Re: Ride 7: Hogenakkal Falls


Dude!!..You are becoming one hell of a MOTOGRAPHER!! Superb pictures, are you taking them on a DSLR camera or the one on your mobile itself? Either way, it looks like the shots are captured with absolute perfection, its always nice to check out your photos of your weekend rides, I was a bit worried though in the past week when there were some problems with Xbhp shifting from one version to another and then back to square one again!!....and was worried what would happen to this particular page, which I have been seriously following, now I am relieved!!...

Re: Ride 7: Hogenakkal Falls

Thanks for your kind words and I am really humbled. I have spent all my personal savings on the bike and cannot touch family savings Hence not in a position to afford a DSLR. So, putting my Moto G2 to the best possible use and using editing tools of google plus Just experimenting

Re: Ride 7: Hogenakkal Falls

In fact, nowadays, one doesn't really need a DSLR camera if he or she is not into photography as a hobby, as the smartphone cameras are more than enough for snaps, even my Xperia Z1 has a 21 megapixel camera, which I guess is on par!!

Re: Ride 7: Hogenakkal Falls

I agree [MENTION=5691]kanth[/MENTION]

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Horsley Hills:


This destination was playing on my mind for quite some time. I am glad to have got it off my list.


A hectic week at office and also at home was making me restless. Only one medicine works for me and calms my mind and heart.Many a time, I want to be on this medication for longer periods. But, all my leaves are consumed to take care of family commitments.So, I need to take this medicine in small doses which only makes the craving multiply and the wait for next riding opportunity begins.My dream to be on this treatment for at least a week continues to be a dream. Till then let me enjoy the small doses.


At 4.45 in the morning it was not very cold to my surprise. Got out of the apartment without making much noise. I relish the fact that I am out to enjoy the nature on one of the most wonderful man made inventions, while the rest of the world is in slumber. This always makes me realize that if you love something you do not need an alarm to wake you up. Sleep is only to replenish the energy so that you can get back to do what you love the most and soothing to your soul. Sleep is no longer an escape from the mundane life.


It was still dark and the above thought was playing in my mind and was in a loop. Now, what motorcycling and its natural consequence of touring has made me realize is to be grateful to the job which makes me fulfill my other needs and also gives me just enough dough to take care of pleasures like travelling on a mean machine. Now, this in turn makes me get up and turn up at the work place with new zeal everyday. No denying the fact that I would like motorcycling to be my every day job. But till that thought becomes reality, enjoying what I have is the best thing to do.


Sky changed its colors and creator's editing was on display and it was changing by the minute. Ride was getting pleasant and was tranquilizing my mind. Roads were beautiful and traffic was at it's best. I mean, no traffic. I also realized that many parts of this route are surrounded by rocky hills, and one particular hill appeared to tell me you people are so tiny. It kind of appeared majestic standing tall with unabashed pride and pomp. Having seen many hill like this and one standing right in front of my abode in hometown, I for some reason, felt attracted to this. Tall and unabashedly pomp for many years gone by and many years to come.


A small hiccup in the form of a puncture. However, I was lucky to find a puncture-repair shop after riding slowly. It was becoming hot gradually. But, as I passed through the small but busy town of Madanapalle and started to ride up the hills through the winding roads it was as if god had switched on the AC and climate was sunny yet cool with a gentle breeze transporting me to a different world. However, I was alert enough to stop and capture some pictures. I have come to believe that anyone's effort to capture the beauty of nature like we actually witness it with the best lens, I mean our eyes, is a futile effort. But, for sake of memories I continued to capture the images and I continued to do grave injustice by using my mobile phone for the purpose. While this thought was running on my mind, I decided to put unedited pictures in this update of this travelogue.


Reached Horsley hills which was still snoozing. Slowly tourists who had stayed overnight were dragging themselves out of the resort. I just went around after a cup of hot tea. Nothing much to see, I thought. Asked the tea vendor about tourist attractions and first thing that came out of his mouth was 'swimming pool' and I was gaping having heard that. Then, when he uttered 'view point', I was like 'now that's what I wanted to hear! Tell me more about it'. You have this resort called Haritha resort maintained by AP tourism. Now you can enter this resort and ride up till 'Governor's Bunglow'. Governor! Now who is this? Is this AP governor. No my friend, to tell you history in brief, this hill was used by Horsley, a local British Collector and this came to be known as Horsley hills. Now, you can ride all the way up to this Governor's house, park your friend, I mean your bike, there and just go behind the resort. You will find a flight of stairs leading to a well maintained view point. Just stand and enjoy.


The trend of selfie is catching up with me. Not that I am self-obsessed. But since I ride solo, I have to take my own pictures with some major attraction in the back ground. However, one gentleman, who had driven to the resort all the way from Hyderabad because it was his dad's wish to be at this hill station once, was kind enough to proactively inquire if I would like to get my pictures clicked. I happily obliged as he got me rid of the predicament of adjusting the angle for the right selfie. He gladly took few pictures and we exchanged a small and pleasant chat. After that the entire view point was at my disposal. I just stayed there for some time and thoroughly savoured the mesmerizing view.


Started my ride back and as I it the planes it became swealtering hot. But the way I am enjoying my rides now a days, I hardly feel a thing, hot or cold or chilling rains. I just feel the wind and the sound my bike makes. I guess four years after I learnt to ride these machines, I am slowly but definitely getting into a zone which only increases the pleasure. Only few things in life give you this kind of enhancement in pleasure which comes by doing repeatedly. Now, give your naughty minds a break. I am talking motorcycles here.


I reached Bangalore at 1 PM but to cover another 9 Km to reach my nest took around an hour and a half. welcome back my boy, said the dust, pot holes and tall buildings. I guess same was whispered to my bike by others on the road stuck in the jam forever.


Now time for few pictures. As i said earlier, no edits this time:

















This is the hill I was referring to:

















Oh...yeah. I forgot to mention this. The moment you enter Horsley hills, on to the left, you find this rocky slope which leads to 'I don't know where', but I ventured for some distance and as it started becoming little steep and as my heart inched closer to mouth, I started to climb up.











Governor's Bungalow



Early morning walk is good for health, especially the cardio part when you climb back up



You can't hide













Time for some cardio:



Sky is the limit









Distance covered: 344 Km

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Very nice narration.. :-)

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Thanks Vijay...Just experimenting

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Amazing thread Experimentalhead, awesome pics indeed. Been a fan of your rides since the thread "One day rides" which you used to do on your Avenger.
The TNT is a whole new level beast !
Keep riding and do keep posting your rides.

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Thanks a ton my friend Your kind words are very encouraging

Destinations from Part 1 & Part 2

PART 1:

• RANGANATHITTU

• NANDI HILLS

• MUTHATHI

• GAGANACHUKKI (SHIVANASAMUDRAM)

• MANCHANABELE RESERVOIR

• MARKONAHALLI RESERVOIR

• KOKKARE BELLUR

• SHRAVANABELAGOLA

• SOMANATHPUR

• KANVA RESERVOIR

• PONDICHERRY (DAY 1 & DAY 2)

• BIG BANYAN TREE (DODDA AALADA MARA)

• MAIDENAHALLI JAYAMANGALI BLACKBUCK RESERVE

• CHAMUNDI HILLS

• DEVARAYANADURGA

PART 2:

• YELAGIRI

• VANIVILAS SAGAR

• SUVARNAVATHI RESERVOIR

• MELUKOTE

• LEPAKSHI

• SHETTIHALLI CHURCH

• HOGENAKKAL FALLS

• HORSLEY HILLS

Many more on the cards in the near future

Ride 9: Avalabetta

Avalabetta

Those who live in and around Bangalore know about Nandi hills and the ever increasing crowd and commercialization of the place. So, those who still wanna get the same experience Nandi hills offers like beautiful weather, sunrise and sunset, can visit Avalabetta. Still not much human interference. However, while riding to this hill came across many other bikers and couple of cars telling that it will not take too long for this to become like Nandi hills.

We started at 4.30 AM hoping to catch sun rise. Due to heavy traffic since it is international airport road, we maintained decent speed. One cannot over speed as well as you have traffic cops positioned at around at least three different spots. One has to travel extra 30 Km and just like Nandi hills one needs to take left turn and go through beautiful country side roads. The roads in some stretches may not be great but not bad either. You will be treated to some eye pleasing greenery and some flowers nursery. Once you take diversion upon seeing the direction board, you will hit the concrete road not the tarmac one. After riding through beautiful winding roads, we reached the top and it was beautiful. Our original idea was to reach the top before sunrise and catch sun rise. Alas! Sun rise happened when we reached the base of the hill. But it was still awesome. There is a temple at the top. I prayed from outside and we started our return journey.

On the way, stopped at IPC (Indian Paratha Company), where we joined other Benellians who had come for breakfast ride. After appeasing our appetite, we resumed our return journey and I was home by 11 AM.

Total Distance covered: 236 Km

























Tagging [MENTION=76753]ironmarine[/MENTION]

Ride 10: Thattekere Lake

Thattekere Lake

This was an impromptu ride. Since I worked during weekend, I took an off on Monday. Woke up late and did not know how to spend rest of the day. After wife left to office, went through few travelogues and was checking on probable routes of future rides. By afternoon, I wanted to go out. Got a call from old colleague inquiring about Benelli TNT 300. After sharing my experience, I could not resist the temptation of going for a ride. Whatsapped wife that I was out on a short ride and would be back by 6 PM and informed that we would go to watch 'Spectre' once I return.

Time: 1.30 PM. Got ready and took the beast out. Did not know which direction to head. Just started the ride. Headed towards NICE road and then decided to ride towards Kanakapura. Was feeling very hungry. Had heard a lot about 'Hotel Vasu' and it's famous dosas. Traffic was quite high. With recent rain lashing, roads were not in best of shapes. Rode at sane speed and by 3 PM reached Kanakapura Vasu hotel.

Hotel was crowded and I saw many ordering 'Masala Dosa'. In my recent trip to TN and Kerala, I had eaten lot of Dosas. So, wanted to try a different variety. My hometown 'Chitradurga' is quite famous for 'Khaali Dosa'. So wanted to taste Khali Dosa from this region. Did not taste great and paled in comparison. But, this was good enough to fill my tummy.

Started my return ride. While returning, a destination called 'Thattekere' flashed in my mind. Checked google maps. Reached Harohalli and from Harohalli circle, took a right turn and headed towards Thattekere after getting information about roads and distance from the locals. Destination was about half an our from Harohalli. Beautiful country side roads. Roads were in good shape. Climate was cloudy with slight drizzle every now and then.

Entered the Banerghatta forest reserve. It is like entering the backyard of the reserve. There I saw a forest department's view and check post/ house. On to left, located a big arch welcoming to 'Thattekere'. From here, for about a Km, there is no tarmac. Kind of off roadish experience. Rode through jungle. Found few old gentlemen doing the job of shepherds. One asked me about why I was taking my own bike's pictures. I informed him that it is for my memoir.

Near the lake, there are two temples. Paid my obeisance from outside. Thanks to recent incessant rains in Bangalore, definitely not as bad as Chennai (Dear God, mercy on Chennai folks), the lake was full to the brim with many shrubs submerged. It was quite peaceful with hardly anyone around. Calm all around with a filled lake was very soothing. Spent some time. Soaked in whatever I could. It started getting dark and rains loomed large.

Resumed my return journey around 5.15 PM. Sometimes, it's hard to believe that just 50 Km from Bangalore, we have some beautiful stretches, which in some parts remind me of Kudremukh, which is one of my favorite stretches to ride. For me even 500 mts of such stretch is gold. I am sure all living-in-metro riders would have same feeling.

The journey was coming to an end and was completed with rain lashing heavily by the minute. My beast and I were completely drenched as rains lashed. However, we were splashed with muck all over. I don't know whether it's weird. But I like to see my bike and myself all messed up with dirt, than the clean look. It was 6.45 PM when I reached home. I was a happy soul, ready to get immersed in the world of Bond, James Bond.



Vasu Hotel



Towards Thattekere





Thattekere Lake





Camouflaged





Canopy





The Temple





A different feeling to ride solo and that too in this kind of set up





Elephant crossing zone



Forest Department's view and check post





Some beautiful stretches

PS: The off road from Main road is open only on Mondays as per locals who I met

Total Distance covered: Approx 149 Km

Re: Ride 10: Thattekere Lake


Nice ride Bro :-)

Had the opportunity to see a TNT 300 up close. Very nice fit & finish and just can't forget the vrooom exhaust sound. :-)

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Nice cover of spectre Raghu

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Raghu bhai, your narration and photos are at the best...Keep it going