Gateway to Western Ghats - Ride covering Thirthahalli - Hulikal - Kundapur - Chickmagalur (3rd Sept -5th Sept 2010)

It was time for us to hit scenic belt of Karnataka and we know Western Ghats is one amazing place where anyone will not get bored in spite of going N number of times. So Prakash suggested that we go to Kundapur and immediately we agreed for a ride on Sept3-Sept5 2010 . Prakash Booked a resort “Turtle Bay Resort” which is on the seashore near Marvanthe beach.

Route : Bangalore – Arsikere – Shimoga – Thirthahalli – Hulikal – Kundapur – Kollur – Agumbe – Koppa – Chickmagalur – Hassan – Bangalore

Team : Me on my Thunderbird, Prakash on his Standard 85 Model and Sena with his Bullet Electra

All three of us assembled near Hebbal Flyover on 3^rd Sept at around 6.00AM. Salman (Prakash’s friend came to give send off for our ride). We started sharp at 6.00AM and headed towards Devanahalli route to avoid traffic and construction on Tumkur Highway. The road was smooth without traffic and we passed through Dabbaspet and joined the Tumkur road. This is lengthy route and it added around 40Kms extra to our ride, we did not bother and was having fun riding with our Bulls. We stopped for breakfast at Kamat Upachar in Tumkur road and had a good vegetarian breakfast.

Sena and Myself at Kamat Upachar Hotel

Shimoga Highway near Arsikere

Did not wanted to waste time and we were keen to reach Western Ghats as early as possible so that we have sufficient time to enjoy the sceneries while riding. So we left the Hotel and rode towards Shimoga highway and continued on the same passing via Arsikere, Bhadravati. The highway was too good with not major traffic and green covers on either side, wonderful highway to ride and finally we reached Shimoga by 12.30PM. We decided to continue with our journey and have the lunch at Thirthahalli. The route from Shimoga to Thirthahalli was amazing, where you need to ride through a forest with a different look and it had bamboo Trees submerged in water on either side. We stopped and took snaps of the routes and continued with our ride. Finally we reached Thirthahalli at around 2.30PM, stopped there to have our lunch.

Forest Route from Shimoga to Thirthahalli

Bamboo Trees Submerged in Water - Route to Thirthahalli

Beautiful Sceneries near Hulikal

Hulikal Ghats

Waterfalls on the roadside - Hulikal Ghat Road

Now it was time to continue with our ride further and the locals told that we need to take Agumbe Ghat road to reach Kundapur, but I wanted to go via another route which was suggested by maps. So we agreed to ride through Hulikal and trust me, this was one amazing route which I enjoyed riding. There were lots of streams on the roadside and all were looking like a beautiful waterfalls and we could not resist stopping everywhere, we took lots of time stopping at all points and finally reached Kundapur resort at 6.30PM. The resort we stayed was Turtle Beach Resort, I would not say it’s an amazing resort, but its value for money. The resort is situated on sea shore which gives a good view of sea and also have good variety of dishes. We refreshed and had a good time sitting on the sea shore and having beer till late night. It was wonderful day.

Sunset at Konkan Highway

Turtle Beach Resort

On 4^th September, we were bit lazy and got up late at around 10.00AM. Later we were not sure as what to do, So I suggested lets go to Kodachadri which is 60Kms from the resort and we immediately left to Kodachadri. We passed by Kollur and rode towards Kodachadri and it was another amazing place. We went half the way and it started pouring heavily and we could not continue with our ride, so we decided to come back. While coming back, prakash biked skidded due to rain and the footrest was bent, we took some time to get that repaired. Later we reached the resort by 5.30PM and spent time relaxing and we kept our drinks low because we happened to leave early morning.

Kollur Moogambika Temple Entrance

5^th September, it was the day for us to hit back to Bangalore. I was keen on covering Agumbe and Kemmanagundi. We agreed and started our return ride at around 6.30AM and rode towards Agumbe, and I don’t think I need to comment on Agumbe and everyone knows how beautiful it is. We continued towards Koppa and reached Chikmagalur for lunch at around 2.00PM. We were running short of time to cover Kemmanagundi and hence we decided to take Hassan highway and headed back to Bangalore. We continued with our ride and finally reached Bangalore at around 6.30PM.

Agumbe Ghat Road

Chickmagalur Route

Trust me, this was one of my memorable ride with a beauty to the heights.