Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Lepakshi Temple bike ride

Day: Sunday - 09/01/11

First ride of the year 2011,     
       The plan was to ride to Lepakshi Temple, Hindupur in the morning which was about 120km away from Bangalore. Saturday night filled up the tank and check the air pressure of both the tyre and went to bed anxiously waiting for the night to over.
       Got up early in the morning and freshen up & called madhu to check out at what time he might be reaching my place. I packed up the tools and went to check out the bike. Oh god! to my surprise front tyre had gone flat, it was 6 am in the morning no chance of finding any puncture shop. Madhu reach after 10 mins, went to look out for any puncture might have open, shop owner had put a  board saying 9am to 9pm. Dejected came back and planned it to push it till the nearest petrol pump. Informed the gang that we will be joining on the way. filled the air in front tyre and checked if any leakage is there, air was leaking from the valve pin so filled more air and planned to get it repaired on the way.
       It was already 7am when we started from Ganganagar. We were 1 hr behind the schedule, so planned to ride slowly and join them near the breakfast point, Kamat-Chikaaballapur on NH 7. On the way we spotted one puncture shop open in morning for business, check the tyre and replaced the valve pin and all set to roll once again. The roads are totally covered with dense fog. The visibility in some places was very less, so driving around 30-40 km speed. The weather was too chilled to ride but were enjoying the fogy ride. In fogy roads people used to drive keeping blinker switched on, it feels like light bugs are flying and we were chasing them on our bull. As the traffic was less after crossing Devanahalli, i asked madhu if he wanted to ride the bull. He was very much interested to tame the bull. Slowly the fogy roads were clearing and were into the clear sky, sun kissing the skin softly. We were enjoying the sun warmth after the chilled weather. We reached Kamat Restaurant by 9:am, already all the bulls are parked in the parking lot, still few more bull on there way.

Bulls resting!

We were too much hungry after pushing the bull early in the morning for 2km, I order for 1 plate idli-vada, 2 vada and then kesari bath, now i was feeling fully satisfied. 
       Now everyone all set to started the ride, once again i checked the tyre pressure to make sure it was not leaking anymore. All the bull running in 2by2 formation, thundering the NH7 with there thumping sound.
Riding in  2by2 formation

After driving for another 40km, after crossing the RTO check-post take left turn for Lepakshi road. This road is small one so we formed single row once entered the road. Lepakshi temple was around 16km from the NH7 junction.
driving in single line
We reached Lepakshi Temple by 12pm, parked the bulls where ever we find space to park in the parking lot. 
Few snaps of Lepakshi Temple
After temple visit started back for lunch. On the way we stopped to take photo of the Nandi. 
Nandi
Once again we regrouped  and started our ride back to Kamat Restaurant. We reached the lunch point by 3pm. I ordered for north indian thali, it was good. After finishing lunch we gathered for photo shoot. 
group photo

Once the group photo shoot session was over, all were ready to hit the road. Once again we drove by forming 2by2 formation. Royal Knights official photographer - Navin will always goes ahead to look out for location from where he can take lovely pics. 
We reached near Hebbal flyover by 4:30pm, we stopped there for last meeting point before saying goodbye to fellow riders. We were very thirsty, i had 2 tender coconut to quench my thirst. After say goodbye to rest of the rider everyone move to there final destination- sweet home. We reached my place by 5:30pm, madhu was too tired so he planned to not to take rest and head back home. Years first ride was good but my ride without any misfortune can't be completed. Ah....eagerly waiting for the next ride!
See you soon!

Route: Bangalore-Chikkaballapur-Lepakshi Temple-Chikkaballapur-Bangalore
Distance Covered: 260KM