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I was longing for a long ride outside Bangalore since last few months. Lot of work pressure and weekends was not sufficient for me to relax. Wanted to ride out alone and no group riding this time. There was a long weekend with 30th April taking an off and MAY DAY i had total of 4 days in hand to ride and freak out. This time i did not want to ride out with the destination in mind, instead direction in mind. Did not plan anything in advance and did not know where i am riding also. All that was running in mind was i have to ride and ride until i am back to normal and did not want this Bangalore life. Wanted some peace and since i love nature a lot thought of relaxing in the nature.
Whole of Friday was in confusion and geared up for the ride. Instead of my usual style of night riding this time i decided to start early in the morning. Started off from my room at 06:30am on 28th April after a customary calling to my dad and seeking his blessings. During all my rides i call my dad and say that i am starting and all that he says is "OK, ride safe and inform me when you take a break".
Soon i head to shell petrol bunk in Mysore road and do a tank up of my Thunderbird and head off towards mysore. I initially thought of having breakfast at Bidadi and then when i reached Bidadi it was too early for breakfast and i kept on riding. It was not so enjoyable ride for me as there was usual traffic in Mysore road. Crossed Chennapatna and then i had already started feeling hungry. Stopped at KAMAT UPACHAR after Chennapatna and there was huge crowd of 4 wheelers and tourists, The guard at the parking lot guided me to the empty space and i parked my Thunderbird there. The place was so calm and early morning breeze was so awesome and mind blowing.
My Thunderbird parked at a calm place
The parking lot for 2 wheelers
As i walk towards the hotel i get undivided attention from other tourists at the hotel and staring at me, they might be thinking what is this guy wearing a jacket, knee guards, buff, gloves and riding boots and walking inside the hotel. I find a single seat at the corner and settle down. Ordered Idly and Vada along with a cup of coffee and i was done with the breakfast for the day.
This is how i was at breakfast point.
Soon people where gathering and giving me a look as if i have landed from a different world. I did not want to waste time and started off, Crossed Mandya and suddenly flashes that what am i doing? Simply riding in the same old route and i am already fed up of riding in Mysore road for so many years. Instantly thought of riding to Keretonnur and took right diversion off the Mysore road. Reached Pandavapura and then rode to Tonnur Lake.There is a diversion board mentioned clearly and one cannot miss this sign. The road passes through village and sugarcane fields. The roads are single lane and tarmac is good without potholes.
Once i was on the lake bed removed the riding jacket as i was sweating like anything. Took off the riding shoes and went into the water and cooled myself. The water was so cool and i was forgetting myself with the nature, This is exactly what i was looking for, No soul to be found around in the surrounding and i was sitting and playing in the waters. After some time i was feeling fresh and then decided to ride off.
The view of the lake
My Thunderbird resting at the Lake
My Skull Protector posing for the photograph
Soon i was heading towards Mysore and reached Srirangapatna and decided to freak out at the railway level crossing.
The road ahead of me
Soon the guard came chasing me asking what i was doing and i was laughing thinking what would have been running in his mind!
The roads from Srirangapatna to Elvala is country roads and passes through few streams and paddy fields. It was pure bliss riding at a usual speed in the roads surrounded with greenery and cool breeze. The weather god was in favour of me.
Reached Elvala and stopped for a break. This is the place where the ARMY training centre is coming up and recently has got a huge fame. People where busy with their own work at the fields and i was happily watching them. Saw few vendors selling the mangoes in the state highway and stopped for a photo break.
King of fruits kept for sale
I headed off towards Madikeri and reached my place at Suntikoppa where my dad is working and said Hi to him. He was asking where i am heading next and i seriously did not have an answer. All that i said him is will be back on 01st May and i am off now. Rode towards Madikeri and then took Mangalore road. The roads from Madikeri is newly laid and the corners are riders paradise now. Kept on taking corners after corners and i enjoyed to the max.
The corners
There was ZERO traffic on this road as not many are aware that the road is open for public now. This stretch between Madikeri and Sulya was closed since December 2011 for road widening progress. I reach Sulya and still not clear where i am heading to. Kept on riding and soon i reach Jalsoor( the diversion towards Kerala). Instantly i take the roads leading to Kasaragod in Kerala and the decision was worth it. The roads passes through the bank of river PAYASWINI on one side and other side a state reserve forest. The tarmac was fresh and i kept on riding. Entered KERALA border and soon i see a new hanging bridge which is built across river Payaswini. I make no mistakes and pull the Thunderbird to a halt and go out to check the bridge. This concept of bridge is very interesting for me since childhood and like a small kid i jump in the bridge.
I ride to the other side of the village and check out with the villager there for a night stay. He was so kind and gave me shelter. He was so kind and was more interested to know about me and my ride. He said he had IND SUZUKI 100 cc bike in the late 80's and was a riding freak during that time. I change the clothes and come to the river to play. The water level was low and was very cool. After spending a lot of time in the river and speaking with the gentleman we call off for the day.
Next day i wake up at 06 am and after a bath in the river i ride towards Kasaragod and once i reached i decide of visiting MADHUR SRI MADANTHESHWARA TEMPLE. I ride to the temple and after offering prayers i return back to Kasaragod. I was actually thinking of visiting BEKAL FORT and as i reach Kasaragod there is a strike/Hartal from CPIM party and i witness a huge road block. This motivated me to an extent and called off the plan. Instead i stick on to NH66(formerly NH17) and head towards MANGALORE. This was a crazy road and oncoming traffic was killer. Reached Mangalore and i call up my cousin for a quick meet. After a short and sweet meet i decide to ride out somewhere and not to stay in Mangalore. As usual a customery visit to IDEALS ice cream parlour and fill my stomach and after meeting few of my close friends i decide to ride out of Mangalore. I head towards Bangalore and the roads are 2 laned now and i decide to check the top end of the Thunderbird. Soon i reach B C Road and kept on riding overtaking the vehicles. Since this was a known road for me i was riding constantly over 90kmph.
I was riding lock throttle from Mangalore on May 1st heading to Bangalore on the newly laid 4 way road. Was nearing B C Road (25 Km from Mangalore towards Bangalore) and i overtake a KSRTC bus heading to PUTTUR(The blue color bus in the pic). I overtake at around 80kmph and i see this in front of my eyes
For 2 sec i remembered all god's, dad, mom,relatives, friends,and what not!!! Sudden drastic downshifting and braking bringing the Thunderbird to control and i did not want to cause obstruction to the vehicles following me!( But at that moment the reaction was instant). I slow down only to realize that this bloody truck is being towed in reverse direction by other truck and it is not coming in front of me! Somehow got my dear life back and clicked this pic with shaky hands. Pulled the Thunderbird to a near by shady place, had water and relaxed for few minutes before riding. My heart was popping out of my mouth when i suddenly saw this truck on my way that too in divided road with cloth covering the windshield and heading towards me!!!
This is how the bloody truck was being towed.
After gulping water and tendercoconut i head towards Uppinangadi on the Bangalore highway and reach Gundya. This time i did not have luck and i spend my night in the Forest checkpost at GUNDYA. The guards at the checkpost were cordial and i kept on speaking with them after having food i venture into the shiradi ghats forest for a small walk along with the person from the nearby shop. After a walk in the forest and listening to the owl's and some insect come back to the forest guard shed and sleep in the wooden bench. No bed, no blanket, no pillows. Just a wooden bench along with the mat and i fall into a sound sleep. Was awake in the middle as the shed was close to the highway and vehicle sound was little disturbing.
Wake up at 5 am and after taking bath in the nearby well i thank the guards for providing me shelter for a night and i decide to ride out to Madikeri to spend some time with my dad as promised, Reached Puttur and then the road condition is pretty bad as the widening is in progress. Reach home at around 10 am. Decided to ride to CHIKLIHOLE reservoir which is 20 km from my place.
Do a small ride with dad inside the estate and in the evening go the near by river to spend some time.
The road in front of my house
Decided to give Thunderbird a wash in the river
Haradoor bridge.The old bridge is built in 1940's by the British and still it is very strong. The entire region gets submerged in the rainy season due to the backwaters of HARANGI dam in Kushalnagar. The view when the old bridge is submerged is fantastic. It looks like a sea and damn i have to wait till post August to get that look now
My dad relaxing in the evening at haradoor riverbed.
We return back to home and i try my hands on photography.
After spending 3 days in peace and enjoying the mother nature it was disheartening for me to bid bye to dad and come back to Bangalore for work. In the mean time i thought of visiting CHIKLIHOLE reservoir along with appa which is 20 km from my place.
The gates of the reservoir
EKKA PLANT at the reservoir
With the freshness of finding some peace and a heavy heart to come back to Bangalore i started from Suntikoppa at 3:45 am and reached Bangalore at 8:00 am on 2nd May 2012.
Thus, a ride to nowhere with no destination was accomplished by visiting few places, spending nights at unkown people and places and riding the heart out along with the scariest experience will remain in my memory forever.
Now time to ride out somewhere again and saddle is UP.
Cheers
Lonely Rider
Whole of Friday was in confusion and geared up for the ride. Instead of my usual style of night riding this time i decided to start early in the morning. Started off from my room at 06:30am on 28th April after a customary calling to my dad and seeking his blessings. During all my rides i call my dad and say that i am starting and all that he says is "OK, ride safe and inform me when you take a break".
Soon i head to shell petrol bunk in Mysore road and do a tank up of my Thunderbird and head off towards mysore. I initially thought of having breakfast at Bidadi and then when i reached Bidadi it was too early for breakfast and i kept on riding. It was not so enjoyable ride for me as there was usual traffic in Mysore road. Crossed Chennapatna and then i had already started feeling hungry. Stopped at KAMAT UPACHAR after Chennapatna and there was huge crowd of 4 wheelers and tourists, The guard at the parking lot guided me to the empty space and i parked my Thunderbird there. The place was so calm and early morning breeze was so awesome and mind blowing.
My Thunderbird parked at a calm place
The parking lot for 2 wheelers
As i walk towards the hotel i get undivided attention from other tourists at the hotel and staring at me, they might be thinking what is this guy wearing a jacket, knee guards, buff, gloves and riding boots and walking inside the hotel. I find a single seat at the corner and settle down. Ordered Idly and Vada along with a cup of coffee and i was done with the breakfast for the day.
This is how i was at breakfast point.
Soon people where gathering and giving me a look as if i have landed from a different world. I did not want to waste time and started off, Crossed Mandya and suddenly flashes that what am i doing? Simply riding in the same old route and i am already fed up of riding in Mysore road for so many years. Instantly thought of riding to Keretonnur and took right diversion off the Mysore road. Reached Pandavapura and then rode to Tonnur Lake.There is a diversion board mentioned clearly and one cannot miss this sign. The road passes through village and sugarcane fields. The roads are single lane and tarmac is good without potholes.
Once i was on the lake bed removed the riding jacket as i was sweating like anything. Took off the riding shoes and went into the water and cooled myself. The water was so cool and i was forgetting myself with the nature, This is exactly what i was looking for, No soul to be found around in the surrounding and i was sitting and playing in the waters. After some time i was feeling fresh and then decided to ride off.
The view of the lake
My Thunderbird resting at the Lake
My Skull Protector posing for the photograph
Soon i was heading towards Mysore and reached Srirangapatna and decided to freak out at the railway level crossing.
The road ahead of me
Soon the guard came chasing me asking what i was doing and i was laughing thinking what would have been running in his mind!
The roads from Srirangapatna to Elvala is country roads and passes through few streams and paddy fields. It was pure bliss riding at a usual speed in the roads surrounded with greenery and cool breeze. The weather god was in favour of me.
Reached Elvala and stopped for a break. This is the place where the ARMY training centre is coming up and recently has got a huge fame. People where busy with their own work at the fields and i was happily watching them. Saw few vendors selling the mangoes in the state highway and stopped for a photo break.
King of fruits kept for sale
I headed off towards Madikeri and reached my place at Suntikoppa where my dad is working and said Hi to him. He was asking where i am heading next and i seriously did not have an answer. All that i said him is will be back on 01st May and i am off now. Rode towards Madikeri and then took Mangalore road. The roads from Madikeri is newly laid and the corners are riders paradise now. Kept on taking corners after corners and i enjoyed to the max.
The corners
There was ZERO traffic on this road as not many are aware that the road is open for public now. This stretch between Madikeri and Sulya was closed since December 2011 for road widening progress. I reach Sulya and still not clear where i am heading to. Kept on riding and soon i reach Jalsoor( the diversion towards Kerala). Instantly i take the roads leading to Kasaragod in Kerala and the decision was worth it. The roads passes through the bank of river PAYASWINI on one side and other side a state reserve forest. The tarmac was fresh and i kept on riding. Entered KERALA border and soon i see a new hanging bridge which is built across river Payaswini. I make no mistakes and pull the Thunderbird to a halt and go out to check the bridge. This concept of bridge is very interesting for me since childhood and like a small kid i jump in the bridge.
I ride to the other side of the village and check out with the villager there for a night stay. He was so kind and gave me shelter. He was so kind and was more interested to know about me and my ride. He said he had IND SUZUKI 100 cc bike in the late 80's and was a riding freak during that time. I change the clothes and come to the river to play. The water level was low and was very cool. After spending a lot of time in the river and speaking with the gentleman we call off for the day.
Next day i wake up at 06 am and after a bath in the river i ride towards Kasaragod and once i reached i decide of visiting MADHUR SRI MADANTHESHWARA TEMPLE. I ride to the temple and after offering prayers i return back to Kasaragod. I was actually thinking of visiting BEKAL FORT and as i reach Kasaragod there is a strike/Hartal from CPIM party and i witness a huge road block. This motivated me to an extent and called off the plan. Instead i stick on to NH66(formerly NH17) and head towards MANGALORE. This was a crazy road and oncoming traffic was killer. Reached Mangalore and i call up my cousin for a quick meet. After a short and sweet meet i decide to ride out somewhere and not to stay in Mangalore. As usual a customery visit to IDEALS ice cream parlour and fill my stomach and after meeting few of my close friends i decide to ride out of Mangalore. I head towards Bangalore and the roads are 2 laned now and i decide to check the top end of the Thunderbird. Soon i reach B C Road and kept on riding overtaking the vehicles. Since this was a known road for me i was riding constantly over 90kmph.
I was riding lock throttle from Mangalore on May 1st heading to Bangalore on the newly laid 4 way road. Was nearing B C Road (25 Km from Mangalore towards Bangalore) and i overtake a KSRTC bus heading to PUTTUR(The blue color bus in the pic). I overtake at around 80kmph and i see this in front of my eyes
For 2 sec i remembered all god's, dad, mom,relatives, friends,and what not!!! Sudden drastic downshifting and braking bringing the Thunderbird to control and i did not want to cause obstruction to the vehicles following me!( But at that moment the reaction was instant). I slow down only to realize that this bloody truck is being towed in reverse direction by other truck and it is not coming in front of me! Somehow got my dear life back and clicked this pic with shaky hands. Pulled the Thunderbird to a near by shady place, had water and relaxed for few minutes before riding. My heart was popping out of my mouth when i suddenly saw this truck on my way that too in divided road with cloth covering the windshield and heading towards me!!!
This is how the bloody truck was being towed.
After gulping water and tendercoconut i head towards Uppinangadi on the Bangalore highway and reach Gundya. This time i did not have luck and i spend my night in the Forest checkpost at GUNDYA. The guards at the checkpost were cordial and i kept on speaking with them after having food i venture into the shiradi ghats forest for a small walk along with the person from the nearby shop. After a walk in the forest and listening to the owl's and some insect come back to the forest guard shed and sleep in the wooden bench. No bed, no blanket, no pillows. Just a wooden bench along with the mat and i fall into a sound sleep. Was awake in the middle as the shed was close to the highway and vehicle sound was little disturbing.
Wake up at 5 am and after taking bath in the nearby well i thank the guards for providing me shelter for a night and i decide to ride out to Madikeri to spend some time with my dad as promised, Reached Puttur and then the road condition is pretty bad as the widening is in progress. Reach home at around 10 am. Decided to ride to CHIKLIHOLE reservoir which is 20 km from my place.
Do a small ride with dad inside the estate and in the evening go the near by river to spend some time.
The road in front of my house
Decided to give Thunderbird a wash in the river
Haradoor bridge.The old bridge is built in 1940's by the British and still it is very strong. The entire region gets submerged in the rainy season due to the backwaters of HARANGI dam in Kushalnagar. The view when the old bridge is submerged is fantastic. It looks like a sea and damn i have to wait till post August to get that look now
My dad relaxing in the evening at haradoor riverbed.
We return back to home and i try my hands on photography.
After spending 3 days in peace and enjoying the mother nature it was disheartening for me to bid bye to dad and come back to Bangalore for work. In the mean time i thought of visiting CHIKLIHOLE reservoir along with appa which is 20 km from my place.
The gates of the reservoir
EKKA PLANT at the reservoir
With the freshness of finding some peace and a heavy heart to come back to Bangalore i started from Suntikoppa at 3:45 am and reached Bangalore at 8:00 am on 2nd May 2012.
Thus, a ride to nowhere with no destination was accomplished by visiting few places, spending nights at unkown people and places and riding the heart out along with the scariest experience will remain in my memory forever.
Now time to ride out somewhere again and saddle is UP.
Cheers
Lonely Rider
.
barring Sethukarai 
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