Date :: March 18 2011.
Destination :: Mysore
Route :: SH 17 Bangalore - Mysore Highway.
Distance :: 146 kms according to google maps.
Distance as per Decathlon DC4 bike computer :: 143kms
Start kms on ODO :: 286
End kms on ODO :: 429
The saga of trips and adventures continue with the next episode titled Mysore, now added to the arsenal of randonneuring experiences. Finally made up my mind on anyone going against this decision. I'd saved a 1 liner for them " Yenna Rascala... Ride it !!!
Anyway as usual the alarm sets off and you must be thinking 6 AM or 5 or maybe even 4:30. Absolutely not, Ajay gladly agreed to start early to beat the midday heat. So 3:00 AM near Banashankari temple was the rendezvous point. A snap of the DC4 Odo at the start ::
But we got to start only by 3:30 and took road towards kanakpura and turned right at the next signal (beyond banashankari veg market) which leads to mysore road. Once on Mysore road it was like a point of no return and all calf muscles in my leg were mooing away to glory. We took no chances and stuck to an avg 20 kph speed limit. I was carrying the BTwin headlight and the tail light. It was very helpful at some stretches there were no streetlights and occasionally no vehicle on the either direction. Pitch dark and my Btwin battery decided to give up on me. Spare is always helpful and so did it turn out to be waited for about 5 minutes as I had trouble in popping the top cover open. Somehow managed to get it off and replace the batteries and the new ones were a delight.
We stopped for breakfast at Ramanagara where Ajay opted for Idly sambar and I wanted something new and different so Rava Idly. I repented that decision. Why ? Firstly too much ginger and secondly there were TWO idlys, when i'm used to only 1 in bangalore. ( IF there was no ginger the second idly would;ve disappeared in no time.). As i don't waste food I gulped it down quickly. Here's the hotel we stopped ::
Next milestone Maddur/Mandya. In between Channapatna and Maddur we stopped to empty the tanks and also refuel. There were a group of guys probably in their early 30's and had quite a lot of questions of the usual stuff. How? when? Where? Why?. Weightlifting test of the cannondale by a few guys and they left happy after hearing the price. Two tender coconuts and banana's we left for Maddur. I simply love the attention I get on a roadbike. The cruise early morning with the click n clack of gears was a treat to the ears. It was like loading a rifle. The soothing romantics and soft numbers on my phone helped me keep a steady pace. Since Bangalore is at a higher altitude almost 70% of the route was downhill or flat. As we entered Mandya it was about 10:30 and the green fields around kept the air cool as we ate up the miles.
I also got a chance to test the top speed on my hawk on a down slope and could manage only 56 as I had to hold the camera on the other.
I could have touched 60 I vouch. Saw a few paddy fields with herons all over. Beautiful sight indeed.
As we neared Mysore the temperature soared and the speed dropped and we were now averaging about 12. Entered Mysore city and thought of heading straight to Mysore Palace. Traffic police in Mysore are so polite and happy to help. But both of us had growling tummies we headed to a hotel where the waiter seem to have a tendency to mix up what was ordered to what was not. After lunch we left for palace and were disappointed about teh parking. The parking fee collector pointed us to park the cycles out which we were highly confident that it was the safest. So we decided to head back to Bangalore even without entering the palace. But to get a proof of "Been there Done that" here's the snap captured by a pedestrian.
Reached the Main bus stand and a Volvo conductor gladly agreed to transport our bikes for a small fee of Rs.35 only. What a comfort traveling by Volvo. In fact the original plan was to stay and return the next day (maybe cycle back via Kanakapura road.) This ride has given us saddle sore to keep the Bums off the saddle for about a week.
But the randonneurs will be back on track soon with a new destination and the distance is sure to raise eyebrows... So only time will tell..... Until then Adios..!!!
Destination :: Mysore
Route :: SH 17 Bangalore - Mysore Highway.
Distance :: 146 kms according to google maps.
Distance as per Decathlon DC4 bike computer :: 143kms
Start kms on ODO :: 286
End kms on ODO :: 429
The saga of trips and adventures continue with the next episode titled Mysore, now added to the arsenal of randonneuring experiences. Finally made up my mind on anyone going against this decision. I'd saved a 1 liner for them " Yenna Rascala... Ride it !!!
Anyway as usual the alarm sets off and you must be thinking 6 AM or 5 or maybe even 4:30. Absolutely not, Ajay gladly agreed to start early to beat the midday heat. So 3:00 AM near Banashankari temple was the rendezvous point. A snap of the DC4 Odo at the start ::
But we got to start only by 3:30 and took road towards kanakpura and turned right at the next signal (beyond banashankari veg market) which leads to mysore road. Once on Mysore road it was like a point of no return and all calf muscles in my leg were mooing away to glory. We took no chances and stuck to an avg 20 kph speed limit. I was carrying the BTwin headlight and the tail light. It was very helpful at some stretches there were no streetlights and occasionally no vehicle on the either direction. Pitch dark and my Btwin battery decided to give up on me. Spare is always helpful and so did it turn out to be waited for about 5 minutes as I had trouble in popping the top cover open. Somehow managed to get it off and replace the batteries and the new ones were a delight.
We stopped for breakfast at Ramanagara where Ajay opted for Idly sambar and I wanted something new and different so Rava Idly. I repented that decision. Why ? Firstly too much ginger and secondly there were TWO idlys, when i'm used to only 1 in bangalore. ( IF there was no ginger the second idly would;ve disappeared in no time.). As i don't waste food I gulped it down quickly. Here's the hotel we stopped ::
Next milestone Maddur/Mandya. In between Channapatna and Maddur we stopped to empty the tanks and also refuel. There were a group of guys probably in their early 30's and had quite a lot of questions of the usual stuff. How? when? Where? Why?. Weightlifting test of the cannondale by a few guys and they left happy after hearing the price. Two tender coconuts and banana's we left for Maddur. I simply love the attention I get on a roadbike. The cruise early morning with the click n clack of gears was a treat to the ears. It was like loading a rifle. The soothing romantics and soft numbers on my phone helped me keep a steady pace. Since Bangalore is at a higher altitude almost 70% of the route was downhill or flat. As we entered Mandya it was about 10:30 and the green fields around kept the air cool as we ate up the miles.
I also got a chance to test the top speed on my hawk on a down slope and could manage only 56 as I had to hold the camera on the other.
I could have touched 60 I vouch. Saw a few paddy fields with herons all over. Beautiful sight indeed.
As we neared Mysore the temperature soared and the speed dropped and we were now averaging about 12. Entered Mysore city and thought of heading straight to Mysore Palace. Traffic police in Mysore are so polite and happy to help. But both of us had growling tummies we headed to a hotel where the waiter seem to have a tendency to mix up what was ordered to what was not. After lunch we left for palace and were disappointed about teh parking. The parking fee collector pointed us to park the cycles out which we were highly confident that it was the safest. So we decided to head back to Bangalore even without entering the palace. But to get a proof of "Been there Done that" here's the snap captured by a pedestrian.
 |
| Mysore Palace |
Reached the Main bus stand and a Volvo conductor gladly agreed to transport our bikes for a small fee of Rs.35 only. What a comfort traveling by Volvo. In fact the original plan was to stay and return the next day (maybe cycle back via Kanakapura road.) This ride has given us saddle sore to keep the Bums off the saddle for about a week.
But the randonneurs will be back on track soon with a new destination and the distance is sure to raise eyebrows... So only time will tell..... Until then Adios..!!!
Superbly written, hell of a ride that cannot be forgotten, good workout. Next let us aim 200km.
ReplyDeleteThanks supertramp...Thats the plan nxt plan..I was thnking maybe chennai but it will be too hot starting now.. So better thing we'll stick to within karnataka.. We'll plan out something for the next month..
ReplyDeleteHi..
ReplyDeleteNice report..
I wanted to know, if Hawk came along with the gears or you got it fixed for a single speed.
I am planning to have a gear for my single speed hawk.
Thank you
Hello Nav,
ReplyDeleteI purchased with gears Didn't want to go for an aftermarket gears as the ones that were available were from Starlit and they are no good. Since the shimano tourney were the ones provided with Hawk I went for the whole package. :-)