178) Gundal Dam: (4/9/2019)

Place: Gundal Dam

Distance: 150kms x 2 = 300kms

Directions: Bangalore > Kanakpura > Mallavali > Kollegala > Gundal Dam

Krew: Dileep (Koof) > Ashok (Momz)  > Karthik (Sp)

Bikes: Enfield > Pulsar                                                                   

Previous Visit: Ganalu Falls & Shivanasamudra

Budget: Rs 540/head

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:

One crazy unexplored places around Bangalore. But the day of the trip was chaotic there were riots in Kanakpura and Ramnagar region due to the arrest of DKS. We had ride through slushy fields and get away from the mob and the burning tyres. One of those trips where we felt so much resistance to reach the place, one we reached it, all things fell in place and smoothness followed to the end.

INTRO & PLAN:

As koof had come from Nagpur for semester end holidays, we had met few times at Laxmi and then we decided to finish of the JD during a trip. Hence we first planned a ride to Gandikota and then we decided to head to Gundal Dam and finish the JD at Buyyandoddi with some fish fries.

TIME: 22:00 (29/8/2019)

ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:

Yeah I was up by 5AM, did a few push-ups and sit ups, all the physical training had kept me pretty good shape. Koof came to my home and parked his bike, we both took off on my bike to meet Momz at PES NICE toll. After formal greetings, we took off via the NICE road towards Kanakpura road.  

TIME: 07:30

RIDE 1: (Bangalore – Kanakpura – Malavalli – Kollegala – Gundal Dam)

This would have to be one of the most resistance filled yet fun ride. Every moment, our radar was full on alert. As we exited the NICE road, there were cops all around the place sending back 4-wheelers. We thought it might subdue as we proceeded out of town, and we could have never been more wrong. We fuelled up our bikes fearing the petrol bunks might close down. As we proceeded the weather chilled down but the smell of smoke in air could be felt throughout. As we were aproachin Kanakpura, my mouth started watering thinking of the yummy Masala Dose at Vasu hotel, but then there stood a mob of 20-30 people setting fire to buses and tyres and there was absolute chaos all around the place. Keeping a safe distance, we asked a few local auto drivers for alternate routes and then proceeded through villages and re-joined the main road after a few kilometres.

Breathing a sigh of relief we continued for a 5-10kms and there was the second mob blocking the road with a fallen tree and setting fire to it. So we took another deviation through the fields, but as it had rained, our bikes got stuck in the slushy mud and we had some fun removing it out and helping others who took the detour following us.

Finally after the ruckus, and shoes completely smeared with slush, we came out of the villages, it was actually very much fun absorbing the ambience of villages rather than blindly riding on highways. Anyway, as we entered the pipeline road, we were able to cover some distance, but at a slow pace. Then we heard at Sathnur both the main Kanakpura road and the Pipeline road had been block by a mob, this was quite frustrating. When we encountered the mob, who were still beginning to set fire to tyres and shit, I decided to give an unsual twist, went straight to the fellow who was setting the fire and asked him the best route to Kollegala. This took him aback, Momz was confused and so was that poor chap. Knowing where all the strikes were happening, he politely told us the best route. Thanking him we proceeded to reach Halaguru for some much deserved breakfast.

TIME:10:15 

Sitting inside as we began our breakfast the shutters were closed as the mob had begun striking outside, we thought of the option of visiting any nearby place and returning or somehow reaching Gundal staying at Kollegala overnight and returning back the next day.

The ride after Halaguru became peaceful as we entered the Mandya District. No signs of any riots, hence we cruised along a bit fast to make up for the lost time. Saying a big hi to Shivnasamudra we cruised into Kollegala. Proceeding from Kolegala, it was time to test our memories of the route to Gundal.  Getting every turn right, remembering the solar farms, chicken farms we made it to Gundal in one piece.

TIME: 12:00

GUNDAL DAM:

Riding on top of the bund was a pure joy. The view you get to the left is simply breath taking. We decided to go and inspect the Travellers bungalow on top and then return for a dip in the waters. We reached the top of the bungalow and the view from here is simply magnificent. Taking the contact details of the Government officials, we thought we would swim first and then decide whether to stay or move back to Bangalore.

As we rode back towards the bund, the sight in front of us shook us. The right side of the bund was completely invisible with fog and rain and the winds were blowing towards us. As we proceeded hardly 5mins, down came the showers. We still rode on top of the bund and parked our bikes and rested for a few mins near the gates.

Then we decided either way we were getting into the waters, so doesn’t matter much if we get drenched. We parked our bikes on the bund and one foot into the water, koof came running back, we started laughing. Then I took a turn and then I came running back. Before momz could enter we pushed into the waters :P

The water was freaking cold and the skies were playing all along. Few moments of sun and few moments of rain. One point of time half of the reservoir was sunny and the other half was raining. It was simply crazy! After about 30mins in water we decided to head back out and return back to Bangalore on the same day keeping our fingers crossed. We called up the Buyyandoddi Fish place and requested them to keep 5-6fishes aside as we would be dropping by.

TIME:13:30

RIDE 2: (Gundal dam – Kollegala – Mallavali – Buyyanadoddi – Kanakpura - Bangalore)

The ride back was a flat 150kms, but with an awesome stop at Buyyanadoddi. As we left Gundal we knew we had burnt a lot of our time navigating the detours. Hence we sped up and as we did, down came the rains. It was not as intense as last time but nevertheless heavy, but we didn’t want to get stranded 15km away from Buyyandoddi and couldn’t rain as in the Ganalu falls trip, so we pulled over, buckled up, kept all phones inside and rode in the rain. Like they say “if you don’t ride in the rain, then you don’t ride!” but things eventually cleared up and taking a deviation from Halaguru, we stopped at a small bar nearby picking some sides, we sat at Buyyandoddi for the next 1.5hours as the rain picked up, the temperatures plummeted, the fish was piping hot and down it went in one smooth go!

Once we left Buyyandoddi, we knew we had few precious minutes of sunlight. The entire Mysore road was closed due to the riots. .Kanakpura road is dangerous after sunset. Hence, we had to make full use of the sunlight which was available then. So we rode at good pace pretty much non-stop, cruising past Kanakpura, finally about 15km from Bangalore we pulled over for a leak and then as the sunset in deep, we entered the NICE road and reached back home for some good Golgappas.

TIME: 19:30

CONCLUSION:

“This was one crazy chapter, i mean considering the intensity of the ride. We had to constantly make PLAN B,C,D .. and it went on. The angry mob is never nice thing to encounter on a trip. But we kept options open and pulled the chapter off. “

Until next time, Cia \m/

PICASA ALBUM:

MAPS:

177) Ganalu Falls & Shivanasamudra: (21/8/2019)

Place: Ganalu Falls & Shivanasamudra

Distance: 150 x 2 = 300km

Directions: Bangalore > Bidadi > Channpatna > Sathnur > Halagaru > Ganalu > Shivanasamudra

Krew: Chinmay (Big Show) > Ashok (Moms > Karthik (Sp)

Bikes: Pulsar > Enfield                                                                   

Previous Visit: Shivagange – Into the clouds

Budget: Rs 508/head

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:                                                  

This was one crazy trip, the main highlight of the trip was the insane ride back in on of the heaviest rains seen on our road trips. Ganalu falls was in our radar since some years, but had never had manged to tick it off!

INTRO & PLAN:

With waters being released from KRS dam and rain showers every day in Bangalore, thought it had been quite some time since we did a ride in heavy rains. So with only one objective in mind – “to ride in heavy rains” we set ourselves. Chinmay & Moms were the two on confirmed list. So, with no concrete place in mind we decided to meet at Bidadi and then decide.

TIME: 22:00 (19/8/2019)

ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:

Yeah, I was up at 4AM, did a few push-ups & sit-ups. After a sip of coffee I left home towards Bidadi. This was 30km ride and boy Mysore road had changed a lot, but nevertheless had that charm it had since we first set foot on it back in 2009. Pulled over at Bidadi for some yummy breakfast.

TIME: 07:30

RIDE 1: (Bidadi – Kabbaladurga – Halguru – Ganalu Falls)

Once we finished our breakfast, we cruised along at a decent pace on Mysore road. Since it was a weekday, the traffic was somewhat less. After reaching Channpatna, we took the country roads towards Sathnur. The temperatures turned down, the air became pleasant and oxygen rich and greenery flooded both sides of the road pleasing our eyes. We slowed down enjoying every bit of the surroundings. It was not long before we spotted, or did we spot? We could see on outline of the mighty Kabbaladurga totally shrouded in mist. She looked somewhat mystic and scary at the same time. Saying a big hi to my favourite hillock, we took a 30mins break in the fields nearby.

We joined the Kanakpura road as we reached Sathnur and continued towards Halaguru. At Halaguru we pulled over at a bakery and bought some coffee chocolates, honey cake, jamoon, lolly-pop and you know why :P

     

Asking the locals for direction we deviated from the Kanakpura road and the off-roading began. Once the deviation to muthathi was past us, the ride turned into a really chilling one. We saw a board which said “You are entering forest premises” But no guards, the roads were muddy and filled with gravels and stones, the vegetation on either side started turning thicker and thicker, not a soul around. Finally we spotted the rocky stones and we knew we were at Ganalu falls in the middle of absolute wilderness.

TIME: 10:45

GANALU FALLS:

We were slightly disappointed and confused as to why there was not much water. But the place was just perfect, totally in the middle of the forest with no humans for kilometres together. We started making our way down the rocks. The descent was steep and on sharp edged rocks. Cautiously negotiating each step, we explored the place and found a nice place to sit and light some stuff.

We spent 1.5hours joking, laughing our asses off and remembering college days and various other incidents. Finally we decided to leave as it had begun to drizzle and we didn’t want to get stranded on the rocks in rain as we had left our shoes near the bike.

After reaching the bikes, we took off towards Shivanasumdra totally in goom mode.

SHIVANASAMUDRA:

Shivanasaudra consists of two falls Gaganachukki & Barachukki. As the waters were in full flow in both the falls, people were prohibited to go near the falls. Hence only see the falls, admire it and return was the plan. We covered both the falls in about an hour as we were totally afloat. We had some tomato masala, nippat masala, churmuri and cane juice as snacks as we had plans to eat Buyyondoddi Fish Dry. 

TIME:14:50

RIDE 2: (Shivanasamudra – Mallavalli – Sathnur – Channpatna – Bangalore)

This was the rain ride and the highlight of this chapter. As we left Barachukki we were still feeling afloat. About 15kms prior to Malavalli we witnessed a sight that got us thumping and pumping but at the same time sent chill down our spines. We were riding in sun and warm winds, ahead was thick, black clouds all over the sky. We knew it, we were in for some buffalo mode riding.

We pulled over at Malavali, with all thick clouds all above is and winds were chilling and icy cold. We put all our phones into a zip cover, called up the Buyyondaddi fish guy and asked him to keep 4-6 fishes aside and we looked at each other and we were set for the rain ride.

    

As we began the rain came down mercilessly, it was so heavy there were no bikes on road. We cruised along at a decent pace until a point where wind speeds also started picking up, now this was dangerous and we took a call to pull over for some time for some tea. The rain falling down in full speed on the asbestos sheet above was rattling our ears deaf. Had never seen such intensity of rains.

After some light tea, we took off and as we rode on once my shoe, socks and undies all had drenched in rain, there was nothing to lose all we could do was keep calm, ride and most importantly enjoy it after all that was the whole purpose of this chapter. 

Even though the rain intensified, we kept a decent pace of 60-70’s gliding through the blanket of falling waters from the skies. Such a joy it was! As we reached Sathnur the rains decreased. We pulled over infront of Kabbaladurga once again for a small breather. Called up the Fish guy and told him we would not be able to make it and promised him a return soon.

We decided to re-join Mysore road as it was the safe option considering the on setting darkness. We re-joined back at Channpatna and pulled over for a second tea stop as we had skipped lunch.

Ride back from Channpatna was descent, as we approached Bangalore, we took the NICE road and exited near College and stood there was 15-20mins still shivering from the cold but what a great feeling it was.

TIME: 19:30

   

The TWO incidents :

As I reached back home, camera had stopped functioning. I realised at Channpatna I had taken out the camera and put it my waterproof jackets pocket and then forgot to close the zip of the pocket :P. Kept the camera in a bag of rice and sealed it tight. And lo behold, on the next day morning it was working fine. Chinmay had lost his ring, and we didn’t know when and where, the rain ride had kept us focussed and it was quite disappointing. Once he reached home, he also found the ring in his pocket which we had searched earlier.

Sometimes everything just sets right by itself. It was quite strange two incidents I thought worth mentioning. Guess the rains were happy with us withstanding their onslaught.

Until next time, Cia \m/

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FULL ALBUM:

176) Shivagange Trek – Trek into the Clouds: (7/8/2019)

Place: Shivagange (Shivaganga) Trek

Distance: 60 x 2 = 120km

Directions: Bangalore > Nelamangala > Shivagange

Krew: Chinmay (Big Show) > Datta (Daattu) > Ashok (Moms > Karthik (Sp)

Bikes: Pulsar > Enfield                                                                   

Previous Visit: Ratnagiri Fort Trek

Budget: Rs 337/head

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:

This had to be one of the craziest rain treks done. We had almost turned down the plan and were about to return back, but then decided to begin the climb and pulled this one off. With foggy winds all around and drizzle throughout, it made climbing up and down, quite risky and challenging. But treating every step with importance we pulled this one off. A great chapter to be cherished for some years to come!

HISTORY:

Shanthala was a brilliant dancer and her dear friend was Lakshmi. When she performed at Hoyasala king Vishnuvardhana’s palace, the king expressed his desire to marry her. But she insisted she would only on one condition and that was if the king would marry both Lakshmi and herself. King agreed and they got married, Shanthala became the primary queen and Laksmi the secondary. But once Shanthala was not able to conceive a baby and it was custom that only the primary queen’s son can become the heir, she insisted that the king make Lakshmi the primary queen, but the king refused as he truly loved Shanthala. Going into depression Shanthala jumped off the Shivagange and committed suicide. One can find the the statue of the dancing queen at Belur temple near Hassan,

INTRO & PLAN:

The last visit to this place was very significant with Deefu. So decided to climb this hillock during monsoon. Dattu was in China and we were awaiting his return. Once he returned asked him, once he confirmed, Momz and Chinamy as well did. So with a crew of 4 people, we were set. Plan was simple, Go > Climb up > Come down > Come back.

TIME: 22:00 (6/8/2019)

ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:

Yeah I was up at 04:30 sharp, had begun running for 4km everyday and was in good shape. As the meet up was scheduled at kamdhenu hotel, I left my home picked up Dattu and begun our ride towards Kamadhenu.

TIME: 07:00

RIDE 1: (Bangalore- Nelamangala – Dobbaspete - Shivagange)

This was a 60kms ride, on the smooth highway of Tumkur road. But this time it was quite different, it began to rain in the morning itself, it was something new. The rains were not so heavy but we had to slow down. After reaching the hotel, Chinmay and Momz joined in a few minutes and we started a light tasty breakfast.

TIME: 07:45

After the breakfast, we rode back a few meters and took a right deviation and the rain really intensified here. We could see peacocks dancing and flying around in the rain, it was a beautiful sight. But the rains were quite worrying. Shivagange has steps throughout, but it is on a rock face and rains and rock faces don’t go very well. We entered the town and parked our bikes near a bakery near the base of hillock and the rains really intensified.

    

The Dilemma & 2 hours wait:

Okay, as the rain intensified, the bakery people warned us not to attempt the summit that day as it would be very dangerous. Also they told the monkeys turned rogue and snatched away 10,000rupees from a tourist the day before. I asked if all were okay to cancel the plan and return back some other day or take our chance, wait for few hours and go ahead and climb. When all said lets push it and finish it, we waited for about 2 hours and once the rain had turned into drizzle, with somewhat shaky thoughts we began our trek.

TIME: 10:00

SHIVAGANGE TREK:

As far as the trek goes, this has to be one of the craziest treks done till date. The fog, the strong winds, the rains made the trek quite challenging and different. We really enjoyed the change we experienced during the trek. And guess what, it took 1hour to climb to the top inspite of all the resistances. I guess we were not slow after all, but that is not the point, we took our time and enjoyed the trek. Like always, I have divided the trek into the following sections:

i) Initial stretch

ii) Battle Monkey Stretch

iii) Final Stretch

So, what do you think. Try to keep up with me, here all!

i) Initial Stretch:

So the trek begun and as be began to gain altitude, a cloud came cruising in and made the view of the base land disappear. And the hillock as such was shrouded in misty clouds as well. So we were basically entering into a cloud and it was quite an experience. The terrain was easy to start off, there is steps throughout. None of the shops were opened owing to the weather. As we reached the Shiva & Parvathi statue the initial stretch came to an end.

ii) Battle Monkey Stretch:

Okay, this stretch was totally covered with mist and we could hardly see 5-7 steps ahead of us. And this was the place we had got attacked by the monkeys. So told everybody to pick up and stick and no matter what, not to freak out and try to run incase the monkeys start an attack. But fortunately for us on that day all monkeys were fast asleep in the cold and misty weather. But nevertheless we kept our guard up and ascended the steep steps with caution.

iii) Final stretch:

In the final stretch, the steps get real tricky and narrow. You have to climb cross-foot and its quite fun. The weather had not faded and the mist of intensifying with every step we took. Once we spotted the Nandi, I was actually surprised we had made it to the top.

TIME: 11:00

TOP:

The Nandi statue looked so mystifying this time, covered with a blanket of mist he sat peacefully. As we reached the top, the wind speed hit the roof and we were being dragged around. It was too intense, but step by step taking cover amidst the boulders we visited the Shanthala drop and sat near a boulder just admiring the beautiful weather. Never had we experienced such a trek off-late. Then moving near the stupa (pillar) proved to be real challenge amidst the harsh winds. Just the act of standing was a challenge trust me. After spending about 30mins at the top, we decided to venture down.

TIME: 11:30

   

TREK DOWN:

The climb down was actually smooth, but one wrong footing would have ensured a bad day. The steps were slippery and we had to doubly cautious while descending. As we began our descent, the gang of monkeys were all set to attack us. But then remembering Deefu’s trick, we went on hitting the railings and rocks with a stick and none of them dared to attack us. Momz amazed by the trick said “Deefu has told you WHAT to do, now I shall explain WHY it works?”  All ears were on momz as he took some while before the next statement came out of his mouth. Momz continued “once you start hitting the stick to the railings and rocks, the monkeys think you are blind person trying to climb the hillock and forgive you :P” All of us burst into laughter, and the monkeys kept staring at us wondering what happened. Slowly but steadily we descended, as the rain began to intensify. We made to the bakery and had some light tea, thanked the bakery people for holding onto our helmets and we took off.

We pulled over at a field near by for some stuff stop. We sat in circle amidst the grass fields, floating away in our heads, we admired the mighty Shivagange covered in mist. Simply beautiful she looked. As we felt at ease and slightly afloat, the hunger began to kick in and it was time for some dhaba lunch.

TIME: 14:00

RIDE 2: (Shivagange – Nelamangala – Bangalore)

As far as the ride back goes, it was smooth ride. As we reached Nelamangala, we were surprised that Chandu Dhaba was demolished. But we spotted another Dhaba – Whitty Dhaba next to it. And boy was it a good find!

TIME: 14:30

After spending about an hour at the dhaba afloat and lot of laughter we had traditional rasam to settle down. And we rode back smooth, Chinmay and Moms headed back towards BEL. I dropped Dattu off at this home and reached my home safe to open my pigeon canteen :)

TIME: 16:00

Guys do remember, water is an option but a stick in your hand is a must. And never let your guard down and remove your wallet, camera without looking around!

Until next time, Cheers \m/

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