Ooty as always was a particularly nice stop we arrived about 3.00pm an after a shower and rest were able to get into the town and visit the tourist spots of charring cross and the busy street markets.
Although we retreated to the pleasures of the old Howard Johnson hotel for a meal .
Our planned start of 9.00 o’clock was delayed slightly as Gordon had told everyone except the mechanics who pulled up at 9.15 nevertheless we pulled out of the hotel we what seemed to be the whole of the staff waving us off. And straight into problem number one my garmin GPS was not working normally a most reliable bit of kit, it just failed to spark up. With no time to try and fix i had to revert to the old fashion map, and shout method of navigating which means having an idea of the name of the next town and shouting it out until someone from the crowd points out directions , It works but the Garmin is much easier.
It also mean that Shafi used the car to Navigate us out of Ooty which was slightly better for Madge as she did not have to sit like the queen at the back of a convoy of motorcycles the centre of attention, not Madge at all,
With Liz on the back we set off down into Ooty and no sooner had I started to pull up the hill that my bike started to play up again, no guts and only able to feed power in slowly , surprisingly the main fuse I quickly changed it and was off again. My bike started its first of its diet of fuses. The rise out of Ooty is a fascinating series of hairpins not only is there a chance to look back on the city but you can look down and sometimes see three or four lines of bikes all on different levels and directions as they weave up behind me. Being at the front has its advantages but you don’t get the frantic waving from the children and often adults as we pass by.
On our first regroup I was able to investigate the problem with the Garmin and having wiped over the battery terminals the thing “Beeped” into life. The Garmin has become and essential part of my kit surprising not for the routing I have proved that I can manage that but more from the information that its gives more importantly ETA or as Garmin puts Time of arrival because it is always right. it changes as problems occur but when you get to your destination its always at that time. It not only gives me a chance to plan breaks and tea stops but also gives me a quick answer to that question you think only children give “are we nearly there yet”.
Nigel’s bike started to Pop and Bang today and we lost Andy from the line both down to plugs it might be that we added a bit too much oil to the fuel yesterday it should be 100ml per 10 litres of petrol.
The long drop down off the Nigris is a great ride unfortunately shrouded in mist but that meant we could ride straight to the bottom and the hot arid elephant plain were Graham decided to have a rest or should we say his bike did, all the men took it in turns having a prod and a poke and suggestion as to the problems varied from Piston holed to seized, as always Ivan came along gave a prod here and there and quickly diagnosed electrical problems the theme for the day bits, I am not sure which bits were rewired and we were on our way again all thankful because it was getting hot note to self when you breakdown find somewhere cool .
Sam somehow managed to get Kath onto the bike and like she was always used to it we soon saw her flying down Indian roads as ever keen but nervous to try anything.
Our lunch stop was marred with the true reality of Indian life when we viewed a shocking display of domestic violence, obviously we don’t know the reason but right in front of us we witnessed a woman being dragged by her hair across the road first by one man and then another, Roger true to form stepped in and bellowed at the man to stop as only a Cornishman can “ OYE” and even louder “OYE” and it was over. Indian life reverted to a sensible norm
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