Two Days Casual Bike Trip around Ooty

Since a year not planned for any long drive on bike, asked my favorite friend Sudharkar.  Without asking any more question given green signal.  I had multiple options of routes in my mind and finally decided to go Neelagiri Hills.  The dates and route finalized 15 – 16^th March, 2014.  This time on Sudhakar bike Kawasaki Bajaj 125cc.

Bangalore – Mysore – Bandipura – Masinagudi – Ooty – Coonoor – Ooty [Night Halt]

Ooty – Gudaluru – Gundlupete – Himavad Gopal Swamy Betta – Mysore – Bangalore

14.03.2014

We have changed the schedule instead of leaving on 15.03.14 left to Mysore in 14.03.14 night.  Left the Bangalore around 7.30pm towards Mysore.  The traffic was not much and weather was cool.  Taking multiple breaks with descent pace reached Sudhakar sister home at 11 pm.  Finished the dinner and rest for the day.

15.03.2014

Woke up early morning at 4.00 am after getting refreshed left by 5.00 am.  The morning cool breeze in March was very pleasant.  The empty roads gave a good pace to our ride.  Our first stop was at Nanjangudu road side tea shop.  Warmed our body and left towards Bandipura.  

The main intention to reach early to Bandipura is to spot any wild animals.  Welcomed the board to Bandipura and asked my friend to drive very slowly.  I was quite disappointed by heavy traffic in this region.  The drivers were continuously honking the horn.  We are lucky to spot enough of Deer and Peacocks.  

The one sadder thing is, two days back forest fire broke and destroyed more than 800 acres.  We witnessed the ash of the tragedy and even still few parts it was burning.  

Taking couple of photographs moved ahead.  Crossed the Karntaka entered into Tamil Nadu.  Enjoyed the forest ride from Bandipura to Theppakadu.

Decided to fill the stomach and went to descent hotel at Masinagudi.  You can reach to Ooty in two directions from Theppakadu.  One is from Masinagudi which have famous 36 hair bend curves and another from Gudulur.  

We decided to ascend from hair bend curves and descend from Gudulur.  After finishing the breakfast left towards hair bend curves route to Ooty.

The view of the entire Neelagiri mountain is so beautiful.  Really the entire mountain range looks in blue.  The hair bend curves drive is so memorable.  

Ofcourse the bike struggled little, the pilot [Sudhakar] not  left it to get it.  After completing the hair bend curves you can have glimpse of Ooty color color houses.  Each house painted its own style and colour.  The weather was so cool.

Well in advance I was booked YHAI [Youth Hostel Association of India] hostel for stay on 15^th March 2014.  Taking help of local reached the hostel by 11 am.  Welcomed by the manager and finished the formalities.  Refreshed again and had masala Ooty tea. Gathered the information about the local site seeing and left the hostel at 12 pm.

Left to Coonoor which is around 20km from Ooty.  Our main moto of the ride is enjoy the stretch & valley.  The drive was descent.  The first stop is at Ketti.  The railway station was beautiful and took some photographs.  

After finishing the lunch left to Coonoor.  Luckily we could able to spot the world heritage train at Coonoor station.  Pose our self for descent photography and then visited the famous SIM’s park.  It is not so worth to visit this park, normal a small park.

Enough time spending at Coonoor headed back to Ooty.  Not felt our self so wonder in the local sightseeing.  The entire places were crowded since weekend.  Sake of attendance visited Botanical Garden, Doddabetta, Rose Garden, Ooty Lake, The Tea Factory.  Enjoyed the boating at Lake.

Returned to room at 5pm and relaxed some time.  Decided to roam the town by walk to kill the time.  Purchased the local made chocolate in one of the famous Modern stores, finished the dinner and back to Hostel.  The night was very chilled.

16.03.2014

Today itinerary was to reach Banalore at the earliest.  The stay in Hostel was good and the personnel were very friendly.  Offered morning masala tea and adieu to Ooty.  The morning cool breeze and entire mountain were foggy.  On the way again we have come across many deer, peacock and luckily elephants.

We had enough of time so decided to visit Himavad Gopala Swamy Betta.  The terrain was descent and spent some time at temple.  

After spending good time at temple left towards Mysore.  Nothing was new to us Mysore since visited many times.  

Left to Bangalore with memorable two days journey.  As usual Bangalore – Mysore highway traffic irritated us.  Reached back to home safely around 6.00 pm.

Note:

Total distance covered in two days 800kms

Per head expenses including all Rs.1,317/-