South India Bike Expedition..
1 Mission
2 Enthusiast Riders
4 States,
11 Forests Reserves
2300 KM
Numerous Waterfalls
A much awaited Bike Ride finally came into action. (After
convincing our bosses for leave and off course our family).
We planned to leave for the ride on 11/Aug Friday night after the
office hour.
Geared our bike with all necessary equipment, tents, we kick start
our ride towards the South from Pune, Chandni Chowk.
Riding in night was a totally different experience, cool soothing
breeze chopping from our half faced helmet.
Around 2.00 am we decided to halt at Nippani, where we stayed in
some lodge and rest for the night.
Day 1: We proceed in the morning towards out first destination -
Jogfall.
Around 4.00 pm we reached our destination. The view of gigantic
fall was so mesmerizing. Had some photography and small downward trek.
After having rest and some 'pet pooja, we decided to ride towards
Sagar which was around 25 km for Jog fall. We rested to the day in nearby
lodge.
Day 2 route- Sagar - Agumbe -Dharmstala.- Kokadda - 270 KM.
Cruising through Beautiful Agumbe ghat - Also known as Cherrapunji
of South was speechless.
Agumbe is known for its thick deep dense rain
forest
View of Stunning sunset from cliff of the ghat was a memorable
experience.
We had some snacks/tea and marched towards further journey.
We decide to move some village route for further entire journey.
And believe me the decision came out be best one.
With beautiful roads of Karnataka, covered with green bushes both
sides of the road, we reached to Dharmstala - Religious town of South. We
witnessed many other beautiful temples on the way.
AroAround 6.00 pm, we left Dharmastala and moved further and rested
for the day at Kodamma, a small town.
Day 3: Kokadda- Bylakuppe - Madekeri -Mysore - 350 km.
One of the Best roads I have rode through heavenly lush green,
breathtaking road from Kokadda to Madekeri and coorg with number of Gigantic
Waterfalls all along the way.
We reached at Bylakuppe - a Tibetan settlement village @1.0
pm.
We spent the day visiting the entire village, couple of monastery
and sat with little monks for around 3 hours discussing lots of interesting
things about life and self-control.
It was so interesting, that we were resisting moving our self for
further ride.
But time didn’t permit us and we headed towards Mysore, which we
reached @7.30 pm.
Inspite of busy schedule our Ladakh buddy Suresh and Vinay spared the time to meet us and invited for the delicious dinner. We were invited for Independence Day celebration at Mysore palace, Midnight Freedom Run and Flag hosting was the highlight of the Event.
Even in the heavy rains crowd
showed and interest for this special event and turn out in large numbers.
Day 4: Mysore - Bandipur- Ooty-
Connor- MettuPalayam,- 200 KM
Next very morning Deepak rode
us around the Mysore city and and key attraction places viz - Chamundeswari
temple, Nandi and few local famous joints.
We had been lucky enough
throughout the journey as the weather was awesome and no heavy rain during thru
the route.
Witnessing more exiting and
interesting places as and on we are proceeding.
Riding thru the Wild forest of
# Bandipur (40 km stretch) was an ultimate experience and was one of my dream.
(Riding thru the Forest is not allowed 6 pm in the evening).
Lucky enough to capture several
wildlife such as elephants, dozens of Deer, peacock on the way in my cam.
Ride from Masinagudi to Ooty
(queen of Hills) was too awesome. Pine and Eucalyptus trees throughout the way
with soothing smell of Nilgiris.
The last 30 KM on Kalahatty Ghat with 36 hairpins was really adventurous
and thanks to our Beast, it was a cake walk. These turns are named because of
their steepness
As we moved upwards in the Ghat
section, the air becomes thinner and cooler.
As we moved upwards in the Ghat section, the air becomes thinner
and cooler.
Had Maha Lunch at Ooty at Mama's Kitchen. Suddenly it started to
pour heavily. We decided to halt for half hour and even if it continued we will
proceed for the ride.
Where there is a Wish, there is away... and the pouring slowed
down.
We headed towards Connor, the 2nd highest hill station after ooty
in South.
WE visited the UNESCO heritage metre gauge railway station. The ride
from Ooty to coonor amidst the Nilgiries was breathtaking.
After having Chai-Sutta at Coonor and a quick nap along the road
side tapri, we rode towards Coimbatore, where we ended our day.
Due to off season was easy to find some cheap stay @700/
room.
Day 5: Mettupalayam - Coimbatore- Malampuzza -Pallakad- Maraiyur:
280 KM.
Our First Entry to Kerala through Wild Forest - Chinnar Wildlife
reserves.
Not much to Explored, but the route towards Malampuza dam was not
less than Heaven. Had couple of Photo-shoot on the way.
The scenic view of Malampuza dam on one side and Malampuza garden on the other side was too good. We had a round trip around the Dam, riding through small hills. Several Beautiful churches on the way and Huge Dam water reserves witnessed when we decided to take some unknown route towards Palakkad from Malampuza.
We headed toward from Palakkad
and the road and route were amazing. 1000s of Windmills and numerous wild
reserves throughout the route.
The real essence of Gods own country starts from Maraiyur.
Reached late evening at Maraiyur, searched for stay started, hardly
to find any.
Decided to move towards Munnar in case if any home-stay and
finally after 5 KM from Maraiyur, we were able to settled for one home-
stay@700/day.
Day - 6: Maraiyu - Munnar- Kochi - 120 KM.
Next morning we started from Maraiyur towards Munnar via Kannan Devan Hill amidst the gorgeous beauty of Munnar Tea valley.
Both side of the route with extensive Tea plantation. We decided
to go inside one of the tea estate. The roads were narrow but still motarable.
Riding in the Tea valley was amazing. Small little wooden bridges over the
water stream, numerous waterfall and aroma of Tea throughout the valley.
We were offered Tea and bidi, by one of the Worker in Tea
plantation in his house. The unique way of preparing tea was an eye-catching.
A minor breakdown on the way to main Munnar city, got is repaired
by local motor garage. Could have been charged hefty amount, but he
charged only 250 Rs. Lovely place and lovely People.
Visited tea processing plant and Tea Museum wherein small
documentary movie was played.
On the way from Munnar towards Kochi, numerous gigantic waterfall
and couple of Wild reserves.
Stayed for the night nearby
city to Kochi - Aluva.
Day 7:Kochi – Allepy - 150 KM
In the morning we rode for Kochi aka Cochin aka Ernakullam, the
favorite city among backpackers.
Ancient Port for trading, Old Portuguese settlement, Unique Chinese Fishing
Net, A ferry ride from Vypin to Ernakulam with Bike.
Had a city tour with our bikes visited many old churches including
the St Francis Church (where Vasco da Gama body was buried), old Jewish
settlement town, had "Iddiapam" in lunch at one of the joint in
Ernakulum.
We then started riding towards Alappuzha, via coastal Route. Road
was decent but the route was awesome. Hardly any vehicles on the road which
runs along the coastal.
Lovely to see on one side of the road old style houses"
Nallukettu" and on other hand Piercing Waves along the Coast.
Reaches Alappuzha around 3.00
am and w/o wasting we went on Backwater ferry Ride. Met an amazing Backpacker
fellow who was in India for study tour on Social economic reforms.
Finally experience the feel of Backwater and the ferry ride, which
I used to just watch on TV or hear from honeymoon returned Couple.
We find some Army personnel homestay for rest of the Day. Visited
the Alappuzha Beach in the Evening to spend the leisure Time.
Day – 8
Allepy - Kollam – Kovallam - 180 KM
We headed towards further South via coastal route. Witnessed many Old churches and Fort near Shores.
Many good spot for photography on the Way.
Day - 9
Kovallam - Nagercoil - Kanyakumari - 200 KM
Next day we cruize for our final Stretch towards KAnyakumari and
again skipping the highways, we rode entirely through the Coastal Part.
Enchanting Varkala Beach, Kollam Beach was so mesmerizing. Met
with many of the local People. Local were too happy to know that we all the way
came from Pune to South. Small Kids used to wave their hand on hearing the
roaring sound of our Beast.
We couldn't find any rest room
as it was entirely full so to some local function in town - Nearby Kolam. We
spoke to Admin of one of the church and he offered us one room the Church, and
it was an awesome experience. There was some fear inside us as we were relating
with some old horror movies.
Apart from the stay we were invited to have dinner in their
Community function inside the Church on Sunday.
They were greeting us as a Rider and were much happy to invite us
of the dinner.
Amazing State and Lovely people, indeed it’s a GODS OWN COUNTRY.
Final Stretch of Ride stated towards final Destination -
Kanyakumari.
Met couple of Rider on the Ways and more than us they were happy to see
us riding all the ways from Pune.
We landed into city bordered by colorful seashores, fringed with
coconut trees and paddy.
Standing with the Bike at the southernmost Tip of India, watching
the Vivekananda stupa with Indian flag mounted on the Bike Waiving.
MISSION ACCOMPLISED.
Throughout the Ride we never felt restless as it was the routes,
place and people rather than our stamina, which keeps us motivating and
inspiring throughout the way.
We returned Via Train and transported our Bike Back thru Courier.
The other best thing of the Ride was that we had travelled /rode
by every means of transport:
By Bike – Pune to Kanyakumari
Bus- Kanyakumari to nagarcoil
Ferry: Ernakulam to Vypin with Bikes
Train: Kanyakumari to Bangalore
Air: Bangalore to Pune
The Ride would never End.
Will keep you all update for the next Stretch of our Bike Journey
to North East India.
Stay Safe, Ride Safe.
Pune-
Kanyakumari Bike Ride
(YouTube Link)
Instagram handler:
@dsrimagination
Facebook : @Dhirendra Singh Rajpurohit
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