Day 7 Cycling in SW India - Fort Cochin

Today was long and hot - the full sweaty impact of being down on the coast has hit us.  Also, I regret to report that although the route went close to the coast the stretches where you could actually see the sea were few and far between.

The best thing about today was the welcome stretch of cycling on the flat. When the road surface was good two of us would go to the front, get behind Rinto and just fly along.  It's perhaps a bit late in the day, but I have discovered a new thing I enjoy.  Despite being on fairly heavy hybrid bikes I was pleasantly surprised to discover how fast I could go and how easy it was to sustain a good pace.  I'll definitely explore this further on a road bike when I get home.

Zipping along through the coconuts

Day 6 - Cycling in SW India - Guravayoor

After yesterday's long journey the pace has slowed down again and we spent the morning cycling around the environs of Guruvayoor, the afternoon hiding from the heat and resting, and the evening exploring the town and sampling street food.

Tootling through the suburbs was very pleasant.  Once we got out the city centre our progress attracted lots of attention from children and adults alike who shouted and waved at us, asking us where were we from and what were our names. They were all smiles and very friendly. 

Guruvayoor is a significant town for Hindus and its main temple is the fifth most visited Hindu temple in India.  The population of Kerala however is very mixed with roughly equal proportions of Hindus, Muslims and Christians.  Today the Muslim children were particularly easy to spot on their way to religious schools.  Both boys and girls were immaculately dressed: the boys in white with little round hats and the girls in darker clothes with head scarves.  Apparently all communities get on very well together.

Day 5 - Cycling in SW India - Guravayoor

What goes up has to come down. After breaking personal records on yesterday's cycling ascent I did the same today with the descent.  It was not, however, a simple reverse; today's ride was different in every respect.  The road was potholed and broken, and the dappled shade from trees made the surface difficult to see.  There were also big lorries coming the other way which often forced you onto bits of the road you would want to avoid.  In skiing terms it was a black run, although I don't think there is a ski run anywhere that is 50km long with a 2,200 metre drop.

St Stephens in Ooty

Day 4 - Cycling in SW India -Ooty Hillstation

Today was the big one, a massive 1600m climb up the Ooty Hill including 36 hairpin bends. The biggest hill I've cycled up before this was Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs and I found that tough.  Ooty Hill was more than 15 times higher so this was definitely a new experience for both Christine and myself.

Hairpin bend 24 (with monkey)

Day 3 - Cycling in SW India - Wild Haven

Today's trip took us through the National Park, and after all the wildlife we saw last night it was a bit of an anticlimax. The through road isn't open until 9 and by the time we arrived in the Park most of the animals had gone into hiding.  So we didn't get to see any more elephants despite being briefed on what to do if they charged (leave your helmet and bike on the floor; the elephant might stop and attack them instead of you giving you time to get away).

My bike

Day 2 - Cycling in SW India - Bandipur Jungle Lodge

Amazing treat today and unbelievable really..... we saw a tiger!  It was totally unexpected and a massive bonus but yes, we saw one.

A tiger in the wild

Day 1 - Cycling in SW India - Mysore

Heading the wrong way into the early morning Mysore traffic was an exhilarating, but a slightly scary introduction to the joys of cycling in India - still I survived and actually enjoyed it.  Vish, the tour leader, says 'give way to everything', but can't mean it because if you did, on these mad crowded roads, you wouldn't get anywhere. The alternative rule seems to be 'whatever you do, keep moving'.