RazorsEdge

It all started with an urge to do something, go someplace in the series of long weekends that lay before me.
I had been mulling the idea of doing a bike trip to some place. Did a lil bit of research and found out places close to bangalore. Its really amazing what googling can do. The long weekend was fast approaching. So here is the full bit of my first trip. Apologies if its a bit long though.

19th Sep 09.
I did discuss the idea of a bike trip with the pals i usually hang out with. A trip on sunday, the 20th.
Some of them did not have the 21st off and some could not make due certain constraints. However, the stubborn lil twit that I am decided that i would do it alone if required. Later at night, I did call up my cousin, and asked him if he was interested. He definitely was. He has been in banglore for a few decades and does know Kannada well, which would be a boon of sorts. Considering the only lil bit of Kannada I know is "Kannada Gothiilla" or I do not know kannada. He asked me to come over right away. Had almost stepped out until a strong downpour made sure that i did not attempt a Trip at 11 PM from BTM Layout to Iskcon Temple.
We decided that we would start only in the morning.

20th Sep 09.
I leave my place at about 7.15 in the morning. Blame the delayed start on the chilly wet weather in Blore.
Reached Iskcon Temple by about 8 AM. My Aunt wanted us to have Tea before we proceeded with the Trip. She was very nervous and admitted that as well. My uncle had just returned from the temple. And About 8.45 AM we kick Started our bikes.
By the Way I drive a Passion Plus and My cousin came along in my Uncles's Discover 135.

First Stop: Shell Petrol Pump at Iskcon Temple. Both of us had tanked up and were ready to go. My cousin, Sreejith then finds out that the papers arent in the bike. Uncle had taken it out on account of the really heavy downpour last night. Got the papers and we finally got going. It was 9 AM. Delayed Start, but one nevertheless.
There are two Routes to Shivasamudram. One Via Mysore Road and the Other Via Kanakpura Road. We did read that one needed real offroading skills to get there via Kanakpura, Hence we stuck to Mysore Road. It was all tarmac.

The Route was Bangalore - MAddur - Mallavalli - Shivasamudram.
We decided that if we had time we would see more places.

We did keep our steady speed of 65 to 70 Kph, Since 100cc bike drivers should know their limits. Did find that the Vibes of the engine werent too noticeable and hence decided to stick to that speed.
We were reminded of how dangerous and deadly Mysore road could be. We did see a couple of mangled wrecks before us. One was so bad that we could only make out the the vehicle was a Qualis from the remains of the grill. Save that, there was nothing left on the chassis. Decided to leave that behind and got on with the motoring.
The steady hum of the Low Capacity single cylinder engines, was driving us forward. 50 Kms down the road, into Ramnagara. The Village where Sholay was shot. On the SH 17 we did see some interestingly shaped rock formations. One of them which would look like a rip off of Table Mountain in Blomfontein in SA (Which is the right next to the Cricket Stadium).
Both of us got down and took a few pics of it. We could almost imagine Gabbar Singh Amongst the Hills and say "Kitney Aadmi they".
We then Decided to head on.

Past Ramnagara and thru Chennapattana. Was a bit crowded since the Highway is flanked by the market on either side. We then motored along steadily past the seemingly long line of KSRTC buses. Next Stop Maddur.

MAddur - The Last major eating spot in the route to Shivasamudra. Take your pick i would say. Since you have everything from Kamat's to Coffee day and Barista all in a 2 Km Strip on either side. We opted for Kamat.
We where overwhelemed by the rush of tourists there. A couple of idlis and a coffee later. We were off again.

We confirmed directions from the Hotel and Headed on. It was 10.30 AM.
Onward to Byrapatna and beyond. We did stop to check for directions. Took a Left off SH 17 towards Malavalli Village.

Found the Road to be in Stupendous Condition in bits and was patched up for most bit. It wasnt disconcerting at all though. The Scenary was breath taking and we did stop for a few snaps.
We did see a lot of vehicle movement towards the Waterfall Direction. Suddenly out of nowhere, another Discover joins us. He keeps pace with us Constantly. He kept on our heels till about 20 Kms from the Falls, where he took a right to what the sign board said Dindigul 320 KMs.
We kept our steady pace and Finally made it to the Summit at 12.15 PM.

The falls were magnificant with the monsoons on in quite a high.
12 45 PM - A few photos and a sip of soft drinks later we decided to head to Talakad, which houses the Cauvery Delta. We rode back towards Malavalli. Had the route the confirmed with a few local residents and we were off.
We remembered seeing a sign which said Talakad 32 Kms.
Saw the sign and took a left. For about 5 to 6 KMs the tarmac and the twists were simply out of a racecourse. Silverstone any one?
Then roads right out of a horror movie. We did see the signs of how rain can affect roads. Not to mention how the local administration views them. We went slow at first 20 KPh odd. Somehow we werent quite happy with the proceedings. The cars that were on their way there were doing about 15 Kph. Hit a level patch of road and both of us decided to brave it, since we wouldnt be making good time with getting back. We suddenly discovered our innate ability to be motocross and supercross riders and we were belting down those non existant roads at about 40 to 45KPh.

We then realised that our bikes, were up to it. Both of us being engineers gave a silent salute to the amazing resilience of these frugal gas burners.

After a lot of moving, shaking, rocking and rolling we reached Talakad.
Spell bound to see the cauvery in full flow. It left us wondering, with so much water out there, why where two states squabbling over the river. There is enough for every one. Had a quick snack and decided to head back. We werent ones who would be jumping into the river. There were several families in the water. Ohh, you do have some local residents out there. Primates and Several of them.
We felt sorry for those low riding sedans parked there. Am quite sure the chassis and suspension would have taken a beating.

2.30 PM - We looked at the faces of the stream of visitors and found that many were quite fresh and had not really looked like they had been put into a blending jar. It struck us; Alternate route out to SH 17!!

We looked at the fuel Gauge. Both bikes almost showing full tank !!!
We did ask the villagers about the alternate route. They did manage to confuse us. Finally we did find out the route. Still in Motocorss Mode. The Roads were better marginally though, but level. Still stuck to our game plan and stuck to the task. Drove Right past the flood plain and was stunned to see the green of paddy cultivation. It was the most amazing shade of green out there. More snaps on the way.

Finally at about 3.15 PM we managed to reach SH 17. We celebrated a moment since we had managed to end our motocross session without any damages to body and Bike.
Onward Ho... We were keeping up at 70 KPH and Wanted to reach maddur to eat again.
Disaster struck !!
20 Kms on in the Highway. I hear a very loud noise. My bike had its exhaust pipe cut. Darn, It was louder than the Autos in Blore and is not a pleasant sound to bear up with . Reached Maddur with one helluva noisy engine. Ate at Kamats again . 4 PM.
Enquired with the local staff told us that there is a workshop in Chennapatana. Sped on. Three Garages later, we found one that told us the silencer was cut. Phew!! that was relief. Found a welding shop with a great deal of hankering.

4.30 PM. The Silencer is removed. Suddenly a fight breaksout near the Bike and the repair guy & another fella get to blows and one falls on my bike. I stand petrified!!
Thank fully the bike stands tall and no damage ...

Takes an hour to get the whole thing fixed up and costs me just 60 Bucks.
5.30 PM - Back on the road and our plans of a stopover at Kanva reservoir goes flushed down the drain.
Keeping steady pace we are back in Bangalore at 7.30 PM. Stop over for a snack at Vijayanagar, before heading to mahalakshmi layout.
At home at 8.30 PM.

And thats it !!
Total Distance Clocked: 348 KMS.
Camera - Nikon Coolpix L14
Photos are available at - http://www.flickr.com/photos/42734633@N05/

My silencer still needs to be fit properly. And if can read my instrumentation on the bike correctly. I still should have 2/3rds of the Tank still full.
At times we felt we could use some extra horses for the engine, but then could faired bikes take the punishment that we put our machines through, am not sure. We are very thankful that we did manage with only a minor glitch.
Best of all - Another long weekend is round the corner and we have another cousin who will be joining us. The Only question is to Where...

Aryan

Topic Approved.

__________________
...in search of that perfect world - My Travel Blog :)

JOSH5898

great pics dude ... the place looks awesome.. guess i already have a new place to visit pretty soon.

__________________
www.ultimatebikes.in

RazorsEdge

Thanks Dude..
You would love to rip on the almost empty stretch to Sivasamudram, esp the last 25 KM .
If we had bigger bikes, we would have top ended it for sure !!

psycobiker

The dates in the log need a change.. Man, we still cant travel in future!!!

RazorsEdge

Thanks for input mate..
Will change the date right away..
Wonder what was i thinking though, about the dates.

moeed

Nicely written log and wonderful photos there!