[RSUDARSANAN]

Preface:

The Fifth anniversary of Bengaluru's overKnighters' meet, a meet held every quarter since July 2013 with unfailing regularity, was celebrated in July 2018, at Taj Savoy, Ooty, where it all began.

It also signalled, in the fitness of things, that the old (read me ) yield way to the new.

Accordingly, took a sabbatical to facilitate any of the young turks to pick up the gauntlet.

In the half year that followed, save for some whispers imagined or otherwise, no meet fructified herein.

In this diegesis, spirited doses of good natured prodding spurred this the first drive meet of 2019.

Debutant Ashish0485 shared his concern vis a vis the response. He was apprised that the USP of overKnighter meets, thus far:

a. zero cancellations
b. quality, not quantity
c. participation numbers, purely incidental

PS.
Taking this forward, albeit gingerly, need all to bear in mind to keep sacrosanct the bedrock of overKnighters, viz.:

1. Inclusiveness
2. End to end participation, as individually expedient, exigencies excepted

to preserve the legacy of enduring memories intact.

For "Pontification" .

Over to...

Drive report:
Photo credits: Murali/Robi/Prem

It was an early start, much before the crack of dawn.
As is wont, enthusiasts were ahead of time.
Sud ensured he caught up with us enroute.

A regroup before entering Mysore


Dawn gently breaking over


The collective at Grand Mercure


The guys


The gals


B'fast spread ~ a couple of teasers






Debutant Ashish0485 and family


Second timer sud and family


The regulars


The surf and turfers


Steeds parked, ready for the next sector


Inviting tarmac


to be contd...

[RSUDARSANAN]

In continuation:

En route a "hole in one"


We arrive at


with a nondescript façade


Drive in


Lobby


Rides parked


At lunch






Our accomodation






to be contd...

[RSUDARSANAN]

In continuation:

Drive mascot 1


Drive mascot 2


Tea on the beach




Surf 1


Surf 2


Palmistry


F1ers make an evening arrival


Dronescape 1


Dronescape 2


Sunset


to be contd.

[RSUDARSANAN]

In continuation:

At sun down, pool lights up


The dinner venue


Tables set


Service counter ready too


Meanwhile, one of the benefits of 'BMW Secure' ~
car being transported to Mangalore for fitment of a new tyre


End of day


To be contd...

[RSUDARSANAN]

In continuation:

Oyster restaurant by day


Ready for b'fast


Local delicacy


Tucking in


Lipsmacking


Yogaaaah !



to be contd...

[RSUDARSANAN]

In continuation:

After breakfast:

All aboard


to sail the river Tejaswini


Cruise control


"Row, row...gently down the stream


merrilly merilly life is but a dream"


Birdwatch








Post lunch a trip to:
Bekal Fort








to be contd...

[RSUDARSANAN]

In continuation:

"Last supper" of the drive


Celebrating Ashish0485's wedding anniversary


A memento commemorating the drive




Day 3
The line up for departure


Lunch break


The steeds


and their proud owners


Hereafter, the F1ers blasted off....

A selfie at the cucumber purchase/sugarcane juice break


The sun sets on yet another overKnighter


Final byes at CCD Yadiyur


Cheers

[Gannu_1]

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

[Dr.AD]

First of all, many thanks to RSUDARSANAN (we lovingly call him "Chief") for yet another wonderful overnight drive!

As always, we had a great fun on this drive. The drive itself was fantastic, with tons of twisty hill roads and mostly smooth tarmac. Some of the sections were perfect for enjoying an RWD sedan. I enjoyed every single turn and twist on those hilly roads.

And the resort was fantastic. Chief has the reputation of finding some of the most amazing resorts at amazing locations, and this one was no exception. I enjoyed every moment I spent in that resort.

And thanks to everyone who joined this drive for the wonderful company. It was fun hanging out with all of you.

As always, eagerly looking forward to the next drive!

Chief has already covered the drive with beautiful pictures above in this thread. However, could not resist adding a few more that I clicked using my mobile camera.

As any hardcore pertrolhead (or should I "downgrade" myself to dieselhead given that I was driving a diesel car in this drive?), I am more excited to see the cars than anything else, and therefore, quite naturally, in the pictures below, you will mostly see the pictures of cars. Those are the objects we love the most :-)


First, a couple of pictures of my 320d and PraveenBalan's Octavia TSi, parked at a "military hotel" alongside NH75. I love his Blue TSi, and it is always a beautiful companion on most of our drives. This was our lunch stop:






Soon after we exited NH75 and turned into this beautiful stretch of road towards Subramanya, we found this nice spot for a quick break:



My car on the side of this picturesque road:



Our cars parked while we enjoyed some tea break:



PraveenBalan's beautiful Blue TSi:



The road was nice and smooth, with well-marked edges, and was an absolute delight to drive on:






As we reached the resort, we got parking sport right at the entrance of the resort (you can see Sud's white Octavia TSi and Pearljam's Verna in the background):



Sunset on the beautiful beach, which is almost a private beach to the resort:



Chief's car parked behind the fountain, looked beautiful as always:



A random shot of my red 320d:



Three of my favorite cars in one frame:



PraveenBalan posing next to his Blue TSi:



My favorite shot of the drive. My 320d posing next to Chief's 320d:



Another random shot along the same road, on our way back. It is often said that if you don't look back after you park your car, you bought the wrong car. As these photos will prove, I can't stop looking back at my car whenever she is parked :-):



A lunch stop on the way back, and the usual red and the blue combo back together:



The Skoda boys! PraveenBalan with his TSi posing with Ashish0485 with his stunning vRS:



And finally, to wrap it up, a group photo of the entire convoy on our way back:

[paragsachania]

Wonderful meet report and each time it gets better, with the location!

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

First, a couple of pictures of my 320d and PraveenBalan's Octavia TSi, parked at a "military hotel" alongside NH75. I love his Blue TSi, and it is always a beautiful companion on most of our drives. This was our lunch stop:

On Sunday, 3rd Feb, I spotted this beautiful Octavia that had pulled over after one of the tolls (should be Bellur cross) around 1700-1800 Hours?

I was driving back from Mangalore and at first thought it must be Nikhil's but this was KA03 and the picture confirmed it.

[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

On Sunday, 3rd Feb, I spotted this beautiful Octavia that has pulled over after one of the tolls (should be Bellur cross) around 1700-1800 Hours?

Yes, it was us returning from this drive around that time. I wish we had ran into you. It would have been wonderful to meet you there. :-)

[PrideRed]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

I was driving back from Mangalore and at first thought it must be Nikhil's but this was KA03 and the picture confirmed it.

I was on the highway roughly at the same time(reached Jalahalli at around 745). Don't recall spotting anyone!

[KiloAlpha]

Originally Posted by RSUDARSANAN

In continuation:
...
Day 3
The line up for departure
...
Final byes at CCD Yadiyur

Cheers

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

First of all, many thanks to RSUDARSANAN (we lovingly call him "Chief") for yet another wonderful overnight drive!

As always, we had a great fun on this drive. The drive itself was fantastic, with tons of twisty hill roads and mostly smooth tarmac....

Wonderful pictures and write up @RSUDARSANAN and @Dr.AD!!

Sorry to have missed this one due to work commitments. Next time, for sure.

[Ashish0485]

Let me start by thanking everyone who made it to this overKnighters' meet. It was my maiden trip, so the period leading to the trip was filled with excitement and inquisitiveness. RSUDARSANAN was patient and prompt in answering all the queries and supporting me to take the plunge. Throughout the trip, the respect for him just kept growing.

With respect to the drive; we followed different routes for the onward and return journey. Both offered wonderful scenery, a well laid tarmac and a mix of curves, bends and 4-lane highway providing varied yet exhilarating experience. Also, when behind the wheels, being in the company of excellent and passionate drivers gives you an inexplicable feeling of blissfulness.

With respect to the folks; each added a different flavour to the journey. During our stay at the resort, you could be rest assured to have company; whether you want to explore the nearby attractions or enjoy a laid-back high spirited evening at the resort or just performing an activity.


With respect to the resort and other facilities; it was right up there. Everything was very well organized. Again, a small note of thanks to RSUDARSANAN for arranging that Anniversary cake.

It takes a village to sustain such initiatives. Kudos to RSUDARSANAN and Dr.AD (co-pioneer) for successfully running this show for more than half a decade. I look forward to the next meet !!!

Some parting shots (not in any particular order)