Mumbai –
Vittal – Mumbai, a distance of just 1982 kms that I rode alone on my Royal
Steed for a week in November 2019, has topped my personal best ride list, better than
even the 72 day 14072 kms ride that I had done with Aditya Raj Kapoor or the
week long Spiti ride that I did with Dr.Alap Mehendale, which were amazing to
say the least.
In Sirsi, I stayed at a chilled-out hotel that cost me just 700/-, opposite to the famous Marikamba temple.
Once I crossed the border to Karnataka from Maharashtra, I
realised that food and stay are amazingly value for money, yummy and inexpensive.
Had some great medu wadas and a tummy filling thali before resting well for yet
another day of riding to reach my destination Vittal, 300 kms away.
This was a
liberating ride for me. I had no peer pressure to keep up to any particular
pace nor did
I have to keep up to the time table set up by somebody else. I
stopped when I wanted to and rode when I wanted to at a speed that I thought
was best suited to the moment. At the end of the ride I have no regrets on
having missed out on capturing some lovely moments of the journey that I will
cherish as I captured them all without feeling guilty of having trespassed on
somebody else’s time.
I started
off at 07.50 am, after a leisurely breakfast of Brun maska pao at home (Bandra
east) and headed towards Kolhapur on a cloudy day that was perfect riding
weather. Had a beautiful peaceful ride of 351 kms and checked in at Sai
International Hotel at Yelur in the evening at 4 pm.
Witnessed a beautiful sunset, had a great dinner and rested well to set out next day for Sirsi, a distance of 333 kms. This was yet another great ride made fun and adventurous with Google maps which guided me on less travelled routes.
Witnessed a beautiful sunset, had a great dinner and rested well to set out next day for Sirsi, a distance of 333 kms. This was yet another great ride made fun and adventurous with Google maps which guided me on less travelled routes.
In Sirsi, I stayed at a chilled-out hotel that cost me just 700/-, opposite to the famous Marikamba temple.
From Sirsi
to Vittal it was riding in the mountains most of the time. Hence the tree shade
was there to filter the sunlight and some amazing sights all along. Had my
lunch in KSTDC’s Mayura restaurant in Agumbe. The Mangalore bonda was a meal by
itself!
Reached home
in Vittal in time for some yummy heavy snacks at 3pm.
Had a
wonderful week of temple festivities when the town comes alive to the drum
beats, clarinets and saxophones climaxing in a Rath yatra.
Decided to
return via the coastal route till Karwar before turning into the interior
mountain roads to reach Belgavi. Rode via the patch of road with the sea on one
side and the river on the other. Was a beautiful ride all the way to Karwar
where I checked into a hotel recommended by a friend, had sea food that Karwar
is famous for and started next morning after breakfast for Sai international
Hotel in Yelur. This road via the ghats was bad in patches but nothing unmanageable
and a great experience.
Had another restful
night before starting out on the home run next morning. This route was all along
the highway which would have been extremely boring if not for the diversions
for ongoing work enroute, on the highway.
Reached home
in the evening, feeling on top of the world.
Did my bit
for the environment by not buying any plastic bottled water enroute. I kept
refilling the bottle that I had carried from home, with purified water
available in all the hotels I stayed in.
What a trip: It includes all,in my opinion, a journey should have, nice landskape, accomodation to feel well and meals, which are not only filling the stomache.
ReplyDeleteI like to read your Travelogue
Thank you. Glad you like 🙂
DeleteIn a way, an ideal trip.
ReplyDeleteYes 🙂
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteTravelling solo is definitely advantageous in terms of setting times and choices around accoms and meals. Looks to have been truly wonderful! YAM xx
😇
Deletethe chosen place on the western seaboard to immerse in soulful Tai chi after snacking that scrummy crummy medu vada...ah!bliss....
ReplyDeleteYessss 😇
DeleteFeeling J Deepak would love to travel with you when you visit N germany
ReplyDeletehow about a roadtrip to scandinavian countries n East Germany (ex GDR)
Was gr8 reading
Sure thing. Thank you 🙂
DeleteI literally felt double seat riding with you when I read your blog. Showing amma and let you know her reaction. I love to travel like this. Enjoy your travel escapades and keep writing blogs for us to enjoy reading
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. Glad you enjoyed!
DeleteGreat experience. Thanks for your beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteAwesome pics.
Thank you Rupam 🙂
DeleteCongratulations! What a great read! Traveling alone is the best. Kudos for not buying plastic. I really admire that. Safe and pleasant rides ahead.🌈🧿😃
ReplyDeleteThank you very much 🙂🙏
DeleteCongratulations! Great post.
ReplyDeleteWell narrated, and I like the fact that you mentioned about not buying plastic water bottle. Happy travels!
ReplyDeleteThank you Renuka 🙂
DeleteLooks like a fun trip
ReplyDelete1982 kms ???
ReplyDeleteDo you not think its very long travel but i can understand how much fun you had on this ride.
Even o Love bike riding going solo trips and all. You can read my experiences on my blog
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Your bike is so cool.
ReplyDeleteI like your photography.
Greetings, from Japan, ruma❃
Nice roadtrip.
ReplyDelete