[Mistakenguy]

I too work on Saturdays and would prefer if it is on June 2nd. But will heed to popular opinion
Date : Jun 1st/2nd
Venue : Vagamon
Confirmed :
1. vaisakhr
2. dhanushmenon
3. Sree83
4. naveen.raju
5.mistakenguy

Tentative:
1. BigBrad
2. Recallers & Coolclouds

[revintup]

Adding to the count.


Date : Jun 1st/2nd
Venue : Vagamon
Confirmed :
1. vaisakhr
2. dhanushmenon
3. Sree83
4. naveen.raju
5.mistakenguy

Tentative:
1. BigBrad
2. Recallers & Coolclouds
3. revintup

[mallumowgli]

Monsoon would start by then and it will rain like mad during that time!! Put my name in as tentative.

What about jacs? You not joining?

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Slightly . Heard that there is an (informal) bike rally in Cochin tomorrow with imported bikes. Do any of you have any information about this - location, timing etc ? Thanks.

[jacs]

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

Monsoon would start by then and it will rain like mad during that time!! Put my name in as tentative.

What about jacs? You not joining?

Yes Praveen, I confirmed my availability but looks like our organizers are yet to count me in .

Originally Posted by VeyronSuperSprt

Slightly . Heard that there is an (informal) bike rally in Cochin tomorrow with imported bikes. Do any of you have any information about this - location, timing etc ? Thanks.

Sounds interesting. Let me check with my Fort Kochi friend. Naveen should also have some clue?

[vaisakhr]

Originally Posted by jacs

Yes Praveen, I confirmed my availability but looks like our organizers are yet to count me in

There are no organizers mate. Every one have equal role. Please don't hesitate to add names guys.

Time for the head count

Date : Jun 1st/2nd
Venue : Vagamon
Confirmed :
1. vaisakhr
2. dhanushmenon
3. Sree83
4. naveen.raju
5.mistakenguy
6. Jacs

Tentative:
1. BigBrad
2. Recallers & Coolclouds
3. revintup

[jacs]

Originally Posted by vaisakhr

There are no organizers mate. Every one have equal role. Please don't hesitate to add names guys.

I was just kidding mate. 9 is a good number, eagerly waiting for the first weekend of June and praying no other personal or official roadblocks crop in during last minute .

[voyageur]

Adding to the count,

So the new headcount is

Date : Jun 1st/2nd
Venue : Vagamon
Confirmed :
1. vaisakhr
2. dhanushmenon
3. Sree83
4. naveen.raju
5.mistakenguy
6. Jacs

Tentative:
1. BigBrad
2. Recallers & Coolclouds
3. revintup
4. Voyageur

[dhanushmenon]

I think the best route to follow would be Ernakulam- thrippunithura- muvattupuzha- thodupuzha-muttom- erattupetta - Vagamon.

Google maps though, shows another route after muttom. Any inputs anyone on this road?

Next to decide is the R/V point to start with. Shall we keep it at thrippunithura SN junction?
Or is there any other suggestion?

Time at the R/V point shall be 0700 so that we can have an early break fast from home and start. The distance is around 100- 120 Kms which could be negotiated within 3- 3 and half hours. Since it would have winding roads, we should keep the speed at check to ensure co passenger comfort.

We could stop enroute for break fast also if it is necessitated. Since we would reach by around 11 o clock, we could plan our visits in such a way that we reach the Pine forest by lunch time. There is a decent enough restaurant there. After lunch we could visit the Pine forests so that we have shade from the sun bearing down on us.

Anyone (mistakenguy, are you reading this?) who has recently been to the place can give forth ideas of where all to visit whilst we are there. Additionally, if anyone is going there or nearby, can just do a cursory recce for us so that the trip planning gets smoother.

I would suggest that we should start back atleast by 1630 so that we have negotiated the hills and winding roads before sunset. If we cross muvattupuzha before sunset, it should be a comfortable drive back.

All are requested to pen in their views so that the planning is consolidated

[jacs]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

Google maps though, shows another route after muttom. Any inputs anyone on this road?

Yes. From Muttom, there are three routes.

1) Via Erattupetta which is the standard route
2) Continue Idukki route, take right from Kanjar. This route is via Elaveezhapoonjira. Narrow roads and some steep climbs. Vagamon is 20-25KMs as I remember from my driver.
3) Drive till Moolamattom (Continue straight from Arakkulam), take right from KSRTC depot. Again steep climbs and narrow route. Vagamon is just about 20KMs from here.

Route 2 & 3 is picteristique and bus routes though not many vehicles ply here.

[figo_mba]

Originally Posted by jacs

Yes. From Muttom, there are three routes.

1) Via Erattupetta which is the standard route
2) Continue Idukki route, take right from Kanjar. This route is via Elaveezhapoonjira. Narrow roads and some steep climbs. Vagamon is 20-25KMs as I remember from my driver.
3) Drive till Moolamattom (Continue straight from Arakkulam), take right from KSRTC depot. Again steep climbs and narrow route. Vagamon is just about 20KMs from here.

Route 2 & 3 is picteristique and bus routes though not many vehicles ply here.

Route 1 is the best. Nice roads by the side of the Malankara Dam (if I am not wrong)

Took the route 2 months ago to EVPoonchira. The inclines are steep. Roads are very narrow and some times non existent. Better avoid it.

Route 3 is a very narrow but you can see moolamattom power house if interested.

[BigBrad]

@figo_mba, kindly add your name to the Tentative list, so that we have some more company.

[EagleEye]

Since I missed the Mumbai meet and since it is possible that I am in Kochi during the first week of June, I'm kind of interested in joining you guys.
However, don't you think Vagamon is a little far?

[dhanushmenon]

Ok. Then route 1 it is. I am trying to manage some tents and camping bench and chairs. I have one set of a two man tent, table and chair. Others, if you have can kindly pitch in. Or try and source it from friends if possible.

Tent was basically for the kids. Chairs can be utilised for creature comfort, and tables for keeping those snacks and soft drinks which we should carry when we sit around to yap!!

Flip side is that we would require a big vehicle (read SUV size) to carry that. I didn't think it will fit in my figo. Jacs, do you have an innova? (I saw it in your avatar). Else, recallers could help with his ertiga too.

So the new headcount as updated :

Date : Jun 1st/2nd
Venue : Vagamon

Confirmed :
1. vaisakhr
2. dhanushmenon
3. Sree83
4. naveen.raju
5.mistakenguy
6. Jacs

Tentative:
1. BigBrad
2. Recallers & Coolclouds
3. revintup
4. Voyageur
5. Eagle eye
6. Figo_mba (???)

Shall we decide on the meeting point and time?

SN junction at 0700 is fine?
Others can join in further down the route.

[beejay]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

Ok. Then route 1 it is. I am trying to manage some tents and camping bench and chairs. I have one set of a two man tent, table and chair. Others, if you have can kindly pitch in. Or try and source it from friends if possible.

Tent was basically for the kids. Chairs can be utilised for creature comfort, and tables for keeping those snacks and soft drinks which we should carry when we sit around to yap!!

Flip side is that we would require a big vehicle (read SUV size) to carry that. I didn't think it will fit in my figo. Jacs, do you have an innova? (I saw it in your avatar). Else, recallers could help with his ertiga too.

So the new headcount as updated :

Date : Jun 1st/2nd
Venue : Vagamon

Confirmed :
1. vaisakhr
2. dhanushmenon
3. Sree83
4. naveen.raju
5.mistakenguy
6. Jacs

Tentative:
1. BigBrad
2. Recallers & Coolclouds
3. revintup
4. Voyageur
5. Eagle eye
6. Figo_mba (???)

Shall we decide on the meeting point and time?

SN junction at 0700 is fine?
Others can join in further down the route.

Put me on the tentative list. As of now I am there, however not sure then.