Update from Ewan and Al’s first three days of riding:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ewan-wilkinson-1

We were dropped off at Alamparai fort, a couple of hours south of Chennai, and cycled from there to Puducherry. The traffic varies from uncomfortable busy on some roads to lots of very quiet roads. We seem to be in the same bit of the pecking order as motor bikes and scooters – better than I expected.

I enjoy making my way through the city traffic. You need to have your wits about you, with motor bikes coming up the wrong side of the road and pedestrians, goats, dogs etc meandering about.

Much of the road surface is good tar but it ranges from good tar to crumbling tar then good dirt to some bits of thick mud.

Our route meanders through lots of villages and paddy fields. Plenty of daily life to be seen, carpenters making ornate but heavy chairs, butchers preparing the meat in their stall, others making floral garlands.

From Puducherry we have come south west away from the coast. Tonight we are in Kumbakonam in more luxurious accommodation than we have had. I have attached a image of the whole route. I am greatly enjoying it.