PAYANIGA

10-Sep-06, 0645:
All the BNs were assembled in the starting point at Nandi Toyota showroom. No delay in reporting there. Thats the passion to ride. Dr. Prithvi took the attendance, all present 9 riders and a pillion.

Team:

1. Dr. Prithvi – Eliminator
2. Prabul & Radhika – Suzuki Fiero
3. Orgy – Bullet Machismo
4. Jayansrangan – Bullet Machismo
5. Vasanth – Zma
6. Kamlesh – CBZ
7. Rajkumar – ZMA
8. Sashidhar – Bullet Machismo
& 9. Me – Pulsar 150

The plan was to ride to Reliance A1 plaza, which is just after Hosur, have breakfast and take a call on what to do next. We started exactly by 0700 and it was fun to ride in group. My first ride in such a big group (previous one was a group of 4). I could see the headlights switched on of all the BNs in RVM. 45 minutes flat we were at A1 plaza. Breakafast comprised of Dosa, Pongal, Vada, Omlet, Coffee. Talk during the breakfast was just bikes, bikes and more on bike rides (Leh, Goa meet).

Post breakfast, Rajkumar returned as he had work in Bangalore. Rest 8 bikes proceeded towards Krishnagiri. At the deviation point to Shoolagiri, Mr. & Mrs. Prabul bid farewell as they had a family function to attend. From then onwards Dr. Prithvi led the way to Shoolagiri dam. Name Shoolagiri is after the hill which is in the shape of trishool (weapon of Lord Shiva). After Shoolagiri village, its a narrow road full of small twisties. Only audible sound during the stretch of 5-6 KMs was JSR’s thumper.

We spent more than half an hour there. First few minutes spent in clickin photos and then ttalk, talk and talk. Most of the discussion was related to bikes and Leh ride experiences from Prithvi and JSR. Started back with plan of stopping over at Tamilnadu hotel just before Hosur, as its very easy to get lost in mad traffic. But still Kamlesh and Vasanth got lost. Rest 5 had coffee at the restaurant and proceeded towards Karnataka-TN border where those two were waiting for us. Stopped at the border, said ok-tata-bye-bye to each others. And rode back home with a promise to ride together in coming days.

By the time I reached home, trip meter was showing 151 KMs.

Headlights On

Update: Photos uploaded

Planning:
Till 10 in the night on Saturday, the plan was to ride to Chamundi hills alone and be back by evening. I came to know from Dr. Prithvi Raval about Girish’s plan of riding to Shivasamudra and decided to join him, Sachin and Rana. After discussing about which route to take, we decided to take Mysore instead of Kanakapura road. Reason being – 4 lane highway for about 80 KMs. Our plan was to meet at Banashankari around 0630 hrs, and start the journey.

Introduction:
Got up early @ 0520. Thats too early on a Sunday morning. By 6, I was mounting my Cramster Turtle on my Black Pulsar. Called up Girish confirming that I will be at Banshankari by 6.30 and started to the meeting place by 6.05. I was there by 6.25 and was expecting those guys to turnup bit late. But surprisingly they reached the place in time. After brief introduction, we started off towards Shivanasamudra. I was leading the way since other three didn’t know the route to Mysore road.

Fuel hunt & Breakfast:
Initial 40-45 KMs was a bit slow, searching for a petrol bunk which accepts credit card. Sachin was adamant to pay by cash. Finally he gave up, and topped-up the tank in Ramnagara by paying by cash. Once filled, we sped towards Maddur, our next stop – for breakfast. Reached there by 9 or so. Had breakfast in a hotel just before Maddur and a brief photo session.

Our journey continued and we took a left just after Maddur. The milestones were saying we are still another 45+ KMs from our destination. Our next stop was in between Malavalli and Maddur (Don’t remeber the place’s name). It was very scenic – paddy fields on one side and a water-body on the other. It was time for another photo session and flex our muscles. When we were about to leave, there came another group of bikers and stopped for photo session, some 200 mtrs ahead of us. Our journey continued. After few minutes of riding, we were on bumpy road full of potholes. Once we crossed Malavalli, road became better and were back to higher speed. Our next stop was ‘Shiva Hydroelectric Station’ – since no one is permitted inside (security issues), we headed towards the falls.

When we reached Gaganachukki, all of us were desperate to jump in to the water. But the local shopkeeper said its very dangerous to go near the foot of the falls. And he suggested us to move further up where we can easily take bath. We followed his directions and found a suitable place for taking bath. Rana was first to jump into the water and last to come out. Its very easy to convince a hippo to make him come out of water than making Rana coming out.

After spending a good one hour in water, we headed towards Bharachukki. First thought that came to our mind was – “We should have come here first before going to Gaganachukki” :(. In the end due to time constraints, we decided not to jump in to the water. Instead we took a boat ride (not exactly a boat, its circular in shape and made of bamboo – we call it as ‘theppa’ – ‘?????’ in Kannada.

We started of back towards Bangalore around 2PM after a brief visit to Darga near Bharachukki. Stopped for lunch @ Malavalli. After reching the Mysore road, we (Sachin and Myself) lost track of Rana and Girish. So almost 40 KMs was total economy ride, riding at 40-50KMph and takind breaks every 10-15 KMs to cool our *you-know-what*. Both of us reached Kengeri by 6.30PM and still no sign of Rana and Girish. As both of us had other appointments, we departed. From there, I went my friend’s house and then back home. Reached home at 7.30PM and my bike’s tripmeter showing 306.3 KMs – so far longest ride in a day for me.

That was the end of my first ride in a group. But still the beginning – still a long way to go. As Srikeerti says – “Another weekend, another place visited, another satisfied biker.” :)

Places visited:

Shivasamudra – Gaganachukki & Bharachukki

Route:

Bangalore – Maddur – Malavalli – Shivasamudra – Malavalli – Maddur – Bangalore.

Total distance: 306.3 KMs