Saturday 25 August 2012

Ride to Yellagiri


When: 25th Aug 2012.
Destination: Yellagiri - Tamilnadu
How and who all are: Myself(Apachian), Arun(Apachian), Harsha(Fazer),                                                              Vidyasagar(Centro)
Odometer reading: 350Kms.
Route Map: Bangalore - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Yelagiri diversion(near Vaniyambadi) - Yelagiri.


 Short and Sweet description:
      The ride was great, other than that not much. If you are a riding Geek, this place is perfectly for you.  you won't believe me?? Then read my experience :)

Travelogue:

    Unlike last trip ( Mekadatu ), this time we planned to start bit early in the morning and reach bangalore early to avoid getting drenched in the rain as it was raining heavily during evening in n around Bangalore. During most of my previous trips (Chikmangalore ,
Mekadatu ) we were caught in the rain and drenched completely. Let's back to the trip..

As per plan we have assembled at Electronics city. The route map was  Bangalore - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Yelagiri diversion(near vaniyambadi) - Yelagiri.

May be bcz of the last night rain effect the weather was chill, As we crossed Karnataka border and entered into Tamilnadu, the climate was changing rapidly to hot. After crossing Hosur we had breakfast and started towards Krishnagiri. As we didn't know the route, I was keep on looking at the GPS to check whether we were on the correct road or not. After Krishnagiri we have taken left turn which is Chennai highway.

As we crossed Krishnagiri the dark clouds which we have seen before have vanished and I could see clear sky with clouds here n there. The stretch was really tempting and my hands were itching to ride my beast at it's top speed. Since it's a trip not a competition I controlled and rode at a descent speed.

clear sky with clouds here n there

Smooth and tempting roads :)


One more click :)

Buddies were Having chit-chat :)

Nice click Naveen(Myself)... Keep it up ;)
Myself in the  Field


        The sync and pace on which we were riding was simply superb. Like birds follow each other while migrating from one place to other .. :) No one was willing to overtake anyone.. To be frank, it's a kind of enjoyment only A biker can feel it... no one else can :) After riding for an hour we have stopped to take a break. To our luck the background where we stopped was very scenic and we started a photo session :) 




Unexpected view...
Hey Buddies... How lucky we are na...!!
Our Machines

From left Myself, Harsha and Arun



Dude gimme a Biker pose...
One more click :)
Hi... Sagar Here
Ready to hit the road


Sagar and Arun


After a 30mins of break, we headed towards Yellagiri. Within no time reached Vaniyambadi, Here we need to keep eye on the diversion to take the Yelagiri road.

I was little surprised about the roads from Vaniyambadi to Yelagiri hills (around 24kms). Especially The road leading to the hill was excellent. The 14 hair pin bends were not really tough ones like Ooty and Chikmangalur and there is very less incoming traffic. I would say, the roads were very well maintained and even on the hills, it was absolutely neat & clean.



View of Yellagiri from a NH

Under "Under pass"



Never ending stretch




View from half of the hill
View from half of the hill


Curvy roads....


View from half of the hil



As we reached top of the hill.. we enquired about the places to visit. To our surprise there was nothing much to see except boating, nature park(around 7pm every night they have Foutain dance show) and few trekking spots. During our visit boating and Nature park were under maintanance. So we thought of going for a Noon-trekking ;). As the most of the trekking route was dried up, we decided to return to Bangalore. After having delicious food we've returned to Bangalore.. While descending the hill we spent some time at self explored good view spot. As dark clouds were approaching us, we started quickly. But like last trip we again completely drenched in rain... :(


View from resting place while descending

Dark clouds were approaching us
Atlast ... drenched in rain :)



As it was started raining, We stopped for sometime and resumed the ride

Waiting for rain to stop









Happy Reading :) 
\m/ Happy Riding \m/





Sunday 12 August 2012

Ride to Mekadatu


When: 11th Aug 2012.
Destination: Mekadatu, Chunchi waterfalls 
How and who all are: Myself(Apachian), Avinash(Apachian), Arun(Apachian), Harsha(Fazer), Vidyasagar(Centro)
Odometer reading: 250Kms.
Route Map: Bangalore - Kanakapura road- Kanakapura - Sangama - Mekadatu - Chunchi falls  - Bangalore


Short n Sweet description about trip:

        Mekadatu is probably the last tourist destination of the cauvery basin on the Karnataka side. Once the cauvery crosses it enters into TamilNadu at Hogunekkal. Mekedatu is a dangerous, fast flowing, and scenic water spot.One of the must visit place around bangalore and along the Cauvery river. :)
To reach Mekadatu one must cross Sangama.Sangama is the place where river Arkavati merges with Cauvery.

Travelogue:
         This trip was very special to me, as three more bikers have joined into our Bikers group and our group size increased to 5 :). Let's welcome Arun(Apachian), Harsha(Yamaha Fazer) and VidyaSagar( Centro).

As per plan we assembled at NICE road- electronics city toll gate around 8'O clock, after a small intro about each other, we have started our journey to Mekadatu.
The route was pretty clear. Bangalore - NICE road(Kanakapura road) - Kanakapura - Sangama - Mekadatu.

There are two routes available from B'lre to reach Mekadatu.

B'lre - Mysore road - Ramnagara - Kanakapura - Sangama(Mekadatu) - 119Kms
Bangalore - Kanakapura road- Kanakapura - Sangama - Mekadatu - 90Kms

Within 10mins we've reached Kanakapura road via NICE road and filled our empty stomach  before entering into Kanakapura town. The route was pretty good till Kanakapura. Even though it was State highway, after crossing Kanakapura, roads were single lane and narrow as most of the road goes through villages. 

After crossing Kanakapura keep a eye on left side, as you can hardly find a sign board which shows the route to Sangama. After taking left turn Sangama(Mekadatu) is 30Kms far. This stretch was perfect for bikers, Curves makes bikers go crazy... Last 10-15kms road is filled with enough unexpected curves to full-fill bikers requirement ;). While crossing one of such curve,  we noticed one guy from other group met with an accident. So bikers be carefull while riding the last 10-15kms.

 By 10.30 we've reached Sangama. "Sangama - A temple on banks of Arkavathi river added beauty to the place". As I could see another river merging into Arkavati the background hills near by merging place mesmerized me. Our destination was not Sangama, it's mekadatu. Here we need to cross river by taking coracle ride to reach otherside.



Temple at Sangama on the banks of Arkavathi river
Coracle ride to cross Arkavathi river

Arun and Harsha



Merging of Arkavathi and Cauvery river happens here


As we crossed river, we have noticed a Bus of Malgudi days :) Yess!!! with the cracked windows, teared seats, holes on the roof made me think about Malgudi days :)
but the ride by bus was awesome, as it was mud road, at some places we have to balance ourselves not to fall on others as the road was uneven. After a 40mins of journey, atlast we reached "Mekadatu".



Sagar sitting at Driver position and Avinash @ Cleaner position... :) :)

As we got down form bus, I could see Monkeys welcoming us. Guys be carefull with Monkeys. If they find you holding some eatables, then they will treat you like best buddies and will roam around you till you feed them :)

As we started walking towards spot... Ah yeah there she was eagerly waiting for my arrival !!! It's Cauvery. We took some rest at the sit out and started to descend the rocky steps.


Here are the snaps of Mekadatu


Cauvery river flow






The force of the water was simply terrifying, the thunderous roar of the water hitting the rocks could be heard while walking itself.
We explored entire place and chosen a perfect place to have a best view of Cauvery river. The power of water could notice by looking at natural stone sculptures. After walking further we reached the final tip of Mekedatu where the water splits by hitting a boulder on which we were happily sitting.


Myself
Vidyasagar


As Avinash trying some clicks

Arun- Is it perfect??



 

















We have spent almost 2Hrs there and since we have to cover "Chunchi Falls" which is near by Mekadatu, said good bye to mekadatu and reached Sangama.
had our lunch in one n only restaurent of Sangama and started to Chunchi falls.


Mekadatu to ChunchiFalls: 
         ChunchiFalls are 15-20kms far from Mekadatu on the way to Kanakapura. By the time we reached Chunchi falls it was almost time for sun to settle down. We suppose to trek for some distance to reach Chunchi falls. As we started trekking, we couldn't find a sight of waterfalls and not even heard the sound of falls. After trekking for 20 mins, we could see a stream of water falling out of Pond .. ;) WTF!!! for namesake we have spent sometime till sun settle down completly to west and started back to Bangalore.

With our Beasts

While trekking to reach Chunchi falls

Come-on jump buddy!!!


Chunchi falls at it's worst stage;)

3 Idiots among 5 :)



Reflection of rocks in water




It shows very dried... but I like the view of rocks


Happy Reading :)
Happy Riding