Bicycle Tour: Sringeri to Shivamogga (Shimoga)

Sunrise - Bhadra Backwater

Mind was blogging to go for a long ride on Bicycle. The last journey was Shivamogga – Kundapur, almost a month back. I raised this matter with Sudhakar to go for cycling around Dandeli. We had been in Dandeli on bicycle tour in December 2016. Last ride Shivamogga - Kundapur was dropout at last moment. I was finalizing the trail, we asked Vijay about his interest. He was more eager to join with us. The trail is shifted from Dandeli to around Tunga – Bhadra backwater.

Bhadra Backwater

In fact, it is peak summer; Sudhakar suggested to find out the nearest two-day trail around Shivamogga. Vijay added his thoughts to ride around NR Pura since his one of friend Dr. Srinivas is agreed to make the necessary arrangement. So, finally decided to ride from Sringeri to Shivamogga. Thankful to Vijay for finalizing the route, making stay arrangement at NR Pura.

Sringeri Hanging Bridge - Tunga River

This time wanted to keep a small size, so final list is myself, Santosh, Sudhakar & Vijay. More friends not shown interest, because of hot weather. Dates are finalized on 21^st – 22^nd April 2018. Well in advance as usual booked the tickets by Karnataka Sarige.

Route Chosen:

Bengaluru – Sringeri by Volvo [20.04.18]

Sringeri – Vishwanathpura – BG Katte – Koppa – NR Pura [Stay 21.04.18]

NR Pura – Bhadra Backwater – Umblebail – Shivamogga [22.04.18]

Shivamogga – Bengaluru by Volvo [22.04.18]

Relax @ Vishwanathpura

Hope, this is the shortest and very relaxed two day’s ride ever in my journey. Our motto of this ride is to explore Tunga & Bhadra Backwater. Beauty of this journey is, on the first day, our entire journey was on Tunga river and second day on Bhadra river. We met couple good human who extended their love and hospitality during our journey.

Sringeri - Sharadambe

Journey is begun by the blessing of Sringeri Sri Sharadambe in the morning after the breakfast at bus stop. Vijay pointed the interior village routes in his map. We feel tough trail also easy, if we have a good company. 

Initial Rolling Terrain

The initial trail was not so easy in terms of terrain, it was rolling and killing one. However, the small breaks will fill more energy to accept the challenges, taking multiple breaks reached Vishwanathpura.

Relax.....

Bicycle tour always gives an opportunity to meet good people. On the way, Vijay suddenly screamed “Hey!! Guys look at there, beautiful temple”. It was looking some beautiful temple which surrounded by green. We all agreed to explore the place.

Vishwanathpura Temple Way

It was temple - cum - residence. We entered premises opening the gate, which was 50 meter away from main building. Leading green trail took us closure to the temple. For a while we did not find anyone around, suddenly we heard a voice “Who all are you? Why you entered without permission?!!”. A huge man holding a stick asked the anonymous question. Just we said “Sorry to enter without anyone permission, we came from Bengaluru. Thought it is a temple so just we entered”.

Vishwanathpura Temple

The guy was started laughing so loudly saying “Hey cool…just I am kidding”. Believe me such a gentleman Mr. Palachandra Rao, invited us inside the home. He briefed about the place history. This place relates to Keladi Nayak’s rule and Sringeri Peetha. Every year Navaratri is celebrated very grandly.

Good Soul - Offered us Coffee

There are two small temples inside premises, i.e., Lord Venkateshwara & Shiva. He briefed the history of this place. Such a lovely person not allowed us without having coffee.

Vishwanathpura Temple Premises

He engaged his son Rahul with us to show Tunga river and his farmland. River Tunga flowing calmly just behind his house. We spent some good time, now its time to continue our journey.

Tunga River - Backside of the Temple

It was rolling trail, sometimes up and sometimes down, journey is continued. Cycling is always fun-filled, relaxed one. It will help us to explore more and more. While a pit stop at village, people suggested us to visit one more beautiful temple.

Historical Temple

Since our day peddling distance is less and we had enough of time, took many breaks. The climate was also good, panorama is more scenic. Not left to have the snacks under tree.

Relax Under Tree - Snacks

Taking multiple breaks, chatting with locals reached Narway. This was sounded interesting, yes Narway. Vijay already pointed in map about hanging bridge around this place. Initially we had little difficult to find, ultimately, we enjoyed the beautiful hanging bridge with photography.

Hanging Bridge - Norway

Killing terrain met after the bridge location. It was completely uphill around 5 KMs. The hot weather was made more tiered. After finishing the terrain, cooled by yummy Ice Cream. 

Thanda Cool Cool

Sunset view point gave us shelter in hot weather. Relaxed for sometimes to regain the energy.

Relax to escape from Hot

Koppa was not far after riding the steep trail, soon entered the town. We were feeling hungry. Vijay wanted to have the lunch in the hotel, but homemade yummy Paratha – Curry was waiting inside the bag. 

Water - Melon

Decided to have the lunch outskirt of the town somewhere in the nature. As a top-up to the hungry stomach, filled with watermelon.

Beautiful Trail

Homemade food always yummy during cycling journey. Most of the time, we try to get from home. This time thankful to Santosh & Sudhakar for bringing the Chapati, I carried the Tomato curry. We finished the lunch in the roadside Coffee estate.

Lunch Break

We had enough time to reach Narasimharaja Pura [NR Pura]. Vijay already informed his friend about our arrival. Dr. Srinivas, a Government Hospital Doctor of NR Pura, is close friend of Vijay. Journey is continued with multiple breaks, reached the NR Pura by 5 pm.

NR Pura - Entrance

Vijay friend arranged our stay at one of his known vacate home. We had very relaxed roaming around the town, finished the dinner, adieu for the day.

In front of Night Shelter

Sunrise and sunset always precious and unique for any nature lovers. We decided to witness the lovely sunrise across the Bhadra backwater. Morning ride won’t make you much tiered, had wonderful time at backwater.

Sunrise - Bhadra Backwater

Doctor took us to NR Pura timber yard. Understand that, this yard is started by British. Now it is owned by Karnataka Forest department. It was very painful to see such huge tress cut for improve the facilities to human.

Timber Yard - NR Pura

Breakfast should be always heavy, which tolerate the delay of lunch. Not to take any risk, finished the breakfast at NR Pura. Now the time to say good bye and thanks to Dr. Srinivas. We thanked him for his great hospitality and expressed the interest to visit again, journey is continued.

Dr. Srinivas @ NR Pura Hospital

Santosh Gupta is like a doctor for us. He always helped us for any vehicle breakdown or fine tuning the issues. Most important thing is, always he carries the tools and accessories. 

Dr. Santy Repairing the Bike

We never bother about the bikes, if he is with us in the ride. This is second time, Sudhakar bike's chain cut. First time was during our Bisle Ghat ride. Luckily Santosh has all the accessories, the journey is continued after repair.

Beautiful Trail @ Bhadra Tiger Reserve Forest

Again, we deviated the main road trail, decided to take inner route. Taking the localities help, we entered one of the most beautiful lonely forest trail Bhadra Tiger Reserve. 

Beautiful Trail @ Bhadra Tiger Reserve Forest

There was no bond of time, our return journey bus scheduled at 11 pm from Shivamogga. We spent good time on photography, relaxed under tree.

Relax @ Bhadra Tiger Reserve Forest

Sometime in 2016, myself, Sudhakar and Vijay visited the Bhadra backwater near Umblebail. This time also wanted to visit since we had enough of time. 

Bhadra Backwater

Very sad to see the water level gone completely low. We walked far away in the backwater spent some good time of photography.

Bhadra Backwater

Every good thing – sweet moments should end-up. The time is to windup towards Shivamogga. On the way not missed to fill the hungry souls. Evening rain shower welcomed us to Shivamogga.

On the way to Shivamogga

Overall it was very cool – relaxed journey with lovely friends. There was endless fun across the ride. Met lovely bunch of people and decided to peddle in the monsoon. This is very perfect trail to beginner; who want to enjoy the cycling tour.

Entire Team