One of the best days in my life. Its a life inspiring journey. I learnt a lot during this road trip - NH44. Its very much analogous to our life.
I am looking at my mobile. It says 3 30 AM. I am damn sleepy and I slept off. My friend Surendra wakes me up at 3 45AM. I asked him to get ready and I dozed off. Got the strength to push my bed and went out to check the weather. Its pouring a lot! I bang the bathroom door and startled my friend 'Aarambaniki Avarodam - its heavy downpour buddy'. Luckily the rain stops in 10 mins. We are again up for journey. We started at 4 30 AM- so early in the morning with just 4 hours of sleep.
I started on road towards Cyber towers.. Perfect way to start journey! Riding towards Mehdipatnam! We crossed Mehdipatnam and took a right turn towards Sivarampally junction. An unnoticed bumper made the bike skid - luckily we are safe - my first encounter - fear started - but confidence not dettered! Crossed the Sivarampally junction and we are now racing towards Shamshabad! We stopped at the flyover towards the airport and took pics at a billboard. A good way to start!
We started towards Jedcherla another stop on mind which is 70 kms away from Shamshabad. It started drizzling - the drizzle picked up - its pouring now. I am on my raincoat but Surendra is not - he did not get any as rain was unexpected - decisions matter. Its all dark only trucks on the road with speeding cars! I was maintaining 50 kmph- suddenly I notice a truck stopped on the middle road - thought it was moving - but I was wrong - but no panic made me handle it easier - 'chusevanni nijam kadu'(Jo diktha hai woh Sab sach nahi hota). Reached Jedcharla at 6 45 AM. Had tomato bath and a strong coffee. Its still pouring in - so we decided I should continue riding! Now that its not darker - I can speed up! Kurnool is 130 kms away from Jedcharla - Another major stop! Now I am speeding up and hitting 70 80 kmphs consistently! The road is awesome - the traffic is becoming dimmer - the sceneries are wonderful- the farms are green- nallamalla range started - the fog mist over the green hills - is a must watch - a never to miss- the rain is making me enjoy it with heart! I hit above 90 - made my friend go crazy - the rain is hitting him like bullets! The journey is like a race now - overtaking many vehicles - and many cars overtaking us- one hell of driving experience it is! I don't know if I ever get chance to drive on Buddh Circuit but I would surely miss that chance - got NH44! Reached kurnool - time to piss!
It took us around 30 mins to cross kurnool.. Seema Andhra Agitation did not die down yet. I can see people scattered and no public transport. A lot of Toofans in the city.. The private vehicle owners are making their business- No one questions the rates! Out of Kurnool now - Ghat road starts - the mountains here are not green - most of them are rock cut - bethamcherla is famous of stone export business! This is NH18 - it connects Kurnool with Tirupati - most of it is undergoing renovation! There are potholes and concrete waste on the roads here and there. To remind you its still raining and I am still riding!
I was driving carefully... But my mind is racing! Nandyal is nearing and I am rearing - here comes a pothole which breaks to otherwise smooth journey - Suri enjoyed the jump - second case where we missed an otherwise possible mishap! This should have stopped me speeding up... But as I said my mind is racing! The third time - bike slid on the concrete waste - possible ankle fracture - but I am better again - a lot of running and working out in gym during college made me physical strong person - Surendra is happy that he did not get his leg broken! My next is panyam - my dads hometown - we have agricultural lands here! We stopped to have Rayalseema's favorite breakfast - Uggani Bajji!
In 20 mins, we are at Surendra's house - I left him at his home! To remind you - its drizzling now - I am still riding! I reached my village along the country roads - a lot of potholes - A water Splashing ride! At my doorstep - all dirty - tried - gummy hands - dripping pants - peevish - famish - All for love of mother!
As I earlier said - traveling inspires me! This journey has been one hell of experience!
Coming up with idea of road trip amid seemandhra protests - seek freshness and challenge!
Turning challenge into reality - never backing down attitude!
Fresh and safe start - instills confidence to continue the journey!
The first skid after mehdipatnam - we stumble upon problems initially, if we stop and go back - we would miss a lot of life to be lived - so never stop when u r doing something closer to heart!
Stop at Shamshabad - you need to celebrate your initial success - to drive yourself towards destination!
Truck stopped on the road - in your line of work / business you may find halted businesses and lifeless work - you need to push yourself past that event - should not be fettered by others failure!
Jedcharla - you need keep major milestones to check your progress - the first milestone takes time - in my case avg speed is less!
Speeding up after jedcharla - the first milestone will surely increase your confidence!
Accidents and vehicles toppled roadside - the drivers lost concentration - if you lose your concentration you will also be in similar situation!
Race between vehicles - You cant always follow one or a group - you need to pace up and make changes - hit the bulls eye and remember dont stop for anyone!
Piss before Kurnool - you need to free yourself before each major milestone - panic will not help! ;)
30 mins to cross kurnool - you go through a lot of things during success - but u need to stick to the work u r doing - if u r over enjoying it - accelerator drops and breaks apply!
Potholes and waste concrete and the skids - not all roads are green enough to simply pave you way - when you are doing good job - you will face unknown waters - you need swim through - you will not find time to breath - you would not have space to swim - but you should not let your courage down - else you would go down the Ghat road like pack of cards!
Uggani bajji at panyam - you need to energise yourself when you are setting longer goals!
Leaving friend at his house - you need to support your clients and friends - dont expect help from them - your humbleness will help you surely sometime later!
At my doorstep - you will be twisted - you get headaches - you have to keep on running - you will be hit hard - whatever happened to you is forgot in a whisk - when you get what's closer to ur heart!
last but not least sunlight after jedcherla - we may not get support when we start - but later when u r doing well - those who said you can not do - will change their minds - give you moral support and vision to drive yourself!
And the rain - its like pressure of work - sometimes it pours like hell - sometimes clear sky - you need to fuel urself to handle these situations - like raincoat in rain!
This is what I learnt during this road trip - so to get inspired - Do a road trip on bike! Enjoy the ride and learn life!
