We reached check-post by 4:00pm as per schedule. After riding few kms from check-post, reached Monkey falls. We spend some time at monkey fall and started riding on 40 hairpin bends towards Valparai. On the way we briefly stopped on a view point to witness magnificent view of complete Aliyer Dam from top. After crossing 27th Hairpin bend we reached Attakatti and had a tea there. When we are riding through Waterfall Estate entire road was completely covered by fog. As our resort is on the Athirapally road, we took a by-pass road and skipped Valparai.. We stopped at a breath taking view point at backside of Sholayar Dam. When we reached Sholayar Dam, it was dark and decided to visit the Dam in the morning.
From there we took a deviation to Kalady, which is full of Rubber plantation. Before entering Kalady we had lunch in a authentic Kerala restaurant. From there we took a shortcut to skip Kalady town. Once we reach State highway, traffic was more. We rode through Kothamangalam town and our speed was restricted. From there we decided to take ghat road to reach Idukki instead of SH, which goes along with Periyar River.
When we entered ghat road, one of our bike back wheel was wobbling and found bearing was gone. Luckily we carried a set of bearings with us and got it replace by mechanic nearby. However we got delayed on our schedule. It was completely dark when we reach Idukki Dam and missed to view the Arch Dam. We proceeded to Thedakky, it was another awesome ride on night on the ghats. On the way we stopped at Bullet Garage at Kattappana to check the wheel alignment and chain tension. We reached our Homestay at Thekkady by 10:00PM. Our friends went out and got food in the night. After having dinner, spent some time in the backyard of the house before going to bed.
Here come most interesting part in our entire ride. We planned to take Konni-Achankovil road to Kumbhavurutty falls. When we reach check post, forest guard was little skeptical to allow us. He enquired us weather we aware of this route. Finally he allowed with some caution note like, don't honk, don't do anything if elephant crosses your way. Once we got inside, we saw elephant dung every 100m and some was very fresh. Road was hardly 10ft wide, deep inside the forest. Crossed lot of water streams on the road. Middle of the way I noticed couple of bikes were not coming with us. I just stopped there for them, mean while few them were so scared to stop there. Without any break we reached Kumbhavurutty falls by 4:30PM.
I was little stuck on my mind when we reached Madurai. 4 year back I rushed to Madurai on the same day, when I got call on mid night that my father has passed away. To me he always there with me. Remembered a drive which me and my father alone drove to Banaglore on the same highway.
With heavy hearted I started cruising on the Salem highway. All our riders were ripping on the highway after riding 900km in Ghat roads and State Highways. With couple of tea break and lunch break at Salem we reached Bangalore by 6:30pm.
Day 1 : Bangalore - Valparai - 450Km
Day 2 : Valparai - Thekkady - 250Km
Day 3 : Thekkady - Courtallam - 200Km
Day 4 : Courtallam - Bangalore - 600Km
Total - 1500km
I was little worried about road after monsoon, but all the roads on our route was good. More over no raining on our entire trip expect a little shower on last day. I was privileged to ride with a awesome group and wonderful riders. Thanks to all my riders to make this ride an life time experience.