Always the tour / trip will not
thrill if everything goes smoothly as per pre-plan. Odd incidents always keep
in our mind for a long time. A situation, you have to travel by a train along
with Bicycle, suddenly the authorities refuse to load your bikes and give some
excuses to transport next day. This was the situation of our bicycle tour from
Shivamogga to Kundapur on 24 – 25th March 2018.
Sharavathi Backwater
Indeed, we missed the train, lost
the time, lost the money, however we executed Plan B and made it success.
Despite peak summer, peddling across coastal with two freshers, crossing the
Sharavathi river, enjoying the roadside food, camping in the beautiful Nature
camp, visit to Kollur Mookambike temple and finally ending at beautiful
Kodebailu Kundapur beach.
Bank of Sharavathi River
My bicycle tour / treks are
always most welcome to freshers. I can recall my initial struggle to getting
short list in Bangalore Ascenders [BASC] events. Yes, it is not so easy to manage the freshers in
treks or bicycle tour where there is no backup. But I always said WELCOME to
anyone who are confident in their abilities.
The team is framed with seven
members viz., Adarsh, Ananth, Lovely, Madhu, Vijay, Kushal & myself. We
booked the train ticket till Shivamogga well in advance to save the cost. Team was
divided into three groups. Now I am familiar with railways formalities since our
last ride Hubli to Karwar traveled by train. We all assembled at Bengalur
Railway luggage counter at 6.30 pm. Train was scheduled at 11 pm.
My Chetak
There was
shocking news waited for us. Railway authorities refused to board our bikes with
same train which we suppose to travel. They gave unprecedented reason that
“Minister is traveling by this train, we can’t load the luggage. You can expect
to dispatch by tomorrow afternoon train”. I requested him lot, but refused to
load the bikes. Luckily Vijay & Madhu deposited their bikes in the morning,
so it is dispatched by afternoon train, they were safe.
Mid of Forest
The journey is decided, return tickets were booked from Kundapur, we have to plan option of B. Quickly we rushed to Majestic Bus stand to travel by Volvo. The stand was completely empty, the time was
just 7.30 pm. for safer side decided to book online ticket in two separate
buses, tickets got confirmed, it scheduled at 10 pm.
Now the team was cool, aligned
our bikes on platform, decided to fill our stomach. Batch wise finished the
dinner, waited for a bus.
Roadside Relax
Luckily, we got descent bus crew,
loaded our bikes in luggage compartment, settled on our seat. In the first bus
Ananth, Lovly & myself traveled. The second bus was scheduled at 11 pm in which Adarsh & Vikas, finally Madhu and Vijay traveled by train.
24.03.2018
Journey went well, early morning
by 4.30 am we reached Shivamogga bus stand. Finished our morning core job at
stand, waited for others to join with us. Everyone reached on time, got
refreshed. The team is ready to start the ride.
Beginning of Journey - Shivamogga Bus Stand
Time was around 5.30 am., still
the sky was dark. We thought it is the right time to begin our expedition. After a
group pic at bus stand, the journey started. Always cycling tour is very curious to public. Many asked about our planning, journey and wished a good luck.
Outskirt of Shivamogga Town
Sun is yet to arise; our pace is
slowly getting fast. As I mentioned, there are two freshers, who never peddled
any MTB. Slowly they also getting fine-tuned with peddle.
Sunrise @ Outskirt of Shivamogga
We reached the Lion Nisarga
Dhama, out skirt of Shivamogga. Slowly Sun started to show his red face. I have
not missed to capture in mobile, the journey is continued.
Stop @ Ayanoor
Our pit stop is at Ayanoor. Thank
you to Vijayanand, who finalized the route. We wanted to travel more and more
interior village route. After small tea break, journey is continued.
Ripponpet Road
We were bored to ride on the
Shivamogga – Honnavara highway. We took deviation at Ayanoor towards Ripponpet.
The trail is become more beautiful; traffic was not much; continued the journey.
Forest Curved Road
Trekking / Cycling always gives
an opportunity to meet good people. They shower lot of love and affection.
Ripponpet was about 10 KMs, our water bottles were empty. Stopped road side
home to fill our bottles.
Met Lovely Lady
We met a lady who is a retired Head Mistress. She
introduced to ourselves, offered us to have Mentya Dose and snacks. Respected
her love and affection, thanked her for offering, politely skipped the invitation. Purchased grapes near
their home, journey is continued.
Journey is continued
We were feeling hungry, badly
needed the breakfast. Decided to fill at Ripponpet. Found Sri Raghavendra Udupi
Hotel. Verity of items gave lot of energy to our tiered body.
Breakfast Filling Station @ Ripponpet
Met Vijay friend who runs a Petrol Bunk in Ripponpet. Invited all of us to his Bunk. Spent
some good time and continued our journey.
Vijay Friend
Ripponpet to Heggodu we took
completely interior route. The sun was started itching very badly. But lonely
village off road ride was more interesting one. Whenever felt need a break,
just relaxed under tree. Reached Haratala village, had cool drinks.
Mid of Forest Relax
Journey is continued; few of our
friends tiered very badly. The rolling terrain, hot weather was making more trouble
to peddle us. Motivating to team members reached Chikkabilagodu. Few of us were
reached early and waited others join. Sometimes deviation point
make confusion to fellow rider.
Tough Ride in Hot Weather
Our water bottles were empty, saw
an old lady who is working in garden. Asked “Amma swalpa neeru kodtira?
(Mother, will you give little water)”. So happily, called all of us and asked
to relax at her home. By the time her son came out and introduced each other. They
forced us to accept their Tea offer. Thankful to them offering tea to the
tiered soul.
Met with one good soul - Offered Tea
All friends reached the point,
journey is continued. We were hungry very badly. Vijay suggested to take break
at Heggodu [Neenasam] where he know the person who can serve the lunch. The
distance was not much, it was just 3 KMs.
Journey Continued
Unfortunately, the person was on
leave, asked the localities about hotel. We got descent hotel but only choice
is Palav. Something is better than nothing, decided to load our hungry stomach.
Tasty Palav with Bajji and Buttermilk made heavy lunch. We all very happy
getting such a wonderful lunch.
Lunch Point - Heggodu [Neenasam]
Our day one ending point is
Nittur Nisarga Viharadham. The distance was around 40+ KMs. We need to cross
Sharavathi River at Hasirumakki. Understood from local, the last trip of ferry
is by 5.30 pm. Considering all these facts, asked the friends to peddle fast.
Continued...Journey...
After heavy lunch, it is not so
easy to ride in the hot temperature in rolling trail. Taking multiple small
breaks reached the deviation point Hulibanada. Many of riders wanted a long
break, but myself and Madhu decided to peddle till the Hasirumakki and inquire the timings. We both peddled very fast. I had crossed the Hasirumakki during
Hosanagara – Kodachadri – Jog Falls ride.
Hasirumakki - Sharavathi Backwater
Hasirumakki is such a wonderful
place, Sharavathi backwater welcomes you with its beauty. We had more time to
relax, the last ferry is at 6 pm. I and Madhu had good photography time till
they join us.
Pose to Pic
Team very soon reached to Hasirumakki, loaded our bikes. Crowd was little more since it is weekend.
Compare to Sigandoor ferry, this is better of less crowd.
Ferry Journey across Sharavathi River
Since it is last
trip, ferry was waiting for little more time. After loading our bikes, relaxed
very cool on the river bank.
Fun @ River bank
We wanted to witness sunset
at Sharavathi backwater. After crossing the river, we had fun-filled moment. Spent
more time on photography, enjoyed a lot. Now it is hard time to move fast towards Nittur.
Sunset at Hasirumakki
Two of friends were really
tiered, struggling to peddle anymore. We had no any option until reach to
Bengaluru – Kollur main road. Sharing the experience, giving the tips of ride,
at last we reached the main road.
On the way to Nittur
Out of 7 members 5 wanted to hire
some vehicle and reach the camping site. Nisarga Vihardham of Nittur was around 15+
KMs. It was already dark, very difficult to ride on this busy road. Luckily, we
got an Auto, who agreed to drop till the camping point. Loaded the bikes along
with personnel, adieu for happy journey.
Nisarga Vihardham - Nittur
Myself and Madhu had really big tough
time to ride till Nittur. Both of had no torch or bicycle light, but we peddled with
josh and reached the Nisarga Viharadhama. The day was really long ride around
108 KMs. finished the check-in formalities, got quickly refreshed, had
delicious dinner, relaxed for the day.
25.03.20183
Nisarga Vihardham
Nisarga Viharadhama is perfect
place for family and team outing. It is around 5 KMs far away from Nittur
village. They have made small huts with simple amenities. It is run by Manjanna
who is in conservation of nature since long time. Thankful to Vijayanand for
arrangement of stay and introducing such a wonderful place.
Sunrise @ Sharavathi River
The friends were really tiered by
yesterday ride, out of seven, only three of us proceeded to witness the sunrise
across the Sharavathi. Morning was pleasant, bird whispering gave more joy to
us. Soon reached the hanging bridge which is the popular point. Spent some good
time in photography.
Beautiful Sunrise
We are back from sunrise, by the time
team was ready. Quickly loaded our luggage and waited for breakfast. Very delicious
Dose server, filled our hungry stomach. Now the time to leave the beautiful
place. Took a group photograph with Manjanna and said good bye to him.
Entire team with Manjanna - Architecture of Nisarga Vihardham
We started the journey late at 10
am, very soon we reached the Nittur village. Assumed that ride will be easy
considering the yesterday trail. Couple of time, I had been in this trail on
motorbike and car. Most of the trail is trailing, however it is not so easy in
hot weather.
Relax........
Taking a small break near
Sigandoor cross, continued our ride. We reached the Kollur Ghat; the ghat is
ride around 16 KMs downhill. But downhill riding is also not so easy, we have
to take care extra care.
Entering into Kollur Ghat
Cautioned the friends to taking
extra care, ride is continued. Enjoying the downhill ride reached the view
point. Weather was getting hotter since going closure to coastal. Thought to
give a small break in Ghat for photography, spent some good time and continued
our journey.
In Ghat
Very soon reached the Kollur. Considering
the time constrain and crowd, decided to skip the darshan. Just paid darshan
from outside.
Kollur - Mookambike Temple
Friends wanted to dip in water to escape from hot and relax for
sometimes. We headed towards Souparnika river, jumped in water.
Dip into Souparnika River
After a long break, journey is
continued in hot weather. I was sure, the journey will be very tough. Instructed
the team members to take alternate mode if they not able to ride. Outskirt of Kollur,
we had watermelon.
Pit Stop to escape from Hot weather
Ananth & Lovelesh decided to
skip the ride, taking an auto help left to Kundapur. Rolling terrain was
killing one, upon the hot weather; increase in the humidity; journey was tough.
In many places, I could not able to peddle, pushed by walk.
Stop to refill water bottle - on the way to Kundapur
Taking multiple breaks, reached
the Vandse. Avoided the lunch in between to make easy the ride. Other friends
were very far, Madhu reached little early. Both of us decided to have light
lunch till they join with us.
Journey continued......
Finished the lunch nearby hotel,
relaxed in the public bus stand till they join us. Tiered souls reached one by
one. They wanted to relax for sometimes. Taking small nap at bus stand,
continued our journey towards Kundapur.
Cool Relax at Bus Stop - Vandse
Now the Kundapur is feeling very
close, just 15 KMs. Mentally we regained the energy, reached the Mangaluru –
Goa highway. Always it is boring to ride on highway, we had no option of 10
KMs. The final stretch on highway peddled fast reached the destination.
On the Way Kundapur....
We wanted to witness the sunset
on beach. Time was running fast, asked the address of Kodibailu beach. Peddled very
fast to reach the beach. The sun was about to set, we had comfortable time to
view. Enjoyed the beautiful sunset, relaxed for sometimes.
Kodibail Beach
Journey is come to an end, day
two was around 80+ tough ride in hot weather. We congratulated each other for
completion of ride. Appreciated the maiden ride of Lovely and Kushal. Finished our
dinner nearby hotel and boarded the bus to back Bengaluru.
Team Victory Salute
Bicycle Tour: Shivamogga (Shimoga) to Kundapur
Reviewed by www.prakrutipayana.com
on
March 24, 2018
Rating: 5
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