Rayakottai Fort: Tippu Sultan's Outpost with 360° Views | Chapter 198 (Apr 13, 2024)

Place: Rayakottai Fort Trek

Distance: 100kms x 2 = 200kms

Directions: Bangalore > Hosur > Shoolagiri > Rayakottai > Denkankottai > Bangalore

Krew: Ramakrishna > Karthik (Sippy)

Bikes: Pulsar                                                                                                   

Previous Visit: Kabblu Hillock trek.

Budget: Rs 225/head

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:

Rayakottai is the southernmost outpost of Tippu Sultan. The 360-degree view that you get from this place is superb. One can few for kilometers afar standing atop this hillock. Hence the perfect outpost. This trip reminded me and cemented what breathing fresh air feels like!  

INTRO & PLAN:

It was hardly 3 days since the insane mind-bending trek to Kabblu. The travel bug had bit right. And the fact that none of my legs were paining made me restless. It was time for another trek. During the post-lunch walk, Rama and I decided to head out to TN – Rayakottai.

TIME: 13:00 (11/4/2024)

ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:

Woke up at 4 am, did some stretches got ready, and headed out at 5 am through the city. Reached Attibele by 5:45 and waited for Rama. Once Rama joined, we headed out of the city. Come to think of it, Rama lived at the halfway point between my place at Rayakottai. Haha!

TIME: 06:15

RIDE 1: (Bangalore – Hosur – Shoolagiri - Rayakottai)

So, this was neat and sweet left over 40km. My place to Attibele was about 40km and then the remainder was only 40-50km. We decided to take the highway until Shoolagiri and then decided to deviate towards Rayakottai. The first 20km or so went like a woof on the huge highway. Then the beautiful country roads began. The ride through which was wonderful and pretty good!! We pulled over a small house + tiffin center for some awesome breakfast.

TIME: 07:15

 

After breakfast, it was a 5-minute ride. Surprisingly memory was strong, and without much assistance, we directly reached the base of the hillock. Requested a shopkeeper to keep our helmets and take care of our bikes. With the mountain goat awake within us, it was time to climb!

TIME: 08:00

RAYAKOTTAI FORT TREK:

The trek up to the top took us only 45 minutes. It was a nice and peaceful trek to the top. Even though the trek is easy and short, the view it offers from the top is mind-blowing. So, it was indeed a trek much needed then.

The route is quite clear and a lot of steps. On the way to the top, you can find a lot of gateways and checkpoints meant for resisting an enemy attack. As you begin to reach the top, you can find a lot of granaries and other storage bunkers. Now inside most of it, bats reside peacefully.

TIME: 08:45

TOP:

It was Saturday, but nobody was at the top. We sipped water and relaxed on top enjoying the view. We spent about 30-45 mins at the top discussing many things. It had been a while since our epic Mari Betta trek. Damn, that was one epic climb! The blog will be published on that one soon. Had written it back then, but never published it. After a good rest at the top, we decided to head back down.

TIME: 09:30

 

DESCENSION:

The descension took about 30 mins. Now with the sunup and burning bright, it was a sapping climb down. On the way down we stopped at the temple in between and paid respects to the deity. Reaching back to the base, we thanked the shopkeeper for looking after our helmets and bikes and left Rayakottai.

TIME: 10:00

RIDE 2: (Rayakottai – Denkankottai – Attibele - Bangalore)

We decided to take the Denkankottai route to Hosur. Why? We had nothing better to do on a Saturday. So, exploration was something we were both open to. So, asking for directions and with all that road's memory getting kick-started again, we were finding ways in between small, beautiful towns until we hit the other main highway. The roads were fresh, bigger, and with almost zero traffic.  Cruised along at a decent pace to reach Attibele. Dropped Rama off thanked him for joining and headed back and reached home.

TIME: 12:00

CONCLUSION:

“This was such a stabilizing trip, reminding us of what fresh air feels like. The person I can trust and one of the best climbers around, a decent challenge to get things going. A good roadside breakfast, challenging climb, relaxation on top, sharing chocolates, safe ride back home – elements of a good trip!”

Until next time, Cia \m/

(Oh, by the way, no pain again after this trek, looks like we hit the road soon again!)

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Kabbaladurga Trek: The Triumphant Return with a Companion | Chapter 197 (Apr 9, 2024)

Place: Kabbaladurga trek

Distance: 100kms x 2 = 200kms

Directions: Bangalore > Bidadi > Channpatna > Kabbaladurga > Kanakpura > Bangalore

Krew: Karthik (Sp)

Bikes: Pulsar                                                                                  

Previous Visit: Mentok Kangri (2022)

Budget: Rs 500.

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:

After 2.5-3yrs return back to road felt great. After all the corona shit, had cocooned in and never hit the road. Every time I climb this mountain, it shows a different face of it. This time I saw miracles, Lets go!

INTRO & PLAN:

Bike had not been condition so gave it for servicing. It took over 2 days, but once it was alright. Could hear the growl nice and clear. It was time to hit the roads after long. Initial plan was to head to Maddur have breakfast and return. Simple and clean. But the Call of the Kabblu was stronger. At about 9pm went out for a ride and got the fuel in.

TIME: 21:00 (8/4/2024)

ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:

Yeah, was up by 4am, stretched out. Felt calm inside, it was time. Had breakfast at home a very light one and headed out. Didn’t feel any different, but the very fact that I was on the road was enriching.

TIME: 05:00

RIDE 1: (Bangalore– Ramngara – Channpatna - Kabbaldurga)

As I headed out onto Mysore Road, so much had changed. It didn’t feel the same, but it was new and nice. Cruised along at a decent pace to cross over Bidadi and Ramnagar. As the temperature dropped got goosebumps on my skin. I knew the sun was right behind me, overlooking. It was time for the sun to rise.

TIME: 06:30

But the new modified roads are so confusing, SH-17 was not the same at all. I missed a turn and rode about 15km ahead of Channpatna. Then took back some interior roads and re-connected to the old Mysore road. And that felt gold. Wow, the old roads felt really good. After which the mountain just drew me near and I floated along effortlessly.

TIME: 07:00

KABBALDURGA TREK:

To be honest I thought it would take about 2hrs considering the long break. But everyday physical training and paid off and it took me 45mins to reach the top. And best part is, did it with zero breaks. And I had a companion. It was like the universe trying to instigate the whole process of trekking once again, hehe!

i) Initial stretch

ii) 3 point stretch ?? – wait what!

iii) Viper stretch

iv) Final Stretch

So ready? Here goes nothing!

i) Initial stretch:

Ok, every time I come to this place I would get lost. But this time the internal bearing was very strong.  And moreover, as I was just about to begin the trek, a dog saw at me with its innocent face and I looked back and continued to walk. I could hear the footsteps behind me. And THAT IS IT, I had a companion for the trek.

ii) 3 point stretch:

The 3 point stretch was not there anymore. I mean it was, but a neat steps has been laid out with railings to hold on to. Without being too judgemental, I started climbing the stairs. But it was no fun, so got out of the railings and did the climbing the old school way. Now that was fun. The dog was totally confused but appreciated the effort i put.

  

iii) Viper stretch:

This stretch really hits your core hard and kind off shakes you up. But this time it was different. I had a friendly companion. This was straightforward walk, with sweat just pouring down, I was loosing water and the dog seemed worried about me. Whatever water I had, poured it in my hand  and made the dog drink  

iv) Final stretch:

By the time we reached this point, I was literally conversing with the dog full time. Calling it “Appi come here, not that way da.. this way we should go” , “ what did u find there, let me see” it was a pure conversation and it was something out of this world. Loved every second of it.

TIME: 07:45

TOP:

As I reached the top, made the dog drink some water again. I decided to go without water for the trip as preference was the dog, who surprisingly accompanied me throughout. Upon reaching the top, as legend goes you will feel a sense calmness and serenity within. As I made my way to the temple of the original deity I came across two people. They told me they had started at 3am itself. I was puzzled. Then I realised it was a father-son duo and the father was completely blind.

This completely blew my mind. A completely blind person had climbed the hillock taking help of his son. Now, people what is your excuse? They asked me whether I had travelled alone, I said me and appi had climbed. They were looking for who I was referring then after realising I was referring to the dog. All four of us sat down and had a hearty discussion. Then went to the 2^nd deity temple then I promised them, we would help them reach down safely.  

TIME: 08:45

TREK DOWN:

Trek down took about 2hrs. But yeah, it was such a different experience. Helping this nice father-son duo. How both were both like buddies pulling each other’s legs throughout the journey. Hearing them was a pure joy. And as far as the dog goes, it was not confused. It understood somebody needed extra help and slowed down, played all along the way. The father said something that resonated with me for a long time even after the completion of the trek. 

He said “ u have returned back after long, to guide you, the dog was sent as a companion and maybe the deity wanted you to be here for long and that is why I was sent to keep you grounded”

I didn’t react at that point of time, as in treks I am jovial outward, but totally cold blooded within. But that hit me so different.  Reaching back the town near our bikes, we hugged each other. They invited me over to their home for lunch, I said some other time. And it was hardest to say good-bye to the dog. It will always have a special place in my heart :)

TIME: 10:30

RIDE 2: (Kabbaldurga – Channpatna – Bidadi-Bangalore)

This was 100kms ride back, decided to take back the Mysore road. As I reached the town of kabblu had picked up a 2litre water bottle thrown somewhere in the mountain. Decided to fill some water in the water tank of the town.  The ride was smooth and really nice. The old mysore road felt emptier than usual and enjoyed all the way back home.

TIME: 12:30

CONCLUSION:

Next day, actually I was disappointed that legs, back all were fine. Nothing was hurting. Everyday working out had actually had pretty good conditioning on my body. Guess we hit back the roads shortly cheers!!

Oh yeah, the gap between last trip 180^th trip and 196^th trip will be slowly filled up. Some crazy stuff went down here and there. Since this was fresh decided to jot this one down!

Cheers all \m/

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