Route maps

Routes taken for one day trips so far.

Riders in and around Bangalore & riders visiting Bangalore may find this useful.

Courtesy: Google maps

8. KANVA RESERVOIR

Pondicherry day 1

PONDICHERRY (DAY 1):

It's been quite sometime since I rode to some nice places around Bangalore.
Many personal and professional commitments ensured that my thirst for rides remained unquenched.

Recently, my wife and I happened to visit Pondicherry on May 3rd. We reached Pondicherry by train.
We stayed at a very nice place called 'palais de Mahe' on Bussy street (French colony). When we were stepping out to explore Pondicherry, we came across the manager, an elderly gentle man, who asked us about our plans. We informed him that we first would like to have nice breakfast and then want to go around and see some places.
To my delight, manager suggested an option, which my wife and I least expected. Manager told us to rent a bike and then wander and said that's the best way to explore. Without wasting any more time, my wife and I, forgot our breakfast and set out to search for this bike renting place. We finally found the bike renter and found few options ranging from scooty to Avenger. Since, I own one, I rented Avenger 220. Rupees 350 per day. Bike was not in a great condition. But, manageable. Rented bike for two days. My wife and I were very happy at this unexpected turn of events.

On day one, covered:

• Auroville beach
• Chunnambar Paradise beach
• Rode around nook and corner of Pondicherry
• Busy streets like Nehru street, MG road, Kamaraj salai, Mission street, Bussy street
• Promenade beach

Found it very interesting that Pondicherry does not have any traffic rules what so ever. No safety gear. Anyone can cut through any lane from any direction. Pedestrians had no regard for the oncoming vehicles. Onus completely on riders and drivers to ensure no accidents. Roads, barring national highway, are narrow and only few roads were monitored by traffic police and were one-way lanes.

People use the term 'cutting' instead of 'turns'. Ex: Take third cutting from here to find Adyar Anand Bhavan. Then we had to ask right cutting or left cutting

Now time for some pics:




Auroville Beach:

















Chunnambar, Paradise, beach:































French war memorial:





I wanted to take a pic of famous Gandhi statue. But, was distressed to see how people had crowded around statue, eating and littering and some even lying around. After finishing a small walk around Promenade beach, we decided to return early next morning to witness beautiful sunrise and explore Pondicherry a bit more.

After a long time, I enjoyed the nature by being at sea-sides. What a great feeling to walk on the beach, in the cool evening breeze with your best friend by your side.

Pondicherry day 2

PONDICHERRY (DAY 2):

Day began with a walk on Promenade beach. What a setting. However, could not witness sun rise due to cloudy and overcast conditions.
In a while it started to rain. Once rain stopped, paid visit to Aurobindo ashram, Pondicherry museum, Bharati Park, roamed around french colony.
After lunch, rode to Auroville. However, the main attraction Matrimandir was closed due to which we could not actually witness the architectural excellence from close quarters. The, rode around Pondicherry streets before returning to hotel for a delicious seafood meal.

Promenade beach:



























Palais De Mahe, hotel where we stayed:



Bharathi Park, Aayi Mandapam:



French War Memorial:



Auroville, Matrimandir:



Aurobindo Ashram:



Pondicherry MG road:



Pondicherry entrance by NH 66:



Had a great two days riding Avenger around Pondicherry

Re: One day rides

Love reading the entire log...cool:thumbup:

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Re: One day rides

Thanks a lot Manju Appreciate it.

Re: One day rides

Nice ride there bro! You did bring back some memories there for me.

Re: One day rides

Thanks my friend

Big Banyan Tree (Dodda Aalada Mara)

BIG BANYAN TREE/ DODDA ALADA MARA

Last year, between April and June, I was doing one ride every alternate weekend, on an average. I was visiting places around Bangalore, and when in June 2013, I decided to visit Big Banyan tree, I had to cancel it for some reason, which I have forgotten now. However, what I have not forgotten is every time I decided to visit this place, my ride got cancelled for one or the other reason. Then, I could not do any rides at all for close to a year. Big banyan tree became a jinx. Call it superstition or co incidence. I was also foolish. I was like " This is the next spot on my list, and I cannot skip and go to next spot ". However, when we went to Pondicherry recently, I satiated my hunger to ride by renting an Avenger, and riding to some nice spots in Pondicherry. Finally, my wife said no matter what we will go to this place this Sunday, I mean today. So that I can resume rest of my rides, both one day and some long rides, shelved for too long. We finished our daily chores and by 2.30 Pm we were ready to hit the roads. Followed the google maps route. Nice road helped us to beat the traffic and reach our destination.

Now coming to big banyan tree, it is around 45 Kms from our home. Took Nice road, connected to Mysore road and then took a right turn near Raja Rajeshwari dental college and through country roads reached Big Banyan tree. Place was not like what it expected to be. It is on the main road and looks like a park from outside. I could tell that this place is falling apart and there were many people who were using this place to sleep on the benches just like any other park. But, I could have never imagined a tree occupying around 3 acres of space and living for more than 400 years. This has withstood the test of time and nature's assaults. However, they have mentioned that primary trunk succumbed to natural illness. The area is infested with lot of monkeys and you can witness lot of family bonding among themselves.

Maidenahalli, Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve

Maidenahalli, Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve

After breaking my jinx couple of weeks ago, by riding to big banyan tree, I got a chance to ride again.
Did a double shift at office to fill in for a colleague, as my manager offered me a day off in return. Wife at office, nothing much to do.

Had the blackbuck reserve in my mind for a long time and decided to tick it this time. Weather was also nice and cool, conducive for long rides. Really riders' delight. By the time I started, after fulfilling couple of commitments and getting bike's rear brake checked at the service center, it was 1 PM.

Reached blackbuck reserve at 3.45 pm. Route was a rider's delight. First 70 Kms of super smooth national highway. Next 60 Kms of state highway passing through many villages and a small town called Madhugiri. Then 15 Kms of pure off roading. Enjoyed thoroughly.

I was told by a shopkeeper that there are approximately 2000 blackbucks. I was happy to know that. But when I entered the unmanned reserve, I could not find a blackbuck. I rode to interiors. Reserve also has fields where couple of villagers were induclged in their agricultural activities. I enquired about blackbucks. They asked me to go little interior and search. They said they would be around bushes.

I searched for an hour. Could not find a single blackbuck. I was disappointed. While returning, I saw something moving around at a far distance. I parked my bike on the road and ran, only to find a villager returning home with his sheep. I confused sheep to blackbuck. I asked him where could I find a blackbuck. he asked me to go little deeper in the reserve. I was scared as there was no soul around. But ventured.

After sometime, spotted one. Chased it. Then spotted few more. They have got amazing sensing power. They could spot an intruder from a fairly long distance, get alert, and they are too fast. All of them vanished. I could not capture them in my old and obsolete camera. I seriously regretted for not having two things, a high end camera and a go-pro cam. But, I was happy for my venture having not gone in vain. Checked some ponds around and also prayed and hoped that I did not encounter some leopard and become a specially served lunch parceled from Bangalore.

I was lost in that huge reserve. Somehow made it back to the field where the man who guided me earlier was sitting with another guy and a lady. I asked him about how to get back to road. He asked me if I wanted to see more blackbucks and he could tell me where to go. lady scolded him as it was getting dark. Finally, made it to road, and was chased by few dogs on the way, thanks to my attire. I had not even removed my helmet.

I was heading back enjoying evening breeze and I spotted a herd of blackbucks. Those which eluded me so far, and there they were! I rode inside and parked my bike. As usual, they sensed an intruder and started running away. Turned back, saw me approaching and then started to sprint. My camera could hardly capture them. So, I shot a video, which is again of bad quality. Felt nice.

Then started my ride back towards Bangalore. Wife was waiting as I had to take her to a birthday party. Enjoyed evening ride. Then hit NICE road and reached home by 8.30 pm.

Now let pictures roll:































My camera could hardly capture the blackbucks. So, shot a video. Hopefully, you can spot the blackbucks. My apologies for poor quality:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ONBJbZ05qE

Re: One day rides

Awesome thread, mate.
Nice pics in the Jayamangali log, beautiful clouds captured. Blackbucks can be sighted there usually during early mornings or some during evenings.

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Re: One day rides

Thanks @Sal

Route maps

Route map to Dodda Aalada Mara/ Big Banyan Tree:



Route map to Maidenahalli/ Jayamangali blackbuck reserve



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Uploading few videos of Jayamangali blackbuck reserve.

My apologies in advance for poor quality:











Your suggestions to improve video shooting and voice over are most welcome

Re: One day rides

Keep on exploring.
For many, Short rides like this are more welcome than long tours due to various reasons. Very relaxing and freshes the mind without being heavy on planning and execution part!

Re: One day rides

@krishna77 Very true. Especially when one is hard pressed for time but still wants to quench his thirst for rides. These small and refreshing rides have kept the rider in me alive

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For those who are wondering what's there on first page, here is a quick recap:

"Need not be long ones all the time. Sometimes short and small ones give you same pleasure if not more"
"Unplanned ones are better than planned ones"
"Need not have any destination. Where ever you end up is your destination"

Please click on links below to check trip logs:

1. RANGANATHITTU

2. NANDI HILLS

3. MUTHATHI & GAGANA CHUKKI (SHIVANASAMUDRAM)

4. MANCHANABELE & MARKONAHALLI RESERVOIRS (AWESOME SUNSET VIEW)

5. KOKKARE BELLUR

6. SHRAVANABELAGOLA

7. SOMANATHPUR

8. KANVA RESERVOIR

9. PONDICHERRY (DAY 1)

10. PONDICHERRY (DAY 2)

11. BIG BANYAN TREE/ DODDA AALADA MARA

12. MAIDENAHALLI, JAYAMANGALI BLACKBUCK RESERVE

Re: One day rides

Nice:thumbup:

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