[dhanushmenon]

My Ezhimala trip is right back on. I would miss the auto expo on 25th. Shall attend in case I return by Sunday.

Driving on 24th morning. Any fresh route ideas are welcome.
Mistakenguy?

[Mistakenguy]

@Dhanush: I believe you are leaving in the early morning and you know the route already. Still sharing this for public good

Good old NH 17 is the best route to travel to Kozhikode and beyond and it easily wins my vote due to low traffic, decent road structure et al. Icing on the cake, I have never seen an interceptor in this route

The Chamravattom regulator cum bridge is a real blessing and last time I went, the approach roads were also in good order. Please don't go via Kadalundy after Parappanangadi. Turning right and joining the main highway at Chelari is the best way to go.

From Kozhikode, there is an interior route which takes you directly to Koyilandy, but I would suggest this route only for night travel.

Lookout for those dividers in the narrow roads after Koyilandy.

After Kannur, go via Pazhayangadi !

[ImprezaFan]

Originally Posted by jacs

10 confirmed members + 8 tentative members is no doubt a good number for the meet.

Make that '11 confirmed members'. Me and wifey will be coming for the drive (unless there is an urgent call from work)

[deetjohn]

I am all for taking the Idukki - Kattappana route for the onward journey if the road conditions are good. Maybe we should aim for an earlier start then?

I have a colleague who is from kattapana, can check the road conditions till Kattappana with him.

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by Mistakenguy

The Chamravattom regulator cum bridge is a real blessing and last time I went, the approach roads were also in good order. Please don't go via Kadalundy after Parappanangadi. Turning right and joining the main highway at Chelari is the best way to go.

From Kozhikode, there is an interior route which takes you directly to Koyilandy, but I would suggest this route only for night travel.

Lookout for those dividers in the narrow roads after Koyilandy.

After Kannur, go via Pazhayangadi !

Thanks buddy for the detailed route. After kannur I had planned the pazhayangadi route.

I had never travelled through the regulator cum bridge. I hope the approach roads are well marked. This is not updated on the map in my GPS.

[jacs]

Originally Posted by ImprezaFan

Make that '11 confirmed members'. Me and wifey will be coming for the drive (unless there is an urgent call from work)

Its 12 now! Updated list below.



Meet : DRIVE
Date : 2nd June
Venue: Vagamon
Route : to be confirmed

Confirmed :
1. vaisakhr
2. dhanushmenon + wife + 2 kids
3. Sree83
4. naveen.raju+wife
5.mistakenguy
6. Jacs
7. Amalji
8. BigBrad
9. rajoy123 + Wife
10. Speed.Demon
11. deetjohn
12. ImprezaFan + Wife

Tentative:
1. Recallers & Coolclouds
2. revintup + wife
3. Voyageur (Aren't you confirmed? Its just matter of deciding on Bike right?)
4. Eagle eye
5. Figo_mba (???)
6. Beejay
7. Alexpaul

[Recallers]

Slightly off topic
The auto expo has been cancelled due to some reason.
Source:EISK

[vaisakhr]

Originally Posted by Recallers

Slightly off topic
The auto expo has been cancelled due to some reason.
Source:EISK

What?? Not again? What on earth these guys were thinking?

[Mistakenguy]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

Thanks buddy for the detailed route. After kannur I had planned the pazhayangadi route.

I had never travelled through the regulator cum bridge. I hope the approach roads are well marked. This is not updated on the map in my GPS.

Approach roads are decently marked. But, when in doubt, do ask around. Or call me

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by Mistakenguy

when in doubt, do ask around. Or call me

Sure buddy. Will do.

By the way, in case it starts raining by June fall, whats the decision on the trip? As per the latest satellite picture, the conditions are favourable for the onset of monsoons by the beginning of June.

If its raining, in my opinion, we should call off the trip. In slush, there is nothing to see in Wagamon. We can rather do a non stop circular trip in case it rains. We can take a considered decision on the penultimate day.

It is requested that everyone take a look at this thread the previous day of our trip (01 Jun) by around 6 PM for the final decision in case of rain.

Opinions please.

[ImprezaFan]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

By the way, in case it starts raining by June fall, whats the decision on the trip? As per the latest satellite picture, the conditions are favourable for the onset of monsoons by the beginning of June.

If its raining, in my opinion, we should call off the trip. In slush, there is nothing to see in Wagamon. We can rather do a non stop circular trip in case it rains. We can take a considered decision on the penultimate day.

It is requested that everyone take a look at this thread the previous day of our trip (01 Jun) by around 6 PM for the final decision in case of rain.

Opinions please.

to Dhanush's opinion.

However, rather than a 'non-stop' trip (where we may not have enough time to interact), why not consider a destination near to sea level (literally, like Alapuzha beach - there is a small sea-facing restaurant that has enough space for >20 people) or a house-boat trip from Alapuzha / Kumarakom... I accept that these may be boring options with < 3 hrs drive and may be considered only in case of non-stop rains -- and makes it more of a meeting rather than a drive. Just MHO.

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by ImprezaFan

to Dhanush's opinion.

However, rather than a 'non-stop' trip (where we may not have enough time to interact), why not consider a destination near to sea level (literally, like Alapuzha beach - there is a small sea-facing restaurant that has enough space for >20 people) or a house-boat trip from Alapuzha / Kumarakom... I accept that these may be boring options with < 3 hrs drive and may be considered only in case of non-stop rains -- and makes it more of a meeting rather than a drive. Just MHO.

Restaurant at Alappuzha looks good to me. However, boat trip in rains is not something I will vote for. Boating is not the thing to do when its raining. BELIEVE ME. You won't miss anything

[naveen.raju]

+1 to Dhanush and Impreza. In case it rains, we can drive to Alleppey, grab a bite at that restaurant and return after lunch. So I guess we can delay the journey a bit but problem is with Jacs and few others who are driving from Muvatupuzha. They will need to drive a bit longer if that's not a problem for them.

Anyways, as Dhanush mentioned, the final decision can be made day before the trip so I advice all to follow the thread till the very last moment.

[ImprezaFan]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

Restaurant at Alappuzha looks good to me.

"Violet Woods" is what I had in mind - took (a good) tea from there once. Not sure about food taste. Please see link for reviews & pics:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater
http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant...ha_Kerala.html

[jacs]

Guys,

Good we keep a back-out plan for Vagamon. Most sources are positive towards monsoon to hit early this time.

A drive to Allepey followed by a chit chat in a beach facing restaurant is no doubt a good option.

Is Imprezafan pointing the shack? I am already in and may be my family would also join being a quick drive!