Hyderabad Nagpur round trip

Date: - 23rd Dec 2009
Route: - NH7 Hyderabad - Nagpur
Time: - 1345 to 2215 [8 hrs 30 mins]
Distance: - 497 kms
1345: Started from Hyderabad. Took NH9 as a bypass towards Bowenpally and off to NH7. The first 130kms are superb 4 laned along with electronic display boards for warnings. Was pleased to see that max. allowed speed as 100kmph. Didnt disappoint the authorities. No breaks for 3 hrs and managed to cover 220kms.

1645: Suddenly before Armur road changed to single lane and bad roads started. Again a small patch of 4 lane between Armur and Nirmal for about 40 kms and then started the worst roads. Firstly a small ghat section with a lot of monkeys on the road. Need to be careful, as there are monkeys all over. Even saw an unfortunate dead one lying in a pool of blood.

1740: I had crossed Nirmal and it was getting darker. My P200's stock light failed to help me. Took a break for tea at a dhaba. The road condition further worsened after ghat as there were practically no roads for about 20kms. Had to follow an APSRTC bus at meagre 30s.

1900: The last 20kms took me almost 45 mins and I reached Adilabad. A left turn inside city and I was again heading towards Nagpur.

1945: Once I crossed Bori, I was into Maharashtra. The roads again are no better here too. The complete NH7 is under 4 laning preparation. So one side of road was working and other under construction. So had to cross innumerous diversions. It was total dark around and at one point of time no one was following me too. So I decided to stop for a while as the night sky was too inviting. I have never seen so many stars in my lifetime till now becuase of the light pollution inside cities. It was scary as well as exciting to stop in middle of nowhere in complete darkness. A break for 10 mins and I started off. Found an Indica moving at some 60ish. So started tailgating. Very soon one more Indica overtook us and I started following that one as it was moving at 80-90s. It was getting damn chilly as night progressed. The Cramster jacket was keeping the torso warm but cargos didnt help much for my lower body.

2145: A small scary incident on outskirts of Nagpur. One dumb cyclist was crossing a crossroad on a 4 laned National Highway as if its his backyard without bothering about the oncoming vehicles. Sadly it was only mine. I breaked so hard that my front tire skidded. But thanks to P200s superb grip, I managed to keep it straight. The tires made sucha huge noise that we became a show for the others at that chowk. That dumbo smiled sheepishly and went ahead. I was also in no mood to get into an argument. So I made a move too.

2215: Home sweet home

Date: - 28th Dec 2009
Route: - NH7 Nagpur - Hyderabad
Time: - 0545 to 1345 [8 hrs]
Distance: - 494 kms

0545: Started from Nagpur and planed to reach by 1300 if my luck was good. Nothing special as kept on riding till AP-Maha border.

0730: Heard some strange noise from my bike's lower portion. As if someone had put a spoon inside an empty tin can and shaking it vigorously. I stopped and checked if some nut bolt had loosened or what. But no signs.

0815: Reached Adilabad. Tried searching for some mechanic but none of the shops had opened. Moreover the bad patch from Adilabad till Nirmal was about to start. I took the risk and moved ahead towards Nirmal. The noise was still there and I was not able to make out what was causing it. Most probably it was something related to silencer as I didn't notice any change in bike's performance.

1015: Reached Nirmal and found a mechanic. He said some part of silencer had fallen inside and making noise and it was not a major problem. I suspected catalytic converter. Now as the noise was really distracting me I put on my IPOD and started ripping as the road conditions bettered.

1100: A few kms after Nirmal encountered a road block on highway. I tried to negotiate from sides but everything was blocked. Reason... Separate Telangana.. The protestors had put about 8-10 bikes across the roads and also a Tata 608 after that just to ensure that no one escapes. It was nothing to worry about. They sang some songs and raised a lot of slogans. As I dont understand Telugu, I didnt get even a single word except that one of them involved the named Chiranjeevi..

1130: After half an hour they released the block. A commuter besides me told that now there will be a blockade after few kms.. Maybe more. As good patch had started, I ripped my bike as if devil was chasing me. And as a matter of fact, some guys were planning a blockade after some 30kms too. I made out this was the next batch of protestors. But they were just preparing and one out of the 2 lanes was not blocked. I didn’t bother to stop and sped away.

1300: Reached outskirts of Hyderabad.

1345: Finally reached at home in Madhapur.
Now as soon as I get time need to show the silencer to any decent Bajaj service station. Hope it’s not a silencer replacement.