This is my first visit to Ponmudi hill top, that too with my own efforts. This is a solo ride that I planned this week. I asked in the groups whether anyone is interested to accompany me, but got no response. So, I decided to conquer Ponmudi alone.
I started from campus by around 05:40 AM and went on road towards Vithura. The morning vibe was amazing. I took a couple of pics of sunrise behind the western ghats and proceeded. I reached Vithura and continued towards Ponmudi. I just had an energy bar from room, no breakfast. I reached Ponmudi and the staff in charge told that the gate will be open only by 08:00 AM, whereas I reached by around 07:00 AM.
I was waiting for the gate to open, during which a couple of students from Amrita university had come with their friends and they were also waiting. They asked me about my rides and even invited me for breakfast with them, but I lied stating I already had and stayed back. Some tamil people have come from Nagercoil side, who were like teasing me thinking like I don’t know tamil. I just discarded them and roaming around. Saw a small water flow beside the Ponmudi entrance point and spent some time there.
The gate was open on time, and the entry fee was 40 rupees per person. Vehicle charges was extra but for me they didn’t collect any money for my bike. I started riding, enjoyed each climb, and was counting the number of hairpin bends as there were markings on the way. I felt courageous when I see each hairpin marking and it motivated me to go forward.
The climb was not tough at all. I decided to have the energy gel before climb and had it. Sill no breakfast. The road conditions was much better compared to the Brimore ride. KSRTC Buses were going on the road till hill top. On the way, I had a coffee from one of the stalls, there are quite stalls on the way to top.
While climbing I saw some bunglaow kind of building on the other hill and a small observatory. Thought that they are the Brimore ones, as they are sitting on a nearby hill. But they are part of the hill top, and the road has connected me to those places. Again a surprise was also there in this ride.
When I reached that observatory place, I saw my institution’s name in it. I thought of taking a pic of my bike lying next to it, and I saw the CSIF ppl there as well. Some three people came out and asked like if they can help me in taking picture of me. I was surprised to know that they already know me. These CSIF people have rotational shifts not only on time, but also on the places it seems. One of the officers has seen me in the campus and recognised me. They took pictures with my bike and was quite helpful. They asked like if I need water etc… I told them that I can get water refilled on my way back and left to reach the top.
On the way I saw many moto bikers, looking at me in a strange way. Some people saw me as a man with strong mind and body. I reached the hill top, just roamed around and returned. While returning I reached the entrance of that observatory, refilled the water bottles, one officer even brought me the breakfast which he is suppose to have I think. I again lied that I had breakfast already and I left.
I recorded the downhill ride with the chestmount and the videos are good. They are added below. As planned I reached back the campus for lunch, had briyani and closed my ride. Infact, those CSIF ppl on the hill top had contacted the CSIF ppl on the front gate it seems, they asked me if I went to the top with a curious mind and encouragement.
This is a beautiful ride with less cost and more entertainment compared to that Brimore ride. I thought that it would be tough to climb, but not tough at all.
Below are the photos and videos recorded during the ride.
Further, the downhill compilation video can be seen on youtube with this link
Below is the Strava log of this ride.
