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 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 1

Long weekend was on the menu we have to take only 3 days leave on 2nd, 3rd & 4th Nov as 1st will be holiday on account of Karnataka Rajyotsav and 5th is Deepawali  and have 10 days in hand for the trip. Few friends were interested to join but due to unavoidable circumstances all dropped out of the plan, So finally me, my bull and madhu were ready for the 8 days biking through the western ghats till the southern most part of India, Kanyakumari.

This bike ride will become one of my longest bike trip i have done. As its going to be longest trip i carried necessary tools required to do basic maintenance job. 



Day 1: 30th Oct
          All the required things are packed into the saddle bag the previous night, tanked up the bull to full tank & was all set for the trip. I started from my room by 6am and reached at madhu's place by 6:30am as planned to had breakfast at madhu's house. Had plenty of idli's with hot samber.
          After pet puja we are all set for our bike trip. Inspected the bike for last time as all was good and ready to roll. By 7.50am we started our longest bike trip from bangalore. Passed Kanakapura town by 9:10am and reached our first pit stop after crossing Kaveri river.

125KM : First break after crossing Kaveri river near Kollegal. Refreshed our self with fresh sugarcane from the fields.

After 15 mins break once again we hit the road, now the roads are passing through villages won't feel like its a National Highway. Once we crossed Chamarajnagar and toched the western ghat we took second pit stop near Dhakam.

 230KM, 2nd Break, BR Hills, Starting of 21 hair pin bend, awesome view of BR Hills

The clouds were gathering when started to go down the hill, and it started raining.

Clouds ready to burst into rain

By the time we reach Sathyamangalam we were fully drenched in rain, rain stopped when we enter the town,stopped for lunch and had south indian thaali. As we had planned to halt at Valparai, we hit the road with out waste much time. Now its like where ever we are heading rain also follows us. By 4:30pm we reached Coimbatore, once again it started raining from here till Pollachi it rained cats & dogs, everywhere roads are flooded with rain water. Reached Pollachi by 6:30pm, as it was raining heavily we parked the bull inside hotel parking lot and took out the poncho & started searching for accommodation. It was like whole town of Pollachi was submerged in water, everywhere 1 feet deep water was running criss- cross for lower grounds. After searching for almost 1 hour got a decent lodge and unpacked the saddle bags and put the wet clothes for drying up. Got freshen up and headed to have dinner, outside still it was drizzling. After good light dinner it was timing for heading to bed.

Day 1 Route: Bangalore - Kanakapura - Chamrajanagar - Satyamangalam - Coimbatore - Pollachi
Distance Covered: 400km

Solo ride to Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram : Day 2

Day 2:
   Planned to woke up early in the morning to catch sunrise,but slept long and missed the sunrise. Went there for morning walk on M.G.Road, it was not crowded like the night time. The weather was cloudy, so couldn't capture the morning sun. 

view of old harbor

The beach after the old harbor is very dirty. Mostly is occupied by fishermen, people used this place for dumping all garbage, couldn't go because of it.

view of the beach

view of M.G Road

After finishing morning walk, went to room took bath and freshen up. Had breakfast at near by restaurant, then asked the road direction for Auroville. Auroville is 10km away from pondy. This was founded by Mother Mirra Alfassa, the chief disciple of Sri Aurobindo. This place was designed by the French architect Roger Anger. Matri mandir is the spiritual and a physical centre.  

Matri Mandir

Once again i met my college friend in Auroville, saw all the places inside Auroville. 

Infront of Matri mandir

After spending good time at Auroville, came back to Pondy by 11am and  planned to head to Mahabalipuram. I had heard lot about the ECR road, so decided to take the ECR road till Mahabalipuram. The road is well maintained, driving here is real pleasure. On the stopped for lunch, had chicken biryani.. it was yummy, forgot the restaurant name. Reached Mahabalipuram by 2:30, went to Panch Rathas.

 

Panch Rathas

Mahishasuramardini Mandapam

 

Light House

Shore temple

Mahabalipuram beach

   By evening almost visited all the places, then headed to Kachipuram. Reached Kanchipuram by 7:30, it started raining heavy- waited for the rain to stop by then it was already 8:30. Once rain stopped started searching for a lodge and got near the bus stand for Rs 250/- single bed room. Had dinner near the junction in Sri krishna hotel. by 10 pm went to bed.

Route: Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram

Distance Covered: 180KM

Solo ride to Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram : Day 1

Solo ride to Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram : Day 3

Solo ride to Chikmagalur- Sringeri -Agumbe: Day 1

Route: Bangalore-Kunigal-Hassan-Chikmangalur-Sringeri-Agumbe-Shimoga-Tumkur-Bangalore
Total distance covered:  810KM

After the first short ride experience with bullet, i wanted to take it to for a long ride; was waiting for a leave where i can get at least 3 days so that can cover all these places. And Diwali was the the perfect time where i got 3 days off. So everything was planned & packed for the ride, and ready to hit the road.

Day 1:
          Started from Bangalore early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic on NH 4 which goes to Mumbai, took left turn after Neelmangala into NH48 for Kunigal. The roads where in under construction for making it 4 lanes. Reached Kunigal at around 9:30am, had breakfast. then headed to Shravanabelagola, to see the 57 feet monolithic statue of the Bhagavan Gomateshwara Bahubali.

Shravanabelagola is one of the most important Jain pilgrim centers.

top view of the pond 

More snaps of Shravanabelagola

     Next destination was Halebidu, had lunch at Hassan and proceed towards Halebidu; roads from hassan to Halebidu was in good condition. reached Halebidu by 2:30 pm. The temple complex comprises two Hindu temples, the Hoysaleshawara and Kedareshwara temples. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of depictions from Hindu mythology, animals, birds and Shilabalikas.

Few of the snaps from Halibidu.

  Front view of the Temple

inside view 

 Nandi

More snaps of Halebidu

From here 16km away is Belur, main attraction is the Chennakesava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple and is surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple. 

rayagopuram

Chennakesava Temple

 

The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures of elephants, lions, horses, episodes from the Indian mythological epics, and sensuous dancers

More snaps of Belur

Left Belur & headed to Chikamangalur, needed to reached there before sunset & search from some accommodation. On the way stopped at Yagachi Dam. Reached Chikamangalur by 5pm, got a decent lodge,single bed with TV for Rs- 200. Had dinner by 9:30, saw a EPL match for hours and went to sleep.

Route : Bangalore - Kunigal - Hirisave - Shravanabelagola - Hassan - Halebidu -  Belur - Chikamaglur.

Distance covered : 330KM

Solo ride to Chikmagalur- Sringeri -Agumbe: Day 2

Solo ride to Chikmagalur- Sringeri -Agumbe: Day 3