When I decided to buy an Avenger last November, I was hoping to go for a ride at least once a month. December 11th, ride to Bilikallu Rangaswami Betta and Chunchi Falls and January 1st New Year ride to Mysore and I thought I was on my way.
Then, the inevitable happened - my company decided to send me to US for 3 months on project work. So, no rides. I came back in May, but there was so much work - in office and at home - that I could not go out for a ride at all. The itch was getting worse.
On Friday, 20th July, I suddenly realised that there was no major plan for the weekend and I could sneak in a ride. Too late to inform fellow riders, so it would have to be solo...The idea formed late in the evening and I was feverish with anticipation when I reached home that night. I proceeded to put all things together for the ride, then called up my friend who lives in Munirabad - 10 kms from Hospet - and told him that I would be there on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday morning, I was up at 4.30 am. After last minute recheck of things to take, a quick shower and a hot cup of tea, I took off at 5.30 am. I wanted to get out of Bangalore before the traffic starts to snarl. As expected, there was not much traffic on the roads and soon enough, I was on NH4 heading towards Tumkur. Four laned highway, smooth roads, fresh air and a super responsive bike - boy this is bliss.
7.10 I reached Tumkur and stopped for breakfast. After hot idlis and coffee, it was time to hit the road again. 7.30, I hit the road, found my way out of Tumkur, 7.40 - approaching NH4 again, 7.41 - flat tyre...... ouch. Mr. Rajanna's puncture repair shop was just 50 meters away. So lugged the bike to the shop and was told that the shop opens at 8.00 AM. Mr. Rajanna came in at 8.10, set up shop, fixed my puncture and I was ready to go at 9.00 AM (Note to self - carry puncture repair kit, stupid)
Back on NH4, the road in amazingly superb condition and very less traffic, I was able to make up for some lost time. Covered the next 130 kms to Chitradurga in 100 mins. After a brief Tea/Smoke/Butt break in Chitradurga, took the right - NH13- leading to Hospet. 4 laning ends here, but the road was reasonably good.
After 80 kms, stopped for another break and photo session. A police jeep was parked a few meters away and stopping and checking trucks randomly. They were very curious about what I was doing and called out to me. The sub-inspector thought I was mad - and told me so - when I told him I was riding from Bangalore and going to Hospet. He asked me why I cannot take the bus like all normal human beings. When I proceeded to explain to him the biking culture and the thrills we guys get out of riding, he shook his head unbelievingly and asked me to proceed to Hospet. He also wished me a safe ride. Thank you Mr. Sub-Inspector.
After one more break enroute and an uneventful ride, I was at Tungabadra Dam Circle, the rendezvous I had fixed with my friend and there he was waiting for me. After a quick lunch in Hospet, we proceeded to Hampi and spent the next 4 hours going around the ruins and getting pictures. Got back home to Munirabad at about 7 PM. After a much needed bath and couple of glasses of Scotch, hot dinner was served. As I was meeting my friend after about 6 months, we spent some time chatting and catching up. When I looked at my watch later, I was stunned to see it was 1 AM. How time flies, when you are in the company of friends...
Sunday morning, we decided to go for a short ride to Tungabadra Dam and the Japanese garden in Munirabad, for some pictures. The dam was full and they had 3 gates open. After my friend managed to pull some strings, we were allowed to ride on the dam, but strictly no Photographs...damn..
Later, we rode to a small bridge, with a nice view of the dam and took some pictures. Then we went to the Japanese garden. The garden was huge, very peaceful and amazingly well maintained. I would recommend all fellow riders should visit this garden, if you do go to Hampi. It is just by the foot of the TB Dam, on the Munirabad bank of the river. Went back to my friend's house and after a nice brunch, it was time to leave. Left Munirabad at 12.30 PM on Sunday and was headed back to Bangalore.
On NH 13, it started raining. Wow, I had not planned on riding in the rain, so this was a bonus. It rained for the next 20 kms or so and then when my jeans were just about dried it rained again for the next 20 kms.Double treat.
When I rode out the second bout of rain, I stopped for a smoke/butt break only to realise that my lighter had run out of gas. (Another note to self????). I stopped again at a little wayside shop, about 10 kms ahead to buy a box of matches. I was pleasantly amused when the little lady in the shop expressed her desire to try my gloves on. It was about 4 sizes too big for her and came all the way to her elbows. When I told her that it cost about Rs. 2500, she was shocked and asked me three times to ensure I was telling her the price of just one pair of gloves. After 2 cups of tea from the shop, it was time to move again. The ride was good and uneventful from there on and I was at Tumkur by 5.30 PM. Mr.Rajanna, the puncture shop guy was elated when I stopped by to say hello. Another break for some snacks and coffee, I left Tumkur by 6.00 PM and was in the outskirts of Bangalore by 6.40 PM....Nice ride of 340 kms in 6 hours... and then I spent the next 2 hours crawling in traffic to cover the last 15 kms to home...Bangalore traffic sucks...even on Sunday evenings....
8.30 pm, I was home. The trip meter read 762 kms. Now I am looking forward to the next one, hoping it will be soon enough.
Then, the inevitable happened - my company decided to send me to US for 3 months on project work. So, no rides. I came back in May, but there was so much work - in office and at home - that I could not go out for a ride at all. The itch was getting worse.
On Friday, 20th July, I suddenly realised that there was no major plan for the weekend and I could sneak in a ride. Too late to inform fellow riders, so it would have to be solo...The idea formed late in the evening and I was feverish with anticipation when I reached home that night. I proceeded to put all things together for the ride, then called up my friend who lives in Munirabad - 10 kms from Hospet - and told him that I would be there on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday morning, I was up at 4.30 am. After last minute recheck of things to take, a quick shower and a hot cup of tea, I took off at 5.30 am. I wanted to get out of Bangalore before the traffic starts to snarl. As expected, there was not much traffic on the roads and soon enough, I was on NH4 heading towards Tumkur. Four laned highway, smooth roads, fresh air and a super responsive bike - boy this is bliss.
7.10 I reached Tumkur and stopped for breakfast. After hot idlis and coffee, it was time to hit the road again. 7.30, I hit the road, found my way out of Tumkur, 7.40 - approaching NH4 again, 7.41 - flat tyre...... ouch. Mr. Rajanna's puncture repair shop was just 50 meters away. So lugged the bike to the shop and was told that the shop opens at 8.00 AM. Mr. Rajanna came in at 8.10, set up shop, fixed my puncture and I was ready to go at 9.00 AM (Note to self - carry puncture repair kit, stupid)
Back on NH4, the road in amazingly superb condition and very less traffic, I was able to make up for some lost time. Covered the next 130 kms to Chitradurga in 100 mins. After a brief Tea/Smoke/Butt break in Chitradurga, took the right - NH13- leading to Hospet. 4 laning ends here, but the road was reasonably good.
After 80 kms, stopped for another break and photo session. A police jeep was parked a few meters away and stopping and checking trucks randomly. They were very curious about what I was doing and called out to me. The sub-inspector thought I was mad - and told me so - when I told him I was riding from Bangalore and going to Hospet. He asked me why I cannot take the bus like all normal human beings. When I proceeded to explain to him the biking culture and the thrills we guys get out of riding, he shook his head unbelievingly and asked me to proceed to Hospet. He also wished me a safe ride. Thank you Mr. Sub-Inspector.
After one more break enroute and an uneventful ride, I was at Tungabadra Dam Circle, the rendezvous I had fixed with my friend and there he was waiting for me. After a quick lunch in Hospet, we proceeded to Hampi and spent the next 4 hours going around the ruins and getting pictures. Got back home to Munirabad at about 7 PM. After a much needed bath and couple of glasses of Scotch, hot dinner was served. As I was meeting my friend after about 6 months, we spent some time chatting and catching up. When I looked at my watch later, I was stunned to see it was 1 AM. How time flies, when you are in the company of friends...
Sunday morning, we decided to go for a short ride to Tungabadra Dam and the Japanese garden in Munirabad, for some pictures. The dam was full and they had 3 gates open. After my friend managed to pull some strings, we were allowed to ride on the dam, but strictly no Photographs...damn..
Later, we rode to a small bridge, with a nice view of the dam and took some pictures. Then we went to the Japanese garden. The garden was huge, very peaceful and amazingly well maintained. I would recommend all fellow riders should visit this garden, if you do go to Hampi. It is just by the foot of the TB Dam, on the Munirabad bank of the river. Went back to my friend's house and after a nice brunch, it was time to leave. Left Munirabad at 12.30 PM on Sunday and was headed back to Bangalore.
On NH 13, it started raining. Wow, I had not planned on riding in the rain, so this was a bonus. It rained for the next 20 kms or so and then when my jeans were just about dried it rained again for the next 20 kms.Double treat.
When I rode out the second bout of rain, I stopped for a smoke/butt break only to realise that my lighter had run out of gas. (Another note to self????). I stopped again at a little wayside shop, about 10 kms ahead to buy a box of matches. I was pleasantly amused when the little lady in the shop expressed her desire to try my gloves on. It was about 4 sizes too big for her and came all the way to her elbows. When I told her that it cost about Rs. 2500, she was shocked and asked me three times to ensure I was telling her the price of just one pair of gloves. After 2 cups of tea from the shop, it was time to move again. The ride was good and uneventful from there on and I was at Tumkur by 5.30 PM. Mr.Rajanna, the puncture shop guy was elated when I stopped by to say hello. Another break for some snacks and coffee, I left Tumkur by 6.00 PM and was in the outskirts of Bangalore by 6.40 PM....Nice ride of 340 kms in 6 hours... and then I spent the next 2 hours crawling in traffic to cover the last 15 kms to home...Bangalore traffic sucks...even on Sunday evenings....
8.30 pm, I was home. The trip meter read 762 kms. Now I am looking forward to the next one, hoping it will be soon enough.
Trip Pictures : http://picasaweb.google.com/b.rengarajan/RideToHampi
