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Aah!! Its April again and time for our annual odyssey to Goa. It’s a ritual every year for us. Normally we load our bike by train and ride around Goa but after our Bangalore/Kerala ride last December we decided we must ride this time to keep our passion alive.
Started by planning our route through Google maps and also messaged our many wonderful friends at xbhp who graciously replied with good wishes and route advices. ‘D’ day was finally here and with the adrenalin pumping, sleep was not easy. The highway beckons and the gears were already shifting long before we hit the road.
Getting Set
Its going to be a two week trip, so we had to pack enough clothes, but decided to keep it to the minimum (there’s a limit to what we can carry on our light RX 100, so ‘wash n wear’ was the order of the day.
The Take Off
As always we start early. The cool morning breeze and the slowly impending sunrise as we hit the highway is always a joyous experience. I ride with headlights on as we get on to the new flyover from Yeswantpur. Soon we pass Nelamangala and on to the wonderful NH-4 which is tarmac smooth and throttle friendly. Decided to stick to 80 k.m.p.h since wifey had a load like Atlas on her back! And of course we were on a holiday so what’s the rush? NH-4 is so straight line and smooth that it can get monotonous at times but great for the timing.
On The Beautiful GQ!
As morning was breaking we pass Tumkur and on to Sira. First Pit Stop for breakfast at Hiriyur. Hot breakfast and coffee later, it’s back to the lovely highway. It’s getting warmer and we feel the sweat clamming but it’s not so bad on the move and of course sweat, dust and grease are so much a part of us bikers.
Chitradurga, windy, windmill town. To our left and right slowly turning gigantic windmills which would have made Don Quixote go crazy with glee. Davengere, Ranebennur and Haveri. We break for lunch and through Haveri town on to Sirsi road.
Villages, Forests and Hairpin Bends
Once off NH-4 it’s a different scenario. A few stretches of bad road to start with and crude speed breakers to counter, but as we progress, it gets better and better. Single road yes but well laid and through long stretches of forest. I must admit it gets eerie at times with hardly any traffic and just the two of us for miles on end. But it’s a gorgeous stretch and a joy to ride, with curious Langurs watching us go by. By late afternoon we are at Sirsi and having covered around 410 k.m, we decide to break for the day. The wifey’s back and my slightly sore butt needing a well deserved break to get set for the next day.
Day 2, More Forests, The Ghats and The Thrill
After an early breakfast at Sirsi we were back on the road, refreshed and rested. It’s hilly terrain onwards, more forests and as we reach Devimane Ghats many hairpins to take on, a bikers joy when the traffic is thin. Suddenly we are on to NH-17, the coastal highway and we encounter the Kerala/Karnataka/Goa and onwards traffic, which thankfully was not too thick. The highway is now in top condition and riding was cool.
The Coastal Road and The Blue, Blue Sea
It’s one of the loveliest stretches of road for me, the Kumta, Ankola. Karwar stretch. There’s the Arabian Sea on your left and you pass many river bridges and backwaters and sights that make you long to give Mother Nature a hug and a kiss! We need to go on we say, but we have to stop to admire the panorama. Soon we are at Karwar, a stones’ throw away from Goa but with its own distinct personality which is not easy for border towns anywhere.
On The Border and Into Goa
A few minutes from Karwar and we hit the Goa border. A couple of check posts with bored looking cops maybe looking out for the bigger fish (?). The first thing we notice as we enter into Goa are the welcoming ‘Bar ‘N’ Restaurants’ within touching distance of the check posts. It’s like a warm welcome to a place where feeling happy with life around you is an attitude. Goa makes you think and feel different, that’s why we love it so much.
As we ride into Goa, we can sense the difference at once- the sights, the sounds and the smells, and of course the lovely roads. It’s after all the land of Football, Fenny, Fish and Fun blessed with abundant Sun, Sand and Sea.
After Polem, Canacona and Cuncolim, we are close to Madgaon around noon. We pull over at a cozy highway restaurant and have a chilled glass and some steaming hot lunch. After lunch and short ride later, we reach our friend’s place near Colva.
Two more weeks to go! It’s party time guys!
Most of our friends wonder what we can do for 2 weeks in Goa (??). For one thing, riding within Goa is a real pleasure. Even the narrow village roads are smooth and pot hole free. There are so many lovely, thinly habited beaches to explore, especially far down south and towards the northern end. We have ridden from the southern end near Karwar up to northern end of Goa-Terakhol which borders Maharashtra. Then there are so many friends to meet, so many rivers to go fishing, so many gorgeous sunsets to admire and of course the parties!
The Weeks Have Flown And Its Time To Come Home
The holiday was over and it was time to saddle up for the ride back home. We had said our goodbyes the previous night and left Colva before sunrise. We returned the same route as our onward ride. It’s always sad to leave Goa, but all good things must end and there’s always next year! We reached Hiriyur (on NH-4) by late afternoon and since our bike had a small technical problem, we broke journey at Hiriyur. (Hotel ‘Surya’- Rs 500 for an A/C double room! It’s a real bargain).
The Last Leg Back Home
As usual NH-4 can get monotonous at times but it’s a smooth ride on the arrow straight road. We are home by afternoon. Back to the hustle, bustle and mad traffic of our city which has become so much a part of us Bangalorean’s lives.
We return a little tired, a little nostalgic, with some memorable snaps and of course with a little but pleasurable hangover as a little reminder of the past 2 weeks!!
P.S. Our sincere thanks to our many wonderful friends at xbhp who P.M’d us with lots of good wishes- @praful, @aargee. @parth, @rameshmadhavan, @haroon, @nitingirish, @noor, @incubus, @animeher, @dual disc 200, @rockyyy, @eliksir, @harikeshpk - a Million Thanks guys!!
A FEW MORE PICS !!
CHEERS !!
Our Bangalore/Kerala Ride:
Our Scooter Ride To Coorg:
A Nostalgic Ride:
Started by planning our route through Google maps and also messaged our many wonderful friends at xbhp who graciously replied with good wishes and route advices. ‘D’ day was finally here and with the adrenalin pumping, sleep was not easy. The highway beckons and the gears were already shifting long before we hit the road.
Getting SetIts going to be a two week trip, so we had to pack enough clothes, but decided to keep it to the minimum (there’s a limit to what we can carry on our light RX 100, so ‘wash n wear’ was the order of the day.
The Take Off
As always we start early. The cool morning breeze and the slowly impending sunrise as we hit the highway is always a joyous experience. I ride with headlights on as we get on to the new flyover from Yeswantpur. Soon we pass Nelamangala and on to the wonderful NH-4 which is tarmac smooth and throttle friendly. Decided to stick to 80 k.m.p.h since wifey had a load like Atlas on her back! And of course we were on a holiday so what’s the rush? NH-4 is so straight line and smooth that it can get monotonous at times but great for the timing.
On The Beautiful GQ!
As morning was breaking we pass Tumkur and on to Sira. First Pit Stop for breakfast at Hiriyur. Hot breakfast and coffee later, it’s back to the lovely highway. It’s getting warmer and we feel the sweat clamming but it’s not so bad on the move and of course sweat, dust and grease are so much a part of us bikers.
Chitradurga, windy, windmill town. To our left and right slowly turning gigantic windmills which would have made Don Quixote go crazy with glee. Davengere, Ranebennur and Haveri. We break for lunch and through Haveri town on to Sirsi road.
Villages, Forests and Hairpin Bends
Once off NH-4 it’s a different scenario. A few stretches of bad road to start with and crude speed breakers to counter, but as we progress, it gets better and better. Single road yes but well laid and through long stretches of forest. I must admit it gets eerie at times with hardly any traffic and just the two of us for miles on end. But it’s a gorgeous stretch and a joy to ride, with curious Langurs watching us go by. By late afternoon we are at Sirsi and having covered around 410 k.m, we decide to break for the day. The wifey’s back and my slightly sore butt needing a well deserved break to get set for the next day.
Day 2, More Forests, The Ghats and The Thrill
After an early breakfast at Sirsi we were back on the road, refreshed and rested. It’s hilly terrain onwards, more forests and as we reach Devimane Ghats many hairpins to take on, a bikers joy when the traffic is thin. Suddenly we are on to NH-17, the coastal highway and we encounter the Kerala/Karnataka/Goa and onwards traffic, which thankfully was not too thick. The highway is now in top condition and riding was cool.
The Coastal Road and The Blue, Blue Sea
It’s one of the loveliest stretches of road for me, the Kumta, Ankola. Karwar stretch. There’s the Arabian Sea on your left and you pass many river bridges and backwaters and sights that make you long to give Mother Nature a hug and a kiss! We need to go on we say, but we have to stop to admire the panorama. Soon we are at Karwar, a stones’ throw away from Goa but with its own distinct personality which is not easy for border towns anywhere.
On The Border and Into Goa
A few minutes from Karwar and we hit the Goa border. A couple of check posts with bored looking cops maybe looking out for the bigger fish (?). The first thing we notice as we enter into Goa are the welcoming ‘Bar ‘N’ Restaurants’ within touching distance of the check posts. It’s like a warm welcome to a place where feeling happy with life around you is an attitude. Goa makes you think and feel different, that’s why we love it so much.
As we ride into Goa, we can sense the difference at once- the sights, the sounds and the smells, and of course the lovely roads. It’s after all the land of Football, Fenny, Fish and Fun blessed with abundant Sun, Sand and Sea.
After Polem, Canacona and Cuncolim, we are close to Madgaon around noon. We pull over at a cozy highway restaurant and have a chilled glass and some steaming hot lunch. After lunch and short ride later, we reach our friend’s place near Colva.
Two more weeks to go! It’s party time guys!
Most of our friends wonder what we can do for 2 weeks in Goa (??). For one thing, riding within Goa is a real pleasure. Even the narrow village roads are smooth and pot hole free. There are so many lovely, thinly habited beaches to explore, especially far down south and towards the northern end. We have ridden from the southern end near Karwar up to northern end of Goa-Terakhol which borders Maharashtra. Then there are so many friends to meet, so many rivers to go fishing, so many gorgeous sunsets to admire and of course the parties!
The Weeks Have Flown And Its Time To Come Home
The holiday was over and it was time to saddle up for the ride back home. We had said our goodbyes the previous night and left Colva before sunrise. We returned the same route as our onward ride. It’s always sad to leave Goa, but all good things must end and there’s always next year! We reached Hiriyur (on NH-4) by late afternoon and since our bike had a small technical problem, we broke journey at Hiriyur. (Hotel ‘Surya’- Rs 500 for an A/C double room! It’s a real bargain).
The Last Leg Back Home
As usual NH-4 can get monotonous at times but it’s a smooth ride on the arrow straight road. We are home by afternoon. Back to the hustle, bustle and mad traffic of our city which has become so much a part of us Bangalorean’s lives.
We return a little tired, a little nostalgic, with some memorable snaps and of course with a little but pleasurable hangover as a little reminder of the past 2 weeks!!
P.S. Our sincere thanks to our many wonderful friends at xbhp who P.M’d us with lots of good wishes- @praful, @aargee. @parth, @rameshmadhavan, @haroon, @nitingirish, @noor, @incubus, @animeher, @dual disc 200, @rockyyy, @eliksir, @harikeshpk - a Million Thanks guys!!
A FEW MORE PICS !!
CHEERS !!
Our Bangalore/Kerala Ride:
Motorcycle travelogues by thousands of xBhpians from across the world.
Our Scooter Ride To Coorg:
Motorcycle travelogues by thousands of xBhpians from across the world.
A Nostalgic Ride:
Motorcycle travelogues by thousands of xBhpians from across the world.
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