200km to Shimoga

Today has been the most fulfilling so far. After a welcome 6 hour sleep and a new pair of trousers and boots ( kindly donated by an eccentric chap who failed his test last week and couldn't do the challenge ) I felt ready to face my machine and where she took me. Suffice to say, at last, man and machine have bonded. So much so, that it will now be Harry (Enfield) in future.
She started at the first kick all day and purred along like a dream. I have to say I had the ride of my life. To go from Dante's vision of Hell with swirling orange dust and rows of lorries to what can only be descrined the Garden of Eden with hypnotic smells of spices and Eucaluptus, has been sublime.
It was an unbelievable ride deep into India's rural heart. It's hard to believe that rural country can be vibrant, but here it so is.Children run out onto the roadside to high five the spaceman bikers as they travel along at 40k, and it hurts! As soon as you stop to take a photo or a drink ( 3litres of water a day!) enchanting locals gather around to stare and ask what we are doing, and where are we from, and are in awe of digital cameras. It's so humbling.
After a day surrounded by all things beautiful, we hit the town of Shimogo, a chaotic town where few Indians go, let alone Westerners. You hit the town running with buses the bloody tuk tuks, pigs, cows, and anything that can move, just does, everywhere. The smell of pollution and petrol is stifling, but you can't help but smile because everyone is so happy with it. It's a fascinating place, and it has provided me with a nice turquoise cushion for Harry to help the bruised bum, but it will be nice to be back in the mountains of Karnataka tomorrow.
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