10-Sep-06, 0645:
All the BNs were assembled in the starting point at Nandi Toyota showroom. No delay in reporting there. Thats the passion to ride. Dr. Prithvi took the attendance, all present 9 riders and a pillion.

Team:

1. Dr. Prithvi - Eliminator
2. Prabul & Radhika - Suzuki Fiero
3. Orgy - Bullet Machismo
4. Jayansrangan - Bullet Machismo
5. Vasanth - Zma
6. Kamlesh - CBZ
7. Rajkumar - ZMA
8. Sashidhar - Bullet Machismo
& 9. Me - Pulsar 150

The plan was to ride to Reliance A1 plaza, which is just after Hosur, have breakfast and take a call on what to do next. We started exactly by 0700 and it was fun to ride in group. My first ride in such a big group (previous one was a group of 4). I could see the headlights switched on of all the BNs in RVM. 45 minutes flat we were at A1 plaza. Breakafast comprised of Dosa, Pongal, Vada, Omlet, Coffee. Talk during the breakfast was just bikes, bikes and more on bike rides (Leh, Goa meet).

Post breakfast, Rajkumar returned as he had work in Bangalore. Rest 8 bikes proceeded towards Krishnagiri. At the deviation point to Shoolagiri, Mr. & Mrs. Prabul bid farewell as they had a family function to attend. From then onwards Dr. Prithvi led the way to Shoolagiri dam. Name Shoolagiri is after the hill which is in the shape of trishool (weapon of Lord Shiva). After Shoolagiri village, its a narrow road full of small twisties. Only audible sound during the stretch of 5-6 KMs was JSR’s thumper.

We spent more than half an hour there. First few minutes spent in clickin photos and then ttalk, talk and talk. Most of the discussion was related to bikes and Leh ride experiences from Prithvi and JSR. Started back with plan of stopping over at Tamilnadu hotel just before Hosur, as its very easy to get lost in mad traffic. But still Kamlesh and Vasanth got lost. Rest 5 had coffee at the restaurant and proceeded towards Karnataka-TN border where those two were waiting for us. Stopped at the border, said ok-tata-bye-bye to each others. And rode back home with a promise to ride together in coming days.

By the time I reached home, trip meter was showing 151 KMs.

Headlights On

Update: Photos uploaded

Imagine 26 software engineers waking up as early as 5 in the morning on a Saturday and be at the pick-up point in time. And yes, all 26 of us were present in our respective pickup points in-time and were heading towards Bheemeshwari for a day outing sponsered (partially :p) from our office. Our plan for the day was Rafting, Jummering, Trekking and few team building activities. To make our life easy, we outsourced the responsibility to Capture team.
Journey and Breakfast:
I was the last but one picked-up and was greeted by loud shout by the backbenchers. First few kilometers were bumpy because of the road and most of us were silent because of the empty stomach. We stopped few kilometers before Kanakapura for the breakfast. Fun began after we started. Dancing, singing, pulling one other’s leg, sleeping continued till we reached Bheemeshwari.

Jummering:
The intial plan was to complete rafting first and then other activities. But by the time we reached our base camp, rafts were out in the river with some other group. Within no time all the cameras came out, shutterbugs got busy clickin away, rest posing for the snaps. After the photo session, started few team building activities suggested by Capture team. And also we spent some time playing - cricket, frisbee, badminton. Few just sat on the river bank enjoying the nature.

Krishna, Tarun and Sripad gave a demo on how to use Jummers and it was great experience learning and put to use of those devices.

Rafting:
By noon, rafts were free and they were inviting us. From base camp, we were ferried to the starting point of rafting - Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. We dressed up with life jackets, helmets and pads, looking like soldiers ready for the warfield. We were divided in to five groups. Each group carried their rafts to the waterfront. Guess God wanted to add more fun and it started raining cats and dogs. After one and half hours, covering a distance of 8.5 KMs on rafts, we were totally drenched and hungry. We were taken back to the base camp by a jeep. Hot, sumptous lunch was waiting for as soon as we reached the place.

Trekking:
After the heavy lunch, most of us lazed around, talking anything and everything otherthan office work. Few who didn’t do jummering resumed. Then it was time for a short trek. Krishna led the way for an hours trek. After few falls on the slippary track, we were back to start our return journey.

All in all it was a great day spent in nature’s lap, away from the concrete jungle and the routine life.

If you are planning for a rafting activities you can get details from Jungle Lodges and Resorts or you can also contact CAPTURE
PS: Watch out for few candid snaps in my blog

Update: Photos uploaded