Bicycle Tour: Horanadu to Malpe [ Through Agumbe]

Rain is pouring non-stop since morning; the atmosphere is completely dark; there is no hope of stopping rain; with the distance around 30+ Kms yet to cover to reach our camping site having the great Agumbe Ghat to cross; standing at the first curve of Ghat; there is no bright torch; time is already 8 pm; this is the scary situation during Bicycle ride from Horanadu to Malpe on 4^th & 5^thAugust 2018.

Monsoon was on peak; bicycle was calling for one more ride; this time decided to explore from Horanadu to Malpe, day one camping at my home. 

Finalized Trail:

Bengaluru – Horanadu : Travel By Volvo

Horanadu – Kyatanamakki – Sirimane Falls – Agumbe – Hebri - Muniyalu : Day - 1 Night Halt

Muniyalu – Perdur – Kodi Bengre – Malpe – Udupi – Manipal

Manipal – Bengaluru: Travel by Volvo

I had decided to keep the team small size. Santosh happily accepted my invitation, Ashok also showed interest to join us. We three planned to hit the trail.

Booked the KSRTC bus to Horanadu and return journey from Manipal. We met at Majestic bus stand ahead of bus schedule on 3rd August 2019. Not struggled much to deal with conductor to settle down our bicycles. Journey went well.

04.08.2018

Bus reached Horanadu on time; weather was very cool with a light drizzling. We got refreshed in the temple premises of Dharmashala. 

Annaporneshwari Temple provide morning breakfast, however considering the time constrain, filled our stomach in outside descent hotel.

 After a small relaxation, got ready to begin our expedition.

The atmosphere was pleasant for ride, started our long journey. Oh my God, initial trail was very steep, it killed our energy.

 Taking many breaks visited a Jain basadi.

Shri 1008 Bhagwan Parshwanath Digamber Basadi is a beautiful location. Spent sometime taking pictures.

Almost 10 KMs initial trail was completely steep, you won’t get flat road. Our body got good relaxation after tough ride. It is very beautiful valley surrounded by many hills. Everywhere  green and only green.

Rain was pouring non-stop. This trail is very scenic which connect to Sringeri, however the road condition is not so great. It is ideal trail for mountain bikes. Passing through Menasinahadya,we reached the highway junction.

We reached Bengaluru – Sringeri highway junction, Gadikallu. Rain took a heavy charge,and it was unable to see the road. On the way we met a farmer who was carrying grass in the heavy rain. We asked about the village road to avoid this highway. He was more curious about our journey and advised to take the highway. Added to this, suggested not to do cycling during monsoon which may cause your death too by tree falling.

This is quite common when we go cycling or trekking. We took it as a suggestion and continued our journey. After a few kilometers encountered  another deviation at Ginikal. Rain took a small break; again, met a gentleman and asked about the inner village route to reach Sirimane Falls. 

However, he suggested to take highway which pass through Srigeri. We wanted to avoid Sringeri as we had visited it many times.

We ignored the advice and we took the inner village route of Nemmaru which connects the Mangaluru – Solapur highway. Farmers were on job; beautiful village trail filled our eyes with nature.

Already lunch time was passed, we were very hungry. Homemade carried food was waiting for us. The rain didn't allow us to have on the open sky. After passing the Tunga river bridge,we found a descent bus stop.
 

We paused by that bus stop and filled our hungry stomach with yummy food, relaxed for sometimes. 

We were behind the schedule, decided to pace up our journey. We took the deviation from highway towards Kigga. Inner routes are more pleasant to peddle.

After an hour we reached the Kigga village. This place is very popular for rain god “Rishi Shrunga” temple.

Sirimane Falls is around 5 KMs distance from Kigga. We had to comeback on the same way to continue our journey towards Agumbe. Our friend Ashok was feeling little tired, advised him to rest at Kigga. However, he expressed to peddle and witness the Falls.

The Falls trail was tough one, it was not so easy to peddle for the tired boy. He struggled a lot to during the ride, as a team we managed him to cope up with our pace.

The falls is a beauty during monsoon and the people were less. We spent sometime in the falls,and headed back to Kigga.

The real challenge  starts now, we must cross the Agumbe Ghat before dusk. Distance was around 30 KMs, time was 5 pm.It was raining heavily, there was no visibility of the road. Our friend was struggling to peddle again, motivating him we reached Begar.

Sky was growing dark,we halted for a coffee break. There was one more shocking news!!! Villagers cautioned about the Tusker, which had attacked yesterday on Agumbe road. I was abit worried about Ashok, who was consistently struggling. Myself and Santosh kept on motivating  him,  and finally we reached Agumbe around 7.30 pm.

Our day 1 camping was at Muniyalu, my home. Still we had 30+ KMs distance to reach. Crossing the Agumbe Ghat is the most challenging phase. There was no sign of rain to stop. Santosh suggested to stay-back at Agumbe. I had informed about our arrival to home on dinner to my wife, she was waiting.

I convinced  Santosh about the Ghat road since every weekend I travel through this to home. Passing through the Agumbe village and Ghat check-post,we reached the sunset view point. The place was pitch dark, fog had completely covered the road, torch light was not enough. A moment mind stopped thinking; we all panicked; taking risk will be more expensive. The Ghat is about 12 KMs with 13 hairpin bend curves. We decided to go back to Check-post.

People are always kind heart for trekkers and bicycle expediters. I have experienced it several times; this time too. We came back to Check-post, met a kind - heart staff. Briefed about our adventure journey and delayed schedule. Requested him to arrange any vehicle to pass the Agumbe Ghat.

One more interesting fact, the staff was from Muniyalu. He enquired in detail about my home at Muniyalu and advised not to take risk in the monsoon. The time was around 8.30, he mentioned getting empty goods vehicle was rare, however there was a bus at 8.50 pm which goes to Mangaluru. Immediately he called to the bus driver and requested to stop at the Check-post. We thanked the god and forest staff, eagerly waited for bus.

Bus is arrived as per schedule, asked us to load the bikes on the top. Rain was pouring nonstop; Santosh hiked on top; myself and Ashok lifted the bicycles up. Conductor and driver insisting to finish it fast,as it was getting late.

We looked like aliens to entire passenger, each one asked different question, interrogation session went on. Suddenly driver shouted “Hey men..your bicycles will fall down, go up and tie something”. Again, our captain, Santosh went up and tied the bungy cord, rain was still pouring non-stop.

Within half an hour we reached Hebri. Thanked the bus guys, luckily, they did not demand more price. The further journey to Muniyalu is around 12 KMs. We decided to little relax, needed small break. Non-stop ride made us tired.

It was already 10 pm; after abit of relaxation,  we got ready to continue the ride to home. We came across one more twist, the torch was missing! We searched entire baggage’s,but could not find. One or two shops were open,so we went to get the torches. Without lights it unable to ride in that pitch dark.

Thank God..! we found the torch inside the bag cover. We got relaxed, continued our final phase of journey of the day. After a non-stop ride we reached home at 11 pm. Madam was, of course furious about my late arrival almost 6 hours. Adventurous day came to an end after yummy dinner.

05.08.2018

Yesterday's rainy ride made us a little tired. However, today's distance was very less, just 50+kms of easy ride. We decided to start the ride late after lunch.

Muniyalu is a very beautiful place and very rich in monsoon. There are many places to visit within 20 KMs of radius. How can I miss to take the most favorite place of my entire family, Mutlapady. My son also joined us,and went in my car to explore the surrounding areas.

We had a very good time in Mutlapady, enjoyed a lot in the paddy field. The atmosphere is greenery everywhere.

Next target is Varanga, Kerebasadi. It’s all different experience to travel in a boat to reach the temple. The Basadi is in the middle of a pond.

Got a call from home, lunch was ready. We all went back to home, finished the lunch and got ready to continue our journey. My son was missing me.

Instructed Ashok to peddle fast so that we can cover maximum beaches. Journey went on passing the inner beautiful village trail. On the way, stopped many places for photography.

We had more time, bus schedule was at night 9 pm from Manipal. Took the interest and opinion about exploration of beaches, both agreed.

After Perdur, we took a deviation towards Santhekatte. This inner route connects the National Highway. Today weather was opposite, however it was drizzling in between. Peddling on the easy terrain, taking multiple breaks we reached the highway.

We decided to explore the Kemmannu - Kodi-Bengre – Hoode – Malpe beaches. I had been to these places many times with family. These are the regular weekend gateway with family.

Kemmannu trail is very beautiful, riding on the concrete road, both the side coconut trees, gives pleasant experience. We spent sometime on the hanging bridge at Kemmannu.

Next destination was Kodi-Bengre beach. This is an unique beach with one side river and sea on the other side. We can see both at the same moment.

After Kodi-Bengre we spent sometime at Hoode and continued our journey to Malpe. We decided not to spend much time there. It was getting dark, witnessed the sunset at Malpe, crowd was more.

Most memorable two days bicycle tour come to an end. We peddled around 200+ KMs. Both days gave different experience and unforgettable moment of crossing the Agumbe Ghat. Finished the dinner, and boarded bus to back Bengaluru.