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Prologue:
2012 was well on it’s way and most of us had settled into our daily routine called “Life”. We had done our last ride at the end of 2011 on friend’s Suzuki Fiero to Kerala and Coorg. Just then a friend was selling off his Suzuki Zeus. Took a ride and found it comfortable, so straightaway bought it.
The bike was ours and the ‘itch to ride’ was back with a vengeance. Luckily a long weekend was coming up and at least a short ride was an urgent need!
Discussed the POA with wifey which finally led to how all of us are so caught up in the vicious circle of today’s world of high tech which changes by the day that we sometimes forget to look backward at our rich cultural history and maybe learn a few lessons from there (?). Think I’m getting philosophical here. Anyway, decided to check out a few historical sites which we could maybe later visit in detail.
The Route: Bangalore/Kunigal/Hirisave/Sharavanabelagola/C.R.Patna/Hassan/Sakleshpur/Arehalli/Belur/Halebid/Hassan Bangalore.
The History Tour-1 : Bangalore/Sharavanabelagola
As always we take off early. We know summer is just around the corner but the early mornings are always cool. As we turn on to NH48 from Nelamangala we see bikers zooming all around. The long weekend, I guess, is too tempting for bikers to let pass. I stopped by a group which had halted and inquired if they were xbhp, but they were from BMC touring and on their way to Chickmagalur.
Any of you guys from xbhp who were on NH48 on the 18th Feb morning, please raise your hand! I’m sure we would have crossed paths somewhere
.
As most from this part of the world would agree, the NH48 is now a truly amazing strip of tarmac and we could see so many of them really burning the rubber with glee! We reach Shravanabelagola while it’s still quite cool and looking at the imposing steps going up( around 500 or so) I had my doubts but wifey said ‘no way, climb we must’ so that’s what we do, bare feet and all.
Finally at the top we understand why so many people strive to climb those steps. The view is imposing and statue of Gommatesvara truly majestic.
It is a very holy place for the Jains who are deeply immersed in prayer and it is really important for all of us visitors to respect the sanctity of the place.
Coming down the steps can be a little more tricky, a little careless and you could come tumbling down like humpty dumpty !
Once down we pause to catch our breath, have a refreshing tender coconut and hit the road again.
The History Tour- 2 & 3 : Belur & Halebeedu
The 32 km ride from Sakleshpur to Belur is a pleasure by itself. Though the road is narrow and sometimes patchy, the ride through quaint villages and coffee estates and beautiful tree lined roads is really a pleasure.
We reach Belur a little later and the entrance to the temple itself is quite imposing.
Once inside, the sights can be something out of this world. The intricate carvings with the minutest of details can be mind boggling! We need a few days at least to get some insight into the awesome work.
We can only admire those ancient architects and bow in respect. It also makes us straighten up our shoulders, especially among the many foreign tourists –‘It’s proud to be an Indian’.
Next stop – Halebid also part of the 12th century Hoysala Empire. Here too the intricate architecture can surpass your imagination and a new respect is born for those ancient architects who worked wonders with the minimum of tools and practically no machinery.
Planters Paradise :
I love green! The green of the coffee and pepper plants. The green paddy fields and the huge trees with wide stretching branches. Green rejuvenates and lifts up the spirit and we just love to ride through such paths and revel in the feeling of truly feeling alive !
A planter friend of ours had made arrangements at the Planters Club for us at Sakleshpur. We check in to our room and relax for a while sipping some wonderful coffee.
The next morning we get up early and decide to explore a bit. Riding through the many narrow plantation roads in the morning chill with the sun just coming up is a wonderful feeling not to mention the build up of a healthy appetite. After a wholesome breakfast we bid adieu and commence our return ride.
Cheers Guys
Ride Safe !!
A Few More Pictures
Our Coastal Kerala/Coorg Ride:
Our Velankanni/Pondicherry Ride:
Our Bangalore/Goa Ride:
Our Bangalore/Kerala Ride:
Our Scooter Ride To Coorg:
Our Ooty Ride
2012 was well on it’s way and most of us had settled into our daily routine called “Life”. We had done our last ride at the end of 2011 on friend’s Suzuki Fiero to Kerala and Coorg. Just then a friend was selling off his Suzuki Zeus. Took a ride and found it comfortable, so straightaway bought it.
The bike was ours and the ‘itch to ride’ was back with a vengeance. Luckily a long weekend was coming up and at least a short ride was an urgent need!
Discussed the POA with wifey which finally led to how all of us are so caught up in the vicious circle of today’s world of high tech which changes by the day that we sometimes forget to look backward at our rich cultural history and maybe learn a few lessons from there (?). Think I’m getting philosophical here. Anyway, decided to check out a few historical sites which we could maybe later visit in detail.
The Route: Bangalore/Kunigal/Hirisave/Sharavanabelagola/C.R.Patna/Hassan/Sakleshpur/Arehalli/Belur/Halebid/Hassan Bangalore.
The History Tour-1 : Bangalore/Sharavanabelagola
As always we take off early. We know summer is just around the corner but the early mornings are always cool. As we turn on to NH48 from Nelamangala we see bikers zooming all around. The long weekend, I guess, is too tempting for bikers to let pass. I stopped by a group which had halted and inquired if they were xbhp, but they were from BMC touring and on their way to Chickmagalur.
Any of you guys from xbhp who were on NH48 on the 18th Feb morning, please raise your hand! I’m sure we would have crossed paths somewhere
.As most from this part of the world would agree, the NH48 is now a truly amazing strip of tarmac and we could see so many of them really burning the rubber with glee! We reach Shravanabelagola while it’s still quite cool and looking at the imposing steps going up( around 500 or so) I had my doubts but wifey said ‘no way, climb we must’ so that’s what we do, bare feet and all.
Finally at the top we understand why so many people strive to climb those steps. The view is imposing and statue of Gommatesvara truly majestic.
It is a very holy place for the Jains who are deeply immersed in prayer and it is really important for all of us visitors to respect the sanctity of the place.
Coming down the steps can be a little more tricky, a little careless and you could come tumbling down like humpty dumpty !
Once down we pause to catch our breath, have a refreshing tender coconut and hit the road again.
The History Tour- 2 & 3 : Belur & Halebeedu
The 32 km ride from Sakleshpur to Belur is a pleasure by itself. Though the road is narrow and sometimes patchy, the ride through quaint villages and coffee estates and beautiful tree lined roads is really a pleasure.
We reach Belur a little later and the entrance to the temple itself is quite imposing.
Once inside, the sights can be something out of this world. The intricate carvings with the minutest of details can be mind boggling! We need a few days at least to get some insight into the awesome work.
We can only admire those ancient architects and bow in respect. It also makes us straighten up our shoulders, especially among the many foreign tourists –‘It’s proud to be an Indian’.
Next stop – Halebid also part of the 12th century Hoysala Empire. Here too the intricate architecture can surpass your imagination and a new respect is born for those ancient architects who worked wonders with the minimum of tools and practically no machinery.
Planters Paradise :
I love green! The green of the coffee and pepper plants. The green paddy fields and the huge trees with wide stretching branches. Green rejuvenates and lifts up the spirit and we just love to ride through such paths and revel in the feeling of truly feeling alive !
A planter friend of ours had made arrangements at the Planters Club for us at Sakleshpur. We check in to our room and relax for a while sipping some wonderful coffee.
The next morning we get up early and decide to explore a bit. Riding through the many narrow plantation roads in the morning chill with the sun just coming up is a wonderful feeling not to mention the build up of a healthy appetite. After a wholesome breakfast we bid adieu and commence our return ride.
Cheers Guys
Ride Safe !!
A Few More Pictures
Our Coastal Kerala/Coorg Ride:
Motorcycle travelogues by thousands of xBhpians from across the world.
Our Velankanni/Pondicherry Ride:
Motorcycle travelogues by thousands of xBhpians from across the world.
Our Bangalore/Goa Ride:
Motorcycle travelogues by thousands of xBhpians from across the world.
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.
Our Ooty Ride
Motorcycle travelogues by thousands of xBhpians from across the world.
.. WOW .. Just great.. Loved the pics a lot..
Nice trip log and nice pics as usual Sir ! Totally admire you and your better half for the kind of enthusiam you both show. Now that you have a faithful steed in the reliable Suzuki we hope to see more rides from you in the future !
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