127) Mutathi – Black Tranquillity: (16/5/2016)

Place: Muthathi - Island of Tranquility.        

Distance: 100 x 2 = 200kms.

Directions: Bengaluru – Bidadi - Channpatna - Kabbladurga - Muthati

Particiapants: Arun(Aaku bhai) > Madhu (Barca) > Pradeep > Karthik (Sp).

Bikes:  KTM Duke > Pulsar                                      

Previous visit: Maddur - Started?

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:                                                  

A much needed break & more importantly a good swim. A neat, classical ride to this peaceful forest  on a weekday. Getting into the river waters and relaxing was just the medicine needed to shatter the tensed bonds within my head. 

INTRO & PLAN:

Initially we had thought of riding to Chitradurga on Saturday (14^th May 2016) but as it didn’t work out we ended up going for a long walk. During the walk Arun told me he had a holiday on Monday, hence we called up Madhu and asked whether he was up for a ride. Once Madhu confirmed, the plan was set. Late night, Madhu called and told his friend also would be joining us.

TIME: 23:00 (15/5/2016)

 ASSEMBLE & LEAVE: 
Yeah I was up at 05:00, did a few crunches & cycling, had a cup of hot water & lemon and was all set to go. Arun & I met up at bakery at about 06:30. After having some hot tea, we headed towards Nagarbhavi to pick up Madhu and his friend. After a formal introduction of Pradeep we left Bangalore.  
TIME: 07:15

  
 

RIDE 1: (Bangalore – Bidadi– Channpatna – Sathnur - Mutathi)

This was approximately 125kms ride. As we started off from Bangalore, we rode slow & easy for the first 30kms or so. As we reached Bidadi, we pulled over at our regular hotel for some yummy breakfast.

TIME: 08:15

After a yummy breakfast we had a refreshing tea outside and headed further. We rode non-stop at a decent pace until Channpatna. Once we reached Channpatna, we took a left deviation and entered into the country roads. Enjoying the fresh air & pure ambience we rode slow through the towns to get the first glimpse of Kabbladurga.

TIME: 10:00

   

Ah, yes, like always sends chills down my spine every time I see this hillock. Arun with his new found love KTM started burning some rubber and practising stoppee on the clear road. After which we continued further to reach Sathnur. We bought a bottle of water and were ready to enter Mutathi.

As we entered Muthati, we checked into the forest check post and enquired with the guard about the road conditions.  As we entered the forest premises, we were greeted by two beautiful peacocks wandering on the road. As we headed deeper into the forest, the roads became gradually worse. About a kilometer or two prior to actual Muthati, we went off road and found a perfect spot on the river banks.

TIME: 11:30

MUTHATI:

Ah, yes the placid river spot was just the perfect thing needed for us. The water levels had gone low, but nevertheless we had to watch out for the whirpools and dangers of this place. First I got in and swam for some time, after which Pradeep & Madhu got in as well. The float in the cool water was just the relaxation we needed. After about an hour playing in water we decided to get out dry ourselves and head back home. As we were heading out, i spotted a floating stone, I thought i was hallucinating and we packed. As we had a final look, it looked somewhat like a crocodile, but we dismissed and left. (Read the last part)

Ps: The waters here are notorious and have resulted in many deaths. Please be advised and not venture too deep into waters.

TIME: 12:45

  

RIDE 2: ( Muthati – Sathnur – Chanapatna – Bangalore)

This was 125kms ride back home. We decided we would take the same route as we had come to the place. So, riding back uphill we reached Sathnur under the blazing sun. We grabbed a bottle of water and continued further switching riders to reach Channpatna. Once we reached Channpatna, the traffic increased considerably. Bigger problem than that was our tummies began to grumble. So, we raced on non-stop cruising past Ramnagar & Bidadi to reach Kengeri.  After which we headed towards Nagarbhavi towards our new found Dhaba – “Kuteera”

TIME: 15:45

After a heavy, yummy lunch we left the dhaba afloat. Riding on at full speed (without helmet too) we almost went straight into a traffic cop. Just in time we took a reverse turn right in front of him, headed in the wrong way. Dropped Madhu & Pradeep through an alternate route and headed back to reach our respective homes.

TIME: 18:15

CONCLUSION:

“This was just the trip I needed, a perfect stress cracker. The swim in the cool flowing river waters in such a pure ambience was just the thing needed to free & spread out my rusted black wings back into life.
And oh yeah, next day newspaper, few fisherman had been dragged into the water by a croc. Whew! That was a close one!”

Until next time, guluullulu \m/

MAPS:



ALL PHOTOS: