[RSUDARSANAN]

Amendments to Itinerary:

Itinerary -11 Jul:

250 kms 01.30 pm: transit Ooty
260 kms 01.50 - 03.00 pm pm: The Culinarium - Lunch ~ https://www.facebook.com/TheCulinarium
270 kms 03.30 pm: Check-in @ The Taj Gateway, Coonoor

Itinerary -12 Jul:

000 km 09.00 am: depart Coonoor

[Diesel_convert]

Tatkal entry.

Confirmed:
1. RSudarsanan - 320d
2. Dr.AD - SX4
3. KiloAlpha - Figo
4. Akshay S - Fiesta Classic (on her last drive with me)
5. FORTified + 1 - Fortuner 4X4
6. chaith.turbo + 1 - Fortuner 4X4
7. Diesel_convert +1 - Rapid

Accompanying on drive only
1. Abirnale + 1 + 0.5 + 0.25 (XUV)[/quote]

Day tripper:
1. fusionbang
2. KarthikK + SunnyBoi

[RSUDARSANAN]

Alrighty folks, catch as much as you can.

It's an early rouse tomorrow and see you at the rendezvous 5.45-6.00 am.

Tall order ? nay, a tall drive ahead

[abirnale]

This was a long awaited trip. Unfortunately I could not converge the itinerary with overnighters. All I could do is follow the same route from their itinerary. We were in touch but still managed to miss the photo op at emerald lake :(

I missed the overnighter flock and their photo op, but managed to get myself one -




Awaiting more pics from the actual overnighters

[KiloAlpha]

Teaser pic. Detailed report to follow.

[RSUDARSANAN]

The drive to Ooty in July 2013, in retrospect, has turned out to be the launch pad for the subsequent drives.

A chance conversation with Dr AD rekindled the proposal of a commemoration drive. On KiloAlpha's suggestion we did the route in reverse.

We were seven cars then and coincidentally seven cars now for the round trip. While Nikhil, Netra and Dheevatsa were missed, we welcomed Chaitanya and Ramagiri with their better halves.

KarthikK who drove up to Kanakapura with us then, extended to Ooty returning after lunch. Then he used to wield his camera, now it's all one culinary trip; Side Walk, Ooty pizzas being the "dangled carrot", this drive ; Sunnyboi rode shotgun with him with Fusionbang day-tripping too in his XUV500.

Likewise, in place of Krish3 who drove with us, up to Nijaguna Residency, Chamarajanagar, for breakfast, we had Nikhil, Robi, Vinay and Kashyap joining up to Kamat, Belakere.

Couldn't help getting a trifle nostalgic, so let's revert to the here and now


Rendezvous @5.45 am. Nikhil sporting some flashy footwear ;-) .


Breakfast at Kamat, Belakere


The full complement. Twelve round trippers (overnighters), three day trippers and four part trippers.
Hunger satiated, ready to go their respective ways.


Regroup at opposite Columbia Asia Hospital, Mysore


Mysore - Nanjangud sector


Coffee beak at Gundulpet


Light banter before resuming the drive


The Bandipur WLS approach, with the Nilgiris range on the horizon


Bandipur in all its greenery


Masinagudi to Sijur ghat


to be contd...

[RSUDARSANAN]

The drive through the wild life sanctuary was uneventful. The monsoons had dyed the deciduous forests a brilliant green conjuring a visual treat for sore eyes. Soon we at the Sijur/Kalhatti ghat challenging us with its 36 U bends. Some picked up the gauntlet while the rest ascended at a leisurely pace. Hill bunk was designated for refuelling and regroup. As the tail enders would take some time more, those atop went ahead to the charming euro café, The Culinarium, the venue for lunch.

Delicatessen


Sinful


Slurpworthy


Introducing Mrs & Mr Chaitanya


and Mrs & Mr Ramagiri


Diesel_Convert's favourite


Dining table 1


Dining table 2


Rides taking a well deserved break


One for the album
.

to be contd...

[RSUDARSANAN]

After a hearty repast, we drove to our hotel.

Customary welcome


All welcomed


Sylvan environs


A church next door


At dinner


Flora 1


Flora 2


Flora 3


Breakfast


A parting click


....to be contd.

[RSUDARSANAN]

Given the sylvan setting, it was not unusual that a late departure ensued. Who would want to depart much ahead of the scheduled check out time in such languorous clime. But we had a long homeward run ahead with many more U turns beckoning us.

But first lake of call was Emerald before bending it

So off we went but not without a fair share of

"things are not all that rosy...shit happens"

We had a puncture and we had bad roads too.

And we dealt with it with a and bear it


off-roading 1


off-roading 2


then we had the good


the better


and the BEST !!!


Pristine 1


Pristine 2


Time stood still as it were. But we needed to push on and so we did.

Approaching the heady 43 + U turn descent


A euphoria moment on a bridge at the bottom, after a peppy descent


A late lunch at Mettupalayam


Lunch done and puncture fixed, we headed for the last of the twisties on this drive, viz. the Dimbum ghat. Evening and HTV traffic ensured that progress uphill was tardy.

We reached Nijaguna Residency, Chamarajanagar at 7.30 pm and after a chilled out dinner break departed a little after 9 pm for a dream run on NH209.

Reached Nice Road junction at the Cinderella hour, said our "byes" and headed home.

Until the next drive, ciao...

[FORTified]

Thanks to the meticulous planning of Ravi sir, the trip went of smoother than one can expect. The only thing he didn't plan is the rains.

The trip should have been named 'Chasing Mansoons AWAY'. We forgot the last word. I noticed on our way back that it rained at a couple of places a while ago, as there were semi-wet roads. But, we never saw rain.

I am more catholic than the pope when it comes to time and found that Ravi beat me to that at the NICE-kanakpura junction at 5.45AM. A second place is also good enough.
Well placed breaks, leisurely planned drive schedules, occasional re-groupings made sure that we were in it together.
The hotel deserves a special mention. 150+ years old heritage property maintained by Taj is some thing that you won't come across everyday. Superb place to call it home for a day [or two].
The route [both of them, forward and return] were good, challenging and enjoyable. There were numerous U turns and we took some when none existed [Thanks to Googles and Nokias]
Being first timer on this route, I don't wanted to be left behind. Soon people started telling that driving behind a SUV is difficult due to its big size. But, I made it clear that I will not bring up the tail and will fight for my position in the convoy [and I did ] Thanks to Ravi and Dr.AD for letting me be ahead of them.
On our way back, one I20 guy tried to join the party in the middle and had some tough time with us. He must be wondering why I overtake ONLY him and nobody else on the road. Well, I will overtake anybody that come between me and the Fiesta ahead of me. Thats my Convoy position to defend.

Overall, it was fun and already looking forward to the next meet.
Going by the standard of arrangements, I will not think twice before saying 'yes' for the future drives planned by Ravi sir.

[abirnale]

Awesome trip log Ravi

Like every overnighter, this is no exception. A driving holiday is so much fun!

Originally Posted by FORTified

Going by the standard of arrangements, I will not think twice before saying 'yes' for the future drives planned by Ravi sir.

So when the new thread comes up on meetup section by Ravi, we just blindly sign up. And then care to read about destination. Many of us simply enjoy getting lost on the roads, taking U turns, getting delayed voluntarily with the flock. But Ravi, keeps us on our toes to be on time and always brings up the rear too. Karthik and Jayant supports him so nicely - be it leading the convoy and setting up the pace or occasionally push the tail forward!

And so the eternal question - "Ravi, when is the next one?"

I am gonna trademark this question

[shetty_rohan]

Originally Posted by RSUDARSANAN

Until the next drive, ciao...

Originally Posted by abirnale

Awesome trip log Ravi
And so the eternal question - "Ravi, when is the next one?"
I am gonna trademark this question

@Ravi: Very nice photologue, with apt headings for every photo
Unfortunately(because of prior planned commitments) , I could not make it for this drive. And have the same question "when is the next one?"

[fusionbang]

I am really happy I was able to make it up for this drive Nevertheless I am little disappointed that I could not complete the meet and could not stay overnight and also to miss the photo op at Emerald Lake. I would have loved to see my Silver Cougar (XUV 5OO) gleaming next to the lake.

Anyway there is always a next time and will try to be part of all the drives/meets which happen, especially organized by Ravi sir.

I would not miss this opportunity to mention about Ravi sir here, in Ooty I was tailing his car for sometime from hill top bunk to the restaurant and he was checking his rear view mirrors all the time to make sure we do not miss the convoy and he would immediately call up to check on them, also if required stop on the way till everybody catches up. He makes us feel secured in the drive especially for the first timers. Hats off to you sir

Sorry no pics from my end, as I was driving alone.

[chaith.turbo]

Originally Posted by FORTified

The trip should have been named 'Chasing Mansoons AWAY'. We forgot the last word. I noticed on our way back that it rained at a couple of places a while ago, as there were semi-wet roads. But, we never saw rain.

I know, I really thought it will be pouring in Ooty, Bangalore had more rain when I was returning.

I have been on quite a few convoy drives and I must say this beats all of them. Ravi had planned everything to the dot and my wife loved the places he selected to eat and stay. Thanks a lot sir.
I will probably be on all of your drives by default from now on.

My set of pics coming soon...

[KiloAlpha]

Wow! What an enjoyable and lovely trip! The 36 hairpin climb up to Ooty via Masinagudi/Kalatty is super steep, and very very special. As was lunch at The Culinarium. Amazing food!

I had the puncture on the way to Emerald lake. I hit a pothole very hard and the tyre deflated pretty quickly. I stopped and changed to the spare. Thanks go out to RSUDARSANAN and a local called Kumar for helping me out!

No big deal, I shrugged it off with a mental note to be a bit more careful and not crash into potholes.

At Emerald lake, while inflating the spare tyre (which was slightly low on air) - thank you very much Dr.AD for the portable inflator - I found that the tyre was mounted backwards. I have directional tyres and the spare tyre, also directional now mounted on the front left corner, was rotating backwards.

Some said "no problems unless it is wet", some said "big problem in the wet and while emergency braking, otherwise OK". So I did a few experiments on the way down from Emerald lake to Mettupalyam on the very empty back road.
WARNING: IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN ADVANCED DRIVING, DO NOT TRY WHAT I DID.

I loaded the front left and the front right alternatively - attacked the corner as aggressively as I could. Easy to do in an empty winding mountain road. I braked super hard in a couple of places - basically simulated emergency stops. Roads were dry, so I could not test grip/braking in the wet. The road conditions did not permit me to drive above 60kmph at any point. I did not exceed 85kmph even on the flat and smooth approach into Karamadai/Mettupalyam.

My observations were: there was a difference in cornering grip, but this was only evident when the car was being pushed to its limits. The car was a little less confident while braking.

So, knowing that the 27 hairpin Dimbam ghat stretch was beckoning, I got the tyre re-mounted in Mettupalyam. All was well after that.

To conclude: Mounting a directional tyre backwards will make no difference to the average Joe. I doubt he will ever know the difference.