Blog 5. Wednesday 12th Feb to Friday 28th Feb.

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GODALPUR-Srikakulam-Vishakhapatnam-Anakapalle-Lotugadda-Sileru-Bhadrachalam-Suryapet-Hyderbad-Shadnager-Kurnool-Dharmavaram-BANGALORE.


Ride Time: 88 hrs
Distance: 1000 Miles
Total distance: 2643 Miles

Been a busy few weeks since the last the blog.Had a real variation of scenery and surroundings from crowded beaches to quite hill stations and noisy city's, stopping in places ranging from sleeping on people's floors, offices of army barracks/police stations to 5* cosmopolitan hotels.

Had journalists on motor bikes track me down on half a dozen occasions.Had a short articles written about me in 2 different papers on separate days (Ennadu and Sakshi) and I'm told a radio presenter was talking about my trip on one of the morning shows in a city beach resort I stayed at.Had kids running after me calling my name asking me sign the newspaper one morning.

Spent a few days passing through a selection of beach resorts on the Eastern Coast.Most were a bit overcrowded and not surprisingly a little grubby and unfortunately not possible for me to swim as currents too strong.So not exactly the idyllic beauty of the Mediterranean but still nice to see the ocean after so many long hot, dry, days riding.

Had another stretch of hill station riding which is the first since I first began in early January in the NE States.This time across the Eastern Ghats.Felt pretty remote for a few days, passing through very small villages where the locals just stop and stare at me like I'm an alien.There was nothing in the way lodging, so one night I stayed with a kind family who took me in and slept on their floor, and another night stopped in Police station office.Its not the first time the police have helped me out with overnight stay.People in India have always said to me if I'm stuck for somewhere to stay just go to the local police station and they'll look after you.It's true.Your treated as a special guest.The officers questioned me on how I got into the area and said I was supposed to have a special permit to visit.They said it's heavily guarded due to previous terrorist activity.I was completely unaware.They made loads of phone calls and enquires checking out my ID.There were 'guarded road barriers' dotted around, but they seem to be everywhere in India.I just give them a nod and wiz through before they start asking for photos with me ect.The way I see it, it's up to them to stop and question me, not up to me to stop and ask.Might change my view on that if I'm every shot in the back of the leg for not stopping.
The scenery in the hills is amazing.Dense forest, with loads of Monkeys, bores and big colourful birds.One day I accidentally ran over a snake.It was about 4 ft long I guess.I turned back to take a photo of it, but it started moving along and gathering pace so I spun around sharpish.
Very basic living up in the hills which is interesting to see.The markets here seem to be trading goods for goods, livestock for produce ect instead of money.Sore people hunting with catapults and even a bow and arrow on one occasion.One day I saw a dead goat hanging by rope by its feet from the branch of a tree.Don't know why it had been done.Maybe as bait for another predator I guess.

Time in the hills was followed by a couple of days rest in a 5* hotel in Hyderbad.Found a really decent mountain bike shop (by Indian standards) which was a result.I bought some better lights, so I can now ride when dark as and when necessary and a 'bladder pack' so I can drink and stay hydrated whilst riding.The bladder pack has completely transformed my riding style for the better.I can ride for long periods without stopping just regularly sipping, instead of stopping every 20minutes exhausted guzzling litres by the second.Also managed to get some light weight fingerless gloves which are stopping my hands from burning in the sun.

Had a few long days in the saddle of +10 hrs ride time.The 3 day stint between Hyderbad and Bangalore was testing but as always rewarding once it's over.
I, as politely as possible, tell the majority of passers by I can't stop for questions and photos now days cos it's just slowing me down to much.If I stopped for everyone that asked I'd have to allow an hour or 2 each day.Feel a bit mean for doing it but I'm still managing to sleep at night.