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Day -6
The pain in my left hamstring had disappeared and I started by 9.30. It was a good start, pleasant and cloudy weather with neat even roads. I had a very close at my cadence and rhythm. I managed to cover 40 km in 2 and half hours. Though it drizzled at few places it never interrupted my ride. But i had to pay for the pleasant ride soon with a huge uphill and the clouds that blocked the sun started to disappear. All my excitement to see the Bakel fort started to diminish slowly. The route was a series of up and down hill with barren land on either sides. When I had 20 more kms to Bakel fort the roads became flat, but had a dozen potholes after every few meter. I even hurt my foot to the peddel, very minor.
The majestic view of huge fort built on 40 acers appeared at 4.30. I had enough time to view the fort. The entry fee was just 10, but the fee to take my camera was 35. I spent an hour there and started towards kasargod. Its a very small city, but well maintained. I had my diner in Indian coffee house and hit the bed at 10.30.

This was my last day in Kerala, but my memories will stay alive thought my life. If i was blindfolded and left on a road and was asked to indentify that if the road I stood belonged to Kerala or not, I would just do 3 tests, 1stt; Is there any poster of Cheguvera? If not, 2nd. Is there a poster of the Brazilian or the Argentinian Soccer team? and if these 2 tests fail you will see this one for sure, a poster of a beautiful girl covered completely in gold to promote Alukkas Jewellery :)

Day 7

Though I was told that Mangalore was more warmer than kerala, i wore a sleeveless jercy (a big mistake). The first 50 kms went on smooth and crossed the Kerala border and entered Karnataka at 12 noon. I had my lunch in Mangalore and the heat was really killing. Post lunch I took the NH 17 road, it was a huge 4 lane stretch with lot of huge buildings and no sign of any tree or shade around. I was completely exposed to the sun and the hot head wind from the sea was really hitting hard, almost stopping me. I managed to move on for 1 0 mins telling myself that I just needed time to get used to these roads and the sun. In these 10 mins I finished a liter of water but it never cooled me down. The sun had completely burnt my skin leaving boils and scars and it was too late to realize that I should have worn a full length T shirt. When a hard head wind hit me, my frustration level hit the max. I stopped riding, went to a nearby shop and asked if there was any bus back to Bangalore. Yes, I decided to give up. He said there was one in 45 mins. While I was waiting for the bus, the air became cooler and it was relief. I decided to give one last shot and got back to the road. It turned out to be the best ride in this tour. The four lane roads ended very soon, neat single lane roads with fields around welcomed me and stayed along throughout my ride till Udupi. I managed to cover 45 kms in just 2.5 hrs. I stayed in a mutt for just 50 bugs, freshened up and spent the evening roaming around the city.

Day 8
The wound in my feet had turned into a small infection and was itching. I did not want to take any medications as I had just 2 more days. I do not have much to talk about this ride. I reached Murudeshwara at 5 in the evening. The giant idle of lord shiva is really eye catching.

Day 9.

My final destination was Goa. I had planned to reach Gokerna on day 9 and hit Goa on Day 10, but I had to make a   small change in the plan as there was a big swelling in my feet. I decided to ride straight 160 kms to Goa. Was it doable was still a question mark. I started at 4 in the morning and my target was to reach Karwar before 12 and I some how managed to reach Karwar by 12.45 and my leg was hurting very badly now. I took a small power nap post lunch in a temple and started to ride by 2 PM. I reached the Goa border at 2.30!! yes, it was almost the end of the tour, so i rode the last 30 kms as slowly as possible enjoying every moment. I reached Kankona and got my wound dressed up in a nearby Govt Hospital and reached Palolem. I got a room facing the beach for 300 Rs, I had a juice and hit the bed. at 6 in the evening.