Bicycle Tour: Shivamogga (Shimoga) to Kundapur

My Chetak @ Sharavathi Backwater

Always the tour / trip will not thrill if everything goes smoothly as per pre-plan. Odd incidents always keep in our mind for a long time. A situation, you have to travel by a train along with Bicycle, suddenly the authorities refuse to load your bikes and give some excuses to transport next day. This was the situation of our bicycle tour from Shivamogga to Kundapur on 24 – 25^th March 2018.

Sharavathi Backwater

Indeed, we missed the train, lost the time, lost the money, however we executed Plan B and made it success. Despite peak summer, peddling across coastal with two freshers, crossing the Sharavathi river, enjoying the roadside food, camping in the beautiful Nature camp, visit to Kollur Mookambike temple and finally ending at beautiful Kodebailu Kundapur beach.

Bank of Sharavathi River

My bicycle tour / treks are always most welcome to freshers. I can recall my initial struggle to getting short list in Bangalore Ascenders [BASC] events. Yes, it is not so easy to manage the freshers in treks or bicycle tour where there is no backup. But I always said WELCOME to anyone who are confident in their abilities.

Route chosen:

Bengaluru – Shivamogga by Volvo – 23^rd March 2018

Shivamogga – Ayanur – Ripponpet – Harthal – Hulibana – Hasirumakki – Nittur – Nisarga Viharadham

Nisarga Vihardhama – Kollur – Vandse – Hemmadu - Kundapur – Kodibailu Beach

Kundapur – Bengaluru by Volvo

23.03.2018

The team is framed with seven members viz., Adarsh, Ananth, Lovely, Madhu, Vijay, Kushal & myself. We booked the train ticket till Shivamogga well in advance to save the cost. Team was divided into three groups. Now I am familiar with railways formalities since our last ride Hubli to Karwar traveled by train. We all assembled at Bengalur Railway luggage counter at 6.30 pm. Train was scheduled at 11 pm. 

My Chetak

There was shocking news waited for us. Railway authorities refused to board our bikes with same train which we suppose to travel. They gave unprecedented reason that “Minister is traveling by this train, we can’t load the luggage. You can expect to dispatch by tomorrow afternoon train”. I requested him lot, but refused to load the bikes. Luckily Vijay & Madhu deposited their bikes in the morning, so it is dispatched by afternoon train, they were safe.

Mid of Forest

The journey is decided, return tickets were booked from Kundapur, we have to plan option of B. Quickly we rushed to Majestic Bus stand to travel by Volvo. The stand was completely empty, the time was just 7.30 pm. for safer side decided to book online ticket in two separate buses, tickets got confirmed, it scheduled at 10 pm.

Now the team was cool, aligned our bikes on platform, decided to fill our stomach. Batch wise finished the dinner, waited for a bus.

Roadside Relax

Luckily, we got descent bus crew, loaded our bikes in luggage compartment, settled on our seat. In the first bus Ananth, Lovly & myself traveled. The second bus was scheduled at 11 pm in which Adarsh & Vikas, finally Madhu and Vijay traveled by train.

24.03.2018

Journey went well, early morning by 4.30 am we reached Shivamogga bus stand. Finished our morning core job at stand, waited for others to join with us. Everyone reached on time, got refreshed. The team is ready to start the ride.

Beginning of Journey - Shivamogga Bus Stand

Time was around 5.30 am., still the sky was dark. We thought it is the right time to begin our expedition. After a group pic at bus stand, the journey started. Always cycling tour is very curious to public. Many asked about our planning, journey and wished a good luck.

Outskirt of Shivamogga Town

Sun is yet to arise; our pace is slowly getting fast. As I mentioned, there are two freshers, who never peddled any MTB. Slowly they also getting fine-tuned with peddle.

Sunrise @ Outskirt of Shivamogga

We reached the Lion Nisarga Dhama, out skirt of Shivamogga. Slowly Sun started to show his red face. I have not missed to capture in mobile, the journey is continued.

Stop @ Ayanoor

Our pit stop is at Ayanoor. Thank you to Vijayanand, who finalized the route. We wanted to travel more and more interior village route. After small tea break, journey is continued.

Ripponpet Road

We were bored to ride on the Shivamogga – Honnavara highway. We took deviation at Ayanoor towards Ripponpet. The trail is become more beautiful; traffic was not much; continued the journey.

Forest Curved Road

Trekking / Cycling always gives an opportunity to meet good people. They shower lot of love and affection. Ripponpet was about 10 KMs, our water bottles were empty. Stopped road side home to fill our bottles. 

Met Lovely Lady

We met a lady who is a retired Head Mistress. She introduced to ourselves, offered us to have Mentya Dose and snacks. Respected her love and affection, thanked her for offering, politely skipped the invitation. Purchased grapes near their home, journey is continued.

Journey is continued

We were feeling hungry, badly needed the breakfast. Decided to fill at Ripponpet. Found Sri Raghavendra Udupi Hotel. Verity of items gave lot of energy to our tiered body. 

Breakfast Filling Station @ Ripponpet

Met Vijay friend who runs a Petrol Bunk in Ripponpet. Invited all of us to his Bunk. Spent some good time and continued our journey.

Vijay Friend

Ripponpet to Heggodu we took completely interior route. The sun was started itching very badly. But lonely village off road ride was more interesting one. Whenever felt need a break, just relaxed under tree. Reached Haratala village, had cool drinks.

Mid of Forest Relax

Journey is continued; few of our friends tiered very badly. The rolling terrain, hot weather was making more trouble to peddle us. Motivating to team members reached Chikkabilagodu. Few of us were reached early and waited others join. Sometimes deviation point make confusion to fellow rider.

Tough Ride in Hot Weather

Our water bottles were empty, saw an old lady who is working in garden. Asked “Amma swalpa neeru kodtira? (Mother, will you give little water)”. So happily, called all of us and asked to relax at her home. By the time her son came out and introduced each other. They forced us to accept their Tea offer. Thankful to them offering tea to the tiered soul.

Met with one good soul - Offered Tea

All friends reached the point, journey is continued. We were hungry very badly. Vijay suggested to take break at Heggodu [Neenasam] where he know the person who can serve the lunch. The distance was not much, it was just 3 KMs.

Journey Continued

Unfortunately, the person was on leave, asked the localities about hotel. We got descent hotel but only choice is Palav. Something is better than nothing, decided to load our hungry stomach. Tasty Palav with Bajji and Buttermilk made heavy lunch. We all very happy getting such a wonderful lunch.

Lunch Point - Heggodu [Neenasam]

Our day one ending point is Nittur Nisarga Viharadham. The distance was around 40+ KMs. We need to cross Sharavathi River at Hasirumakki. Understood from local, the last trip of ferry is by 5.30 pm. Considering all these facts, asked the friends to peddle fast.

Continued...Journey...

After heavy lunch, it is not so easy to ride in the hot temperature in rolling trail. Taking multiple small breaks reached the deviation point Hulibanada. Many of riders wanted a long break, but myself and Madhu decided to peddle till the Hasirumakki and inquire the timings. We both peddled very fast. I had crossed the Hasirumakki during Hosanagara – Kodachadri – Jog Falls ride.

Hasirumakki - Sharavathi Backwater

Hasirumakki is such a wonderful place, Sharavathi backwater welcomes you with its beauty. We had more time to relax, the last ferry is at 6 pm. I and Madhu had good photography time till they join us.

Pose to Pic

Team very soon reached to Hasirumakki, loaded our bikes. Crowd was little more since it is weekend. Compare to Sigandoor ferry, this is better of less crowd. 

Ferry Journey across Sharavathi River

Since it is last trip, ferry was waiting for little more time. After loading our bikes, relaxed very cool on the river bank.

Fun @ River bank

We wanted to witness sunset at Sharavathi backwater. After crossing the river, we had fun-filled moment. Spent more time on photography, enjoyed a lot. Now it is hard time to move fast towards Nittur.

Sunset at Hasirumakki

Two of friends were really tiered, struggling to peddle anymore. We had no any option until reach to Bengaluru – Kollur main road. Sharing the experience, giving the tips of ride, at last we reached the main road.

On the way to Nittur

Out of 7 members 5 wanted to hire some vehicle and reach the camping site. Nisarga Vihardham of Nittur was around 15+ KMs. It was already dark, very difficult to ride on this busy road. Luckily, we got an Auto, who agreed to drop till the camping point. Loaded the bikes along with personnel, adieu for happy journey.

Nisarga Vihardham - Nittur

Myself and Madhu had really big tough time to ride till Nittur. Both of had no torch or bicycle light, but we peddled with josh and reached the Nisarga Viharadhama. The day was really long ride around 108 KMs. finished the check-in formalities, got quickly refreshed, had delicious dinner, relaxed for the day.

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Nisarga Vihardham

Nisarga Viharadhama is perfect place for family and team outing. It is around 5 KMs far away from Nittur village. They have made small huts with simple amenities. It is run by Manjanna who is in conservation of nature since long time. Thankful to Vijayanand for arrangement of stay and introducing such a wonderful place.

Sunrise @ Sharavathi River

The friends were really tiered by yesterday ride, out of seven, only three of us proceeded to witness the sunrise across the Sharavathi. Morning was pleasant, bird whispering gave more joy to us. Soon reached the hanging bridge which is the popular point. Spent some good time in photography.

Beautiful Sunrise

We are back from sunrise, by the time team was ready. Quickly loaded our luggage and waited for breakfast. Very delicious Dose server, filled our hungry stomach. Now the time to leave the beautiful place. Took a group photograph with Manjanna and said good bye to him.

Entire team with Manjanna - Architecture of Nisarga Vihardham

We started the journey late at 10 am, very soon we reached the Nittur village. Assumed that ride will be easy considering the yesterday trail. Couple of time, I had been in this trail on motorbike and car. Most of the trail is trailing, however it is not so easy in hot weather.

Relax........

Taking a small break near Sigandoor cross, continued our ride. We reached the Kollur Ghat; the ghat is ride around 16 KMs downhill. But downhill riding is also not so easy, we have to take care extra care.

Entering into Kollur Ghat

Cautioned the friends to taking extra care, ride is continued. Enjoying the downhill ride reached the view point. Weather was getting hotter since going closure to coastal. Thought to give a small break in Ghat for photography, spent some good time and continued our journey.

In Ghat

Very soon reached the Kollur. Considering the time constrain and crowd, decided to skip the darshan. Just paid darshan from outside. 

Kollur - Mookambike Temple

Friends wanted to dip in water to escape from hot and relax for sometimes. We headed towards Souparnika river, jumped in water.

Dip into Souparnika River

After a long break, journey is continued in hot weather. I was sure, the journey will be very tough. Instructed the team members to take alternate mode if they not able to ride. Outskirt of Kollur, we had watermelon.

Pit Stop to escape from Hot weather

Ananth & Lovelesh decided to skip the ride, taking an auto help left to Kundapur. Rolling terrain was killing one, upon the hot weather; increase in the humidity; journey was tough. In many places, I could not able to peddle, pushed by walk.

Stop to refill water bottle - on the way to Kundapur

Taking multiple breaks, reached the Vandse. Avoided the lunch in between to make easy the ride. Other friends were very far, Madhu reached little early. Both of us decided to have light lunch till they join with us.

Journey continued......

Finished the lunch nearby hotel, relaxed in the public bus stand till they join us. Tiered souls reached one by one. They wanted to relax for sometimes. Taking small nap at bus stand, continued our journey towards Kundapur.

Cool Relax at Bus Stop - Vandse

Now the Kundapur is feeling very close, just 15 KMs. Mentally we regained the energy, reached the Mangaluru – Goa highway. Always it is boring to ride on highway, we had no option of 10 KMs. The final stretch on highway peddled fast reached the destination.

On the Way Kundapur....

We wanted to witness the sunset on beach. Time was running fast, asked the address of Kodibailu beach. Peddled very fast to reach the beach. The sun was about to set, we had comfortable time to view. Enjoyed the beautiful sunset, relaxed for sometimes.

Kodibail Beach

Journey is come to an end, day two was around 80+ tough ride in hot weather. We congratulated each other for completion of ride. Appreciated the maiden ride of Lovely and Kushal. Finished our dinner nearby hotel and boarded the bus to back Bengaluru.

Team Victory Salute