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We were also served morning tea. Partly to help these guys carry on the good work and partly to soothe Shyam’s guilt feelings about the free food and accomodation here, we donated some money into the hundi.
We left at 6:30am along a great NH17. We reached Payannur (28km) at 8:45am and had our fill of pineapple and cashew juice. 5km further on, we left NH17 to take a shorter state highway to Kannur, saving 7-8km over the national highway route.
The state highway had a few climbs initially, but it was in good shape. The Kanhangad - Kannur distance reduced to 62km by using this route. It rejoined the NH 7km before Kannur, from where it was one hot, sweaty trek across the city of Kannur to Thottada, some 6km beyond it, where we had arbitrary grub at some arbitrary canteen. We walked a little further on where a housekeeper allowed us to rest in his orchard. We had fresh pineapple slices & grape juice for dessert and relaxed.
In the evening, we followed a highway that often crossed the rail tracks and kissed the sea at times. Through the narrow, twisting lanes of Telichery (Thalassery) (27km), up a climb and descend, cross a creek to enter...
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We continued a little beyond Pondicherry for Vadakara (Badagara), but it was getting dark. Shyam fell while trying to mount the highway from the shoulder. No serious injuries, but his pedal got bent to hit the cycle. Some rudimentary repairs later, we continued in darkness – there was a power cut in the entire area.
We reached Vadakara at 8:30pm, which was too late for dinner. Settled for some parathas and went and had a bath in the police station.
Today we must have broken the distance record for the trip by cycling 105km, but there's not much exhaustion to show for it, save for a slight hint of undie bite. In fact, my ankle stopped hurting once I removed the anklet that I was wearing to protect it. Maybe the roads are getting better and better – or are we just getting “studder”?
Lightning on the horizon tonight. I wonder...?
1 comment:
Wow, I did not know that Pondicherry was on the west coast too. I always thought it was only on the East Coast. This map clarifies.
Also, I'm majorly impressed by the cleanliness of the roads. I really am surprised. Guess I've not stepped out on the roads outside larger cities, and Mumbai is the only one I remember so vividly. - Cheers Vikram
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