Day 5: 29 Under 30. A ride to 29 state capitals and 5 out of 7 Union Territories of India.

Day 5:

Ranchi-Kolkata

Kms Planned: 450 kms

Wow what a beautiful morning this was the sun was out in his full glory bright as the afternoon sun as early as 7:00 am. I was so happy to finally see the cloudless sky after riding in rain for the greater part of my ride till now.  I had 2 options to ride to Kolkota. One through Jamshedpur  or second, ride through Bokharo to Dhanbad and from there get on to the Grand Trunk Road. I chose the latter as the condition of the road I got to know was better there. This was a little longer by about 40 odd kms but I thought 40 kms would be matter of minutes if the road was good.

Grey Stallion seeking enlightenment near World Buddha Foundation

As I was running low on fuel, I thought of filling fuel and went into a Fuel station. While the guys were filling fuel, I just thought of engaging the guys in some conversation. As I was in Indian Cricket Team's Ex Captain M.S Dhoni's city I started off in Hindi

Me (Helmet on): Hi how far is Dhoni's house?

Fuel station attendant: (Gives me a look & continues filling fuel without talking)

Me (Removes Helmet) : Brother where's Dhoni's house?

Fuel station attendant: Why are you joking sir?

Me: Nope seriously I have come from Bangalore and want to know if Dhoni's house is close by.

Fuel station attendant (Reconfirms after looking at my number plate): We thought you must be a relative of Dhoni and just trying to play fool with us. Not many people here have Big bikes except him. His house is close by about 4-5 kms from here.

Me: Ok Thanks (Pays the money and rides on)

This is how dry my fuel tank was. It gulped almost 21.5 lts. Capacity of Versys650 is said to be 21 lts.

I then ride on reaching World Buddha Foundation, pass by the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences & reach the Jharkhand War Memorial. I gave briefs stops at these places and then ride on towards Dhanbad.

Me at World Buddha Foundation

Near Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences

Jharkhand War Memorial

As I reach the border, I felt a weird noise from the chain, so I decided to get a spray of water before Spraying cleaner and lube as it was quite mucky. Luckily I found a service station where they gave the chain a wash. The guy was willing to wash the whole bike but since I had loaded it big time I said just a chain wash was sufficient. Meanwhile while he was giving a wash, I took the opportunity to hog some chole puri from the nearby shop. It was simple but yummy. I hogged at least 2 plates and had a tea. The chain wash cost me INR 10 & the chole puri & tea cost me INR 45.

Waiting for Chole Puri

Yummy Chole Puri

Grey Stallion waiting for a chain wash

Ready to leave after a chain wash, clean & lube

The border between Jharkhand & West Bengal is divided by River Damodar around this place. I crossed the bridge and entered into West Bengal. To be frank today I was missing the rains badly as it was very hot and bright and roads being a little rough was holding me back on the speed. Roads weren't very bad but it was single road all the way till I hit the Grand Trunk Road.

Near river Damodar border of Jharkhand & West Bengal.

Once I hit the Grand Trunk Road, I was so thrilled to see the road open up into a wide 4 laned heaven.  Looks like the rain gods heard me wishing for rain, as soon as I crossed Asansol, I started seeing the dark clouds grinning above welcoming me with their arms wide open. It suddenly started raining as if someone from the sky had left their shower on with full force. This continued till I reached Bardhaman by about 4:00pm. From Bardhaman to Kolkota it was again Sunny

Dark clouds waiting with open arms to welcome me

 In Kolkota there was not a single drop of rain. I was wondering if it would be safe to ride on towards Siliguri and decided against it. I then rode into Kolkota through narrow roads and first crossed the Vidyasagar Setu & went to Eden Gardens. From there I could not complete my visit to Kolkota without riding on the Howrah Bridge.

Vidyasagar Setu. Image taken from net. Credits to the owner of the image

Near Cricket Association of Bengal Eden Gardens.

 

Near Howrah Bridge

Howrah Bridge. Image taken from net. Credits to the owner of the image

I then spoke to a friend of my wife whom we had visited during her wedding in Kolkota. She had just given birth to an angel. I reached their place by about 8:30 pm. I then freshened up & changed as I was all drenched in rain. As soon as I came down, my tastebuds were tingled by an aroma of seafood. I gobbled up everything what lay in front of me. Oh my god my tummy has bloated like a balloon tonight. Hope I get up on time tomorrow as dinner tonight was nothing less than a feast. The feast consisted of  Fish fry, Prawn fry, Fish curry, & Rice. How can a Bengali dinner end without this yummy little rascals?

Fish fry, Prawn fry, Fish curry, & Rice.(Image for representation only, credits to the owner)

Real one was much yummier. Could not wait to eat. Remembered of clicking pics after I had finished half my dinner

Rasagullas - Yummy little rascals. (Image for representation only, credits to the owner)

Pradip Uncle is a Sailor, we chatted about his sea expeditions and my bike ride till now. He was thrilled at that I set out on such a long solo ride and I was in turn amazed with his on board experiences & his energy and passion of being at sea. They are amazing hosts. Staying at their place for tonight.

Accomplishment on Day 5

A short video of Day 5 : https://youtu.be/APF-SapN-L8

Road conditions: The roads were moderately decent till I hit the Grand Trunk Road. The roads were amazing Dhanbad onwards on the Grand Trunk Road till entering Kolkota.

What caused the delay: Single road till I hit the Grand Trunk Road. Slight construction work on the Grand Trunk Road. Traffic jams around Asansol, Bardhaman & Kolkota as well as city traffic in Kolkota. Rains from Bardhaman till outskirts of Kolkota.

Kms Done: 450 kms

Destination tomorrow: Kolkota to Siliguri.

ZZZzzzz....