The 450km BR Hills Death Ride: Battling the Coldest Day in 117 Years, 5-Foot Visibility Fog, and Numb Hands | Chapter 26 (Dec 24, 2010)

 

 Place: BR Hills.

Distance: 200kms (only to BR)

Directions:

1) Bengulru > Kankpura > Malavalli > Shivnasamudra > Kollegala> BR

2) Bengaluru>Maddur>Malavalli>Shivnasamudra>Kollegala>BR

3) Bengulru > Kankpura > Malavalli > Shivnasamudra > Chamrajnagar> BR

4) Bengaluru>Maddur>Malavalli>Shivnasamudra>Chamrajnagar>BR

:> Maddur to mallavali Road Horrible state.

:> Taking Chamarjnagar route – 60 kms Extra .

Participants:

Arvi (White Knight) > Ashok (Ashokey) > Arun (Slowpoke) > Manohar ( Manu) > Madhu ( Gundu) > Mithul (Mitt) >Adithya ( KG) > Karthik ( Sp).

Bikes:

RTR180 > Unicorn150 > GS150 > Pulsar150 .

Previous Visit: Melkote.

PLAN:

This was one of our dream trips – So had to be completed. As it was sem end holidays few had left to their native and few were just about to leave. So we decided to give them the perfect gift. So BR hills trip was planned. It was one year since Mekedat trip.

After a lot of talks it was 8 of us on 4 bikes. 400 to 450 kms in day was no joke… and I was a little over excited about this trip so told others to meet up at 4 :30 am…. And they said they couldn’t make it that early as it would be difficult. So agreed at 6 am.

RIDE I: ( House – NICE ROAD exit)

Morning about 6:30 we left my house, Filled up petrol, Checked Air pressure, took NICE road which would lead to Kankpura. On the NICE Road there was fog and mist everywhere we went thinking that that it was only a few meters. But suddenly we stopped at a place…Thick dense fog right in front of us… So we had to continue at a slower pace.

After taking deviation to Kanakpura Road , heavy dense fog everywhere .Few meters away we could see a faint outline , next thing a BIG HUGE truck right in front of us. Finally we came out of the NICE road , shivering, hands were totally numb. It was as hard as a rock. Haha felt good though \m/

TIME: 06:45

RIDE II : (NICE Road To Kanakpura – Death RIDE)

Thought the fog and mist would die down but it actually got worse, I mean a hell lot worse. All we could see is a maximum of 5-7 feet in front of us. It made riding really difficult but tat much fun.

We stuck to a decent pace of 60’s and followed the hardly visible tail lamp in front of each other. Incoming vehicles became a nightmare to watch out for. Arun & Arvi led the way… as Mithul & me followed.

The curves of the Kanakpura road gave us the chills down the spines as we couldn’t see the road itself properly. At many places there are lakes on both sides… and fog was rushing onto the road… so were so helpless…. And lorries coming form the opposite side. It was scary. Please check out the excellent snaps caught by Manohar & Ashok during the fog ride… It really tells a lot more than I can ever express.

 

As I wasn’t wearing any gloves I lost sensation of my hand… hands were totally numb. (Bangalore recorded the lowest temperature in past 117 years 9 degree on Celsius scale). Stopped at a place ( actually to pick up Gundu’s cap ,which had fallen due to the windy conditions) , I rubbed my hand against the ground just to feel back my hand… well after doing so , got back little sensation… but got small bruises with it . Arvi wore socks on his hand to prevent the numbness... 

Next stop kanakpura.
TIME: 08:00 hrs

    

BREAKFAST:

We entered a new hotel in Kanakpura , the tap water felt so hot…. Whew, washed our faces and hands. Our hair was totally wet due to the fog condensing on our hair. Ordered Idli & Vada . Then had caape, felt real good.

Then we enquired about BR hills150kms to go… GULP all that struggle through that fog, had made us feel we had rode about 100-200 kms .. Haha! Anyway we had to get the job done so we left the hotel hoping there was no fog ahead.

TIME: 08:15

RIDE III: (Kanakpura – Kollegala)

The Foggy conditions continued , but we had got used to it by then. And to be frank it felt good negotiating the curves without actually seeing the road but following a small red light in front of us. Finally when the sun was up we could feel the warm sun rays hitting the road and on our faces. Lifted up our hands and took all the warmth form the sun as we could and zoomed off to Kollegala via Shivanasamudra.

TIME: 09:30

RIDE IV: (Kollegala – Br Hills)

We took the outskirts of Kollegala to avoid traffic. It was small but good road and there was no traffic at all, greenery on both sides. Then we finally got the first glimpse of the mighty BR hills. What can I say… it was beautiful as always!!!

We reached the foot of the hills paid Rs 10 to the forest guards and registered our entry into the forest and then we started the climb. Believe me I have no words to describe the ride to BR, rode at 40`s , negotiating the forest curves looking out for animals.

The forest curves were too good, stopped at a small beautiful pond and enjoyed the surroundings. AS we rode on we got a glimpse of some tribals but were aware we would have to pay them if we took snaps with them.

The ride got even better as we entered into thicker trees, only a bunch of sunrays could reach the road. We were speechless, enjoying every moment. Finally after sometime we reached the Top.
TIME: 11:15 hrs

BR HILLS:

There is a temple at the top and the view all around the temple is breath taking. First things first visited the temple and I bought my lucky rings and added to the collection!! :D

Then we hung around the temple exploring the place and enjoying the aerial view of the place. There was greenery everywhere, it was real treat for the eyes.

Arun’s Shivgange incident came up again… haha!!

Arun, Madu,KG & mithul wanted to visit Shivnasamudra as they had not been there before. But ending up on Kanakpura road after sunset is pretty dangerous as it would be difficult to ride. So we agreed to visit Gaganchukki as Barachukki would take a lot of time and yea it was not the right season to visit them too… as they were fading off.

LUNCH:

Arvi & Ashok had spotted a hotel on our way up; it was not even a kilometer away from the temple, so we went there for lunch. We got REAL good food. Proper meals served on banana leaves. Price was reasonable too!! Please have a look at hotel too it’s the only one available on top, managed to get one snap of it.

After having a heavy lunch we left….

TIME: 13:30

RIDE V: (BR Hills – Shivanasamudra)

Ride back was pretty fast and we started feeling the curves and ghat when we rode back as we were at 70`s. Back to back 4 bikes, Arvi & Manu leading…. Ashok & me rode behind. Finally after a sometime with many stops in the forest again we were out of BR forests.

Said a final good bye to this wonderful place and rode towards Gaganchukki. I would like to recall another incident…. There was this really steep curve after getting down BR… Arvi went forward and stopped, I followed him and slowed down watching Ashok in the rear view mirror… Aashok and arun were speaking to each other and went off road :D , but he managed to pull back the bike onto the road… Manu and Mithul were behind them. We all had a good laugh and continued to reach Shivasamudra.

TIME: 14:30

 

SHIVANASAMUDRA:

We saw the falls, as we expected the water was fading off. Spent sometime… washed our faces hands and our heads. And here I got some proper sleep on the bench flat for 30 mins.

Waking up I saw a small bull coming towards me, guess it was the same bull I met on 14^th March,2010 , so patted on its forehead :D.

RIDE BACK VI: (Shivnasamudra – Kanakpura- Bengaluru)

From Gaganchukki next 150kms was just formality .But had to be out of Kanakpura Road before sunset hopefully as planned. Reminds me Talkad trip where we ended up on Kanakpura road in the dark it was difficult to ride.

 

Arvi , Ashok , Mithul & KG were long asleep, we rode at a decent pace to reach Kanakpura hotel had very good Coffee & tea washed our faces and hit back the road.

Next 60 kms was too good… all throughout we remembering our morning ride through the same section we could see the lakes , trees.. and most importantly the ROAD it self haha !! :D , Rode at 70’s to reach NICE road entrance,

TIME: 17:30

LAST STRETCH:

We rode slowly on the NICE road, as the sun went down. The trip had worked to perfection and felt real good riding the last stretch.

At NICE road exit BAM!! We had a problem Arvi bike’s Clutch wire snapped, we got it to mechanic and got it fixed and returned to bakery for some tea and left home very satisfied with the trip.

 

KG – had been on my bike throughout the trip , excellent experience to take back to Shimoga :D

MITHUL – any trip he`s been is turned out to be toughest and Epic ones Pearlvalley , Talkad , BR Hills.

MADHU – Remained silent through out the journey… rode a good 100kms on RTR.

ASHOK & ARUN – haha in the forest we could hear them laugh far away!!

ARVI & MANU - led the way through the most worst condition I might ever come across….

Until Next time \m/ Ciao \t/

MAPS:



ALL PHOTOS:

⬅️ 25. Melukote 27. Chamundi Hills & Balmuri falls ➡️

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The 300km Melkote Trip: Spotting 200 Lakes, Eagles at 8 Feet, and the Shocking Accident on the Ride Back | Chapter 25 (Nov 28, 2010)

Place: Melkote.

Distance: 150 x 2 = 300kms.

Directions: Bengaluroo > Ramnagara > Mandya > After mandya Right turn > Melukote.

Bikes: GS 150 > Pulsar 150.

Participants: Manohar > Karthik.

Previous Visit: Manchinbele – The epic Ride back.

PLAN:

28th November 09 , exact one year back we had been to maddur our first trip… completing this trip would mean exact 25 trips in one year \m/

After asking their call on the trip… It was only 3 of us who were ready to go( Manu , Mithul & me)

Next day morning , went near college at about 6 am… sat on the footpath , then get a BAD news… Mithul`s dropped out… But Manu didn’t give up on the trip.. he came at about 6 : 15 am.

Ok ok “BR hills on one bike?” I exclaimed.. but Manu said he also wanted to ride his bike.. so decided to go to Balmuri Falls as it was a pretty close and we hadn’t seen it. So morning 6:30 am we left To Balmuri falls on SH 17 , Mysore road.

RIDE:

SH17… one of my favorite Roads...we cruised along at a decent pace , covering ground. As it was a Sunday we spotted arount 10-15 super bikes zooming at full speed. As we entered Chenpatna about 10 eagles flying only about 8 feet above the ground as the sun rise began… whew tat was an amazing Sight .. within 1 to 1.5 hours we reached maddur Tiffany`s for break fast.

MADDUR TIFFANY`S :

MAddur Tiffany`s our Adda :) , Had hot hot Idli vada & excellent coffee , spent a good 30mins at tiffany`s and left towards Balmuri.

WRONG TURN HEAVEN:

Mandya is about 25 kms from Maddur , a 4-lane SH 17 , helped us to cover distance at a decent rate.. the new spotted a board “ Melkote à 38kms “ .

I stopped in front of the board & so did manu… haha yep !! Put Balmuri on HOLD until some other time.. only Melkote was on our mind .

New Destination : Melkote.

ROAD TO HEAVEN:

Surface wise the road was not as good as Mekedat road… but surrounding was just brilliant.. Greenery everywhere , 12-10 feet grass on both sides of the roads. We stopped once or twice just to enjoy the beautiful Green fields.

As we headed further we could finad a lot of “Aaale mane” ( Jaggery preparation houses) , we drove a bit slow and reached the bottom of the hill after 45 mins or so…

Next 3-4 kms was ghat section which would lead us to the main palce & the temple. As we ascended we saw an auto fall on a womens leg… horrible it was… we continued further to complete the mini-ghat and reach the top.

MELKOTE:

Entering melkote , parked our bikes and visted Kalyani , then we wanted a good aerial view of the places surrounding Melkote. We saw small steps so decided to follow it thinking tat it would lead us to the top.. but it was the steps which would lead us down :x, but we weren’t disappointed because it lead us to a beautiful place.

Greenery was everywhere , with a very large number of ponds & lakes some near , some far . It was indeed a very beautiful sight.

TEMPLE:

Then we thought of trekking our way up through the bushes and Trees , but realized we would have to counter the Huge walls of the temple ( They call it Melu – Kote for a reason Haha!!

So we headed in the normal route and reached the temple. The steps of the temple are kind of steep , goes to show how old the temple is. The aerial view from the temple is something I can never forget… about 200 lakes & ponds surround this palce…. At one glance we could easily spot 30-40 of them.

Then as were leaving the temple , we had “Puliyogre” believe me it is one of the “NOT TO MISS” things at this place… it was very tasty , gave us the extra energy we required , bought bottles of juice and started towards our bikes.

RIDE BACK:

After spending an hour so enjoying the surroundings decided to head back to Namma bengaluroo. On our way back we stopped at a beautiful pond in the middle of the forest. It was very similar to our Kanva reservoir – our favorite spot. Spent somequality time here also & left…. Stopped at a few Aale mane enquiring about the prices etc… and finally we reached SH 17.

As we headed towards Maddur tiffany`s for lunch we saw something that shook us to our boots… Blood all over the road , a car stuck on the divider , a CD100 bike torn to parts… Man , lady & a young kid fallen down.. people were just rushing in… stopped there for sometime .. & left towards MT.

MADDUR TIFFANY`S:

After a decent lunch we were sitting outside. A lot of young kids were roaming outside the hotel as there was some function. Ok thought of checking my weight… Manu stood first 90kks.. hmm.. the kids didn’t wanna mess around with him. When I stood 50 kgs…. Damn !! The kids started running all over the place yelling … then caught them and made them sit on our bikes to shut them up.

RIDE BACK:

Then we finally left towards Bengaluroo , completing the next 80 kms was formality . A small stop after Ramnagara & we were back to our homes.

This trip was something special , had completed 25 trips in year , and moreover it was unplanned like the first one . Melkote - the perfect trip though everything was unplanned. And yes shravanabelogola is just 30kms from melukote… so can cover that also .

Until Next time \m/

WIKI LINK:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melukote

MAPS:



ALL PHOTOS:

⬅️ 24. Manchinbele & Big Banyan 26. BR hills ➡️

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