Bisle Ghat - Kaginahare Monsoon 2016

Route Taken :
Day 1 : Bangalore - Hassan - Sakleshpur - Hettur - Attihalli - Hongarahalla - Kaginahare - Vanagooru - Bisle Ghat - Bislie View Point
Day 2: Bisle Ghat - Patla Betta - Sakleshpuir - Manjarabad Fort - Hassan Bangalore

Total Kms: 600km
Stay : Girimane Homestay Vanaguru

 

 

Bisle View Point

Hongarahalla

 

 

 

 

 

Kaginahare

 

 

Kaginahare is a small hill in middle of western ghat. It has a runs of a small fort which was used during wars by sending signals to Manjarabad fort in sakleshpur. 

Pulsar 220 Green +Blue

Green Mountains

Kanahalli Shooting spot from movie  - Rangitaranga

Bisle Ghats

The roads are still a nightmare. Hopefully we will see a concreted road by next year.

Photo from My friend Nishanth near Patla Betta

Monsoon in Western Ghats

Ridge Point

Ridge Point
The inscription makes a mention of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the ‘Ridge’. The ridge is the point in the mountains that determines which way rivers or streams are likely to flow. It is said that this stone was laid by the British.
British officers on their topographical survey of the Western Ghats found that it was the point where rain water splits and reaches two different seas. The rain water from the series of hills and mountains to the left of this point flows towards the west drainage basins that feed into the Arabian Sea while water from the eastern side drains into the Bay of Bengal.
http://www.deccanherald.com/…/…/bisles-point-separation.html

contact:letsoffbeat@gmail.com

The New Year Adventure - Coastal Karnataka

Trip was planned for Jan 1,2 and 3. Last minute half day leave made us leave on 31st afternoon. so it became a 3 n half day trip.

Rider 1 : VInod - P220
Rider 2 : Sudhakr - P220
Rider 3: Raju - P 200AS

Day1:
Bangalore - Nelamangala - Kunigal -Hassan - Belur - Chickmagalur.

Initially plan was to stay at hassan and we were able to reach there by 6. So thought to push on till chickmagalur. Roads between hassan- chickmagalur are super awesome. I had driven and ridden this road in daylight, but this was first night ride. finally reached chickmagalur at 9 and called it a day. 

Near Kunigal

Day 2:
Chickmagalur - Aldur - Sringeri - Kundadri - Mulbagilu - Mani Dam - Mastikatte- Hosangadi-Siddapura-Maravanthe 

90% Newly laid tarmac on this stretch. Loads of corners and greenery everywhere.
This road is very remote with less traffic compared to others ghats(shiradi or agumbe).

Sunrise near aldur

Mani Dam & Reservoir Road

Mani Dam Backwaters

Pulsar 220

 Varahi Dam Backwaters.The entire stretch between Kaimara Jn (Agumbe-Thirthahalli rd) to Masthikatte runs between backwaters of varahi.

P220

Abandoned road at masthikatte

We had lunch in masthikatte and started towards maravanthe. Balebare ghat was a good ride.
reached maravanthe at 5.30.We booked a place just in front of sea. Went to beach at 6 to catch sunset. 

Sunset at Maravanthe

Day 3
Maravanthe - Kundapura - Kodi - Haladi - Hebri - Koodlu Falls - Hebri

Started late on day 3 ,as our plan was only 70 - 80kms. Reached Kundapura. Explored few Kudru's (Island), few locals suggested us a shortcut to reach kodi from kundapura and it turned out to be a superb place.

Beach Backdrop

Kodi beach lighthouse

Kudru at kundapura

Kudru at kundapura

Koodlu Falls

River meating sea

New bridge

 Day 4 :
Hebri - Varanga Basadi - Karkala - Attur Church - Belthangady - Charmadi - Belur - hassan - Bangalore
Time to return bangalore. 400km ride.

Jain Basadi Varanga

Near Mudigere

Charmadi

GoPro shot

Attur Church karkala

Reached bangalore at 6pm and this new year adventure ride will be very special and a great start 2016.

2 Ghats.. Solo Ride.. Amazing corners.. 820Kms..

Ride Plan :

- Explore corners on Balehonnur - Agumbe Route
Route : Bangalore - Nelamangala - Hassan - Chikmagalur - Aldur - Sringeri - Agumbe - Someshwara - Home - 390kms

- Rest in peace at Home

- Explore Balebare Ghat (Hulikal ghat)
Route : Home - Haladi - Masthikatte - Yedur - Kavaledurga Fort - Thirthahalli - Umblibail - Lakkavalli - Arasikere - Tumkur - Bangalore - 430Kms

Hulikal Ghat

It was my first long ride, previous best was Mullainagiri and to add to that i was riding solo. Started 5am from Malleswaram,



As it was a long weekend Yeshwanthpur signal was jam packed at 5, had tough warm-up session early morning.
Somewhere near Kunigal.Nothing much to say about this route. Boring Highway.

Kunigal

Fun started after crossing Hassan. Two lane highway all the way to home.

Belur Road

Aldur to Agumbe has a newly laid road and some awesome corners. Riding my 220 was little difficult. This road is meant for Naked bikes.

Near Balehonnur

Balehonnur Tea Plantation

390Kms.. I Was home. First half of agumbe ghat is in very bad condition.

Ritz Vs 220



Return Journey

I wanted to drive balebare ghat from long time and somehow missed it every time.

Foggy Morning on ghat



Varahi Dam Backwaters , Masthikatte

Varahi Dam Backwaters

Abandoned road, which comes out when water level goes down.

Abandoned Road Near Masthikatte

From this place there is a fork. One road goes to Kodachadri and other to Thirthahalli.

Road to thirthahalli is a single road . Road is in very good condition. road goes through the varahi backwaters, loads of places to explore.







Route Map


Route map to Kodachadri from Bangalore Via Masthikatte

Pulsar AS200 Adventure Sport Review

Bajaj Auto has made serious of updates in their 2 wheeler market this year.They have introduced 4 products in first quarter and two more likely to be launched before year end. Pulsar RS200 has taken over as the " Fastest Pulsar Yet " tag from P220 and two Adventure Sports bikes (150 & 200) have come in good time.
The 200AS Adventure sport as they call , Is said to be a good city commuter and a highway cruiser. Seeing 1.4lakh onroad for RS200 , AS200 was also expected at a higher price tag, But Bajaj has played a safe game here. The powerfully packed Adventure Sport is launched 1.1lakh onroad.
AS200 uses same engine inherited from NS200. It comes with a triple spark, 4 valve , DTS-i Engine with a diplacement of 199.5 CC. Delivering 23.5Ps power and max 18.3Nm torque.The seating position gives a cruiser feel.It uses Nitrox Mono Suspension, which has to do some heavy duty on adventure roads.

Pulsar Adventure Sport PC:Bajaj Auto

NS200 was win for pulsar and AS200 could play a game changer for pulsar.
It has retained same sporty look like NS.The projector headlights will surely catch your eyes and a front Alpha Male Fairing with extended visor gives bike a Manly look. Front fairing was extended to get a high speed wind protection. Autocar India who reviewed this bike have claimed a high speed of 141kmph, For NS200 it was somewhere between 125 to 130kmph. Also it gets a Oil cooled engine which gives easy commute, be it highway or city traffic.

Fairing,Suspension PC:Bajaj Auto

Now with new Adventure framing on AS200, Pulsar assures sharp and clean handling. Also it claims that the bike can handle toughest climbs with ease. So Bikers, Leh and Ladakh with this might be some fun.

Projector Headlights, Alpha Stye Visor PC:Bajaj Auto

Pros:
*Projector Headlights.
*Front fairing and visor.
*Top speed of 141kmph.
*280mm Front Disc. Large in that division.

Cons:
*Naming it Adventure Sport they could have increased the ground clearance a little more.

200AS and 150AS PC:Bajaj Auto

Bike is new and just launched. will be updating Cons if found any. Bajaj never discourages you.from the time it launched 150 and 180 in 2001. Their designs and performance has been superb.

Things To Follow For A Safe Drive In Rain

As Rain is around the corner and holiday season is starting, people driving in rain must be double cautious. Make sure your vehicle is in good health.Service your vehicles, Always keep fuel tank more than half.

Low Visibility

Here are some points which can help you in rains , especially newbie drivers.
Common Checkups:

• Keep the windshield washer fluid topped up.
• Check your wiper blades and change if not in good condition.
• Check Ac Coolant level and working condition of blower. Without blower,  mist will accumulate on windshield, Decreasing visibility.
• Keep your fog lights or head lights ON.
• Always keep your phone charged and Use navigation , easy to miss road on rainy drive. 
• Try and drive in middle of road, There could be a manhole or a deep puddle on road side.
• Avoid High speeds and sudden braking, There is a chance of someone rear-ending your vehicle or vehicle loosing its ground balance.
• Make sure your wheels have enough thread for a rainy drive.
• In city driving, follow a lane or a similar vehicle, Will help you spot potholes.
• Avoid tailing heavy vehicles on highway, As the water spray from its tyres  will impair your vision.
• Always keep a first aid kit in your dashboard.
• Never park on road and keep hazard blinkers ON while parking roadside.
• Never push yourself to drive if visibility is very low.
• Use indicators while changing lanes and strictly no sudden lane change.
• Never drive through flood unless you know the depth. Wait for any bigger vehicle to cross over or take alternate route.
• Try to keep your fuel tank more than half, Because you never know when you will be hit by a jam.
• Always Keep watch on 2-wheelers coming in your way. It will be difficult for them to ride and they prefer riding in middle of the road.
• Always use horns and deep light, Be it straight road, overtaking or corners.

Rain & Fog = More Risk

Here are some cheat codes, In case there is any mechanical failure or any problem on road use these as backup.

• Always keep 2-3 shampoo sachet or Tobacco, In case wiper goes off you can rub these on windshield for a better visibility.This magic works good.
• Keep a strong knife in tool box. It is very likely that trees fall blocking roads during rainy season, so be prepared to cut them to make way.
• Keep a hammer, in case car goes off or doors are jammed, you can come out breaking window.
• Keep a torch,umbrella and matchbox in your dashboard.
• Try to have a  power bank to charge your phones.
• Make sure you have everything in tool box.keep a puncture kit too, if possible.

Always keep watch on 2-wheelers coming in your way