BHPian Mrs&Mr_Shenu recently shared this with other enthusiasts:The monsoon.It’s the season I truly cherish to ride in. The world feels completely transformed-the weather, the earth, the very aroma of the soil… to be honest, everything is different! Yes, it’s a constant, Sisyphean battle to keep your clothes dry and your visor clear, but what’s the point if we don’t jump at these seasonal, rain-soaked opportunities? This year, our rider group was on a tear! We managed to complete three brilliant rides during the monsoon, all within a span of just two months. That’s a new record for us, seeing as we’re usually a bunch of coders who love to slouch over office tables! The Destinations: Mud, Mist, and Magic Our three monsoon targets were:MalakkapparaKadamakuddy (for those epic breakfast rides)Thumbithullum ParaFor each ride, we circulated a poll and got a healthy number of nutheads who bought into the same crazy idea. This season also marked the first time we introduced mandatory rider positions (Road Captain, sweep, etc.). It worked most of the time… well, almost! Part 1 – Malakkappara: A Monsoon Reverse Run The Athirapally Waterfalls is arguably the most famous waterfall in Kerala, having graced countless Indian films. The main route connecting it to Tamil Nadu is via Malakkappara. Our plan was to start from Kochi and do a “reverse run”: reach Athirappally early, take the scenic forest route, and finish at Malakkappara. The plan hit its first speed bump right in the morning when the rain was falling handsomely. Of course, what else do you expect on a monsoon ride? Sunny rays? Ha! The stretch from Kochi to Athirappally is now a major challenge near Koratty Junction, thanks to serious construction on the National Highway. This slowed us down considerably. One of our mates, expecting to join us at Athirappally, reached early and was literally a “post” (a waiting person) by the time we arrived. After a quick pit stop at a village-sponsored loo center, we hurried toward the Athirappally and Vazhachal check posts. Early morning Tea Shop As we imagined, the waterfalls were full and beautiful, and so was the route. The pine trees, the rubber estates, and the jungle route toward the check post were all drenched in deep green and flowing water. The Elephant Zone and the Breakfast Carnage At the Vazhachal check post, we split into two groups, and thankfully, they allowed us to pass through together, along with another group that was ahead of us. Now, the route to Malakkappara is a thrilling stretch because you genuinely have a chance of spotting a lone elephant or an entire herd around any blind corner. Absolute caution and controlled speed are mandatory. We didn’t get any such “surprises,” though we did spot a family of elephants enjoying an outing on the lawns, and the fresh elephant droppings still hung heavy in the air. Our lead usually jokes that someone else can take over his position, which we, of course, jokingly refuse-who wants to be the hero in those situations? Moving deeper into the jungle, we crossed into a misty rain forest where it was genuinely difficult to differentiate the rain from the mist. This is also the location of the KSEB pipes, a major attraction for a quick photo op. The warmth of your breath pushes out a visible cloud of “smoke,” and you know instantly that the ride is worth all the pain and effort. This is when the rain gods decided to pour down in absolute buckets! The entire route turned mystic, a view to behold. The entertainment quotient is very high for a biker, offering an opportunity to feel the unique smell and “sauna” of the forest. Feeling nature and the cool breeze in this monsoon season is an excitement on another level. Finally, after many twists and turns, we reached the Malakkappara check post and made our exit. The 2000 Thump With aching stomachs, we parked for food. What followed was a brutal, merciless attack on the table. We started with snacks, and seeing our hunger, the owner must have seriously considered closing the shop after we left. I am absolutely sure that as a group, we ate everything they had prepared for breakfast that morning. Let it be Medu Vada, Dosa, Poori, Omelette, Tea-the items marched in, and we devoured them one by one. The continuing rain ensured we stayed inside the small hotel, sharpening our teeth with non-stop food. No heads-up required here With heavy tummies, we gave a final thumbs-up, and then the lightning struck our cashier: the bill was well above 2,000! Being in that post-meal, full-bellied state with no energy to even talk, we gulped our pride as the final bite. We took some group pictures and happily rolled away. The Great Valparai Detour Quote:”I know a place, and it is the absolute best!”Every group has that one rider who makes this claim, and we are no exception. The map was set for this “absolute best” spot, and we moved through the beautiful Valparai inner routes like a local TN State bus. Only later did we realize that Google wasn’t taking us there, nor did our friend have the faintest idea where it was. Still, we were in the “Chodichu Chodichu Pokkam” mood, which literally translates to “ask around and go.” Locals, who were equally sure we didn’t know the place we were asking about, directed us in multiple directions. Nobody was complaining about this ironic situation, though, as the surroundings were surreal, and the mist was on and off throughout the way. Even though we didn’t know the exact destination, where we were at that moment was fantastic. We rode on that spirit, eventually finding ourselves on some unknown paths where roads gave way to stones. By this time, people had woken up from the trance, and we finally made a stop. The courageous ones marched on and came back saying the spot was still a bit far. We put our stands down, captured the place in our memories, and decided: this is the place, no more riding further! Honestly, this “unknown” place was still great. The KSRTC Elephant and the Final Dash After that final snap, we headed back towards the Kerala check post. By the time we reached it, the rain was drizzling, and the mist was rolling in heavily. We rode a few more kilometers to stop for another quick snack-because food is always important, right? Then, our journey back began, and luckily (or unluckily), we got stuck behind an “Elephant” (a KSRTC bus). The driver, being a KSRTC veteran, was neither allowing us to overtake nor giving us side. The heavy rain made overtaking even more difficult. After many long kilometers, they finally felt sorry for us, providing us relief and a gap to pass. With heavy rain pouring and visors hazy, we moved ahead in a tight pack. The chances of meeting wildlife are lower at this time, so we were confident to pick up the pace. The rain was relentless, and most riders kept their visors slightly cracked or open to maintain visibility. By the time we reached the Athirappally check post, many had red eyes and thoroughly drenched clothes. After Athirappally, we stopped for lunch around 3 PM, where everyone was in a mood to kill the food just like in the morning. The order was swift, and so was the eating. Somehow, the bill was below 2,000 this time, which provided material for a fresh round of jokes about the morning’s feast. We took the route via FISAT and joined near Angamaly, avoiding the main National Highway. This route was relatively empty and easy to cruise. We had our evening tea, some final chats, and a plan discussion for the next event at a local tea shop. The group split after that and headed home. What a memorable, thoroughly drenched day! Signing off with a pic of Yours Truly Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information,.
