Dharwada - Panaji Cycling Tour - Payana - My Journey

Cycling is not so easy peddle in the summer. However, from quite long time we did not do so. Decided to do the cycling from Dharwada to Panjaji on 4 - 5th March 2023.

The decision is quite surprising for us, initially me, Sudhakar & Shanthi Prasad wanted to do Dharawada to Karwar. Due to ill health friend Shanthi Prasad dropped out from the tour. I about to book the bus tickets, just called Sudhakar and I asked, "shall we do Dharawada to Panaji through Anmod Ghat", he said let's go. This is how the last minute changed our route.

I booked the KSRTC Volvo tickets from Bengaluru to Dharwada & Panaji to Bengaluru. Also chalked out our draft route map which is taking as below

Bengaluru - Dharawada by Volvo [3rd March 2023]

Dharawada - Alnavar - Ramanagar - Anmod - Mollem [Night Halt 4th Mar 2023]

Mollem - Ponda - Panaji [5th March 2023]

Panaji - Bengaluru by Volvo [Reach 6th March 2023]

Most of the time my journey intimation is always surprise to my family. Just a day before informed about cycling tour and got NOC.

It's quite difficult to peddle from Kengeri to Majestic in the heavy traffic. We booked the porter to carry our bicycles, paid around Rs.850/-.

Reached well in advance to bus stand at 7.45 pm, bus was scheduled 8.30 pm.

We always have one more challenge while doing tour is with bus crews about luggage. Luckily, they are more co-operative, loaded our cycles and relaxed on seat.

Bengaluru traffic was not much, enough lucky to reach early dinner stop near Dabaspete. We both had idli and continued our journey.

04.03.2023

We were still in the sleep mode, suddenly heard conductor sound "yaar ri adu Dharwada iliyoru", time was 4.30 am. Due to our deep sleep, our destination came so fast. Unloaded our cycles and got ready for a day long ride.

Sky was still dark, got refreshed at Public toilet in the bus stand. Tied our luggage and ready to start our journey.

There was dependency of sunlight due to non-availability of torches to our cycles. Decided to peddle slowly till the sky bright. Very soon, we crossed the city and gave tea break outskirt.

Finished morning tea + biscuit, by the time the atmosphere is visible now, continued our journey.

Morning weather was pleasant, entered the first forest stretch after Dharwada city. Luckily I sighted the Fox and many more peacocks. We gave a small break to have the fruits.

After 15 minutes break, continued our journey towards Alnavar. The sky become golden color, just witnessed beautiful sunrise.

I started getting some noise in my carrier and it was shaking a lot. We got to know that, the screw was fell down somewhere. Slowed my pace to avoid any more damage, luckily got cycle shop near Godholi village and repaired.

Our journey is continued, most of the trail is flat and down. After many kilometers decided to have breakfast in the hotel. We brought the home food, which we kept reserve for lunch and dinner.

We found roadside a small hotel, unfortunately breakfast was worst. There was no option, somewhat filled our hungry stomach and continued the journey.

Got one more forest reserve which is in the range of Ramanagar. The sun slowly taking pace to become hot, automatically our energy level was going down. We took many small breaks and reached Ramanagar.

Ramanagar is a kind of junction for Dandeli, Goa, Belagavi. Its time around 11.30 am, but sun was become harsh now. To beat the heat, decided to have tender coconut on road side.

Took a small break and continued our journey. Till this point trail was scenic and shadow, however, from Ramanagar its a kind of open. The traffic movement little increased and it was tough for us to peddle.

Multiple breaks gave us little relax and continued our journey. Our target to reach the Mollem night camping place by 4 pm. We found a forest maintained nursery on the road, entered and relaxed for some time. Met a wonderful soul [Watcher] and took a photograph who took inside the nursery and gave lot of information.

We wanted to have lunch here, due to non-availability of water decided to go further. Our journey is continued, sun heat more, took water and buttermilk for lunch.

Seen the Anmod Ghat board, searching for a good place to have lunch and relax for sometime to avoid peddling in hot weather. Reached Anjaneya temple in the Ghat, took the permission from priest.

Allowed inside the Ashram, had delicious home food and relaxed almost 45 minutes.

After long break, continued our journey. Crossing Castle Rock entered the Goa state. The Anmod Ghat was begun and it was complete down trail.

We were more careful while peddling down, soon reached the Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park. Mollem was just 4 kms away and we were well in time.

Reached Mollem and found a very descent homestay on Kollem road. We negotiated the double room for Rs.1200/-.

The day went well and memorable, had home food dinner and relaxed for the day remembering our entire journey.

05.03.2023

We woke up early morning at 5 am, got refreshed and vacated the homestay. The situation is like yesterday, we have to wait to sky bright. Had morning tea at Mollem, started our journey.

Morning as usual pleasant, the trail is so beautiful it's passing through reserve forest. We never want to miss beautiful sunrise and sunset, today also sunrise so beautiful.

Continued our journey towards Panaji, today's distance was not much, its around 65 kms. Decided to have a breakfast at Ponda.

Sudhakar seen "Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj" Tiffin centre from flyover at Ponda. He asked to give a try for breakfast.

The outlook was descent and entered inside. Hotel was filled with customer, got a corner seat where already a person was sitting. We took his concern and settled to order the breakfast.

We had a casual talk with person name Shankar Sindhe, who is working in pharmaceutical company. Very soon we become a friend and exchanged our cell numbers. He suggested many delicious dishes which are popular in this restaurant.

Breakfast was unbelievable, ordered all items are yummy and tasty. After the breakfast adieu to Shankar and continued our journey. He advised us not to miss the Mahalasa & Mangeshi temple which are on the way to Panaji.

Now, the traffic is little more and vehicle movement also lot. Taking small breaks reached the Mahalasa temple which is in Mangeshi village.

Temple is so beautiful, took couple of photographs and continued our journey towards Mangeshi temple.

Mangeshi temple is popular by name of Lata Mangeshkar which is birth place.

Temple is occupied by many tourist. Spent good time and continued our journey towards Panaji.

The distance is just 20 kms and had enough time to board the bus in the evening at 6 pm. Sun was on his march, got couple of steep ascend trails.

We wanted to avoid highway and decided to take the inner route. Enquired in one of the hotels, they guided to take the Old Goa route which is scenic and less traffic.

Continued our journey towards Old Goa. Now we recalled our Goa Bullet trip journey where we visited these all places. Took entry in the church and continued our journey towards Panaji.

Morning breakfast was heavy, did not feel hungry. Coastal hot was already itching us, around 1.30 pm reached Panaji bus stand.

Decided to kill the time, asked the people about nearest beach. They suggested to visit Minamar beach which is around 4 kms.

Continued our journey towards beach and spent lot of time. Back to the heart of Panaji city and relaxed almost an hour on the road side.

The time is to move towards bus stand and board back to namma Bengaluru. Bus is arrived on time, and this time also we were enough lucky to get good hearted crews. Boarded our companion and settle in the bus.