Ramnath Kamat: 2017

RE Diary - Through the coffee trail of Chikmagluru.

12:29 PM

Chikmagluru is famous for its coffee and hmm what else? Yes! It's glorious coffee trails. You can get lost in its charm and beauty. What else you need for a rider?

Well, this memory is from my last monsoon ride to Chikmaglur in the first week of June. My friends had bought the newly released Himalayan and what way to test them other than the monsoon ride to the coffee trails.

We left on early Saturday morning to this adventure. Took the Hassan road, aim was to be in Chikmagluru by lunch and enjoy the rainy evening. And everything went according to the plan.

That's me telling, God is great!

Pristine roads of Chikmagluru

As we neared Chikmagluru, we were welcomed by the rain.

The ride and the riders

We trekked to this near by hill to our home stay

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RE diary - The abandoned Church of Shettihalli

Royal Enfield 6:12 AM

The abandoned Rosary Church of Shettihalli was one of my longest pending bucket list. This gorgeous Church was built by French in 1860. In 1960, the construction of Hemavathi dam and reservoir submerged this Church.

Even today during the monsoon this Church gets submerged in water, In summer when the water retreats, it rises above like a phoenix.

This Church is about 25 km from the Hassan city. On Bangalore- Mangalore highway you have need to take left after Hassan and go inside the country road for about 25 km.

Yes, thats me at the Church

Falcon rests in front of Shettihalli Church

Pretty much dried reservoir

Well, I plan to visit this place again in Monsoon just to canoe through its glorious arcs.

Things to take care:

1. During weekends, you can easily see riders come and go to this place. Thanks to Facebook.

2. The approach road to the church is good, hence now worry.

3. Carry your own water and food if you plan to eat.

4 Don't litter the place.

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RE diaries- Ride to Ooty.

biking in bangalore 5:50 AM

Ooty needs no introduction. However it provides a great weekend getaway from Bangalore. A moderate distance and the scenic road provides perfect turf for the amateur riders.

Ooty can be reached by two routes from Bangalore. One is via the usually crowded Mysore road, Gundlupete and Bandipur. I prefer the Kanakpura road. Even though it is two lane road, you encounter less traffic and more scenic than the Mysore road. You join the Gundlupete and carry on towards Bandipura.

Never miss a sunrise

Always leave early in the morning to skip the traffic, especially during the weekend. There is no fun riding in the traffic.

The Bandipur forest opens only after 6 am. Hence plan accordingly.

At the entrance of Bandipur forest

First view of Nilgiris

There are two entrance roads to Ooty. I prefer the Kalhatti Ghat. It has 36 hair pin curves which are perfect to test your riding skills. Only small cars belonging to TN registration are allowed on this road. This road is closed during night time.

Zostel Ooty where stayed

Zostel ooty is the perfect place to spend a night. It is nestled in a scenic spot. You can watch the beautiful nilgiris from its courtyard. The hosts are friendly.

Resting after a morning of ride

Zostel at night

Host was kind enough to make me veg bbq

Next day morning I rode to the top of Doddabetta. Its is about 15 km from Ooty. The gates open at 7 am. Doddabetta is the highest point in Southern India.