will call it a day and wanted to give myself ample time.

It had rained most of the night, but fortunately it was no longer raining.



The nights rain meant there were small waterfalls everywhere. I stopped at a few to take long exposure. The flowing water, wet rock, fern and moss all reminded of monsoons in my hometown of Nainital.



Reaching Palode, I routed my phone to Muvattupuzha. Then I followed the map blindly. The route I followed was a mix of narrow lanes, residential streets, district and state highways. Later I would realize that I never got on to State Highway 1. Instead, I mostly rode on State Highway 8.

Still it was a lovely ride. The road was mostly good. In fact I am always impressed that in Kerala even the residential lanes are in very good condition.



In between my meteor hit a milestone of 23456.7Km. In between the rain and riding, I stopped a couple of time for tea and to grab a bite. At one bakery, I had one of the best cream puff I have ever eaten.



Somewhere along, I had made up my mind to cross over to the other side of ghats via Valparai. I was still following my phone and at Kalady it made me turn on a back road which would join the main Valparai highway near Athirapilly. This was a really bad road, so much so that my phone almost fell off the mount.

At that point, I put it in my pocket and just followed the road signs.



The route is lovely and goes through a protected forest. I have one ridden on it in monsoon and back then it seemed better.






There was a bit of wildlife which I stopped to enjoy.



And then the Sholayar Dam where a small trickle was flowing.

The best part started now.



While the sky was dull and grey, the lush green tea garden and the waters of the dam more than made up for it.







I got on a few side roads and trails for pictures. I also sat down a few times to enjoy the scenery.









It was just getting dark as I rolled into Valparai. Riding down the street, I noticed the Green Hill Hotel. I had stayed here during my last ride too. After a little bargaining, I took a room.

After resting a little, I went out for dinner. The guard recommended, Sri Lakshmi Chettinadu Mess which I found in a small alley. Judging by the local crowd, it seemed a popular place. While everyone seemed to be eating biryani, I helped myself to plain dosa, chapati with chicken curry which I enjoyed very much.

After that I walked the main road while watching the shops shut down one by one.

Distance Covered – 352.1Km

[tasty911]

Day 4 – Valparai to Bangalore

As usual I was out in the parking loading my bag by 0600. I was looking forward to the ride down from Valparai. The sky was clearing up with a few clouds lingering here and there. A few clouds always means a nice sunrise.



And I was not disappointed. The rising sun illuminated the clouds above the ridge line with the trees providing a nice silhouette.







I hung around this spot till sun was much higher in the sky.



And then it disappeared. A think layer of fog engulfed the road. Visibility was poor.



A mirror selfie at one of the hairpin bends.



More peacocks.



A view of the hairpin bends from top.



At the bottom i.e. 1st hairpin bend.

After that it was a straight route through Pollachi and to the Coimbatore bypass. This bypass has been in a pain to drive on since long, narrow undivided highway with lots of traffic.



After Erode bypass, looking to avoid Salem construction and traffic, I decided to take the Mettur road. This is a lovely road which I always like riding on because of the trees lining on both sides. After joining NH44 at Thoppur, I again decided to take an alternate route.

Someone had told me that NH844 to Hosur was almost complete. So I turned towards that. Bad choice. After the initial stretch till Rayakottai, its narrow city road with significant traffic all the way till Hosur.

From Hosur, I took the Bagalur-Chikka Tirupati road to reach home by 1630.

Distance Covered – 426.8Km

My previous Valparai ride: https://lokeshshah.wordpress.com/201...triplog-day-1/

Total Distance : ~1475Km