Every biker is familiar with the feeling of freedom, the joy of flying through the freeways and shredding the tarmacs from a great ride. This is perhaps the greatest reason why those of us with a hint of madness love our two wheeled beasts. Now imagine every feeling intensify thanks to some picturesque landscapes that take breath away from their sheer beauty. Imagine yourself riding amidst nature’s best creations. Makes you want to drop that cup of coffee, switch your pristine suit for an equally pristine riding jacket and head out on the roads doesn’t it?
A RIDE THROUGH THE COFFEE HOUSE OF KARNATAKA
The first location to visit was the good old hill station in Hassan district on the way from Bangalore to Mangalore. If you couldn’t guess it yet, we talk of Sakleshpur. Just about 250Km from Bangalore, the location is about 5 hours ride from Bangalore. Sakleshpur is definitely worth a ride. The roads are mostly in good condition with plenty of pitstops peppered on the way. The weather is an absolute beauty and the landscape is full of lush green coffee plantations, breath taking mountains, tiny creeks and streams and some waterfalls too.
SIP SOME CLASSY TEA AT KELAGUR
A pitstop at Kelagur tea estate plantation is a must for any one visiting that place. Pick some tea powder from the local shop to gift it to your friends and family. A nice picturesque tea garden can bring some nice photographs to your memorable road trip.
TACKLE SOME CURVY BEND WITH THE QUEEN OF HILL STATIONS
Once inside Mudigere you simply can’t let Charmadi Ghat slip by your fingers and that’s exactly what riders thinks. Charmadi Ghat is is the Queen of Hill stations and it is also a short ride away from Mudigere. What makes the trail one of the most exciting one for riders is the fact that it has close to 11 sharp hairpin bends that make for a perfect recipe to a memorable ride. If you’re headed from Bangalore you could have a short pit stop at Shiradi Ghat for some bird watching before you hit the Dharmasthala road to Mudigere towards Ujire.
SAY HELLO TO SOME ELEPHANTS IN THE WESTERN GHATS
We don’t really mean it. Please do not try saying hello to wild elephants. That can end very badly for everyone.
Getting back on track, riders hear some talk of elephants and Western Ghats from some of the caretakers at their homestay in Chikmagalur. Head to plateau nestled amidst the towering mountains of the Western Ghats known as Kalasa. The best way to ride to Kalasa is via Kottigehara as this allows you to pass through the forests (best not to do this at night) and plenty of tiny waterfalls and if you are lucky you may even spot some elephants crossing the road. This is one of the most picturesque roads in all South India.
SHRED THE HIGHWAYS THROUGH THE SCOTLAND OF SOUTH INDIA
Once at Sakleshpur you won’t feel heading back to home base. Instead choose to ride on visiting Belur, Halebidu, Shravanabelagola and a bunch of other places on their way to Coorg. Coorg is an absolutely stunning but rather quiet town nestled in the midst of coffee plantations, colonial style bungalows and the river Cauvery. The food here is absolutely amazing especially the pork which is a major delicacy in the town. We’d like you to know that Coorg is a convenient 280Kms from Bangalore just in case if you’re planning on a ride. Once at Coorg you can opt to stay at many home stay options (some may require pre-booking).