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Re: Epic Ride To South India
It indeed seems like an epic ride ! Please bring the rest soon.. can't wait.
It indeed seems like an epic ride ! Please bring the rest soon.. can't wait.
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Re: Epic Ride To South India
Thanks for the appreciation friends.
Sorry for the delay in writing the rest of the journey. Very busy with the office work after having 3 weeks of riding.
DAY 2: Gopalpur to Araku
Total Distance: 320 km
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After having a good night sleep, we wake up at around 7 am next day i.e. 9-Jan. We had our breakfast at the hotel and got ready to start at around 9 am. I checked google map for the direction to Araku from Gopalpur and the map directed us a road via vizianagaram. We didn't have to enter Vizag and had to take a right turn at vizianagaram. We blindly followed google map and it took us to the Vizag-Araku road.
On the way to Araku, we had the famous bamboo chicken. .. The guy marinated the chicken and cooked just in front of us. It taste awesome. One should definitely try it while in Araku.
Initially we thought of visiting Borra Caves while going to Araku. But it was already 2pm when we reached Borra Caves as we took too much Photo session break. Our plan was to stay at Araku only for one day. So there is no point in reaching the valley after the dark. So dropped the plan for Borra cave on that day and visited the same on next day while climbing down to Vizag.
Araku Valley. Taken from our Hotel Balcony
Taken while climbing up to Araku
Day 3: Araku to Vizag
Total Distance: 130 km
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We started from Araku at around 10 am after having complimentary breakfast at the hotel. Visited Borra caves on the way. We didn't like the cave that much as it was artificially illuminated (too much illumination) and we thought we were visiting any cave museum. However, the cave was huge and roaming around the entire cave was really tiresome. We spent almost 2.5 hours there and then started for Vizag. We planned to stay at Rushikonda beach at Vizag instead of staying near Ramakrishna beach. Reached Rushikonda at around 4 pm.
Rushikonda beach at the background .. taken from our Hotel Balcony
Vizag Beach road.
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Re: Epic Ride To South India
Beautiful captures!A bike on the road is worth two in the shed.
Weekend Rides Around Kolkata
My Ride To Sunderbans - Hemnagar & Samsernagar
Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling
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Re: Epic Ride To South India
Some good camera work !Comment
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Re: Epic Ride To South India
Day 4: Stay at Vizag
Total Distance: ~80 km
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We stayed at Haritha Beach resort, Rushikonda and visited Kailashgiri, Visakha Museum, Yarada Beach and Submarine Museum. Typical sight seeing day you can say.
Sunset @Yarada Beach
Kailashgiri
Day 5: Vizag To Hyderabad
Total Distance: 700km
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This was the toughest day for us. Not because we had to travel 700km, but because of some bad decision we made on the road.
We started a bit late at around 10:30 after having breakfast assuming the roads till Hyderabad would be super smooth and we could reach there by MAX 9pm !! Journey started without any issue and we were close to Rajahmundry by 12:30 pm. Just before you enter Rajahmundry, there is a 'Y' road and both of the roads are going to Vijaywada. BIG confusion!! .. Started google map and it confidently showed us to take right side road i.e. to leave NH16!! My study before the ride was trying to convince me that we should stick to NH16 till Vijaywada and then take a right turn onto NH65 to Hyderabad. To be sure, we asked some local people and all of them suggested to leave NH16 and take the right side road. They told us that road would save around 80-100km to Hyderabad. That was a BIG mistake we made there. We took the right side road as per local people and google map, and after 10-15 km, the road narrowed down to two way state highway and there was absolutely no road. I mean it.. no road !! And it continues for almost 100km. It took us around 5 hours to cover that distance with some super human riding skill. With a pillion and so much luggage, I can't explain how difficult it was for me to do that. When road started coming in shape, it was already dark and we were yet to cover more than 400km. Out of those 400km, around 280km were single lane state highway. And the stretches we were going through didn't have any Hotel where you can stay with your wife. I was getting really irritated experiencing this. Hats off to my wife that She guided me and supported me all through. Luckily we had to go to my friend's place in Hyderabad. Finding Hotels at Night would be more difficult.
Finally we reached my friend's place at around 12 mid night after having too much difficulties in entering Hyderabad city. There are Outer Ring Road where bikes are not allowed. Google map constantly showing path through Outer Ring Road only. And there were no one who could help with the direction. And after riding more than 650km on that "Awesome" road, my brain stopped working. Fortunately, we got help from two Policeman who set the google map with proper direction.
It was a real tough day for us. But this is what we ride for .. to make memories..
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Re: Epic Ride To South India
Why don't you prefer Kerala while in your ride. If you choose it, it may be a wonderful experience for you. The photographs you added was nice.Comment
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Re: Epic Ride To South India
For you, the alternative to google maps - local people also betrayed :P It's high time that Google maps start an option for bikes, as in to show the restricted pathways for two wheelers.Comment
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Re: Epic Ride To South India
South India is not a place to cover in a single ride, specially with my limited leaves. There are so many places still to explore in South. Will surely explore those.Originally posted by Dhanesh G Mohan View Post
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Yes, they did. But can't blame them as they were suggesting the shorter route.Originally posted by amods View PostComment
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Re: Epic Ride To South India
Awesome trip and pictures to match! Daarun!
This is the best way to explore India...so keep the snaps coming.
Kothaey thako Kolkatatey?Once I have donned my black helmet, I become anonymous. My face ceases to identify me. My black visor shields others from the rigours of my passing glance while shielding me from their attempts to peer into my soul. I am an anonymous rider shrouded in black. I am no longer a specific self. I am a passing Traveller.Comment
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Re: Epic Ride To South India
awesome!!! I live in Hyd & I am thinking of three trips to cover whole south India, 1 to cover TN & KA, and another to cover KA & KL & then the last to cover the AP & TN side.. from my experience, you can't cover the whole south in two trips.. it's difficult.. not impossible.. BUT if you can get 2 months leave, I'm sure you can cover most major places..
After reading the "bad roads" bit, I hope that the road conditions thread here are updated.
the best way is to check within your friends circle to check if there's any biker group in the place you're visiting so that they can guide you better than the maps/locals..
can't wait for the rest of the log
live long.. live happy.. that's the best revenge that can be served to the people who hate you..
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Re: Epic Ride To South India
Great pics and storytelling. A lot of the places you went to are on my list as well, and this is especially helpful because I too will have a full time pillion. Thanks for sharing.Comment
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