The day the event itinerary was announced, the very next day all the 35 slots were booked, we had to stop taking fresh registration. There were 27 IFMR INDIA members, 3 Prospective members and 5 ladies, better halves of 5 IFMR members.

As per the schedule of 6.30 am on Saturday, 9th March 2024, all were present at KLE DENTAL College gate. President Rajesh took the centre stage, gave a brief of the overnight ride, explained all the stoppages, requested PP Babbana to offer the prayer for the safety and success of the ride. 3 groups were formed and with rider sequence, Lead and Sweep. There were three cars going along with the riders, two had ladies with members/drivers and one had three members, who opted to travel by car to give company to our youngest/founder member of IFMR India, Rtn Ramdas Pai.

Our first stop was after 80 kms ride for breakfast at Dhruvthare, the most sought after eatery on the highway to Hassan, Rtn Ramdas Pai had made the prior booking for all 35 riders with his connection in Dhruvthare, big thanks to him, we were given one floor exclusively for our group, for the first time they served on Banana plantain leaf, traditional way of having food in Southern India, and on top of it it was unlimited food, we were all treated in royal style by the management, the breakfast was top class, all took time to take many solo and group photos, the owners of restaurant too joined for group pic. Big thanks to TV Rajan, Rajesh AR, Ravish and Karate to sponsor breakfast. Close to 9.30 we started for the next leg of the ride, i.e Hanbal Chikki Factory and Outlet, one of its kind in this part of Karnataka.

All rode for the next 120 km with one stop for tender coconut water break, all had reached Hanbal Chikki Factory, it was first time experience for all to see such a beautiful outlet and factory where 30 varieties of Chikki’s were made and sold fresh from their machine, all spent over 30 minutes, tasting the sample and then buying in bulk for their family, probably we purchased over 20k worth of Chikki’s. We were 35 kms from our resort and soon all left for the final destination GRK Nature Resort.

On reaching the resort, it was a Jungle mein Mangal kind of resort, all facilities available in the midst of a thick forest except mobile network, some kind of mobile detox for all. All settled down in their allotted rooms and soon came out in their shorts and T-shirt after discarding heavy riding gears to chill with Beer, which we had bought on the way. It was banter and leg pulling time for all, all were unwinding, laughing, making fun, taking pictures and relaxing. Around 2 pm all joined for a gastronomic fair, an elaborate lunch, there were 6 different items of Chicken. Lunch continued till 3 pm. There was a trekking program from the resort for a 10 km trek, many joined the Trek, rest went for an afternoon siesta. All were informed to assemble by 6.30 for high tea/snacks and evening party time.

After having high tea, all came to an exclusive outdoor area arranged by resort with bonfire and music equipment, speakers, karaoke and sound mixers. Soon our singers took over the centre stage and the party/dancing/singing continued till 10.30 pm with time limit in forest reserves, all had dinner and retired to their rooms.

The next morning all woke up at their own pace, few had gone for Trek and nature’s walk and slowly all gathered for breakfast at 9 am. We were joined by Rtn Mohan D and his group of riders with their family members from IFMR Hassan Sub for breakfast, they combined our visit with their Breakfast ride, it was a great bonhomie and bonding time over breakfast, there were around 20 members from Hassan joining for the breakfast, great gesture by them, special thanks to Rtn Mohan D. All were busy taking many solo/group pictures. It was time to depart, around 10.30 am all of us left together for the return journey.

But picture abhi baaki hai doston, Hassan members wanted to visit the Chikki Factory and our lady’s too had missed visiting it the previous day. The first stop was at Chikki Factory, this time the ladies of both groups were busy shopping, and it was virtually ransacking of the outlet, probably another 25k of sales for the outlet. We were 35 kms away from Hassan and as usual Mohan D never loses any opportunity to showcase his hospitality and generosity, our lunch was organised by the Hassan Sub Chapter at a star hotel, all reached Hotel Pearl in Hassan and joined for the lunch, before that Rtn Mohan D had arranged a cake from their President Venky’s bakery to celebrate the belated Women’s Day in honour of over 12 ladies from Bangalore and Hassan present for lunch. After cake cutting by ladies all joined for an excellent light lunch to suit post lunch riding condition. All thanked and bid good bye to members of Hassan Sub Chapter and started our return to Bangalore. By 5 pm, all were back home. Another great ride came to an end with life time memories.