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Bike Ride: Bangalore Backroads – North East of Bangalore
Ride Map. A ride after a long time. Just wanted to hit the roads, going no where and just enjoying the countryside.
Confident Aamoon on Kolar Road
Light trials at Confident Aamoon Left around 0530 and took the 1st short break at Confident Aamoon. Sun was just rising in front and I was hoping for a good sunrise over the Narsapura lake.
The sunrise at Narsapura was a disappointment. Horizon was mostly clouds. Having no particular destination in mind I decided to head towards H Cross.
To my surprise the road has completely transformed. The narrow rural road is now a divided highway meant for trucks for going to and fro from the industrial area they are building at Bheemapura. I had some great memories of this road with a few great pictures. Ahh the cost of progress.
At H Cross, I stopped for a cup of tea and then turned towards Chintamani. Few Km down the Chintamani road, took another break in the fields. The sun had cleared the horizon and was now rising above the morning fog. It was time to take some pictures.
Took the Chintamani bypass towards Madanpalli. The road from Chintamani to Madanpalli is another one I have always enjoyed. The curved roads are flanked by fields, forests and a spattering of water.
Near a water body, couple of young guys were bathing their buffaloes. Took another break, chatted with them and took some pictures.
At Madanpalli, I was quite hungry. But first I had to refuel the bike. Having done that, I stopped at an idly truck for breakfast. Dosa, Omlette and fresh orange juice was sufficient to keep me going.
From Madanpalle, I turned north towards Kadiri, planning to cut west somewhere in between and join the Hyderabad -Bangalore highway.
That opportunity to turn west came at Balasamudram. Here I took a rural road which would eventually join the NH44 at Kodur.
The road went through several village and several road blocks where the locals were asking for money for upcoming Holi festival.
This was going to be the best part of the ride.
The landscape was mostly barren and shrubs with occasional tree breaking the ground to rise above the rest of the terrain.
I started looking for one such tree which would stand in contrast to the surroundings. Having found one such location, I stopped again to take some pictures.
The lone tree standing tall amidst a barren field, with a spattering of hillocks in the backdrop was a beautiful sites. Few clouds in the sky broke the monotony of blue.
Having joined the Hyderabad-Bangalore highway, I felt it was time for lunch. Spying a Rajasthani dhabha, I stopped for food. Chana masala was the day’s special and I ordered it along with roti and curd.
A hearty meal and I started on the last leg of the ride.
10 hrs and 375 Km later I was home with a good day’s ride under my belt.
Ride Map. A ride after a long time. Just wanted to hit the roads, going no where and just enjoying the countryside.
Confident Aamoon on Kolar RoadLight trials at Confident Aamoon Left around 0530 and took the 1st short break at Confident Aamoon. Sun was just rising in front and I was hoping for a good sunrise over the Narsapura lake. The sunrise at Narsapura was a disappointment. Horizon was mostly clouds. Having no particular destination in mind I decided to head towards H Cross. To my surprise the road has completely transformed. The narrow rural road is now a divided highway meant for trucks for going to and fro from the industrial area they are building at Bheemapura. I had some great memories of this road with a few great pictures. Ahh the cost of progress.
At H Cross, I stopped for a cup of tea and then turned towards Chintamani. Few Km down the Chintamani road, took another break in the fields. The sun had cleared the horizon and was now rising above the morning fog. It was time to take some pictures. Took the Chintamani bypass towards Madanpalli. The road from Chintamani to Madanpalli is another one I have always enjoyed. The curved roads are flanked by fields, forests and a spattering of water. Near a water body, couple of young guys were bathing their buffaloes. Took another break, chatted with them and took some pictures. At Madanpalli, I was quite hungry. But first I had to refuel the bike. Having done that, I stopped at an idly truck for breakfast. Dosa, Omlette and fresh orange juice was sufficient to keep me going. From Madanpalle, I turned north towards Kadiri, planning to cut west somewhere in between and join the Hyderabad -Bangalore highway. That opportunity to turn west came at Balasamudram. Here I took a rural road which would eventually join the NH44 at Kodur.The road went through several village and several road blocks where the locals were asking for money for upcoming Holi festival.
This was going to be the best part of the ride.
The landscape was mostly barren and shrubs with occasional tree breaking the ground to rise above the rest of the terrain. I started looking for one such tree which would stand in contrast to the surroundings. Having found one such location, I stopped again to take some pictures.
The lone tree standing tall amidst a barren field, with a spattering of hillocks in the backdrop was a beautiful sites. Few clouds in the sky broke the monotony of blue.
Having joined the Hyderabad-Bangalore highway, I felt it was time for lunch. Spying a Rajasthani dhabha, I stopped for food. Chana masala was the day’s special and I ordered it along with roti and curd.
A hearty meal and I started on the last leg of the ride.
10 hrs and 375 Km later I was home with a good day’s ride under my belt.
The route map – 565Km of meditating on two wheels. 
I started a little late and decided to take the Nice Road to Kanakpura Road. Took me longer than expected, though I was able to avoid the construction on the Kanakpura Road. The sun was just rising over one of the lakes. Beautiful orange hues. 
Stopped for the customary bike silhouette. The road was a little higher than the surroundings. That helped with the low angle picture. 
Crossed Kanakpura. Was temped to stop at Vasu’s. However decided to skip since I was running late. They have a nice big board now. Good for outsiders who hear the name and come by to eat the yummy food.
The lake on the outskirts of Kanakpura has been developed well for locals to take walks and enjoy the outdoors. A big chariot is seen across the lake on the other end. 
A little after Kanakpura, near where the Kavery pipeline accompanies the road, took a small diversion for taking some pictures. The road gently slopes up and then down, providing an excellent spot to take pictures. The early morning light makes the pictures glow. The rocks are great for sitting and taking a break. 
At Malavalli, stopped for a tea break and turned towards Kollegal.
One of the casualties of road widening is an old temple by the road side. This was once an invisible, hidden behind the bushes, temple where no one went. With the bushes being cleared someone is taking over. The 
The old hand pump is gone too. It’ll no longer fill my bottles. 
A red brick house amidst coconut trees 
After crossing the Satthegala Bridge, took a dirt track down to the river. There wasn’t much water in the river. I was in two minds on whether to go to Hogenakkal or take the Germalam route to Dhimbam ghats. 
At Kollegal I took a break to buy some water, biscuits and chips. Couple of kids came to see the bike. One of them (one above with a mask) looked at the number plate and then looking at me said “Corona virus se bhag kar aaye ho?” (Are you running away from Corona virus?). Smiling I nodded.
Deciding to head towards Hogenakkal, I turned towards MMHills. The road conditions have improved since my last ride on this road. The terrain is always lovely. Distance hills mostly covered by haze and the fields in front lush green. A bush was flowering purple.
A nice tree with fresh red leaves was glowing in the sunlight. 
Crossing Hanur, the climb to MMHills was somewhat monotonous. The day was hot and road wasn’t in great condition. That climb wasn’t much fun. At MMHills, they have build a huge weird dome next to the temple spoiling the beauty of the place. 
Crossing the temple I started the descent towards Hogenakkal. Ever since they rebuilt this road, it has been in great condition. The hillside was turning yellow which was a pleasant sight. 
The falls were the third disappointment of the day. The place was isolated, river bed was dry and I walked across the bed to the falls. 
The elevated pathway to the falls was in ruins. I guess effects of previous year’s floor.
Walking on the rocks on the river bed was a surreal experience. Never imagined that I would walk on this riverbed which was always full or torrents of water. 
After spending sometime at the riverbed, I drove back to the parking area. Had a packet of chips and bottle of water. Checked if there was an option of crossing the river with the bike. No option was available there.
Tracking my way back to the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, I turned towards Mettur dam.
Two views of the Mettur dam.
At Hosur turned towards Bagalur. Took another break for tea. Then a short cut though fields to Chikka Tirupati and then home with a sore bum.
As usual, the route map. Headed North, then turned East and then South, then West to reach home. One good part of staying in the outskirts is the ease of getting out of the city. 
The road was surrounded by fields with a temple here and a graveyard there. 
And then stopped next to a few graves. Also spent some time to figure out how to tie the tail bag so that it does not slip forward and push against the rider. 
Another angle for looks. 
At Sidlaghatta, I turned towards Chintamani. Till now I had not decided to turn toward Chikkaballapur or towards Chintamani. Decided at the spur of the moment and turned right.
Couple of Km before Chintamani, spotted this hill shrouded in clouds. Turned inwards to find this field with flowers. Time for some quick pictures.
At Chintamani, stopped for a coffee. Next to the coffee place was an idli place. How can one resists Chintamani Idlis. Few piping hot ones under the belt and I was off towards Kolar.
The road to Kolar was nice and green. Gone are the red Gulmohars which I enjoyed only a few months back. 
Stopped next to a temple complex for a break and stretch my legs. Ate a guava which I had packed with me. 
Finally, I decided to cross over towards Bangarpet. 
At Bangarpet, turned towards Tekal and then Malur – Hoskote – home. 
I was home by 1130 and after 200Km ready for 1st service.
and of course do not forget to post them here. We are waiting 
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