Bike Ride to Shivanasamudra Falls

It was almost two months since my last bike ride. I decided to go to some place this weekend. I called up everyone to give me company. Finally, my dear friend Swayambhoo came to the rescue. Some of his friends also agreed to join and we all decided to visit Shivanasamudra Falls. Total of five of us, me ( Apache RTR ), Vaibhav ( Discover ), Sonam ( Apache RTR ) with Praful and Swayambhoo riding pillion. We all started around 09:10 AM from BTM and decided to take the Kanakpura route ( other route is through Mysore road ). After taking few pit stops and around 140 kms of ride, we reached Gaganachukki ( one of the two falls of Shivanasamudra Falls ) at 12:00 PM.

The view was good but disappointing too as it was not possible to get down in the falls. Just view it from the top. After spending some time, everybody was hungry. So, we went to the only restaraunt present there, gulped down some idli's and dosa's and headed towards Barachukki falls, the other fall of Shivanasamudra which is around 12 kms ahead of this one. After riding 15-20 min, we witnessed a fall better than the previous one.There was a warning board which said not to go near the falls, but nobody cared.We also, went to the foot of the falls. It was amazing.It was perfect to get under the chilled water and enjoy.

We were not carrying any extra clothes, as we were totally unaware of this. But, it was too tempting and we couldn't resist too. We put our shirts off and went into the water. All of us had a great time, more of because no one expected it to be like this.

Around 3:45 PM, we headed back to Bangalore, following the same route. After few breaks, we were stuck in Bangalore traffic around 6:15 PM. It was a well spent saturday.

Route: Bangalore-Kanakpura-Shivanasamudra-Kanakpura-Bangalore
Total Distance Travelled: 325 kms
For More Pics Visit: Shivanasamudra

Rainy Ride To Coorg

Ride to Coorg was pending from long time and it had already started raining in Karnataka. So, we planned adhoc to ride to Coorg. It was the first weekend of July' 2009. Total of five of us; myself ( Apache RTR ), Gowri ( Y Gladiator ) and Uttaran ( Thunderbird ) with Raj and Varun riding pillion, started on friday evening. We never knew what next was in store for us. The moment we touched Mysore road, it started raining.

Luckily, myself and Raj were carrying raincoats which we put on and started again in rain ( with others riding without raincoats ). We reached Mysore around 09:30 PM totally drenched. Stayed in a hotel that night. Next morning ( Saturday ) when we woke up, came to know that there was a curfew in the city due to some disturbances. Only option, to get ready quickly and leave for Coorg. Around 07:00 AM, left Mysore and started for Coorg ( Madikeri ).Again after 30-35 kms it started raining.

We stopped near Kushalnagar for breakfast. Gulped down some dosa's and idli's with tea. Finally, we reached our home stay in Madikeri around 01:00 PM totally soaked in rain. We put our luggages in the home stay, changed our clothes and started for Talacauvery ( around 50kms from Madikeri ).

But, no respite, it was raining continously. We continued in rain only and reached the top of Talacauvery.It was too misty because of the clouds, reducing visibility to around 15 mts. Stayed there, visited the temple at the top, had mirch pakoda's, tea , etc ( this was our lunch :P ) and came back to our home stay.

No body had any dry spare clothes left. So, we decided to go for shopping in the local market. Went to the market and bought lowers, shorts, raincoats and even umbrella. Came back, had nice dinner prepared by the care taker and slept.

Day 2 ( Sunday ): We woke up with some hope of watching clear skies but it seemed nothing can be done to stop the rain. Had breakfast and started for Abbey falls. As it was raining continously from the past two three days, the fall was flooded and roaring with the noise of falling water.

The worst was about to come; when we decided to go back after a while, what I saw was that rear tyre of my bike was punctured. No option, I had to drive the punctured bike to the local market to get it repaired, which I did. The rim of the rear trye got deformed because of this. It was total of 8 kms.

Got my bike repaired, had some light lunch and started for Irpu falls. We took the route through Virajpet-Ponampet to Irpu falls. We also decided that, we will take the Nagarhole National Park route to reach Mysore from Irpu falls.We reached Irpu falls around 03:00 PM. It was huge and due to continous rain, it was also flooded.

We came to know at the Irpu falls that Nagarhole route is not allowed for two wheelers. Again, no option, we came back to Ponampet and then reached Mysore around 06:00 PM. Had good food at Punjabi dhaba as we were all very hungry.

Around 07:00 PM, we started back for Bangalore. Took our last pit stop at the famous Maddur Cafe Coffee Day. I was at my home around 10:00 PM. My trip meter showed a reading of 776 kms. To sum up, it was hell of a ride. Never drove so much in rain and fortunately no accidents for any of us as for most part of the ride it was raining. Well, one good thing due to rain was that, all the water falls were in full bloom... :)

Route:
Day 1: Bangalore-Mysore-Kushalagar-Madikeri-Baagamandala-Talacauvery-Baagamandala-Madikeri
Day 2: Madikeri-Abbey Falls-Madikeri-Virajpet-Ponampet-Irpu Falls-Ponampet-Mysore-Bangalore.
Total Distance Covered: 776 kms
For more pics visit: RainyRideToCoorg