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

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 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

Kanyakurmari-Rameshwaram bike ride-Day 2

Day 2: 31st Oct
          Good morning Pollachi, still cloudy and drizzling. Got freshen up and went to take breakfast. by 8:40am we started our journey towards Valparai.

General check up before starting

Reached the ghat section after driving for around 22km, 9am in morning hills are covered with clouds, couldn't take a single pic of Aliyar Dam as the view was blocked by fog.

most of the time it was covered by clouds

Once start climbing up for about 3km you will come to a Monkey fall, big water fall is there - be careful as the name suggest lots of monkeys are there near that place. Few of the monkey tried to open the saddle bag. So one has to guard the motorcycle while other went to see the fall. After driving for another 5km you will come to the starting point of 42 hair pin bend.

 

1 of the 42 hair-pin bend 

Still most part of the hills were covered by clouds couldn't see the beautiful landscape always heard about from friends. Driving slowly we crossed all the hair-pin bend. Its was awesome to ride in these ghats section. Traffic was less so we could enjoy riding slow and mesmerized by the nature. We stopped  near the tea estate to take snaps of Lion Tailed Macaque.

Stopped for taking photos, me & my bull taking rest, madhu chasing Lion-tailed Macaque - Valparai 8KM away

We couldn't take a good photo of Lion tailed macaque, as they were far away on the trees. Once we reached Valparai and asked few people for tourist places to visit near by area. As already we were running behind our planned schedule didn't wanted to waste much of the time so we headed towards suicide point. Why people always name a beautiful view point to suicide point? any hill station you go, you will find one suicide point. Now its greener everywhere because of tea plants. Every hill has been converted into tea estate.

on the way to view point

small house inside the tea estate

There was a temple at the view point - Nallmudai Punjolai. The priest was present when we reach there, he told us about the temple history and performed puja. You can see the border of Kerala from here. As it was cloudy there was no clear view. far away there few water fall.

View of distance waterfall from suicide point

By around 1:30pm we returned back to valparai and planned to head to Munnar. After driving for around 10km the rear tyre got puncture in middle of nowhere, we stopped one guy and asked for the puncture shop, he knew the guy in the puncture shop so he called and told the exact location where we were stranded. he told us that the guy will come in another 15 mins and once again it started drizzling. Waited there for the guy for 30 mins when he didn't turned up because of the rain, madhu walk 2km to reach the nearest communication point where he spoke once again with the mechanic he assured that he will come in 10 mins, but didn't came. Finally we decided to take out the rear wheel and take it to the nearest puncture repair shop. One middle age guy gave me lift till the puncture shop. Once the puncture was repaired once again took lift from a more guy who drop me till the point where the bull was parked. We place the rear wheel and are ready to roll. When ever you are going for long ride don't forgot to carry necessary tools with you! as in our case i was carrying all the tools except foot pump and puncture repair kit. So by 5pm we started from this place, on the way we stopped near Tiger hill view point for photo shot.

View of tiger Hills

View of tiger Hills 

 panoramic view of Tiger hills

It was getting dark when we got down the ghat section, our plan to reach Mannur was not possible so thought to stay in nearest town, then headed towards Udumalaipettai, reached the 8:30pm. Got a decent lodge on Udumalapet - Munnar  road. Had dinner in near by restaurant and went to bed.

Route: Pollachi - Valparai - Udumalapet
Distance Covered: 200KM