Rides

Hogenekkal

1. HOGENEKKAL FALLS: (Ride into Oblivion)

Distance = 150kms

Roads = Mixture of Country, Muddy, Streams

Ride Rating = 5/5

Hogenekkal is known as the “India’s Niagara”. It is situated at the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu Border. There are the two routes to reach hogenekkal from Bangalore. One is on the highway via Dharampuri. The second route is a very scenic and breath taking route which runs through minor falls, hills, villages, over small streams. We ended up having an accident as it was too much beauty to take in all at once :P
(Click here for more - Hogenekkal)

 

Coorg Ride

2. COORG (MADIKERI): (Coffee Ride)

Distance = 300kms

Roads = Wide Broad Roads/Forest Roads

Ride Rating = 4.5/5

Coorg is known as the “Scotland of India”. The ride to this place is one would really enjoy. Coorg can be reached via Nagarhole Forest or via Bylakuppe. The roads are wide and with lot of curves which a biker would truly relish. Also Coorg has a lot of places in it and surrounding it. So a 3 day visit would be required to cover all the places. There are excellent homestays available.
(Click here for more - Ride to Coorg)

 

BR Hills

3. BR HILLS: (Forest Ride)

Distance = 220kms

Roads = Minor Hiccups near Kollegala

Ride Rating = 4.5/5

BR Hills is a confluence between the eastern and western ghats of India. BR hills is a protected reserve. Animals here include Tigers, Leopards, Bears, Elephants, Bisons etc., The ride to the temple on top through the forest is often met with immediate silence as the forest takes over the rider and keeps him alert. Our encounters with elephants on two of such rides will remain deeply buried within our heads forever. Also, back in 2011 we were privileged to ride on the coldest day in Bangalore (9deg Celsius) to this very place.
(Click here For More:
1. BR Hills - Ride Across the River
2. BR Hills - Coldest Ride from Bangalore
3. BR Hills - The Furnace Ride
4. BR Hills - Elephants Charge
5. BR Hills - 600kms One Day Ride
6. BR Hills - Thunderstruck!)

 

Yercaud

4. YERCAUD: (Cruise Mode)

Distance = 250kms

Roads = Smooth Roads throughout

Ride Rating = 4/5

Yercaud is situated near Salem and is known as the “Jewel of the South”. it is a very popular tourist destination for both TN & Karnataka. Lot of view point’s exist from the top and the lake remains to be the major attraction. The ride uphill consists of 20 hairpin bends unevenly distributed. We had done this 500kms one day ride on an Avenger to start off 2012.
(Click here for more:
1. Yercaud - Saints Unleash)

 

Pondicherry

5. PONDICHERRY: (Nearest Shore)

Distance = 325kms

Roads = Horrible roads for 100kms after Trivanamallai

Ride Rating = 4/5

Pondicherry was French settlement and the influences is still visible till date. This beautiful town harnesses some of the best beaches and wonderful buildings, how can one forget cheap liquor. The ride to Pondicherry can be tiring as the roads after Thiruvanamalai is really bad and it takes a toll on the knee and fingers. One can always combine the beautiful Gingee fort along with this ride. 
(Click here for more:
1. Pudducherry - Coast Invasion)

 

Chitradurga

6. CHITRADURGA FORT: (Hide and Seek)

Distance = 220kms

Roads = Superb roads throughout

Ride Rating = 4/5

Chitradurga fort means “picturesque fort” in Kannada. The fort trust me is an universe of its own. So many things to learn in this fort about ancient warfare, lifestyle, battle strategies, religious beliefs, architecture. The ride to this place is a very smooth one. Once can always combine Vanivilas Sagara Dam with this Fort. Best time to visit would be during pre/post-monsoon. For first time visitors I would suggest you go on a weekday and take a guide along. Trust me it is worth it!
(Click here for more:
1. Chitradurga - Time travel into ancient Heaven
2. Chitradurga - Rewinding the sands of time)

 

Yelagiri

7. YELAGIRI: (Oven Ride)

Distance = 160kms

Roads = Wide roads throughout

Ride Rating = 3.5/5

Yelagiri is hill station in Vellore district in Tamil Nadu. The ride up the hill is consists of 14 hair pin curves. But as one approaches the top, the surroundings are flooded with Nilgiri trees. This hill station reminds one of Ooty. The roads from Krishangiri to Elagiri are very broad and one should be careful not to doze off. On top of the hill there are handful of places to see. The major ones being a waterfall and an artificial lake.
(Click here for more:
1. Yelagiri - Scorching Ass Buster
2. Elagiri - The Oven Ride)

 

Markonahalli

8. MARKONAHALLI: (Fog Ride)

Distance = 100kms

Roads = Wide roads throughout

Ride Rating = 3.5/5

Markonahalli Dam is situated near Kunigal on Hassan road. It has pleasant waters and the construction of the dam is really interesting. Back in 2012, our club saw one of the best rides to this place. We had to ride 50+kms through thick curtains of fog. So plan well  during Nov-Dec to relish the same. 
(Click here for more:
1. Markonahalli Dam - Old School Run
2. Markonahalli Dam - Fog Ride
3. Markonahalli Dam - The stones still fly!
4. Markonahlli Dam - Monk Run)

 

Nandi Hills

9. NANDI HILLS: (After Trek Ride)

Distance = 75kms

Roads = Good throughout

Ride Rating = 3/5

Nandi hills, how many of your ears stood up? Nandi hills is situated near Devenahalli, Tippu Sultan’s birthplace. The place is very commercialized and crowded. We had visited this place after finishing a trek at Madhugiri. I would say, over-rated and over-commercialized place. The ride up the hill is pretty good, but if there are lot of vehicles, even this joy is lost.
(Click here for more:
1. Nandi Hills - Race to Clouds at 3AM!
2. Nandi Hills - Ride those curves!)

 

Melukote

10. MELUKOTE: (Evergreen Ride)

Distance = 150kms

Roads = Good throughout

Ride Rating = 4/5

Melukote is a sacred place situated in Mandya District. The place is itself is surrounded by 200+lakes which makes the surrounding land more or less ever green. The ride to this amazing place is through a lot of sugar cane fields and grass lands. The curvy, twisty roads between cool green lands are bliss to execute. Also this place offers a decent trek to all the hikers out there!
(Click here for more:
1. Melukote - Silver Jubilee Ride
2. Melukote - Old School Ride
3. Melukote - Rize O' Blade!
4. Melukote - Welcoming the Rains
5. Melukote - Black Saints assemble!)

Chamundi hills

11. CHAMUNDI HILLS: (Mysore Ride)

Distance = 150kms

Roads = Good throughout

Ride Rating = 4/5

The ride to Mysore has to be in the bucket list of every rider in Bangalore. The smoothest of state highways filled with variety of hotels, dhabas, gift shops, coffee shops keeps one entertained throughout the ride. Every spot on the road feels like home. Chamundi can be clubbed with a lot of other places around Mysore. So of it include Balmuri, Mysore palace, Srirangapatna.
(Click here for more:
1. Chamundi Hills - Flawless Victory!
2. Chamundi Hills - Old Pure Ways
3. Chamundi Hills - The Farewell
4. Chamundi Hills - Orange Jaguar Roars!)

 

MM Hills

12. MM HILLS: (Holy Ride)

Distance = 250kms

Roads = Good throughout

Ride Rating = 3.5/5

It is pilgrimage place in the Chamrajanagara district.  This temple is believed to be very dear to devotees from both Mysore side and Bangalore side. So going on a weekend, you are bound to encounter a lot of people. There are total of 27 hairpin curves out of which first 13-14 are good. We had clubbed BR hills along with this touring a 600kms in a single day.
(Click here for more:
1. MM Hills - 600kms one day kickass Ride!)

 

Muthati

13. MUTHATHI: (Crocodile park)

Distance = 100kms

Roads = Horrible roads from Sathnur

Ride Rating = 3.5/5

Muthathi is river spot, but the ride to this place is through a forest reserve and hence it falls under rides.  The place can be reached from either Kanakpura road or Mysore road. It is not advisable to get into the waters as it houses a lot of dangerous whirlpools and crocodiles. Staying back too late at this place is also dangerous as it home to wild elephants and black magicians.
(Click here for more:
1. Muthati - Wake up the neighborhood
2. Muthati - Tranquility Restored
3. Muthati - Buzzz Ride!
4. Muthati - One Last Ride
5. Muthati - Jaguar Rips through!)

 

Chikamaglur

14. CHIKAMAGULR:

Distance = 250kms

Roads = Decent Roads throughout

Ride Rating = 4/5

Chikamagulur is located at the foothills of the mighty Mulliyangiri peak. It is known for its coffee estates an riding between them one can get high. The ride to this place can be combined with a lot of other places on the way and around the town. Some of them that we had covered include Belur-Halebidu, Yagatchi, Mulliyangiri, Kemmangundi. The ride can get become tiring as the roads are narrow, but nevertheless always refreshing.

(Click here for more:
1. Chikamagulur - Jibe in the clouds)

Bilikal Betta

15. BILIKAL BETTA:

Distance = 75kms

Roads = Decent Roads until the base of the hill, after which muddy terrain.

Ride Rating = 3.5/5

Billikal betta is a hill near Kanakpura known for the famous Ranganathaswamy temple. The ride to the top is actually pretty scary as the forest is flooded with elephants and riding on the muddy terrain with trees fallen all over the place can be pretty intimidating. We had planned for a trek but ended up riding up the hill. 
(Click here for more:
1. Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta - Forest Ride)

 

Shettihalli Church

16. SHETTIHALLI CHURCH:

Distance = 225kms

Roads = Good roads throughout.

Ride Rating = 4/5

Hassan’s favourite getaway spot and a very famous shooting place. This ancient spooky church lies on the river banks of the Hemvathi and is about 25-30kms from Hassan. The ride can be clubbed with Gorur dam as we had done the same. The church gets submerged under water during monsoons when the gates of the Gorur dam are released. Anytime is a good season to visit is marvellous place.
(Click here for more:
1. Shettihalli Church - Church of Darkness)

 

Avallabetta

17. AVALABETTA:

Distance = 100kms

Roads = Good roads throughout.

Ride Rating = 4/5

One of the places that became recently popular because of the “beak rock”. The ride to the place is very good and falls close to Nandi & Skandagiri hills. One can travel to this place reaching Prerasandra else one can ask the locals for interior route that runs through old villages. The place by itself is known for Narasimha  temple on top. The mini ghat section is on cement roads. 
(Click here for more:
1. Avalabetta - Rekindle the fire)

 

Hesarghatta Grasslands

18. HESARGHATTA GRASSLANDS:

Distance = 35kms

Roads = Average Raods

Ride Rating = 3/5

Hesarghatta was once a lake, now reduced to mere dry lands. But the red soil makes this place stand out as a favourite hangout spot for people in Bangalore. This happens to be another shooting spot for movies and TV serials. Our ride to this place saw some fun moments, where one of our bikes were borrowed for a shooting. Overall this place is very to relax and spend some quality time.
(Click here for more:
1. Hesarghatta - Serene Grasslands)

 

Golden Temple

19. GOLDEN TEMPLE:

Distance = 250kms

Roads = Excellent Roads throughout

Ride Rating = 4/5

Golden temple is a Tibetan monastery situated at Bylakuppe on the Mysore-Coorg road. This place is usually visited by riders on their way to Coorg. But our trip was planned to Mysore only, but we ended up at this beautiful place. The whole town is a Tibetan settlement and makes you feel you in a different world itself. Few dhabas are available on the Coorg-Mysore highway.
(Click here for more:
1. Golden Temple - Big Finish to 2011
2. Golden temple - 500kms one day ride!)

 

Omkar Hills

20. TURAHALLI FOREST & OMKAR HILLS:

Distance = 15kms

Roads = Excellent Roads throughout

Ride Rating = 3/5

The perfect two places for a small get away for morning. Turahalli forest is now turning into a rock climbing spot. Omkar hills has a Shiva temple with 12 different Lingas. This is the place I had spent almost months together teaching a friend to ride a motorcycle. If lucky we can spot a lot of peacocks playing right in the middle of the roads.
(Click here for more:
1. Turahalli Forest, Omkar Hills - Small Trip, Big Thoughts
2. Turahalli Forest, Omkar Hills - The Training Day )

 

Devarayanadurga

21. DEVARAYANADURGA:

Distance = 75kms

Roads = Excellent Roads throughout

Ride Rating = 3.5/5

Devarayanadurga is one of the Navadurgas which surround Bangalore. To know more about the Navadurgas see the TREK section. This hill is situated near Tumkur and can be accessed via Dobbaspete. The ride to this place is pleasant and peaceful. The ride ends at the temple and one can trek ahead to reach the top most point.
(Click here for more:
1. Devarayanadurga - Tight Diamond Jubilee Ride)

 

Himvadgopalaswamy betta

22. HIMVADGOPALSWAMY HILLS

Distance = 225kms

Roads = Bad roads in ghat section

Ride Rating = 4/5

Himvadgopalswamy betta is the highest peak of Bandipur National Park. It lies in the core area of the Bandipur and is frequented by wild life primarily elephants. Dense fog resides throughout the year giving it the prefix Himvad. There is a Venugopalswamy temple on top. The roads are in horrible conditions. During our ride to the place, we happened to encounter a cobra on the road. Off recent, only Govt buses have to be taken to the top of the hill.
(Click here for more:
1. Himvadgopalswamy Hills - 4AM Cold Ride!)

Gandikota & Belum Caves

23. GANDIKOTA & BELUM CAVES

Distance = 350kms

Roads = Good roads

Ride Rating = 4.4/5

Amazing, Amazing two ride from Bangalore. It almost reminds you of the Wild west movies. Not only the ride to these places are amazing, but the places themselves are too! Gandikota is an ancient fort and the view from the Gorge is what attracts major tourists. (read about the history dummies) also Belum caves being the second longest caves in India is a pure joy to play around.
(Click here for more:
1. Gandikota & Belum Caves)

Venugopala Swamy temple

24. KRS Backwaters & Venugopalaswamy temple:

Distance = 150kms

Roads = Good roads

Ride Rating = 4.5/5

Has to be one of the most beautiful temples seen till date. It is situated at the KRS backwaters in Mysore, so a very nice ride for sure. It is a 12th century Hoyasala temple, which laid submerged under water about 1km from where it stands today. It has been 15-16 years since the re-location began and is expected to open by 2018. It is a very peaceful place and the sunset is something special here.
(Click here for more:
1. KRS Backwaters & Venugopalaswamy temple)