Shravanabelagola bike ride

Sunday Morning bike trip to Shravanabelagola with Royal Knights Motorcycle Club. This was my first ride with any Royal Enfield motorcycle group. The group starting point was at Mekri circle by 6 am. Madhu was joining me as pillion rider, he came early in the morning from his place and then we left for Mekri circle.

By 6:30 am 16 bikes and riders were present and ready to ride. Naveen was acting as the group captain and rest of biker will follow him. NTR as the sweeper and the photographer. The road till Jalahalli crossing was in bad shape as metro works is going on, after that road is very good till Nelamangala, this stretch of the road was newly built 6 lane for congestion free traffic. Took left turn near Nelamangala for NH48 and stopped for first pit stop for tea break.

Tea time

bulls taking break!

After good tea break once again we hit the road, from here NH48 roads were under construction for 4 lane so some parts of the roads are good and some are still under construction. Now when ever we got good space we tried to form 2 formation for riding, it was a good experience to ride this way and maintain good average speed.

When the ride was getting good my rear tyre got punctured, i couldn't know it - Giridhar was behind me he spotted low pressure and asked me to check it out & and turned out a iron nail has rapture the tyre. As the trye puncture repair shop was 3km away we disengage the rear wheel and took to the repair shop. by that time one fellow rider also joined us there. Once the repaired trye was put in place and tested it, found out rear wheel was wobbling. So planned to ride till the next puncture repair shop and get it repaired. Due to improper trye adjustment the rear trye was wobbling, once again flattened the trye and filled it with air, fixed it back & now it was good without any wobbling.

let's roll

Once we were near Kunigal, the roads were in very bad condition because of road widening. Once we reach the outskirt we stopped for breakfast. Kunigal is famous for its big idli's( tatte idli), everybody was so hungry with in few mins we were running out of idli's, had to wait for the fresh idli's to be served. Most of the travelers who pass through Kunigal always stop here to taste the tatte idli. After awesome pet puja once again we were on the road. we drove for another 1 hour and took the second pit stop before  Channarayapatna town.

2nd pit stop

After good 15 mins break we started the ride, we  reached Channarayapatna and took left turn for Shravanabelagola. This road is small and goes through the villages but in good shape with few traffic.

 single line formation

driving for another 15km we reached Shravanabelagola, and parked our bulls little bit away from the park space as it was filled.

We have around 2 hours in our hand for temple visit. Few of them stayed back so that they can look for any restaurant for lunch and rest went for temple visit.

Few clicks

We spent good time clicking lots of photos in and around the temple. As we could not found any good restaurant near by planned to stop near Cafe Coffee day after crossing Channarayapatna town. Once we reached the the spot and parked our bulls in parking lot, headed to order for lunch. On the menu we could only get snacks and some rice item which took around 20mins to cook. It was a mistake who order for rice item they waited impatiently for the order to be served. when we finished our lunch it was already 4pm.

It was time for us to head back to Bangalore. We gather for the group photo shot.

group snap!

 After group photo shot finished, few people fueled up the tank and we were back on the road. Once again luck run out, it was not my bike bye the way. One of fellow riders rear trye got punctured, so we had to called for pit stop. Once again we have to take out the rear wheel, but this time it took lot of effort to take out the wheel as the bolt was slipping. Any how mange to took out the rear wheel and took it for repair.

 trying to figure out how to remove the rear wheel

prized possession took be Navin

 Because of it we got delayed by another 1 hr, finally we fixed the tyre and headed back to Bangalore. On the way once again stopped near Nelamangala Junction for tea break. After the break all gather and decide which route they wanted to take and get back home. Few of them took the NICE road, while few took Yeswantpur road and said goodbye till the next group ride.

    It was great experience to ride with Royal Knights. Now eagerly waiting for the next ride!

Kanyakurmari-Rameshwaram bike ride -Day 7

Day 7: 05/11/2010

Wish you Happy Diwali!

Woke up early in the morning by 4 am, it was raining heavily. We thought lots of devotee will be present on the occasion of Diwali but because of the rain few people were able to reach the temple. We were inside the temple by 4:30am for darshan.After the temple darshan decide to head for DhanusKodi  at 6.15am. 

 On the way to Dhanuskodi

road to infinity

Reached the check post, where we asked for permission to take the bike till Dhanuskodi but with our own risk. The toughest part of ride was going through the sand till the sea side.

The toughest part to ride on sand!

Dhanuskodi was around 4-5km from the check post, usually people go to Dhanuskodi by bus or fishermen vehicle. If you are interested to go further you have to heir a jeep from Rameshwaram. we have to follow the tracks of the bus & ride till Dhanuskodi.

ocean ride!

After riding for another 5km reach the ruined city (Ghost town) - Dhanuskodi

remains of the ruined city

ruined church

Spent the time roaming around the ruined city, saw the old railways station, the broken rail track, old school building .....where ever you see all broken building, temple and church submerged in sand. the Government declared the town as ghost town and unfit for living after the storm.Only few fisher-folks now live there. Planed to go further to see the coral reef, but local people advised not to go by bike as it was high tide most of the jeep tracks will be submerged. So finally decided to head back. Stopped in few places on the way to take photos.

Normalize effect on the photo!

 The Man & the Machine!

We were back in Rameshwaram by 9:45am, spent time roaming around the city exploring few temples. Had lunch and planned to head back to Bangalore, original plan was to pass through Madurai - instead we planned to go to Trichy. We left Rameshwaram at around 2pm and headed for Trichy. On the way we stopped at Pamban bridge to take photos.

Pamban bridge!

  Railway double-leaf bascule bridge section that can be raised to let ships pass under the bridge

Once we reach the ECR raod took the diversion into NH-210 which goes toward Trichy. Once we crossed Devakottai we could see the black clouds on the horizon heading towards our path, we stopped and prepared our self to tackle the rain. It rained cats & dogs. We didn't want to stop & wait for the rain to stop so slowly moved ahead. Most of the road was submerged in water, when we entered a small town, roads are almost not visible knee deep water was flowing in it, we just ripped through the running water, people were thinking we have gone mad. After driving for almost 3hrs fully drench in rain we reached pudukkottai. Oh boy! people are happy as the rain stopped and everyone are ready with there crackers to celebrate Diwali. Now we were driving carefully as most people are bursting cracker in the middle of the road. This was the second diwali i spent my time on road trip. We reached Trichy by around 8pm, then decided to go to Srirangam and stay there, visit the Sri Ranganathswamy Temple in the morning. We got a lodge near the raja gopuram, had dinner and went to bed.

Route: Rameshwaram-devakottai-Puddukkottai-Trichy-Srirangam

Distance cover: 250km

Kanyakurmari-Rameshwaram bike ride -Day 6

Day 6: 04/11/2010
          Left Kanyakumari early the morning and reached Vattakottai by 7:10am. We didn't know that the fort gate opens at 9am. We requested the the care taker to let us in, we paid the entry fee. Vattakottai circular fort is a seaside fort built in 18th century as a coastal defence-fortification and barracks in the erstwhile Travancore kingdom.

few pics of Vattakottai fort

       We left Vattakottai by 8am as the care taker has to go out to town. We planned to follow the road which goes by the sea side, most part of the ride was like roller coaster ride as the road was too uneven. But the road was in good condition without much potholes. We were driving mostly alone in this road as the traffic was very less, occasionally few vehicle cross. 

we hit the magical number!

When we were nearing Koodankulam we saw more traffic and many people waiting to go for work. This place is famous for Nuclear Power plant, this the 9th power plant in India. After driving for another 25km our luck run out once again, rear tyre got puncture. we were just 10km away from Tiruchendur, people advised us to go back 5km to find a puncture shop. It is difficult to ask help in the plane area where people are afraid to stop. after trying few times one guy stopped and helped me to take the rear tyre to near by puncture shop. This time i was adamant and asked the guy to check it thoroughly, found out that from inside the tyre was teared. I asked him if i can get a new tyre, he told me that he going to put one extra tube inside so that it will protect the main tube, asked me to get the tyre at Tuticorin. I couldn't get anything to return back, so hired on jeep that dropped to the point where the bull was parked.

      Now we were driving very careful not to hit any potholes or stones. After 4th puncture you will always feel like anytime the tyre may flatten out. So decide to have lunch at Tiruchendur, had lunch and were ready to start for Rameshwaram when a guy came up & asked "Are you willing to sale the bike, will pay you in cash". This guy was asking the bull for his son, who was on top of the building beside the restaurant, supervising in construction. Asking his father from top to ask us weather we will sale the bike. That guy took our phone and said once you reach back will give you a call. Once again we hit the road and reached Tuticorin by 1pm. I searched many shops for ceat tyre but couldn't find anywhere so decide to put a Dunlop tyre, after bargain we got it for 1500 bucks. We went to near by puncture shop got it replaced and left Tuticorin by 2:30pm. We stopped near Sayalgudi to tank up the bull. We didn't knew the route, so we were checking the route on google map, but it doesn't show the road which we were traveling. We came to know that this was the new ECR road that goes up till Chennai. 

New East Coast Road

      The ECR road is still under construction at same places. We didn't go to Ramanathpuram instead we took the ECR and took a right into NH49 which goes to Rameshwaram. Driving for another 56km we reached Rameshwaram by 7:30pm. Once again we started to hunt for a good lodge, finally got one which was recently opened for Rs 500 for double room was too good, where other lodges we charging more and rooms were not good. Finally settled and went out to take dinner. by 10pm we hit the bed, as we have to get up early to visit the temple.

Route: Kanyakumari-Tiruchendur-Tuticorin-Rameshwaram

Distance covered: 350KM

Kanyakurmari-Rameshwaram bike ride -Day 5

Day 5: 03/11/2010

          Got ready early in the morning and headed toward the beach to see sunrise. It was almost dark when we reach there, tourist were occupying there spot to see the sunrise. Slowly most part of the beach was filled with tourist occupying every space available, it was like a Mela!

  Everybody was there before 5:15 am .....occupying there seat to see the sunrise!

  wide angle view of Vivekananda rock memorial & Thiruvalluvar statue

view of Vivekananda rock memorial & Thiruvalluvar statue

 sun rays creating beautiful effect at the back of Thiruvalluvar statue!

After that went for beach walk, went to see the Kamarajar Memorial. We had breakfast and went to the lodge, rested for hour. Then took an auto to the place where we had left the bull parked in front yard.

Back tyre got punctured the previous night at 10pm, 4km away from Kanyakumari...not single shop was opened at that time, had to park the bull in front of this house and went to Kanyakumari to search for lodge. Photo was taken next morning.

Just few blocks from the house was the puncture repair shop. We thanked the person who helped us and it was already 11am so decided to go to Boat ride to Vivekananda rock memorial. There was long queue for the boat ride, till kill boredom started taking photos.

fishing boat

The boat ride was very short, reached the place took the ticket and went on for photo shoot. Few photos from Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue.

Vivekananda rock memorial

 

 Madhu waited long time to get this shot!

view of Vivekananda rock memorial from Thiruvalluvar statue

We spend almost 2hr to see the beautiful and shrine Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue.

  view of Vivekananda rock memorial & Thiruvalluvar statue from the beach

 Then went to have have lunch and planned to rest at lodge & go to see sunset. We didn't the exact place to see the sunset, asking for direction to sunset point we finally make it to that place, by the time we reach there sun was already covered with clouds. We spent some good time enjoying the soothing winds. 

After that we headed to Suchindrum Temple, which was 12km away. We reached there by 6pm, puja was being performed when we entered the temple.  The temple`s musical pillars and an excellent statue of the Hanuman are the main attraction. 

We went back, had dinner and went to bed early. 

Kanyakurmari-Rameshwaram bike ride -Day 4

Day 4: 02/11/2010
          Woke up early in the morning and got freshen up & went to 'Periyer Tiger Reserve' paid the entry fee and parked the vehicle in parking lot. Reach the ticket counter to found out that all tickets for morning boat ride is sold out, then thought of  going for trekking, but for trekking you have to book ticket near Ambadi Junction Info Centre. As the next ride was at around 10 am we thought why to waste time and planned to leave Thekkady. While we were returning back an auto driver told us about Elephant camp near by where we can do elephant ride.

woke up early(6am) for boat ride at periyar lake...reached ticket counter by 6:30...all ticket sold out...what next????? then this guy came up n gave info what u can do in Thekkady...!

Then we headed to Elephant Camp. Our elephant was getting ready for ride, mahout was clean the elephant.

ready for ride!

We took the shortest ride available that was for half-an hour. It took us through the estate perimeter one round. Elephant have pool where they are cleaned everyday.

early in the morning mahout cleaning his elephant

       After the elephant ride we went to take breakfast. Returned back to the home-stay and vacated the place and started towards Kanyakumari. The roads were in bad condition after the monsoon. After driving for around 30km we crossed the bad road and moved into good roads. Now we started descending and the weather was getting hotter. Oh we missed the chilled weather of the hills. By around 3 pm we reached Pathanamthitta almost covered 150km and stopped for lunch.

       Most time in this part we had to ask people for road direction. Now the tea estate has been replaced by rubber plantation estate. Most of the hills are covered with rubber trees. Once we reached Adoor and entered on to MC road, it was 4 lane road, newly built and in superb condition...you can easily hit 100km. But driving on this road was monotonous, we were missing the ghat roads where you are more careful looking out for the next curve. Sun was setting down and we were still to reach Trivandrum. by 6:30pm we reached Trivandrum. We planned to halt at this place but as kanyakumari was 90km away instead thought of driving for another 3hrs and reach our destination.

      The roads in Trivandrum were narrow, it took us almost 45mins catch the NH47 which will take us to Nagercoil. NH47 is one of the busiest road of south India, traffic density flowing in this road is too much to handle. 

Taking rest after riding in the busiest NH47 road ...u can't take ur eyes away from this road....if u want to come out safe!!!

After lot of struggle with the traffic we came across the Tamilnadu side of NH47 where the traffic was less compered to that of Kerala side NH47. We reached Nagercoil by 9:30pm and stopped for dinner. Kanyakumari was just 18km away from us. As the fuel was low, we tank up the bull and headed for Kanyakumari. Our luck run out just 4km away from Kanyakumari when 3rd time the rear tyre went flat. It was almost 10pm and all the shops were closed, getting it repaired was out of question. Then came the TN police vehicle, asked what we were doing here 1000km away from Bangalore, we told them that we were on photography tour of south India. The police officer told us to park the vehicle somewhere and go to Kanyakumari. Luckily one guy from Karnataka came to our help when he saw vehicle no plate and asked us to park the bull in-front of his house. We parked the bull near his house and got one auto who dropped us at Kanyakumari. Got a decent lodge near the beach side. By that time it was almost 12am. We were too tired and hit the bed to catch up the sunrise next morning.

Route : Thekkady-Kottarakkara-Trivandrum-Nagercoil-Kanyakumari

Distance Covered : 370KM

Kanyakurmari-Rameshwaram bike ride -Day 3

Day 3: 1st Nov
          Day started with sad note, saw the rear tyre flat once again. As it was early morning there is no chance of getting it repaired, so went to take breakfast. By 9:30 am we got hold of one puncture repair guy. Oh this guy has mobile puncture repair shop, carry everything on his bike. He patched the tube with out taking out the wheel and that too very easily. Just give a call and he will be at your service where ever you are stranded in middle of the road.
          It was almost 11am when started for Udumalapet. After driving for another 17 km we reached the forest check post gate of Indira Gandhi Nation park. The road inside the national forest is small but well maintained, few vehicles moves in this road, so most part in this road we were driving alone. Once again we were stopped by forest check post for checking near Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary. now gradually started driving up the western ghats towards Munnar. There lots of water fall everywhere you see but far way to be captured by camera.

view of distant waterfall

Slowly temperature was also decreasing, we can feel the clod wind. everywhere its greener with lots of vegetation. As we reached 3000m above sea level we can see tea estate everywhere.

tea estate surrounding every hills

never ending road!

  we were almost 30km away from Munnar took pit-stop for photoshot.  You will be mesmerize by the greenery everywhere you see. Most of the the hill are covered with tea plantation and eucalyptus tree plantation.

The Bull n the beautiful western ghats!

Near Eravikulam National park large number of tourist were present to see the nilgiri tahr, roads were packed with tourist vehicle seeing  all this we planned to straight head towards Munnar. Suddenly the hill was covered with fog and visibility dropped to few meters & temperature also dropped drastically now it was chilled climate. As we descended towards Munnar slowly we enter into the nice climate not too cold but the sky was covered with clouds. It was almost 3pm very hungry directly headed to take lunch at restaurant. 

     As we planned to stay the night at Thekkady, we started driving towards Devikulam. We were stopped by Kerala police for vehicle papers checkup. As all papers were clear except that i was caring photocopy of the RC book which was not attested by gazette officer, the officer asked pay fine. I told him all the reason why i was caring the photocopy, he said "only only.......Rs -100" you have to pay fine. After that we stopped 1km away from there for photo shot.

 

  Police stopped the Bull for checking papers

On the way to Devikulam, Oh! remember this place from 2007 new year trip, similar shot i have taken during that trip....not wanted to miss this one....waited long for the mist to clear.....finally got this shot. thanks to Madhu

Roads where very good with occasionally few pot holes. Once again we stopped for photo shot near the top of the hill. 

  mostly it was covered with fog

waited long for the mist clear to get a good snap.....but couldn't wait for long as the road ahead is mesmerizing.....!

 Now almost view of the valley was totally cover with fog, so decided to drive slowly enjoying the awesome road. On the way there were few small waterfalls

Got one good snap of one water wall.

 view of the waterfall

The state highway was well maintained by Kerala. This road was the best road to driving in western ghat. After 2 puncture you have intuition like the pressure is low, so after riding for more then 100km we were always check the tyre pressure. It was getting dark and still we have more distance to cover. We have to drive in night till Thekkady. As vehicle traffic was less it was easy to ride in night till our destination. We reached Thekkady by 8pm and checked in  Harita homestay. Then went to have dinner and night photo shot.

Coffee day Rest house....beautiful wood work....night time looks like a palace!

Madnavi retro coffee bar! .....love to walk on those street at night!

After a good dinner and good night walk with photo shot we went to bed. And already excited for the next day!

Route : Udumalapet - Munnar - Thekkady

Distance Covered: 250KM