Bicycle Tour: Shimoga to Udupi - Malpe

On Malpe Beach

A casual talking converted into a cycling trip from Shivamogga to Malpe on 11 & 12^th February 2017 for around 170+ KMs in two days.  After the Dandeli cycling trip in last December , I did not touch my bike.  Of course, this is not the right time to go for cycling long trip since the beginning of summer.  I and Chandru, my friend decided to do some event, either it is trekking or cycling.  Trekking is ruled out, because we were not able to gather more friends, second option was thought to do cycling.  

I should appreciate Chandru will power and congratulate him for successfully completing this ride. He is the person neither tried any MTB cycle before this nor peddled before a long time.  Just I gave him an option and he was ready with full spirit.  The challenge was getting a good bicycle for him, hired a bike and set ready to be on road.

Relax at Malpe Beach

We booked the KSRTC ticket from Bengaluru to Shivamogga and back from Manipal to Bengaluru.  The route we choose:

Bengaluru – Shivamogga [By Airavat]

Shivamogga – Gajanoor – Sakrebailu – Mandagadde – Thirthahalli – Agumbe – Someshwara – Muniyalu [Night Halt at my home] – Approx. 126 KMs

Muniyalu – Ajekar – Shiroor – Hiriyadka – Manipal – Udupi – Malpe: Approx. 60KMs

Manipal – Bengaluru [By MultiAxle Volvo]

10.02.2017

Chandru arranged the rented bicycle from Malleshwaram and reached directly to Majestic bus stand.  I reached all the way from RR Nagar.  The bus was scheduled at 11 pm, without any issues we loaded our bikes in luggage compartment, the journey went well.

11.02.2017

Reached the Shivamogga bus stand around 5.15 am.  Quickly unloaded our bikes and assembled the front wheel.  We decided to finish the morning core job at bus stand.

On the way to Thirthalli

The sky was slowly turning into blue, started our journey towards Thirthalli.  The morning was pleasant with cool breeze.  The roads were empty and slowly started our ride.  Soon we reached Gajanoor Dam, had a small photograph session and continued the journey.

Gajanoor Dam

The next pit stop was Sakrebailu.  People were waiting for elephants, hope we reached very early in the morning so we could not able to see the elephants. 

Sakre Bailu

Continued the trail in the forest, this stretch is most beautiful.  Passing through the dense forest is amazing, one side, Tunga river is all the way and another side thick forest.  Reached the Mandagadde around 9.00 am.

Mid of the Forest

Now the time to fill our stomach with breakfast.  There was a road side cart hotel, yummy Palav filled our stomach and continued our journey. 

Break for Breakfast

The target is reach to Thirthalli at the earliest.  Rolling terrain with gradual ascend make you tiered.  The sun was on our head, the atmosphere was very hot, tiered body reached the town around 1.30 pm.

Near Mandagadde

We thought to skip lunch and take some other place, considering the hotel availability, finished the lunch in Udupi hotel.  The mind and body went in relax mode, this is very tough time to continue the journey in the hot weather.

Entrance to Thirthalli Town

By great difficulty we peddled around 5KM and decided to retire the body for sometimes in the shade.  We had good half an hour nap under the tree. 

Relax

The day was more challenging and we had target to reach my home Muniyalu around 125 KMs.  Thought not to delay more, continued our journey towards Agumbe.

Agumbe Sunset Point

Reached Agumbe around 5.45 pm, the sun was setting in west.  This is my second journey around Agumbe on cycle.  The first one did in reverse ascending the ghat from Someshwara, however it was descending the Ghat.  Just took few photographs near sunset point and continued our journey.

In Agumbe Ghat

Ghat road was busy as usual, reached Someshwara within 30 minutes. Stomach filled with evening snacks and continued our journey towards Muniyalu.

Victory sign after Agumbe Ghat

The distance is almost 25KMs, the sun was set in dark, the challenge to peddle in Someshwara Wildlife sanctuary range. Chandru bike was not having the torch, managing with single bike light crossed the stretch.  Family was eagerly waiting to welcome us, reached the home comfortably with tiered body at 8pm.  With yummy dinner retired for the day.

The overall 126KMs journey was super, a special kudos to Chandru for maiden achievement without any prior practice.

12.02.2017

2nd Day Flag Off by my Prince

We started the day very relaxed, finished the breakfast at home and left around 11 am. Son was missing me a lot, by heavy heart left towards Udupi.  Now a days I am well versed with internal routes around Udupi and eager to do cycling in this range. 

Near Shiroor

We took interior route to reach Udupi, on the way visited Shiroor Krishna Matha.  The place is so beautiful, spent a good with photograph and continued our journey.

Shiroor Math

Humidity was more, sun was very harsh, trail felt so difficult, taking multiple breaks reached the Hiriyadka.  Paid Darshana to a famous Veerabhadreshwara temple.  Continued our journey towards Udupi.  Taking small breaks, passed the Udupi and headed towards Malpe which was our ending point.

On the way to Udupi

The victory timing was around 3pm, reached our ending point of Malpe beach.  We both celebrated the victory and wished Chandru for successful completion of his journey.

Malpe Beach

We had enough of time, searched for shade to relax for sometimes.  Slept under umbrella for an hour and then headed towards beach game.  

Sunset at Malpe Beach

I did not like to get in water, Chandru enjoyed the beach around an hour.  After spending good time with photography, headed towards Udupi back.

We skipped the lunch, both did not feel hungry.  Searched a good 3 star hotel for dinner, finished the tasty food and boarded the bus at Manipal back to Bengaluru.

Beautiful Evening at Malpe Beach

The journey went well, covering over all 170+ KMs in two days.  Day one was very tough and a long one, however second day was very relaxed.  I decided to choose the same trail in sometime peak monsoon.