[vigsom]

Introduction

Please treat this as a combo post, which comprises the following:

1. my return to the road with an 840km drive; touches upon some health related observations and actions
2. showcasing some of Tamil Nadu's beautiful roads, lined with greenery
3. real time update of route 4.1

[vigsom]

Return to the road (Hashtag RTR )

Although I resumed work related travel in late Sep, I took it easy to return to driving - gave myself at least a month more than the recommended post op cool off period so as to ensure I was road - ready. An opportunity to break the shackles presented itself and I seized it. Here is a quick summary:

1. Day 1 : 1400hrs to 2030hrs Bengaluru to Trichy via Salem, Budansanthai via route 4.1.
2. Days 2,3 : Idle
3. Day4 : Trichy to Erode via NH81 and SH84
4. Day5 : Erode to Bengaluru via NH 544 and 44

Pit stops

1. Bengaluru to Trichy - one stop for tea/ light snack at Sai Annapoorna Veg Salem Namakkal Highway.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/93xqMjEDNYBKSRJB6.

This place is "manned" by women. There were only four cars there at the time I landed and we were served quickly. The food was satisfactory and washroom okay; rating 4 on 5. This place can get quite crowded in the mornings.

2. Trichy to Erode and Erode to Bengaluru - no pit stops.

Health related observations

I took the journey well. However, I did feel some stiffness just below the left knee - from the place where two veins had been harvested. All I did was to move the leg around a bit and all was well. I snacked light, and did not take my medication enroute to prevent a potential hypoglycemic condition. However, had a proper meal and my medication post arrival at destination.

Real time update of route 4.1

By the time I hit the Budansanthai exit, it was dark. Although I navigated the sector well, I did wish my car's lights were a little better. The good part of the route was that except for one small diversion for a culvert, all roads are good, including the track adjoining the palapalayam lake. It poured like crazy between Kannanur and Pulivalam but due to less traffic, that sector was well managed. I don't have any pics of this semi- night drive.

[vigsom]

Trichy - Erode

Tamil Nadu has really fine roads - and this drive proved it again. Although I'm not a fan of the "gol maal National Highway 81" (reason I call it so is 'coz a toll is levied but the first 30 odd kms out of Trichy is laced with metal barriers galore. Why build good roads and have metal barriers? Post Kulitalai, the road gets better, with fewer vehicles and one can easily touch 100kmph all the way till one reaches NH44. The state highway from Karur to Erode gets even better - super green all the way. Icing on the cake was a short ride up Chennimalai in pitch darkness, experiencing nine (or ten?) hairpin bends. TIP: These quick uphill drives in my view are good to get a feel of before moving on longer uphill drives.

Trichy bypass - all walls carry the trademark grafitti


NH81 between Trichy and Karur




State Highway between Karur and Erode - all green, but






suddenly giving way to dull surroundings like Salaipudur here


Erode's green Ring Road - any takers for country chicken?


Road to the Chennimalai temple


View of Erode from Chennimalai hill

[vigsom]

Erode - Bengaluru

After an overnight stay, and a great meeting with a fellow bhpian, we headed out of Erode. NH544, especially the brief sector between the Sankari toll plaza and the exit to Edappadi, was a treat to drive on. Once past Salem, this was the first time I was able to navigate the up gradient in the Thoppur ghat in no.4 gear, at a steady 50 kmph without any break in momentum. I thought I'd break for lunch at Krishnagiri but reached there a little early, then thought I'd push till Hosur, then pushed till Attibele and found Srinidhi Vaibhava overcrowded, then pushed all the way till south Bengaluru. The push - push - push ended in a non- stop 4hrs 15min run, achieved at sub-100kmph speeds.

Salem - Thoppur


Saw this white VWTiguan both on my way out and way in


Trip details


Fuel efficiency 13.1kmpl overall with AC on all the time

How did I feel at the end of the trip?

Sad - I wish I had more road to drive on!

[Aditya]

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

[Reinhard]

Really happy to see you back behind the wheel @vigsom. You've really set an example of how to take on a challenge that fate may throw at one, and come out like an undisputed winner. It has been quite an eye opener experience (and I confess, stressful too) to just read about your journey to recovery.

Once again - really genuinely happy to see you back on the road! Cheers to you & wishing you unlimited safe and enjoyable miles ahead. Keep 'em rolling!

[Dibyendu Bose]

So good to see you back on the road. Congratulations. Your resolve will be a guiding light amd inspiration to many. Continue with your passion. Wishing you safe travels

[rajeevsulu]

It was lovely meeting you, Vigsom. Being stuck in Kerala, could not meet you on your way in. Job calls meant we had to meet on your way out, in fact, very very out. Atleast we met and had a decent enough chat. Your Pajero sport is a beast!!
Cheers
Rajeevsulu

[Sandy Damodaran]

Originally Posted by vigsom

Erode - Bengaluru

Sad - I wish I had more road to drive on!

Great to see you driving again! I'd say drive down to pune next, but its a super boring road.

Amd how do you manage 13 on a Paj! Mine struggles to give half of that!

[Passatman]

Great to see you back on the road with your steed! Eking out 13 on a pajero points to some nifty driving skills and a light right foot. Yes, Karur - Erode has some amazing greenery and as I recall lots of turmeric cultivation on the farms. TN highways are marked by the political graffiti ��
Cheers and wishing you healthy- happy mile munching!

[Evyas]

Welcome back to driving sir! As Robert M. Pirsig wrote in Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance:
“You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you’re no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn’t just a means to an end but a unique event in itself.”
Congratulations on climbing your mountains and making each step of the way a unique event like this one. Here’s to many more. Take care and drive safe

[KHegde]

Originally Posted by vigsom

Erode - Bengaluru

@vigsom sir, Happy to see you back to driving. This a route I have been looking forward to drive on for a very long time.