[SajiNSalin]

This was our first encounter with Team BHP members in the flesh and it was really nice. We thoroughly enjoyed the short interaction with all of the participants and look forward to many more meets in the future.

Kolli hills turned out to be far better than the expected and we were really happy we arrived a day prior to the meet and could spend a lot of time exploring the surroundings.

[deepfreak15]

Once again an amazing drive/ride organised by the Chief! I had way too much fun riding that I did not bother to click any pictures en-route. Apart for the weather at Salem (Hot as hell) it was pleasant throughout and perfect riding conditions. Smooth roads with a ton of twisties included. So Ill just get straight to it and post some of the pictures I captured at the resort.


Small hatch+ Big engine + Lightening quick gearbox + Limited slip diff + 70 hair pin bends. Enough said!



Considering the roads Fortified made the right choice by ditching his Fortuner, I'm pretty sure his marriage was saved by this decision.


Zebo must have shaved a few inches off his tyres on his way up.


Rest of the gang cooling off


Cycle carrier


Dr Ad colour matching with the wrong car!


Though in hindsight glad he didn't wear pants that matched his 320D


But of course! The discussion must be about something serious or scientific. Paradiddle, DR AD, tilt and Sunnyboi trying to find out if the carrier aided downforce or lift.


Sunnyboi's demonstration of his theory while still couldn't figure out what Krish was up too. Mr Bean has his own theories


Mr Bean's tastefully modified Rapid (though we tell him otherwise). Looks gorgeous sitting so low.




Yes we had a couple of gangsters with us too Diesel_convert's X1 and Paradiddle's Xylo. I didn't tell him but the Xylo was my back up plan in case my bike had to be carried along


All the way from Trivandrum to meet us SajiNSalin's AWD Duster. Having met us ill be surprised if he decides to repeat this feat (though he may say otherwise in the post above)


Lean angle ABS + Traction control I don't think 1000cc is too much for Kolli hills. KarthikK surely didn't seem to think so


abirnale's immaculately maintained XUV that goes on and on and on. Which doesn't seem to bode well for his kid as he has is heart set on a BMW. All the kids in the group seemed to dig BMWs. Go figure!




KRRaj and M Rao keeping a wary distance from each other. Must be a family thing (Hyundai I meant!)


pearljam's Verna, dont let the looks fool you. He is the only guy in our group who has a speeding ticket to his name on a drive. Sud's Octavia, though between you and me I don't think for long. Of all the upgrade excuses I have heard his takes the cake! "How do I measure my headlight luminescence? I think they are deteriorating " - Just upgrade sir, you have our blessings and support


Stalwarts of our drives RSudarsanan's Beemer and tilt's Jetta


From L-R Sunnyboi(I think the Cedia guys are looking for him), Krish, Paradidle, RSudarsanan ,abirnale and tilt


I go because I can!


A bootiful view


Something really weird was going on in our group. A really strange love triangle was taking place

It all started with a glint in the eye!


Pretty soon things started heating up


Feeling left out


Eventually they ended up discussing what happened over a candlelight dinner. Except there was no candle and nothing happened . These are Cars, what did you expect ?!


The resort had lovely places to chill out and the ladies took full advantage


Lovely views


The resort is big on wind power (Yes this is a windmill- I didn't know either)



Getting ready for things to heat up at night



To be Contd/-

[deepfreak15]

Contd/.


"Orange is the new black!" At first it didn't make sense to me and sounded silly. This trip it became super clear. Orange makes everything look good!


Its like a pesky little hornet


Makes blue look good


Makes stars look good




Even windmills look good next to it




But its most salient feature is, it turns anyone into a hooligan - Yennada Rascala!





Everyone gathering for the final photo op before its time to head back home.
Thanks everyone for helping out!
Unfortunately I missed out capturing a few cars KiloAlpha's S-Cross, Krish's Brezza, Speedmeister's Eco sport and my own A3 - Ill make it up to you in the next drive!

[KiloAlpha]

Originally Posted by deepfreak15

...
Unfortunately I missed out capturing a few cars KiloAlpha's S-Cross
...

I kinda saw this coming, and decided to do some photography of my own with equipment that costed maybe one-hundredth as much as yours




Photographing the photographer:

[deepfreak15]

Originally Posted by KiloAlpha

I kinda saw this coming

Now I feel bad. It was just in the wrong place.

[KiloAlpha]

Originally Posted by deepfreak15

Now I feel bad. It was just in the wrong place.

No offence taken, none given. But, sometimes, one simply HAS to take the opening provided

[sud]

This is my third time with @RSudarsanan's drive. What an amazing drive it is every time. Well organised, amazing places, the drive and more importantly the group itself. Waiting already for the next drive. Kiddo is even more eagerly waiting.

Originally Posted by deepfreak15

Sud's Octavia, though between you and me I don't think for long. Of all the upgrade excuses I have heard his takes the cake! "How do I measure my headlight luminescence? I think they are deteriorating " - Just upgrade sir, you have our blessings and support

Absolutely. Just waiting for the Vitamin M boost

@deepfreak15 awesome clicks and loved your taglines.

[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

Some images from my side.

Wow! Some really stunning shots! Amazing photos Robi!

Originally Posted by abirnale

Awesome trip as always. Some pictures I clicked - rather was forced to click by my kid

Awesome photos Avinash! I loved the photos of your son next to those beautiful machines. I am glad he forced you to click those :-) The passion the kids have for cars is so pure, so innocent, so priceless! They are the true enthusiasts! They should be our role models!

Originally Posted by deepfreak15

So Ill just get straight to it and post some of the pictures I captured at the resort.

Very nice photos Deepak and very nice commentary. Awesome!

Dr Ad colour matching with the wrong car!

Who says wrong car? I love Graaja's 3GT! 3GT looks the best in Estroil Blue, and those wheels are gorgeous too. And the 330i engine is fantastic too. The cycle carrier adds a unique character to this car. I am big fan of this particular 3GT (not any generic 3GT).

Though in hindsight glad he didn't wear pants that matched his 320D

Can't even imagine that.

All the kids in the group seemed to dig BMWs. Go figure!

Smart kids! Add a few grown up kids in the group to that list. You very well know who :-)

Jokes apart, awesome photos @deepfreak15! Anyway, to wrap up this post, adding a couple of more pictures from my side.


Upon arrival at the resort, found a parking spot next to my other favorite car :-)



Always happy to pose next to the Chief:

[graaja]

Originally Posted by deepfreak15

Once again an amazing drive/ride organised by the Chief! I had way too much fun riding that I did not bother to click any pictures en-route. Apart for the weather at Salem (Hot as hell) it was pleasant throughout and perfect riding conditions. Smooth roads with a ton of twisties included. So Ill just get straight to it and post some of the pictures I captured at the resort.

Man. What a fantastic write up with awesome pictures

You have a great writing style. Thoroughly enjoyed the narrative! Thank you for all those lovely pictures of the GT.

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

Who says wrong car? I love Graaja's 3GT! 3GT looks the best in Estroil Blue, and those wheels are gorgeous too. And the 330i engine is fantastic too. The cycle carrier adds a unique character to this car. I am big fan of this particular 3GT (not any generic 3GT).

Thank you AD, for the kind words! I remember when everyone used to mock me for mounting that roof rack on the GT, you were one of the very few that supported me, saying it added character to the car and more than anything had a purpose. Now the carrier has become a part of the car, I can't imagine how it would look without the rack!

[vgsr]

Saw this thread too late. I could so easily have joined in from Coonoor. This sounded so exciting. Maybe next time

[SubodhRage]

Darn it! How did I miss this; I'll have to be more active on the forum. I've been in Bangalore for a month now[for an intern] and was wondering when I'd get to meet the owners of the beautiful cars over here! I saw some really well-modified cars over here in Bangalore near the Christ Church region and I specifically remember this one red coloured Skoda Octavia that nearly deafened my ears!


Anyhow, I guess I would have needed a car/bike for this trip and I'd have to rent one which would have lightened the pockets of this intern even further! Haha

PS:
Is there any plan for a meet up anytime soon in Bangalore itself? I'll be here till July end and would love to meet fellow BHPians!

Cheers!

[RSUDARSANAN]

Addendum:

Preceding crafty lensmanship and befitting prose leaves nothing to the imagination and have given armchair travelers an insight to the drive.

Adding my two cents in conclusion.

Lovely tarmac up to the turn off to Kolli Hills and on the hill itself was a driver’s delight.

Snaking up the 70 hairpin bends was accomplished with a ‘bend it like Beckham’ panache.

Some off-road terrain added dramatic “relief”
to the drive en route to the resort.

We welcomed first timers KRRaj and wife, SajiNSalin, Speedmeister and family.

Some text and clicks to fill in the blanks:

Solo, our first


Meet and Greet (M&G) at Attibele toll plaza


M&G2


M&G3


Salem... here we come


Arrived


Breaking fast (B/F)


B/F2


B/F3


The overKnighters


to be contd...

[RSUDARSANAN]

In continuation:

On top


@ Lunch




Arsenal for a SPRITEly evening






The three musketeers


End of day


to be contd...

[RSUDARSANAN]

In continuation:

The day after...

Lounging before breakfast




At breakfast






An intrepid couple traversed 510 kms to join us


Meet SajiNSalin


Femme fatale all


"Dutchess"


Smiles ~ an overKnighter signature


'Kari Virunthu' Lunch at Salem
Divided by cuisine, united by overKnighters

Non veg row


Veg row


Sign off at Ramee Guestline


A take home memento


The End

[Shashwat B]

I am a new member of Team-BHP, I would love to join in for the next trip!!

Where can I keep track of such events ? Please do guide me.

Thanks!