This terrific, longest ride / drive ever I did in a day, took 407 Km to reach back home and covered two states (Kerala and Tamil Nadu), 4 districts, 6 tourist destinations, 8 Bulls, 16 Hrs.
As I mentioned in my last Blog, REM (Royal Enfield mania) decided to go to Valparai - 7th ride on 7th Dec 2014. There was lot of confusion and conflict and on the verge of cancelling this ride, I spoke to Nithin Roy, when he mentioned it is going to be a long ride more than 360 Km, I thought to drop my plan but he said will go if I am joining, then we kept the plan ON and decided to go even if no one join, fortunately 6 of them made it.
The route we followed was Cochin (NH 47) – Chalakudy – Athirappilly (View my second blog) – Peringalkuthu Dam – Sholayar Dam – Malakkapara – Valparai and back to Cochin through – Pollachi (Tamil Nadu) – Nenmara - Vadakanchery – Thrissur – Cochin.
We, two bulls left at 5 am from Cochin International stadium (our usual starting point) and one joined from Aluva. Since we had to wait for our Ponnani REM crew for very long time, stopped over for photography, breakfast and couple police check for the bike records wasted our time and couldn't able to leave from Athirappilly waterfall on right time.
We left Athirappilly and Vazhachal (see my second blog for detail) around 12 PM (than planned at 8 AM to spot some animals on the way especially Elephants) and crossed Peringalkuthu Dam around 1 PM. 8 Bulls were roaring through narrow roads of western Ghats very carefully. Even we were late, felt lot of presence of recent movement of elephants. There is a small waterfall on the way from Vazhachal to Peringalkuthu is shown below.
Peringalkuthu dam
It is the first hydro electric power project to built on the Chalakudy River. During October to May, boating can be done at the dam. With the time shortage we haven't been but I have visited once just after my marriage.
The nearest railway station is 44 KM to the west in Chalakudy Railway Station and the nearest airport is Cochin International Airport is about 67 KM, If you are driving from Thrissur it is 77 KM.
We reached Sholayar dam around 2 PM after crossing 115 Km and 21 Km from Peringalkuthu and few breaks for photo shoot.
Sholayar Dam
Sholayar Hydro Electric Power Project of Kerala State Electricity Board who owns the dam. The dam has two reservoirs. One is called Upper Sholayar Dam which can be accessed by tourist and other is deep in the forests.
We reached Malakkapara around 3 PM covering another 35 Km. Stopped here for a break before proceeding to final destination. Road to Malakkapara and to Valparai was slightly damaged and repair work was in progress.
Malakkapara is a small village mainly consists of Tea estate.
We started to our final destination after stalking some mineral water and some biscuits because missed the lunch and couldn't get anything. Few pics and a small video to show you all how we ride and the type of road we enjoyed. Photos and Video courtesy to Nithin Roy and his Pillion Rider Ijo Xavi.
We reached our final destination of Valparai around 3.30 PM after crossing 25 KM from Malakkapara. Ride through the tea estate and Dam during afternoon was pleasant and wonderful.
Valparai
This pollution free heaven is 175 Km from Cochin. It is a Taluk and hill station in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 3,500 feet above sea level on the Anaimalai Hills range of the Western Ghats. Distance from Cochin International airport is about 140 Km.
Distance from Coimbatore is 100 Km and 65 km from Pollachi.
Since we have been here only for Tea, no much recommendation for stay for overnight. But believe me, you will get amazing south Indian style tea and coffee here.
Had three tea and some hot snacks as we only had late breakfast and we will have to wait for few more hours for dinner. Since we had to cover 225 Km to reach back home, we decided to ride back quickly through Pollachi as the route which we came will be closed by 6 PM due to animal movement.
There are 40 hairpin bends on the way to Valparai from Azhiyar. While major portions of the land is owned by private tea companies, large forest areas continue to be out of bounds.
Pollachi is a town and a Taluk headquarter located about 40 km to the south of Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. It is the second largest town in the district after Coimbatore. Pollachi is a very popular Marketplace, with supposedly large markets for jaggery and vegetables.
There was no patience left to click for more photos. We stopped for dinner around 7.30 PM and we ride through by asking direction for short cuts and stopped for few breaks. Speedometer was showing high speed for all as we had to reach by midnight and road was clear. We touched Cochin at 12.30 AM and I must say it was such a wonderful morning, afternoon and evening, breathing some fresh air and being with people who don't talk about hotel at all.
Big Thank you to Nithin Roy, Anjush, Mushfar and other Ponnani crew, because without them this blog would never be possible.
Above pic is the Valaprai crew and Below pic is map from Cochin to Valparai
Valparai to Cochin through Pollachi
Carry plenty of water and some packed food as no much restaurants on the way.
Need to keep all records of vehicle as you have to drive interstate and multiple checks will be there.
Preferred time to drive through is 0800 Hrs to 1200 Hrs or 1500 Hrs to 1700 Hrs.
Fill the fuel to full tank.
As always my SLR rocked and Bull carried me through out for this Blog.
I really wanted to drive again through the same roads in my car with family in very near future.
Until Next Blog.....!!!
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