With forest and hills for 3 days

This was the best trip on bike I have ever had, will write in detail about it as I could fetch some time...


It was an unforgettable trip I have ever made. It has an exciting story too. So here it goes:

On 6th Oct, 2008, I, with my frn Sanjay did Mysore --Bandipur--Ooty--conoor from Bangalore in 3 days trip...On 6th Oct evening we started quite late for bangalore...got batrries and rolls at 1900 hrs from nearby Whizz shope...The whole trip was quite exciting. We started at 1930 hrs from bangalore on 6th Oct, and were able to leave the city by 2130 hrs only. (thanks to traffic on Mysore road flyover)...We were going taking coffee and tea breaks...There is Barista on the way where you can take coffee break and more importantly you can give rest to your back on cozy couches... At Kamath restaurant you can have good and hygienic food...We were two guys on one bike my touring partner Pulsar 150 dtsi ...

The guest cottage of forest guest house at Bandipur, where we spent our night...There is an interesting story about bandipur night readout at the end...

The cottage pic in day...


This man we'll not forget, the check post guard...gave us shelter that evening, while it was raining like anything and no place to go...
Sanju happy in all the situations...ok let me tell you what was it... In this trip we had one interesting and quite adventerous incident...We had planned to cross bandipur jungle in day light and it is not safe in night...it is quite notorious for elephant attacks...we reached in time neary 1730 or 1800 hrs at the entry point...but as we entered into jungle, we had done just couple of kms and it started raining like anything...and suddenly everything was dark..we had no option but to come back to the forest check post at the jungle entry point...spent neary two hours there...raining stopped at 2000 hrs...guard told about forest guest house some 8 kms inside the jungle but he was not suggesting to go alone into the jungle...We thought we would have to spend whole night in the check post of 10x10..that too leaking from all the sides...we were taking coffee at the tapra (tapra !!!)...we met an localite who was going inside the forest...and told us that we could come with him...he would drop us to the guest house...

Reached guest house...now another problem....it was inside jungle, no lights around...Saw that guest house had some light, but a sudden disappointment the reception was locked...so now where to go ??..some forest buses were there, I knew that time that bus was the only safe option to spend night...we saw deer walking around us...There was not much light so at first we got scared, thought its something else... but later when we figured out its only deer, we enjoyed being surrounded by then; it was almost zero visibility...Then fortunately someone came and opned the reception and we got a forest cottage to spend night...That was the most interesting part of the trip...in four hours (1800 hrs to 2200 hrs) we faced different situations...went through different emotions...from every thing planned ended with no where to go; And from no where to go it ended with a luxurious forest cottage...It was great and quite memorable incidence...

Elephant in Bandipur, Jungle but tied in chain...

This was clicked on the way to Ooty, figured out Shiva Temple after taking the snap...

Roads were smooth and comfortable...we were taking breaks every where for snaps...

This is how the place looks...You don't feel like going back to cities after coming here...



Ok, Pic of one of the 37 hair pin bends...be cautious when are there...

On the way...this portion was not that slant...

do you see deer in bush...

This was a special train run for the Desshera occasion...quite nice art work...

Sanju posing at Mysore palace...

There are two ways to go to ooty from bandipur...one is through Gudlur and another one is through Masingudi..

The way via Gudlur is 30km longer, but quite safe and a lot of villages will come in the way where one can take breaks and help, if required...you will also see some tea estates in the way...a better scenic opportunity via Gudlur...If you take this route you skip the notorious 37 hair pin turns too...here ride is cool, and you can watch sceneries around you..

If you go via Masingudi...that is 30 km shorted that Gudlur...but a bit risky...Less populated...and one few villages...In this way you'll go through 37 hair pins with its own thrill..

I have tried both the ways...while going I went throuth Gudlur and while coming back I came via Masin gudi...If you not in big numbers them better to take Gudlur way...and specially if you have any pillion specially your girl friend they don't take risk and go via Gudlur...

At point in the bandipur jundle after the forest guest house there are two ways...left one goes through Masin gudi (hair pin turns) and the right one goes through Gudlur (for comfortable and cool ride)...Try both..

Have a safe ride...


This one is my favourite pic...Enjoy...

Bangalore - Nandi Hills Bengaluru

I reached bangalore on 12th June 2008, on transfer. Spent week's time in settling up and another week's time in digging up friends in bangalore. I have been in bangalore for 3-4 months in year 2003-04, so knew little bit not aware of places properly.

On 19th July went to movie Jane Tu Ya Jaane Na at Innovative with one of my oldest friend, shailendra. Had great fun in theatre, I found my self clapping and some times laughing lound. Something which I did after years in theatre. Movie was late night show so woke up late next day.

Sunday July20th, 2008, got a call from shailendra around 1030 hrs...He was looking for a small ride. It had been a long time to there was no way I could deny it. I readly agreed, as it was already late and sunday too, we decided to make a trip to Nandi Hills (actually he only decided i had no idea about palce and it's distance). It's approximately 65 KM from bangalore on HYD highway. Shailendra called up some of friends and frist two calls only fetched two pillions.



@ 1130 hrs we started to make it to the Nandi Hills. It was too late for bike rides. We had to go through full traffic on road with penetrating sun rays. Digicam battries were not charges so had to search a number of places for dura cells as trip wasn't planned and popped from morning chitchat...trip was short but enjoyable...The road which takes you from highway to the Nandi Hills is not at all maintained. You'll see a lot of potholes. Anyway enjoying the finding the best way to reduce the jerks we reached the Nandi Hills. Roamed around in garden, the main attraction of Nandi Hills is an Old temple at the top of Hill. Beautifully crafted and quite an old construct.

Be careful with the monkeys on the hill. There are many and are fearless, won't hesitate in taking food from your hands.

While coming back saw the new airport too..it is on a diversion from highway...the whole stretch is awesome with two circles in between...I bet it is the best road stretch available in bangalore...The smoothness and cleanlyness is commendable...though it was a short stretch but had great fun in bending and leaning at curves...Picks are less as it wasn't planned and battries were not prepared, but I could collect many images in my brain...

To see snaps click on Ream More


Nandi hill snaps:
On the way to Nandi hills, stopped for camera batteries:

From Nandi Hills Conquered

Riding up Nandi Hill

From Nandi Hills Conquered

Inside temple in Nandi Hill

From Nandi Hills Conquered

Shailu:

From Nandi Hills Conquered

Inside temple, Nandi hill

From Nandi Hills Conquered

A small jungle on hill

From Nandi Hills Conquered

Seems some like water storage facility

From Nandi Hills Conquered

Notices something:

From Nandi Hills Conquered

Looking tired !!!

From Nandi Hills Conquered

Temperature was quite low here:

From Nandi Hills Conquered

First Tour continued...

      After a short and comfortable break at dhaba, I started for chandigarh. I decided to take subsequent breaks in an hour duration. Now it was enough sun light every where and view of fields and open lands had soothing effect. Next hour of ride I enjoyed most as there was very less traffic and climate was too pleasant. Next break was of just about 10 mins. Now it was another sunny day, rays were getting harder, I noticed a coating of dust all over the bike and of course over my clothes. Now traffic was increasing as a lot local people were joining, while going on their daily routines. Haryana roadway's buses were the most scary beasts on the highway, going on 90-100 with a swaying body. Trucks were pretty decent in their movement.

      By 1100 hrs I was in in guest house, was bit tired so went to bed after shower. Woke up at lunch time, had lunch with friends. Met some other friends. I cannot forget to mention my visit to my friend brajesh's house. I had great time with his family. Brajesh's baby girl is so cute, in no time we became friends. Spent couple of hours there, and it became best remedy for my temper. I forgot everything for the moment. While departing she kissed me, my friend told I was the first outsider she liked so much and kissed. :)
Watch her with me:
http://picasaweb.google.com/vishwakarma.deepak/Chandigarh#5140058655627246322
http://picasaweb.google.com/vishwakarma.deepak/Chandigarh#5140058659922213634


      With another friend Rakesh, visited rock garden and sukna lake. Had fun in well maintained tidy city. Had a flat type in sukna lake parking, and was lucky to find out a punchar repair guy well in time. I was his official last customer and another guy coming after me had to fight a lot to get his tyre repaired.

      Next day after breakfast, first I got my repaired type tube replaced by a new one I had (I keep some spare while on trip). And started back to Delhi. This time I was pretty okay, comfortable and calm, so did the chandigarh and delhi distance comfortably, taking breaks where ever I saw good dhaaba. And by 1500 hrs my horse was back in stable.

see bike after the trip
http://picasaweb.google.com/vishwakarma.deepak/Chandigarh#5140050800132061762

This trip was ultimate stress buster. I could save myself and my friends from my bad temper and in addition to this saw new places met some friends, learnt may things about life and safe riding. After this ride whenever I get time I try to explore places I have not seen yet, with friends or alone, with my best partner(my BIKE http://picasaweb.google.com/vishwakarma.deepak/GlobalVillage#5267424216056291922)...


Till now I have explored these destinations with my bike:

I. Delhi -Chandigarh        Oct 27th, 2007 (SOLO, TEAM:1)
II. Bangalore -Nandi Hills      July 20th, 2008 (Friends, TEAM:4)
III. Bangalore - Mysore       August 9th, 2008 (Friends, TEAM:3)
IV. Bangalore - Mysore- Bandipur- Ooty- connor Oct 6th, 2008 (with best buddy, Sanjay, TEAM: 2)
V. Jabalpur MP - Kanha National Park     Nov 2008 (with Sanjay, TEAM: 2)
VI. Bangalore - Talkadu - Mysore - Srirangapattan   March 7th, 2009 (With Friends, TEAM: 3)


Major Targets (till 2013):
I. Bangalore - Mangalore      in 2012
II. Bangalore - GOA          in 2012
III. Delhi - Leh            in 2013





TAKE CAUTION:
While on delhi- chandigarh highway be prepared for any tractor or localities coming in wrong lane. and especially take care of service roads and their intersections with highway. I had a narrow scape but you better be prepared.

Take care...wish you happy riding...ride well to ride long...

A TOURER BORN!

        I am not sure if title is appropriate. I always liked seeing new places. But I never felt the urge that I have now to explore new places. We all are born tourer, life is a journey and we all are sailing through it in our way. And one day it will be over regardless of way you handle it. When a child takes birth he brings with him a blank book in which he writes his own story of life. If you see back in your life you can read pages of your life authored by no one but by you. We all have already written so many pages of it with so many colours and flavours.

        If you stay at one place the flavour and colours of your book will be around and about the sphere you live in. The bigger the radius of your sphere is, the more colours and flavours of life will be in your book. A famous saying in support can be, "Life is a book and if you don't travel then you just read one page of it".

        I discovered my hidden urge, the passion for touring on BIKE out a distress. (CLICK READ MORE...TO KNOW MORE)


        I loved riding my motor bike. Till 2007, I was basically a city rider. Office was just 3 kms from residence so only weekend was time to add some kms into milometer...Delhi roads are heaven for city riders and control and performance of Pulsar is unbeatable for city riding (There are some issues with braking which needs care and practice, never apply only one brake at high speed and mare sure bike is straight before applying brake...balance of disc and rear brake is the key)...My best friend used to stay in sarojni nagar, prashant tiwari, I was regular visitor to his house...The distance was 22 Kms from my parking to his parking and I used to make it in less than 30 mins...the flyover curve near AIIMS was my favourite in route to his house.I loved and was contained with my city riding.

        Once out of distress I wanted to go out of Delhi but didn't know where to go. The only thing I was sure of was that I won't spend next day in delhi. Wanted to go as far as I could. (Till now the maximum distance I had done was taking a round of ring road, sounds funny!). I had inclination towards Chandigarh but wasn't sure till the next morning. I got fuel tank filled in night, purchased some first aid items, and prepared my travel rook sack bag and slept about 2400 hrs. Woke up early in morning 0500 hrs, and was on bike in next few minutes. It was October 27th 2007 morning. Morning was bit cold, after riding for just 500 meters I realized that I forgot my gloves. I still had a rotten temper so did not bother to go back and get it. I continued riding towards Chandigarh, riding through azaadpur was slow because of road condition and some trucks on the way (but now conditions have changed after metro)...Giving a damn attention to road condition, truck or cold I continued and raised as much as I could. I was determined not to stop before one hours ride. I stopped at one of dhabba in the chandigarh-delhi highway as I completed one hour. It was a pleasant surprise to notice that I had done a fair distance of 70 kms in just one hour. My hands had got stiff because of cold and continuous rash riding for an hour. Had some refreshment at dhaba walked around to make body comfortable and was back on saddle after 15 mins break...

Continued...

Welcome

Welcome to the world of my travel tales. Like all kids I was fascinated by the greatest invention of human kind, mastering a pair of wheels. Journey started by insisting on taking me on rides even when I was not able to walk properly. I remember rotating paddle of BIKE and enjoyed seeing the rear wheel bike rotating on stand.

Grew little bigger,and started moving it on my own and soon learned riding my sisters bike. It didn't take much time mastering it. And soon I gained good control over BSA SLR. I started riding it without holding handle bar and even taking 90 degree turns (It's not advised, I had practised a lot in the play ground and had many crashes, bruised elbow, knee..that's painful). I don't know how could I dare but later I started riding on busy roads with free handle (without holding handle bar). But that did not last long, one day my mother saw me doing such foolish stunt on road and that was the end of that.


(CLICK READ MORE...TO KNOW MORE)


I was a lazy and usually used to miss my school rikshaw and then my father used to drop me to school in his three gear bajaj scooter. It used to happen often and I got plenty time to observe him riding. It took a lot time learning scooter and still I don't consider myself good with scooter.

The second motor bike was HERO PUCH. When I reached my mama(mother's brother) gifted me his HERO PUCH. A 1995 model motor bike. It had two gears but very stable and comfortable. I still have it at my home and still doing good.

On 8th April 2005 I purchased my own motor bike, the definitely male bike PULSAR 150 CC DTSi 2005. It took a lot time to convince mother to get permission for riding motor bike in delhi. On 7th April I could convince her making her emotional and got permission for BIKE. The very next day called up some Bajaj agencies in delhi and asked for availability of Silver colour bike. Got in BAGGA link, asked them to make papers ready as I could not wait for any more time. It was last working day of week so had two days in hand to know each other.

It is still with me, and I am sure that I am in deep love with my BIKE. I never get bored of riding have done long distances with friends and alone. It's not only a sport but an art, which I am constantly working on to improve on.

Wish you all readers a safe riding. Live to drive but Drive well to life long...

GOOD LUCK.!