Monday, March 7
Lakkahalli to Hassan – 145 K
Carrying ALL our bags from our room across the island, over the bridge, down the trail in ONE trip, in the dark with only our headlamps lighting the way was a challenge. J It seemed wrong to build up a sweat BEFORE riding. J
The morning air was a cool 56 degrees and we enjoyed it while it lasted. Jan had a flat right away and we stopped in a small village for the repair. While Jan fixed her tire, I distracted the group of children that had gathered around us, taking several picture of them and talking with them in broken English.
These are the kids from the village…. they were all smiles when we gave them the old tube! J
Throughout India we’ve seen a type of tree that sends out shoots from the trunk or limbs – these shoots grow back to the ground and take root forming a new tree. Most times there are many trees connected to each other and growing together like one tree. This is one from today:
Just beyond where I took the picture of the large tree above, we saw another tree with carved wooden dolls/statues at the base of it. It was a strange sight! There was no one around, only these carvings leaning on a tree beside the road. Later, we asked our mechanic (who is from India) if he had any idea what it was. He told us that it was likely that they were part of a dark, voodoo-type of practice and suggested that if we see them again to be sure to NOT touch or disturb them. There may be another explanation, but that was his thought on the subject. Here are the carvings:
Early on I bonked. Bonking is when your body just runs out of steam for whatever reason and it’s nearly impossible to continue. I stopped, sat down on a concrete roadside marker and started eating and drinking – the only thing I COULD do that might possibly help. I had put a half bottle of coke in my trunk bag before leaving so I pulled it out and drank it. Then I ate an orange, a few shot blocks (energy food), electrolytes, cookies and water. It took a few minutes but I did start to feel stronger and it was a GOOD thing because about a kilometer ahead we discovered a BIG climb which continued with very little reprieve for the next 50 kilometers.
The higher we climbed the prettier it became until we found ourselves on a fairly shady road flanked by trees and coffee plants… it took the edge off the unending uphill. J Here’s what it looked like:
The lunch truck was at 75 kilometers today and we rode it to the hotel after getting a tank of gas AND getting lost! Here is our driver, his assistant and the gas attendant all working together to put gas in the truck…. J
When I say, “we got lost” I mean that we were in the truck sharing seats in 100+ degree temps for 4 hours with only the wind blowing in the window for air!!! What began as 70 kilometers to the hotel turned into 150 kilometers via a town 40 K north of one of our “wrong turn”. We arrived at the hotel ONLY because Jan could use the Garmin to get us there. We were ALL so glad to get off the truck just in time for dinner. J
