Shivanasamudra

After 2 weeks of no rides finally planned to visit Hognekkal falls in Tamilnadu. People who were accompanying me were a little scared of the distance and wanted to choose a similar place which is a bit closer to Bangalore, so decided to go to Shivanasamudra. Did some research on it as we changed the destination on Friday. Just wanted to make sure about the road to be taken so as this was a day’s trip with amateur riders.

On D-day there were a total of 4 bikes and 7 riders. Meeting point was next to Karnataka bus stand on Mysore road. We started at 5:30 with quite a number of pit stops in between for refueling and nature calls. Finally took the first big break at 7 am for breakfast after crossing Chennapatnna village.

Reached the first point Gaganchukki falls at around 9:30. It was a splendid view even though there was less water in the falls. Nice view with humid weather and cloudy day. Left for the 2nd fall Barachukki, took us around 1 hour and a nice trek to reach that place.

After spending some time in the water it was finally time to go back. On the way back had some nice lunch at kamat food plaza on Mysore road before finally reaching home at 3:30 pm. A nice day spent with some good company.

Lepakshi

There was no plan for a weekend ride this time as I had my cousin visiting over on Saturday. Spent the whole day roaming in scorching sun , came home around 9ish. Tried sleeping but there were a lot of bloody mosquitos that spoiled my sleep. Got up in a hush at 3 am with lot of bloodsucker bites on my arms. Now as I was not able to sleep and getting bored decided to go to Lepakshi which was anyways on my mind. Thought about friends, but didn't find it suitable to wake guys up at 3 am. So took bath and left for office at around 4:30am. Had a look at the route and had breakfast.

                                                                     Miles to go .....

Left office and hit the road towards Old Madras at around 5:12 am and straight away took NH7 towards Hyderabad. It was a straight beautiful 4 laner till Bagepalli. Met couple of bikers on the way at kamat hotel. Did a quick photo session on the way and took almost 3 hours to reach Lepakshi.

The road condition was bad when we take a diversion from NH7 towards Hindupur. But with a 2 wheeler we can easily manage 60-80 kmph speed. As soon as we hit Lepakshi we are greeted by Basavanna(nandi), its a monolithic skulpture made out of single big rock and is now a heritage icon.

Went to the temple, it was cool even though it was hot outside. Spent around 30 mins, clicking pics and admiring the beauty of the architecture. Mind was all refreshed, but as it was getting hotter it was time to leave. Started from Lepakshi and did a non stop route back in 1:20 mins covering around 133 kms. Overall it was a good one dayer and completed it in overall 5:30 hours.

Bangalore – Yelahanka(25 km) – Chikaballapur(63 km) – Bagepalli(111 km) – Lepakshi (128km)

Chennai to Bangalore

After the tiring day with almost no sleep for more than 36 hours it was almost time to head back to Bangalore. The day was really interesting except for horrible heat and almost losing 2 kg’s after losing lot of body fluids in the form of sweat.

2:30 pm: The plan was simple, reach home ASAP via GQ crossing Vellore and Hosur on the way. Started after saying good bye to Praveen, took the road towards Punnamalai and was able to reach Chennai outskirts in less than 20 mins covering almost 22 kms from Adyar. I remember that yesterday the same distance took me almost 1:15 mins as I took the route through Chennai.

3:29 pm: Took my first break after crossing kanchi (1361 km). The road was almost empty with couple of trucks, but it was really hot and I was sweating even riding at 90-95 kms/hr constantly. So had a bottle of chilled water it was time to move. After couple of km’s there was a board towards Chitoor. As the 4 lane was real bore I decided to take the same route that I took yesterday morning.

4:35 pm: Crossed Chittor and it was again time for a short break. Had a glass of Orange Juice and moved on. The road was good and was ripping easily at 90 kmph even on a 2 lane. Overtaking kept me busy and didn’t feel bored at any time on this highway which was not the case on the 4 lane.

7:00 pm: Crossed Kolar and drove for almost 20 kms, I was almost exhausted. The road was also not good as 4 lane constructions were under way. Driving was getting touch with the lights and dust that was making the roads less visible. The icing on the cake was that there were a lot of diversions which were less visible with the lights falling in the eyes.

7:45 pm: Reached home and it was a big relief. There was a traffic jam because of a railway line near Chakkasandra just before Bangalore. Somehow managed to get out of it because of a 2 wheeler and the bike was at any given point of time above 80 kmph even in the city.

Over all it was a good weekend trip after a long time. Slept for only 4 hours in the last 50 hrs, rode with the bulls, owned my first riding jacket (speed and strength “devil in the details”) and my new pair of gloves (Fieldsheer air perforated).  Sorry no pics as I didnt want to waste any time before it got dark.


Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/vrksin7784/BangaloreTirupatiChennaiBangalore

Chennai (0 kms) -- Kanchipuram (71 kms) -- Chitoor (156 kms) -- Palamaner (195 kms) -- kolar (268 kms) -- Bangalore (334 kms)


Gear Used
------------
1. Jacket (speed and strength “devil in the details”)
2. Gloves (Fieldsheer air perforated)
3. Helmet (AGV)

A day with bulls!!!!!

A really tiring Saturday, riding from Bangalore to Tirupati and then to Chennai and again having party till 2:00am in the night will not allow you to wake up at 5:00 am and go for a morning ride. But will never regret this as I really enjoyed this trip. This was a day out with the Royal Enfield group “V 40”, around 9 riders turned out and it was me along with my knight in Chennai. The plan was to go and have some dirt track practice in one of the Farms near Chennai on the old Mahabalipuram road.

Something about the V40 group, this group was started by Royal Enfield to spread awareness of safe riding. This is based out of Chennai which includes employees or Royal Enfield as well. So it was a real nice thing to see lot of bulls at one place.

Started with 10 riders and 2 pillions and by the time I flexed my muscles we were already at the destination. It was merely 15 km’s on the highway. So first thing the riders did was to draw the track and then they did some high speed dirt riding.

Bull that got stuck...took around four guys to get it out of there :PPP

KD crashed but nothing wrong with the bull..that what you call "BULL POWER"

This day was interesting with few of the bulls getting stuck and ending with couple of crashes. We don’t see the sight with bull’s crashing when we are riding in the city. Saw couple of bull cowboys which is not an easy sight to see :P…..

Tirupati to Chennai

5:30 pm: Spent the whole day with Satya Srinivas bava who came back from US with my new Jacket (Speed and strength) and Gloves (Fieldsheer). I was very excited to see them, tried them and they were perfect fit. The day was pretty hot and I was almost sweating like pig. Had some heavy lunch at Mayur hotel and it was time to take some rest as I haven’t slept the whole night. Got up, everything was packed and it was time to leave. Left Tirupati and it was a straight road towards Chennai. This was my first time to Chennai, so was really excited.

8:00 pm: Crossed Puttur and Nagari on my way, these were the state highways but pretty good roads. The plan was to cover as much distance I can during sunlight as this was a 2 lane and didn’t want to cover a lot of distance after dark. Saw a sunflower garden on the way, so it was time for pics.

Took a break after riding for 110 kms and when enquired figured that I have reached Thiruvallur. This was bigger than I expected. The road between Tiruttani-thiruvallur was the most pathetic. Lot of pot holes with narrow roads and water source on one side of the road. These 22 kms almost ate up an hour of precious time. Had a bottle of cold Pepsi as I was really thirsty and was sweating as I didn’t remove the outer lining of my jacket.

10:00 pm: Finally reached Chennai Besant beach after riding for 4:30 hours in total and 1:15 mins in grueling traffic. It was hot even being 10 pm in the night and really humid. At this time Praveen came to pick me up and we went to Sachin’s (Royal Enfield Marketing manager) place. They were having a get together and they invited me as well.

Finally left there place at around 1:30 in night and went to Praveen’s room. I spent the night there as needed to leave by 6 am for a ride with V40 club started by Royal Enfield.

Tirupati (0.0 kms) -- Puttur (25 kms) -- Tiruttani (88.0 kms) -- Thiruvallur (110 kms) -- Chennai (164.9 kms)

Bangalore to Tirupati

5:10 am: Finished my office at 4:00 and rushed back home as I planned to leave at 5:00 sharp. Left home and took the old madras highway towards Hoskote. Road was real bumpy because of pot hole and lot of speed breakers, finally managed to cross Hoskote. The next point to cross was kolar and crossed it comfortably in 1:30 hrs, there is 4 lane construction going on so lot of diversions.

7:15 am: Saw a CCD and it was a real relief as I was really feeling sleepy due to night shift. Travelled for some 79 kms and took my first break. Had a cup of hot Cappuccino and it was time to leave as I was planning to hit Tirupati before it’s too hot. Then I figured that I have got my new camera and was supposed to take some pics. So here are some first pics using my new Nikon L110 long zoom camera.

9:00 am: Crossed Chittor at this time and I was on my planned time. Touched AP border (119 km) at 8:00 and it was a really good feeling. Now I can talk to locals in Telugu and can find some nice movie hoardings with some known faces. Crossed Palamaner(8:15) on my way to Chitoor, the roads were amazing on the way and was able to cover 105 kms in less than one and a half hour. The bike was new so preferred to keep the speeds under 85kmph. The 6-7 kms before Chitoor was real bad as you leave the Chennai highway and we need to take a left turn towards Tirupati.


10:40 am: Finally reached my cousin’s place in Bhavani nagar (Tirupati). Took the detour at Chittoor towards Tirupati and the road was really good.The bike was a real heard turner with people staring at the bike in traffic. There was a patch that was bad in between but can be managed on a 2 wheeler.


Bangalore (Indiranagar) (0 KM) -- Hoskote (30 KM) -- Kolar (62 KM) -- Palamaner (141 KM) -- Chitoor (184 KM) -- Tirupati (256 KM)