Shoolagiri Ride gone South

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Almost 20 days went by without a ride and I was itching for one. Having decided to do a one day ride (due to some personal constraints), I was torn apart between riding either to Tranquebar or to Yercaud. The former ride would have been scorching hot while the latter would have me heading back home a bit late.

I had bounced this idea with other fellow rides from different clubs but no one was free for a ride! Miracles do occur and this time, it took the form of Aargee, a veteran and humble CBR250R rider. We had planned to head to Shoolagiri and back. The plan was to start at 4:15 am from the usual KFC Thirumazhisai, keep following the highway. Breakfast was supposed to be at McDonalds there and ride back – fair enough, an easy plan. This route was decided on the night before the ride. So I hurried and got the bike ready. Everything was set. Ride date – March 21, 2021.

Come morning, Aargee shared his location. I was delayed by about 10 to 15 minutes to the meeting point. We had however agreed that if one of us had reached on time, we can start the ride before getting curious and questionable looks from passers by. This I believe was what happened and Aargee left me a message stating that we will catch-up, near Sriperambathur toll.

Head Start

By the time I left the meeting point, Aargee had good 20 minute to 25 minute head start, but I was hopeful of catching up to him. I saw the live location that he had shared and noticed he was about 20 odd km ahead of me.

A pleasant ride started, a solo ride. Kilometer after kilometer, the bike munched and Aargee was nowhere in sight. I had already crossed Sriperambathur toll. Now, the usual dilemma of whether to stop and check where the fellow rider is at or whether to ride on and catch up was running in my mind.

Being sure that I had not crossed him up till that point, I decided to ride ahead, all the while looking out for the well known CBR’s tail light pattern. Just as I was about to cross Wallajabad toll, I saw Aargee removing his gloves.

After exchanging pleasantries, he insisted that I take the lead and so I did, something that I have taken a liking to in recent times. The ride was uneventful, like one would expect. We were maintaining a brisk pace till Vellore.

Going South! Got hit by a dog…

After crossing Pallikonda toll, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a dog playing on the oncoming traffic side of the road. The time was around 6:30. The playful dog decided to scramble and run towards us. We had absolutely no reaction time. The dog hit me on the foot and escaped Aargee by a hair. We stopped immediately.

I noticed that the radiator had taken an impact. The dog got itself in between the front wheel of my bike and the radiator. So it hit the radiator, then my right foot and escaped somehow. Aargee noticed some fluid leaking; upon closer inspection, we noticed that it was coolant fluid. My foot was also paining – was it a fracture or is it bleeding or just a pain from impact?
Oh man! Previous ride, bike wouldn’t start and now a dog hit resulting in coolant fluid leaking? Just my luck!

We spent few minutes here, taking stock of the situation. We decided to head back to Chennai. Aargee suggested to ride the bike for a few km and notice if the engine temperature was rising.

There were no changes in the temperature, though the coolant liquid was leaking. We reached Chennai around 8:45 am and I called up the dealer and informed them about the bike’s status.

With a troubled mind, I removed my riding boot and noticed two swollen toes. After keeping ice pack on them for sometime, decided to take an Xray; the only damage to my feet were inflammation and no broken bones. Thanks to the riding shoes, without which, worst case, I would be having multiple fracture on the foot.

RSA + Insurance = No rides

Called RSA for towing the bike and filed for insurance claim. Verdict from Triumph service center (as expected) – the radiator needs to be changed.

The radiator needs to be ordered once the insurance claim is approved. After the radiator arrives and is fixed on the bike, the insurance provider has to check the bike and then give an OK, after which I will be getting the bike – I am now looking at a 45 day period without any rides!

Oh well, with the increasing temperature and COVID cases, better to stay indoors, right?