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/
MAPS:
FULL ALBUM:
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