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**sunilg** · 02-09-2012, 09:18 AM

Moving the travelogue to "off-topic" section as the travelogue section is strictly for travelogues on the bikes.

But looking forward to read your travelogue in the cage.

Approved.

**thegame0012** · 02-09-2012, 09:29 AM

thanks Sunilg for quick approval.

**Rahul.Gvli** · 02-09-2012, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by thegame0012 View Post

Why road suddenly vanished once we were crossing the border of AP to karnataka ? Strange

Nice one...

**thegame0012** · 02-09-2012, 03:12 PM

Day 1 -> Chennai - Chitoor - Ananthpur - Bellary - Torangulu - Hampi

So final plan was set by me.

Route map

It was a rough plan as none of us have travelled in that route before and most of the time calculation was done by asking other people who travelled on that route already. I asked everyone to pack their bags and be ready on Friday morning.

Waiting outside Sriram's House

At Ananth's house

As planned, we were able to leave Chennai by 05:30 AM and were on highway cruising at 120 kmph. By 07:00 we were at Ranipet and sipping TEA at road side.

Steve searching for some snacks which will go good with Tea

Tea break at Chitoor

It was all 2 lane road from there onwards, which means, slower speed and more concentration for an armature driver like me. We reached Chitoor around 08:15 AM and had some nice Idlies for breakfast which was really filling and gave enough energy to tackle the problems which will be coming face to face later in our trip for which we never thought of when planning for the trip.

That Red chutenny was HOT as hell - welcome to Andhra

That Hotness didn't stop us to eat fully - very decent food for very optimum price !!!

A small talk after the food

A break some where after Ananthpur

One of the last greenery patch we have seen that day.

It was nice drive and scenic view at both side of the roads. But suddenly things changed upside down. We slowly entered more dry lands and open roads with less traffic and more deserted land at both the sides.
Some coconut water to cool ourself down - that was some hot climate at that time of year - wooohhh !!!

We drove many Kilometers before spotting a living being say a man or a Dog. Climates changed from bad to worse and Dryness of the road and of the air increased tremendously.

Road JAM - it was such a pain to take a detour - thanks to Dinesh who brought us out of the town limits by his mother tongue influence

We all wanted to have some lunch but we were not so hungry, so we planned to push and then take food straight at Hampi around 05:00 PM which proved to be the worst decision of ours in that whole trip. We left Anantpur around 02:00 PM after having a small TEA and Omelet break and pushed towards Bellary. It was another 100 kms and road was very deserted and climate was hot and dry.

That Omlete tasted much better then it looks - seriously

12k Done - not bad !!!

Road was 2 lane but it was smooth and fun to drive, we were maintaining a good average of 80 kmph throughout. Suddenly there was a place when road take a dip and we see ourself standing at the top of a hill. We could see 100 sq miles of area with naked eyes.

One of the best view we had that day - awesome !!!

sriram with Green Figo surrounded by Red Soil

Red Soil all around

This is what happened when we entered Karantaka from AP - road suddenly disappeared

Now the bad part starts. We were our way to Bellary and road conditions was getting worst and so does our speed. Figo is a good hatchback but with load of 5 grown man and boot full of luggage, it was scrapping its belly on almost all the speed breakers and pot holes. We decided to drive slow as light was slowly getting low and we were entering high traffic zone.

Steve and Ananth in action

Don't miss the road abrubtly ending at the border

Bellary was a just like any other small town with un ending traffic and honks. We crossed the town after topping up with diesel and started our last and most difficult part of whole journey which was of 70 Kms.
Sunset some where near Bellary

Industrial City of Torangullu

From Bellary to Torangulu, it was completely 2 lane road and it was filled with maniac lorry drivers and restless bus drivers. Being very conscious , there was 2 narrow escapes which could have been fatal. Once we were nearing Torangulu, the city made by Jindal Steel works, things were not looking good. Roads were filled with Mining Lorries which are running on those roads like F1 cars. Speedy Lorries in high beam + Roads full of pot holes + un countable Speed breakers and all this after 13 hours of driving and 550 kms. Slowly we crossed the industrial city after almost 2 hours and joined a decent road to Hospet which will take us to Hampi. I was completely exhausted after riding nonstop in mayhem traffic for last 3 hours; I was feeling like parking the car at side and take a nap but Hampi was just 30 kms from there. I could see only Lorries on that road and no other vehicle came face to face for kms. I saw a Lorry driver driving in decent speed stopping properly at all the speed breakers. I started following him keeping a good distance in between and came to the place where we have to take a left from main road to Hampi. It was 12 kms of spooky ride as there was not a single animal, man or night birds were visible. Roads were narrow but good. It took us 20 mins to cover that dark side of the road patch to join the civilization at Hampi. We quickly found a guest house and dumped our belongings and came out for food. We were told to go to Mango Tree for the food but we were too tired to travel any further. We ordered some food at local restaurant and was provided food which was nowhere near to the worst food experience I had in long time. We somehow ate some of those stuffs and returned back to the rooms.

Please avoid eating at this place at any cost - its a request

having food - good or bad

We were too tired and were planning to sleep but nice climate and whole day of travel left us with lot to discuss. Talk went on for next day plans and things we could have avoided on our way to Hampi. Few lesson learnt and we all went to sleep ready to explore Hampi next day.

Day 2 to continue ...

**aargee** · 02-09-2012, 03:25 PM

Quite interesting to read TG0012; I'm waiting for part 2 eagerly.

**I.S.Avinash** · 02-09-2012, 04:40 PM

Wow Awesome Trip long waiting for Day 2 to continue

**Jerrin** · 02-10-2012, 12:20 AM

Nice pics.

**bikerfas** · 02-12-2012, 12:23 AM

Good to see the Log buddy !! Keep it coming

Announcement

The 'Rich' city of Ruins - Hampi

[Photo Feature]: The 'Rich' city of Ruins - Hampi

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