Bangalore - Sakleshpur - Gundya - Subramanya - Somwarpet -
Madikeri - Kushalnagar - Bangalore.
24th of December 2014 (Day 0).
I
geared up to match the color of my bike. Wait, what ??. Yeah, you read that
right, while others match their t-shirts with their denims, we (The Royal
Enfield fanatics) match ours with the color of our beasts. Took Zroya out, cranked up the engine, then, all I heard was
the sweet sound of perfectly timed "Signature RE Thump". I knew she
was running perfect, filled up the gas tank completely with HP fuel (I trust HP
any day) and checked the odometer. The last 4 digits of the meter read 7012. I
was ready to get out there and fill myself with full of positivity of life by
visiting those splendid waterfalls, magical forests and over worldly
picturesqueness. One last ride!!! I said to myself and rode to meet up with my
notorious cousin.
I met Sam on the way
(Sam is the one who taught me every god damn thing about photography). So, if
my photography is good, Sam gets credit. If my photography sucks, Sam gets the
blame. Anyway, that cheeky little bugger bid me adieu right after we met my
cousin and before I knew it, we (we = referred to as me and my cousin here
onwards) were cruising on the outskirts of Bangalore. We made a quick stop on
the Hassan highway because our bladders were working overtime (*wink*) and
again rode for a solid hour and a half until we stopped at a toll gate to
indulge ourselves with India's favorite drink (The Almighty CHAI).
Disclaimer 2 : If u think traveling is boring and is such a
waste of time, then my friend, this blog is not for you. According to travelers
perspective, you have a rotting dead soul. So please get the sarcasm and go back to your candy crush. Who knows ??? You might even find some extra powers
there or even make some fond memories playing candy crush.
It
doesn't really matter what you do or how old you are, everyone deserves a
little fresh air from time to time. We can all use a road trip to shed our old
skin and live a little, de-stress and forget our troubles.
Anyway,
we continued our journey after listening to our inspirational song (raises our
adrenaline levels each and every time we listen to it). A few more miles and we
reached Hassan. The trees do a canopy along the route (treat for the tired city
eyes) which makes you feel special while riding. Sakleshpur, not far from
Hassan was a mere half an hour ride and we reached that part of the highway
which divides Donigal and Hongadahalla road at 0015 hours on 25th of December.
Took Hongadahalla route and rode a few miles before we called it a day.
Caution note : There are 3 stretches on this highway which
has to be particularly considered if you are driving by night.
1. Where the
highway parts Chennarayapatna and Hassan.
2. Approximately 13 kms to Hassan.
3.
Where highway divides Hassan and Sakleshpur road.
These stretches are either 2
lanes roads or are really bad. Stay ALERT and stop doing rocket speeds unless
you want to end up as someone just like Dillinger.
25th of December 2014 (Day 1).
Having slept for 2
hours, we were to reach Hongadahalla (hongralla as called by the locals).
Hongadahalla is a sleepy little village (some 50 kms from Sakleshpur) with
literally no roads. Its more like off roading for 50 kms to reach the place.
Why Hongadahalla ?
Remember the time when I told, taking my
cousin with me proved to be one of the best decisions I've made in a while ?.
Well, my cousin turned out to be one hell of a brilliant chap. He was the one
who was responsible for us to trek on those illegal tracks (The Green Route
Trek). He rented a guide (residing at Hongadahalla) who knew all the nooks and
corners of those unforgiving forests of the western ghats. Well, the guide also
knew those places and some railway employees where we were not to get caught by
trekking along the rail road.
Important
Note : "Sakleshpur Railway Trek" A.K.A "The Green Route
Trek" is completely illegal and a case will be registered against you if
you get caught.
Mr. Nayan (our guide)
is a simple man who is very welcoming and treats you well. We parked Zroya in
his house and took his jeep for a spin on those off roading tracks. By the way,
there are no fancy hotels or restaurants here. If the famous "Akki
Roti" doesn't interest you, then the only thing you can have is just water.
We started our trek from kaginahare by 8 am
and had to reach gundya by 5 pm (Some 28 ultimate kms of trekking inside the
jungle and the tracks). The tracks were half way through the trek and some
parts of the forest were so thick, we had to use the guide's machete to get
access. Trekking here without a guide is impossible. Getting lost is
inevitable.
Thirst
is as basic as breathing here and in our search for water; we ended up finding
some which was purer than the purest of Hema Malini endorsed KENT water. Blood sucking
leaches are common, so shedding some blood in the forest is mandatory.
A
few miles in, there it was, the illegal railway track. We were like kids in a
candy store. Trekking here was among the top 10 treks on our list and being
there was just pure excitement. What made it more exciting ?. It being illegal
and the fear of getting caught by the officials.
We
did a total of 19 bridges, 12 tunnels, 3 water spots, 1 abandoned railway
station and 2 heavy land slides. 2 trains passed us, 1 being a railway wagon
which carries work material (don't know the technical name) and other was a
passenger. Met with a few railway workers and clicked pictures with them.
Started
trekking again, then all of a sudden, we heard whistles and a trolley was
speeding towards us. 2 railway engineers were on the trolley and my heart
started skipping beats. I thought we were caught and a case would be filed
against us. The trolley sped past us and the employees gave us a stink eye, but
were not in any mood to get us convicted. I think they were whistling to get us
off of the god damn tracks so that we wouldn't end up as a track kill.
The
moment they disappeared, we literally had to empty our bladders. A few miles
away stood a magnificent tunnel. The tunnel number 25. This must have been the
holy mother of tunnels. 553 meters long (more than half a kilometer), entering
it was spooky and the chill breeze inside made it worse. The tunnel was pitch
dark that even Batman would have goosebumps entering it. You can't see a thing
without a torch and carrying one was handy.
Walking
past miles and miles of eye candy we finally bid adieu to "The Green
Route" and entered the forest again. The sight of the river kempuhole
inspired us to keep moving.This route was more treacherous and dangerous. With
a few slips, falls, tumbles and slides we finally reached civilization.
Kempuhole greeted us and take my word for it, No chlorinated Olympic size
swimming pool gives you the pleasure of mother nature's Jacuzzi. The water is
so splendid, swimming here makes you feel like a maharaja.
We finally reached gundya,
took a government bus to reach Subramanya (22 kms from gundya), after the
dharshan of the holy deity of Sri Subramanya, we called it a day.
Caution
note : Stay away from Donigal and Yedukumeri stations.
THE
WESTERN GHATS RIDE PART 1: The awe-freaking-some ride of Zroya to the tracts of
serene beauty. "Intro - Teaser". -
http://ridesntreks1.blogspot.in/2014/12/the-awe-freaking-some-ride-of-zroya-to_26.html?m=1
Next
up Day 2 and 3 - kumara parvatha , madikeri and Kushalnagar. Until then, ride
hard ride safe!!!!!. Peace.
