This was my second ride to Gopalaswamy Betta from Bangalore and I would call it the best ride till now in my short biking life.



Now the first ride to Gopalaswamy Betta was around two months back. Ironically, that is the worst ride till date! Plenty of reasons for that. It went like this some people from our company was organizing a biking trip to Gopalaswamy Betta and we wanted to join in. It was our first long ride. The longest ride we had done before that was around 250km. Now this was around 450km to and fro and we had to start by 3:30 in the morning. Very exciting it was. Could not sleep properly the previous night and we started from home by 3. The meeting point was Kengeri bus stand where our colleagues (whom we did not know yet) would be meeting us. There was a lot of road construction work going on and we were going slowly. Quite a distance before the Kengeri bus stand, I asked my friend to lead because I did not know where Kengeri bus stand was. He overtook me and he was just in front of me. There was this huge stone right in the middle of the road and I had no time to react! He missed it and I hit it directly. After that I remember being thrown from my bike and falling down. It was 3:30 in the morning and pitch dark. One more friend who was coming behind saw me fall and he told he thought I was seriously hurt! I was doing around 60 when I hit the stone and no braking. But before he parked his bike and came to help me seems I was up and trying to lift my bike! Thanks to all the safety gear, I was unharmed. We moved to the side of the road and examined me and my ride. Both seemed to be ok. So we moved on the Kengeri and then a more detailed examination. The bike seemed to be fine but I had a bit of pain on my left knee. They insisted I do not ride and sit pillion! So we leave my bike in the bus stand parking and wait for others. Then the people come there 2 hours late. We start from there by 5:30, take countless breaks in between and we reach Gopalaswamy Betta around 11. Its burning hot on top and really horrible! Sitting as pillion for 450km and visiting a shitty place – the worst ride I would call it!

Now for the v2.0(THE BEST RIDE ). I have done a couple of rides after the spill but all were to close places around Bangalore. The weekend was approaching and all my friends had gone home. No commitments and no plans so started hunting for a place to ride to. I kept hearing people praise Gopalaswamy Betta and I wanted to ride there again. Couldn’t find any other place and the roads to there were good anyways. Last time I was pillion and I wanted to ride on those roads even if the place was bad! It’s the journey which matters more than the destination for us bikers doesn’t it? So I tank up and hit the sack for some sleep. The weather was really good the previous day with some rain. The alarm buzzed at 2:30. I woke up, geared up and hit the road at 3 sharp! Hit mysore road, Kengeri and then pass the Nice road. Then comes the first break! Two cops stop me there at 3:30 in the morning and ask me a million questions who, where, why, when and all the nonsense. I patiently answer all their questions and then after giving some details finally am free to go. Take a pee and water break there and continue. It was drizzling at some places which kept me in all smiles. Maintained a medium pace as it was dark and hit Mysore around 6. Wanted a break. So crossed the city and took a break. Had done this route before so was familiar with the roads. The sun was up so time for some pics.

















After the photo session, I figured out that I was running late. The actual plan was to make it to Gopalaswamy Betta for sunrise. Too ambitious yes but then I started racing towards the place. Three digit speeds after this till I reached the place and I had no intention of stopping till I reached the top! But a place was to irresistible just before the start of the hill and God wouldn’t have forgiven me if I had not stopped here and enjoyed nature and her glory! Time for some pictures!









Then I continue and reach the checkpost just before the start of the hills to find it locked. Seems they open only at 8:30.







A guy comes along in a car and asks picks up a conversation. He was enquiring where I came from and when I started. Was rolling his eyes when I told him I rode down all the way from Bangalore. (Typical 'CAR' guy..) Goes on for sometime and am bored after that. I find a mud road going from there. The explorer in me wanted to go there. Time for some off roading! Just rode on that road and took some pictures.



























Was back to the checkpost by 8:30 sharp to see a couple of cars there. I get strange looks from everyone. Finally the gates were opened and I pay up and race up the hills. I leave the cars behind and zoom past them. Last time I was here it was so sunny and now it was just the opposite. After sometime I was piercing the mist and riding through. It was so beautiful and I did a stop.





























Went on for some more time and the place was so so awesome! Time for more pics.













Reached the top of the hill. There is a temple on top. The place was engulfed in mist and once I removed my jacket I started shivering! So put it on and went around the place. It was so awesome on top and you have to be there to experience it! My words and pictures are simply not enough.












The odd 'MAN' out..





































Took some pictures and start coming down. I spot an elephant in the hills so stop for taking a pic.













Another stop when coming down and some more pics when the camera starts beeping “LOW BATTERY” and switches off! Then I ride back and stop in a CCD on the way for breakfast. Pass through Mysore. A brief break after Mysore and everywhere I keep getting strange looks. Now the sun is fully up and shining in all its glory. The Mysore-Bangalore road is not so trafficky now and its three digit speeds all the way to Bangalore. Reach the city around 3 in the afternoon and another treat when I’m coming down the Inner Ring Road. A rainbow in the sky! Luckily I had my camera along but wait no battery. Stopped anyways and switched it on and voila it powered up! Took a pic of the rainbow and then again it switched off. Perfect timing!




Rode on to reach home, stripped off and crashed on the bed! A really awesome ride in a perfect weather throughout!