Thread Approved

Ambernath to Calicut passes through a very beautiful route through Old NH17(Kochi Panvel) and this is the perfect time to take this route, i e: Thane -Pen-Kashedi-Chiplun-Sawamtwadi-Margoa-Canancona-Karwar-Honnavar-Kundapur-Kundapur-Udupi-Mangalore-Kasargod-Kannur-Kozhikode(Calicut). I agree this would be a longer, stressful route especially for the pillion, but you gonna enjoy every bit of it. Yeah, two days is bit of pushing hard, especially with a pillion. Would recommend atleast a day extra. Also Avoid riding on NH17(specially in KA) during night.

Otherwise, you can do the usual route(NH4) branch off somewhere mid way towards Mysore, gundlupet and kalpetta and finally Kozhikode. the latter one is very much doable if you have early starts on both the days of riding. Since its a part of GQ, the road conditions is not much of a worry.

Ride Safe

Best route to travel is NH4. Pune-Satara-Karad-Kolhapur-Nipani-Belgaum-Dharwad-Kalghatgi-Kumta-Honawar-Bhatkal-Kundapura-Udupi-Suratkal-Mangalore-Kasargod-Thaliparamba-Kannur-Thalassery-Mahe-Vadakara-Kozhikode.

I drove this route last december on my Hyundai Accent. Road is very good except some streches in Karnataka.After entering Kerala, its like hell to drive because of traffic and narrow roads even in So called Highways. I started early morning from Mumbai at 3.30 Am. Just a single lunch break near Kolhapur and stay night at Bhatkal covering almost 750 km.I took night halt since my headlights were so weak. I think this route will be safer than Goa route as you are a single biker travelling.Goa route is almost covering forest area and ghats. So it wont be so safe that route if in case your bike gets any breakdown.
Halting depends on your kind of driving. ie what speed you want to drive. If you are ok to drive continuous for 12-13 hours with small breaks, You can halt at Bhatkal. Else take the halt at Belgaum or Dharwad. After Dharwad, The roads are not good and road is passing through forest. So my opinion is to take halt at Dharwad on 1st evening. I drove through this forest at around 6 Pm and its hell dark there. I wanted to reach Bhatkal on the first day itself as I had to cover another 900 km next day up to Kollam.Buffer more time for Kerala roads driving.Also call up your relatives or friends on the morning before entering kerala to know whether there is an unexpected Bandh or Harthal . Calculate the total Km you need to drive and divide it by 2 if you want to cover in 2 days. Cover more km on 2nd day as driving night in Kerala road is not so dangerous as places and people are known to you in case of a breakdown also.

which date are you leaving? if its for the christmas in december, I can join you. Not sure of the date as of now.

thanks phanikar as i said every bit of details posted by you all is valuable to me. yes i think the latter route is preferable as suggested by you

thanks for the detailed update vimal, i would not be pushing my limits and restrict it for two days now as per your suggestions i think i will take it for a three day on road and would enjoy every bit of it. usually i think the winter season is the best to leave on for a long tour but am sorry vimal the dates are not yet decided but will surely let you know about my departure and hopefully we can ride together soon.

thanks again antz for the approval

Which bike do you ride?

currently i own a HH Glamour but soon be upgrading to TBTS 350