Rain, Road and the Ride Home

 

There is a certain magic in the early hours before dawn. The world still sleeps, wrapped in darkness. Yesterday as the clock struck 4 am I left Chennai. The highway stretched ahead of me promising open roads. The plan was to cover the 720+ kilometers and reach home by afternoon. After two hours of riding in darkness, the sun finally rose spreading a golden light over the highway. It felt like the perfect start to the day as everything around me slowly came to life.

The first half of the ride was smooth with a gentle breeze and a pleasant drizzle now and then. The roads were empty and the cool weather made it all the more enjoyable. But by the middle of the ride just when I thought I could finally pick up some speed, I realized my fuel was running dangerously low. Somehow my mileage calculation had gone completely wrong. The bike came to a halt on a lonely stretch. Exhausted, I pushed it for a while until a group of youngsters appeared out of nowhere and used their bikes to tow mine to the nearest fuel station about 1.5 kilometers away. Their unexpected kindness was just the boost I needed to keep going.

But as I hit the outskirts of Madurai the clouds began to gather again and soon the rain started to pour. The rain did not pour continuously but came in sudden bursts which kept forcing me to adjust my pace. I had to slow down on slippery stretches but it also meant I did not have to battle the blazing heat. In a way, the light showers kept the weather pleasant, making it easier to keep pushing forward without overheating.

Despite the rain trying to take away time, the ride had its rewards. The unplanned stops at bus stops or under trees allowed me to rest for a moment and gather myself before getting back on the road. Riding through lush fields as the countryside came to life, made me appreciate why long rides are so special. These glimpses of morning life, the scent of wet earth and the chirping birds were all part of the journey.

As I neared the final stretch towards my hometown Kanyakumari, the rain finally eased and the skies began to clear. Suddenly the familiar scent of roasted corn filled the air drawing me to the side of the road. The warmth of the corn was a welcome comfort after hours of riding in the cold. It was not much but that simple treat felt like a piece of home offering a perfect break before the final stretch of the journey.

When I finally reached home at 4 pm, drenched from head to toe but with a sense of fulfillment. I realized the journey had taken twelve hours instead of the planned ten. Yet, despite the rain, the fuel issue and the unplanned stops, it was a ride I would not exchange for anything. There is something fulfilling about the unexpected challenges, the small joys on the roadside and simply making it back home with stories to tell.