The main attraction of the ride was being disconnected from the world due to the lack of mobile signal. This led to healthy discussions within our rider group.
BHPian Mrs&Mr_Shenu recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
I’ve been a proud owner of a Suzuki V-Strom for a while now, and during this time, I’ve participated in several rides, each unique in its own way. I was particularly excited about joining a ride with fellow V-Strom owners, as it promised to be a shared experience of joy and challenges. So, you can imagine my excitement when the opportunity finally came.
Initially, the ride was limited to just 10 bikes due to high interest, and I quickly secured my spot. The plan was to ride through Munnar and eventually reach Vattavada for our stay. As the day approached, a couple of riders had to drop out due to other commitments, and some couldn’t join us.
Despite this, the final group of six riders decided to go ahead on the big day. Four of us, including Bhpian Biju Sir, started from Cee Pee Suzuki in Vytilla, and two more joined us enroute to Muvattupuzha.
Day 1:
Kochi –> Lekshmi Estate –> Munnar Town –> Mattupetti Dam –> Top Point –> Vattavada
With a full tank of fuel, we set off from Vytilla. There were no strict rules about speed or route; Biju Sir guided us through Tripunithura, Tiravankulam, and then straight to Muvattupuzha. Our fellow rider, YouTuber, and Instagram influencer “Foodie Tripper86” joined us from Puthencruz.
By around 8 PM, we arrived at the “Idly Shop,” a famous and bustling eatery known for its South Indian delicacies like dosa, vada, and coffee. One unique feature is that they serve food on a banana leaf. The breakfast was delicious and truly satisfying.
Link: https://g.co/kgs/1JT3rdy
We began our journey towards Munnar, anticipating our final rider to join us at Kothamangalam. This is where the confusion started.
Group Split
After reaching Kothamangalam, I waited with our YouTuber rider for the last member to join us. The other three riders were about 100 meters ahead. When the last rider finally joined, another group passed by, and we ended up following them. This put our lead team behind us, and they tried to catch up. Interestingly, neither group thought to call the other, assuming we’d meet up eventually.
The three of us cruised at a steady pace, keeping an eye on each other through our rearview mirrors. After a few major turns, we realized something was off and decided to stop.
A quick call to the other riders revealed that one person was still waiting for us, another had already headed towards Munnar via the usual route, and the third was unreachable.
We waited, sipping chai, as the minutes slowly passed. Eventually, everyone gathered, and we decided to head towards Aanakulam. This spot in Munnar is famous for its elephant gatherings and the close proximity of human habitats.
Link: https://g.co/kgs/HmtiXbQ
Next, we enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at the same hotel where we had been sipping tea. We then proceeded towards Lekshmi Estate. If you haven’t visited, this is a must-see spot in Munnar. Immersed in natural beauty and surrounded by tea plantations, it’s a hotspot for picture-snapping riders and travelers. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Since it was a Saturday, we expected some traffic in Munnar, but it was more hectic than anticipated, especially around Mattupetti Dam and Top Station. The roads were crowded with vehicles, making navigation quite challenging at Mattupetti Dam.
As we headed towards Top Station, we spotted some elephants, though we couldn’t capture them on camera. With renewed enthusiasm, we reached a beautiful curve with a tea shop. While sipping tea, we took some stunning photographs of Munnar and our rides.
As we neared Top Station, the mist rolled in heavily, and so did the traffic. One thing I noticed was the uncontrolled parking on both sides of the road and the lack of proper parking infrastructure. We crawled along until we reached the turn for Top Station and then headed towards the Vattavada gate. We had to inform the guards at the station before starting our ride towards Vattavada. Stopping for photography and videography is prohibited in this area.
The ride through the forest was magical, reminiscent of the Athirampally-Valparai route, though much shorter in distance.
Soon, we reached our destination, Vattavada, and got directions from local shop owners. There was a bit of broken road, which posed a challenge for us. Finally, we arrived at our place of stay—a newly built tent stay that was still being set up. You’ll see why in the pictures. It was very budget-friendly, offered cozy views, and the food and hospitality were exceptional.
The main attraction of the ride was being disconnected from the world due to the lack of mobile signal. This led to healthy discussions within our rider group. We talked a lot, sharing new, exciting, and informative experiences. Time flew by, and soon it was time to sleep. There were plenty of jokes and friendly teasing, and the temperature dropped below 15°C.
Day 2:
Vattavada –> Munnar Town –> Gap Road –> Kochi
The next morning was cold, and we went for a small walk to enjoy the beauty around the place. Afterward, we prepared for our journey back, enjoyed a tasty breakfast, and said goodbye to our caretaker. Our route back to Kochi was via Gap Road.
We stopped at a couple of places along Gap Road to take photographs. One common thing we noticed was the curiosity of onlookers about the Suzuki V-Strom. Some even came with their families to take pictures, and we happily obliged.
After Gap Road, we stopped for lunch and then continued our journey back to Kochi via Neryamangalam.
Slowly, we reached the end of this beautiful ride and said our final goodbyes over tea at Puthencruz. This marked the end of a small ride but definitely the beginning of new friendships.
My Takeaway
Having a small group greatly aids in planning and riding together. Impromptu changes or additions to the travel plan don’t affect much. The smaller size fosters healthy interaction, leading to a deeper understanding of each other. We were able to connect and discuss many topics, which, in my opinion, was a major highlight.
Age doesn’t matter much if you have your heart in the right place. Our group included a senior citizen (who is also a BHPian) and a younger crowd of 35+. We found an instant connection, and age was never a hindrance.
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