The journey from India’s southern tip to Karnataka’s capital became a whirlwind of early starts, scorching afternoons, and unexpected encounters. What was planned as a steady ride turned into a race against time—but one filled with Tamil Nadu’s warmth, industrial insights, and a dog named Bhairava who handled it all like a seasoned traveler.
Day 1: Flag-off and Windmills (Kanyakumari to Tirunelveli outskirts)
August 24th began at 7:00 AM with Vignesh organizing a perfect send-off. The local cycling community, Team Warriors De, rode with me for the first 20 km, sharing breakfast and good energy before turning back. The route toward Tirunelveli took us past endless windmills—those towering white giants that make Tamil Nadu feel like a renewable energy showcase. Bhairava seemed fascinated by the spinning blades, and we both enjoyed the relatively cooler morning air.
Day 2: Wrong Turn, Right People (Heading toward Sivakasi)
The plan was Sivakasi, but navigation led us to Shankar Lingaa Puram instead. Sometimes the best detours are unplanned ones. Vijay, a man I was supposed to meet in Sivakasi, drove all the way from Madurai with his family to find me. His sons brought dates, his wife packed homemade halwa, and he sponsored ₹5,000 for the journey.
After 78 km of riding, that generosity felt overwhelming. The same day brought a small crisis—Bhairava developed an infection on his testicles from mosquito bites. A cream called Kiskin sorted it out within two days, but it reminded me that traveling with animals means constant vigilance.
Day 3: Salt Stains and Old Friends (78 km through Tamil heat)
August 26th brought serious heat. By afternoon, I could see salt deposits on my hands from dried sweat—the kind of detail that makes you respect Tamil Nadu summers. We stopped for photos at a milestone showing “Bangalore 506 km,” both of us looking weathered but determined.
That evening brought a beautiful surprise: Selvakumar, whom I’d met four years earlier near Ramanathapuram. Back then, he’d arranged food and shelter for a struggling cyclist. This time, he found me again, proving that the road cycling community never truly forgets its own.
Day 4: Industrial Insights and Traditional Fuel (106 km toward Karur)
Started at 7:30 AM with Kammankulu—a traditional Tamil morning dish that costs just ₹20. Little millet (called ಸಾವೆ in Kannada) mixed with buttermilk and onion pieces. Simple, nutritious, perfect for long rides. Later, dosa and pineapple slices kept the energy steady.
Covering 106 km brought us near Karur, but more importantly, it revealed something impressive about Tamil Nadu’s economic planning. Unlike Karnataka’s Bangalore-centric model, Tamil Nadu has distributed industrial growth across smaller cities—windmill manufacturing, textile hubs, transport logistics—creating wealth in tier-2 and tier-3 towns. Karnataka could learn from this decentralized approach.
One regret: passing through Dindigul without trying Thalappakatti biryani. But with Bhairava unable to handle extreme heat, we had to stick to morning and evening travel, leaving no time for food tourism.
Day 5: Reunion in Namakkal, Trouble in Salem (Reaching Salem)
Started from Aravakurichi and met my friend Kavin in Namakkal—a fellow cyclist who once dreamed of long-distance rides but settled into family life instead. No judgment there; different people choose different adventures.
In Karur, we passed lorry body-building factories—another example of Tamil Nadu’s practical industrial spread. By evening, we reached Salem, where Guru Swami hosted us. Meeting someone with 12 cycles was a first—this stunt cyclist had turned his passion into a serious collection.
But the day ended with bad news: the rear tire gave up completely.
Day 6: Pragmatic Decisions and Movie Prep
Target: 200 km to reach Bengaluru area. Reality: damaged tire, dangerous Thoppur Ghat ahead, and a movie screening scheduled in Kunigal the next day. With Bhairava’s safety as priority, I took a lift from the base to Attibele, then cycled to my friend’s place in Bengaluru.
The evening and night were spent on final movie edits—working until 5:00 AM to get “Sri Lanka: The Forgotten Pearl” ready for its first proper screening.
Day 7: Screening Success in Kunigal
August 30th was Ganesh Chaturthi, and more importantly, screening day at Daya Bhavan near Kunigal. Guru had arranged everything with Namma Cycling Club Nagamangala. Over 100 people watched the documentary about my 60-day Sri Lankan journey, and the response was overwhelming. After months of editing and planning, seeing an audience connect with those stories felt incredible.
Tamil Nadu Observations
Two things stood out about Tamil Nadu during this ride:
Economic decentralization: Instead of one mega-city dominating everything, industrial growth is spread across smaller towns. This creates jobs locally and reduces the urban-rural divide that plagues other states.
Flex banner culture: Every event, from weddings to temple festivals, gets commemorated with colorful plastic banners. It’s environmentally questionable but shows a culture that celebrates life’s moments publicly and enthusiastically.
Final Thoughts
Six days from Kanyakumari to Bengaluru taught me that rigid schedules and spontaneous travel don’t mix well. The movie screening deadline forced us to skip Dindigul’s biryani and take shortcuts through Thoppur Ghat. But it also brought unexpected encounters—Vijay’s family generosity, Selvakumar’s roadside reunion, and Guru Swami’s cycling collection.
Bhairava handled everything with typical canine resilience, from mosquito infections to 40-degree heat. The Kiskin cream, Tamil hospitality, and that final movie screening made it all worthwhile.
Sometimes the best journeys aren’t the perfectly planned ones—they’re the ones where you adapt, accept help, and remember that reaching the destination matters less than the stories you collect along the way.
Awesome. Congratulations and very inspiring. All the best for your next trip.
Guru though much cliched, I would like to reiterate that you and your journeys are legendary and truly inspirational. Wish you a wonderful and momentous time in your journey upto Cape Town