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**khuram** · 12-05-2015, 08:38 PM

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Good one Raghu

liked it.

**experimentalhead** · 12-06-2015, 12:42 AM

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Originally posted by khuram View Post

Good one Raghu

liked it.

Thanks Buddy

**experimentalhead** · 12-12-2015, 06:54 PM

Ride 13: KRP Dam, Krishnagiri

KRP Dam, Krishnagiri:

After a tiring Friday, I slept long. Got up at 10 AM.Two things are must to freshen up my mind. Long deep sleep and a good ride, of course. After enjoying coffee and breakfast over a fun filled chat with wife, took permission for a small ride. Wife never says No as I never prioritize rides over other important and critical things. Had good 4 hours at my disposal. Had to return home to take care of other commitments in the evening.

Decided to ride to KRP dam as suggested by @VIJAY BHUYAN88. Just 91 Kms from my home. Roads are super good. I have ridden on this stretch so many times this year. After reaching Krishnagiri, took help of locals for further directions. After Krishnagiri, one has to continue to ride on towards Dharmapuri. Just 5 Km after Krishnagiri, one will see a small board 'KRP dam' on the left. Get off the highway, and after a short distance take right, an underpass and on the other side of the highway, one will see a big arch welcoming tourists to KRP dam. Then for about two Km one has to ride through country side to reach the check post where I paid 5 Rs as entry fee. 100 meters and you will arrive at your destination.

I was lazy and did not even bother to remove my knee guards. I was quite an amusing character for others at the destination. As usual, I hardly cared and walked around after parking my bike at a safe place. Found that I have to walk, I could have taken my bike, but preferred to take a stroll, to the park. There were so many people. Lot of college youth, locals, and many school kids. I slowly walked over a small bridge and saw many, both ladies and gentlemen, taking bath in the freshly released water. Temperature was slowly rising. Reached park. It's big but not as huge as KRS, near Mysore.

Kids were having fun time. Some lazy buggers were asleep underneath trees. Saw many romantic couples indulging in coochie cooing after having found some nice comfortable places. I walked around the park and climbed up to walk over the dam.

Cool breeze kissed my face and AC was switched on with some breathtaking blue view. Sky was blue with patches of white clouds scattered all across. Water was so blue. And this entire place was surrounded by small hillocks. I took a long stroll and as people were increasing, I thought of leaving.

As I walked over the bridge towards my bike, I saw a group of guys indulging in fishing. They were having a great time as they thought of good business.

KRP (Krishnagiri Reservoir Project) Dam is built over Thenpennai river and is a lifeline as it irrigates thousands of acres of land around Krishnagiri.

Thanks @VIJAY BHUYAN88 for the suggestion. Had I gone to this place on a weekday, I would have see few people and would have been lot calmer. Nevertheless, a good place. Reached home by 3.30 and was all set to get on with other chores.

Total distance: 193 Km

A huge group, ready for mass lunch

A memorial in the honor of those who completed this project

**krishna77** · 12-12-2015, 08:45 PM

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

The last set of pictures is awesome!

**experimentalhead** · 12-12-2015, 11:50 PM

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Originally posted by krishna77 View Post

The last set of pictures is awesome!

Thanks Krishna. All credit goes to places I am lucky to visit and to my moto-g2

**VIJAY BHUYAN88** · 12-13-2015, 03:38 AM

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Awesome awesome ! :-)
+1 with you Sir , roads are super smooth.

**experimentalhead** · 12-13-2015, 12:14 PM

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Originally posted by VIJAY BHUYAN88 View Post

Awesome awesome ! :-)
+1 with you Sir , roads are super smooth.

Absolutely Vijay

**experimentalhead** · 01-03-2016, 02:39 PM

Ride 14: Talakad

Talakad:

First of all, I wish everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous, new year, 2016.
May every rider complete all his rides safely and successfully with zero break downs.

I kick started rides of 2016 in a very special way. After a busy 1st day of the year at office, woke up pretty late on 2nd. Decided to go for a ride. But strangely, my heart and mind in sync, did not feel like leaving my best friend (that's my wife) back home. So, asked my wife whether she would like to join for a long ride. She readily agreed and was excited like a kid. Her excitement was infectious and I was all pumped up. After ensuring that both are properly geared up for the ride, we started at 11:15 AM.

Weather was sunny but yet cold and chilly. Love such conditions. We slowly made our way out of city and were on NICE road. I was frequently checking whether my partner-in-crime was comfortable. Once we entered NH209, we slowly picked up pace.

Though it's NH, roads are narrow, with impatient traffic. We were cruising through country side, tank bunds, greenery all around with harvesting season all around, we came across many farmers engrossed in harvesting. We stopped at Kanakpura's famous hotel. But we were disappointed to learn that famous dosas were not ready would take good one and a half hours to be ready. We moved on. Roads got better. But one has to be very careful with this stretch. We came across a nice twisty ending abruptly with a big pot hole and one would come across many such unpleasant surprises quite frequently on this stretch.

Apart from pathetic road conditions at some places, one has to tolerate cyclists, riders and drivers who would all be busy on their cell phones and yet using their vehicles. I kept cursing, but in my mind as I did not want to disturb my wife enjoying the greenery around.

As we approached our destination, roads were a torture and I could feel my wife tightening up out of nervousness as I rode through loose gravel infested pot holed road. Once we were through rough patch, nice country side roads will green all around welcomed us. We also got first glimpse of river Cauvery shining under bright sun.

Our idea of Talakad was a quiet and serene place. We did not expect any crowd and we also thought that we may not get any eatables there and we carried some fruits and water. But we were taken aback by crowd. It was like an explosion. Even when we were riding to Talakad we did not come across many vehicles except for few locals on their two-wheelers and another couple on their bullet. So, I thought these many must have taken another route. There were thousands of people and many temporarily put eateries and hundreds of cars and two wheelers parked literally everywhere. When I was wondering about where to park my friend, a young man requested me to park it right next to his hotel and assured that he would take care of it and would not allow anyone to touch it. It was 2.30 by then and we were starving. We decided to have meals. Lunch was a pleasant surprise. It was tasty and filling without any soda. After sumptuous meals, we took a stroll towards river.

River was infested with humans. Many enjoying their time in the water and on sand as well indulging in games. We did not dare enter the river as we witnessed mass bathing by many and also washing their under garments in same water and many were bathing as if they were in their bathrooms. And noise, what a noise. We rode so far expecting calm. After spending some time, we decided to leave.

While returning we took another route. Just about when I was to tell my wife that how good these roads were to ride, we hit a patch under repair. It was torture for all three of us. But we held our ground and rode through that horrendous patch. We stopped near a lake. This place was what we hoped for. We took some pics and enjoyed the formations by birds in the sky. Then we rode enjoying the evening breeze with occasional short stops. Reached Bangalore around 7 PM and after enjoying a good evening coffee, we reached home.

Not many pics were taken during this ride as we rarely stopped.

Total distance covered: 285 Km

To give you an idea about noise:

**experimentalhead** · 01-15-2016, 01:21 PM

Ride 15: Day 1 - Gandikota Fort

Ride 15: Day 1 - Gandikota Fort

Few of my friends and I were contemplating a group ride for quite some time. However, we were not able to finalize anything and in the mean time we were busy finishing our individual rides and some did not ride at all. At last, in December 2015, we decided to ride in the second weekend of new year. Everybody wanted to visit an exotic location. Gandikota fort and Belum caves were in my wish list for long. Everybody were excited and there and these two destinations were agreed upon by unanimous choice.

We started the preparations. Whatsapp group created. Seven riders. Two dropped themselves due to unavoidable commitments. Rest five confirmed. Accommodation booked. Motorcycles were checked and readied. Route was decided.

One more wicket fell on the eve of ride due to a family emergency. Four were still on. Slept late but well.

Started at 5.40 AM. Was misty. I never had seen such heavy fog in Bangalore. Joined fellow riders around 6.30 AM. From now on this will be a photo log

Heavy fog. Do you see the Sun?

Riders in discussion

On way to Kadiri's famous Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple. Roads were great. At times very narrow and bad due to pot holes.

Sri Kadiri Narasimha Swamy Temple. A beautiful temple. We spent good one and a half hours here. Had nice darshan and took lord's blessings

Some awesome roads from Kadiri to Gandikota Fort

The Champs

Some ghats and some more mesmerizing roads. Thoroughly loved riding here

We had lunch at 'Pulivendula'. Then we rode to a place called Jammalamadugu, where FZ's clutch cable gave up. Fortunately we got a mechanic who fixed it in no time. Some lovely stretches from there on. Just 14 more Kms to Gandikotafort.

Destination reached at 5.15 PM. AP Tourism Resort

We checked in and got freshened up quick as Sun was going down fast. We did not know that famous gorge could be reached by entering the fort. We skipped the fort and followed the road and reached nowhere. But, it was a beautiful evening nonetheless.

Breakfast rides and sitting at home, do not fetch these, we thought

We thought we could still make it to gorge and so we did to see the beauty in the sun set. We were not at all disappointed. We were also surprised to see the number of tourists. This place is no longer untouched. I am happy that I visited this place before it is commercialized. We rode through a very small village. We were told that we could take the bike inside fort. We did so and parked where we could not ride any further. Then we did a small trek through the rocky boulders and then

It was getting dark quick, and cell phone, at least mine, was not the right tool to capture the beauty in the dark.

We returned to our rooms and had good fun chatting over dinner till midnight. We were excited about seeing this exotic place next morning.

TO BE CONTINUED

**experimentalhead** · 01-15-2016, 03:24 PM

Ride 15: Day 2 - Gandikota Sunrise & Belum caves

Ride 15: Day 2 - Gandikota Sunrise & Belum caves

We got up early in the morning and rode to Gandikota fort. But we were slightly late as Sun was already up and running costing us early morning beautiful colors in the sky.

Some captures from terrace. Early morning.

Soaking in the Sun. Getting Vitamin D.

Up and down through the rocks

And, we were all captivated and spell bound. Great Canyon & River Pennar

Fort wall on the other side

A cell phone Panorama

Ancient temple of Sri Ranganatha Swamy

Some splendid carvings

Lord's idol has been removed. An empty sanctum

Sri Madhava Swamy temple can be seen from here. Do you see it in the picture

Granary

Jamia Masjid

Gandikota Village

Sri Madahava Swamy Temple

Gandikota Charminar

Fort's Main gate

40 feet height bastion

After spending good amount of time near breathtaking canyon and spectacular fort, we were starving. Breakfast, freshen up and started towards Belum caves at 10 AM

Some beautiful straight stretches. It was sunny and hot. Narrow roads. But hardly any traffic.

It was not all dry. We rode through some green patches as well.

Belum caves are around 50 Kms from Gandikota fort. We were there by 12 after filling up tanks. We were all excited as we saw Lord Buddha's status with Belum caves carved on hill in the back ground. Entrance fee Rs 50 per head.

Enter the cave

A very famous tourist spot now. A large crowd was present. As we go deep inside, oxygen levels go down a bit. But place is very well maintained with good lighting and no litter whatsoever. Awesome job by tourism department. We slowly started sweating. Thanks to our gears as well. Good way to lose some weight.

Friends busy taking selfie

Pictures are not of great quality. But, I hope they still captured the nature of the place.

An artificial fountain

We found a saint. Meditation only for picture

My way of meditation. My family will scold me by the way my tummy is protruding out. No work out for last six months. Only eating and sleeping. Also, thanks to a sedentary job. Time to go back to Gym.

We took an unlit path with no people and tried some amateurish photography. This was fun. Once we turned off the torch and it was amusing and scary.

One of the two edits of the lot. Just wanted to see how the B&W picture looks.

One has to be very careful with protrusions from top as chances of getting hurt are high

Some passages are very narrow and tight

Apologies for poor quality

We were dehydrated by the time we came out of caves. It was an exhilarating experience. We had good amount of water to re-hydrate.

Statue of Lord Buddha was such a calming sight. We took few pictures. Had Andhra meals in a hotel right outside.

We resumed our return leg of the journey. It was becoming very hot. At many places road widening and repair work was going on. Otherwise the roads were in good condition.

Famous Cuddapah quarries

Milestone for my Motorcycle. many more to come. Hope and pray for the same.

It was hot and sunny. A small pond shone under bright sun.

Heat was tiring us down. We need some breeze badly.

Once we were on Bangalore-Hyderabad NH, we picked up more speed and enjoyed nice evening ride to Bangalore.

We reached Bangalore at 7. Waited for others to join us. After regrouping and having a chat about ride, we dispersed on the note that we should do more of these kind of rides. Reached home at 8.30 PM.

Distance covered: 745 Km

**shashank ashwin** · 01-19-2016, 10:03 AM

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Could you please share details of the accommodation there?

**MUSTANG 27** · 01-19-2016, 04:03 PM

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Great gng Raghu and congrats on completing the 10k mark..

**rajpal** · 01-20-2016, 06:59 AM

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

WOW...what an awesome thread!

Just went through the entire thread and enjoyed each and every word and each and every picture.

Thanks for sharing it here.....

Might never be able to ride those reads in real life but have ridden them through your words and pictures. Keep riding and keep clicking and keep sharing....

**experimentalhead** · 01-23-2016, 01:30 PM

Re: Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

Originally posted by shashank ashwin View Post

Could you please share details of the accommodation there?

Place: Gandikota Fort
Hotel Name: Haritha Resort by Andhra Tourism
Landmark: Near fort. Only accommodation available
Cleanliness: 6 /10
Staff: Ok Ok
Food: 6/ 10. Not great. Not bad either. They charged us Rs. 1000 in advance for dinner and breakfast. We were told that if our food expense was less than 1000, then rest would be refunded.
Price: Booked online. Now a days only AC rooms are available unlike earlier when AC, non-AC and dorm were available. Rs. 1100 per room. Only 2 allowed per room. Additional person/ bed in a room would attract Rs. 300 more.
Why I picked it: Only accommodation available near fort which is just 5 minutes from resort. Or else, one has to go to a nearby small town called 'Jammalamadugu' which is 14 Km from Gandikota.

Advantage: You can also park the bike right in front of your room.

Originally posted by MUSTANG 27 View Post

Great gng Raghu and congrats on completing the 10k mark..

Thanks Rajesh

Originally posted by rajpal View Post

WOW...what an awesome thread!

Just went through the entire thread and enjoyed each and every word and each and every picture.

Thanks for sharing it here.....

Might never be able to ride those reads in real life but have ridden them through your words and pictures. Keep riding and keep clicking and keep sharing....

Thanks [MENTION=61751]rajpal[/MENTION] for your kind words. Will share as and when I ride

**experimentalhead** · 01-26-2016, 03:58 PM

Ride 16: Devarabetta

Ride 16 - Devarabetta

After a fun filled week of driving around mesmerizing Coorg and Chikmagalur, I could not resist the beckoning of my Benelli. Decided to ride to Devarabetta which translates to God's hill. After reaching Hosur, took diversion to Hosur's inner ring road. Beautiful NH vanished and I was greeted by pot holes in myriad. In between did find some stretches of good road which were disturbed by unwanted pot holes. At some places 'pot hole' is an understatement.

I started from home around 3 PM. Around 4.30, I was around a very small town called Thally. As I approached this town, I noticed that climate was very cool with mild mist all around. No wonder why it is called as Little England. Locals said there was nothing to see in that town and said actual destination was 6 Km away.

I rode through beautiful country side enjoying the sight of cattle returning to their stable, Peasants still at work and some relaxing, kids returning home from school and greenery all around. Reached Destination around 5 PM. Parked the bike near temple at the foot of this small hill. Nobody was there except a gentleman who showed me the direction to stairs leading to top. After paying my obeisance to almighty Lord Shiva and his family, started my ascent.

After multiple reminders by my body to watch my diet and make a return to Gym, I made it to top. Not completely though. Stair case ends at around 75%. Rest was climbing the hill. It was not slippery. However, one needs to be careful.

Another temple of Lord Shiva is present at the top. There was no one around. It was totally secluded. Cool breeze was relaxing. I wandered around and view was amazing. Sun was going down. Spent time till sunset enjoying the view and clicking few pictures. If you are looking for a calm place for only yourself, then this is it.

Started my return journey at 6.15 PM. After riding carefully through pot holes, reached Hosur. Lost my way and found NH with help of directions by locals. Reached home at 8 PM. Thanks to Bangalore Traffic.

Total distance covered: 146 Km.

I believe in showing good side

Some good roads.

Through country side. Last 6 Km are beautiful.

Different shades of green and brown

Destination ' Devarabetta' Stairs to the top.

While climbing

A local belief, I guess. Many had piled stones one above the other.

Closer look

View from top

Another hill next to the main one

Sunset

Found my way back to stairs

Sunset on the rocks. A new cocktail in the making

It's Trek time

After a long day

Temple at the base

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Weekend/ Holiday rides: Joy of Motorcycling

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