An organized bicycle ride in the monsoon season starting from Bhagamandala in Karnataka, via Bekal Fort to finally end at Kasaragod.
This organized bicycle ride on tarmac roads for the most part in the monsoon season, starts from Bhagamandala - a pilgrimage place in Kodagu district of the Indian state of Karnataka, via a visit to the Bekal fort - a fortress offering sweeping sea views, preserved battlement walls, gates & tunnels. Finally ending the ride at Kasaragod - a municipal town and the district headquarters of Kasaragod district of Kerala state in India.
Day 01 : Bhagamandala – Bekal fort – Kasargod
Sat, 20 Aug 2011
Upon reaching Bhagamandala in the wee hours of the morning got about two hours to rest, freshen up and get ready. We were to ride on an enchanting route through the western ghats of Kerala and the winding roads of Coorg-district, covering a distance of 95 kms for the day riding through Panathoor, Kanchangad, then a right onto the NH17 towards Kasargod passing Pallikere, Bekal fort, Udma and to finally stop at Kasargod.
The morning had drizzling rain but at about 8 am, started to ride towards western ghats of Kerala. The route was mostly downhill with few small climbs along the way. Upon reaching the road junction at Udayanchal junction, halted for lunch. Continued riding past Eriya, Ambalathara, Kottapara to head towards Kanchangad.
All riders were earlier warned that if we didn’t take the correct deviation to Kanchangad, we could end up riding straight towards Kasargod missing Bekal Fort altogether. Having ridden 4km down the smooth road past the very turn that was to be taken, I happened to be riding alone. Stopped to ask for directions and was told to take another route on the Moolakandam-Madiyan road that connected back onto the Kochi-Panavel Road towards Bekal Fort. This detour from the designated route turned out to be good, as I rode through the quiet small village past fields on either sides of the road, till I reached the Kochi-Panavel Road.
Continued to ride till at about 4:25pm, I reached Bekal fort. Went in with few others who had reached there earlier. Took lots of photographs as we admired the beauty of the famous and largest fort in Kerala. Having spent much time at the Bekal Fort, it got late to ride further and so decided to stop riding for the day. Few of those who reached Bekal Fort earlier went onto ride further upto Kasargod, despite the fact that the road ahead was very patchy. Four of us got into autos to get a ride to the hotel stay at Kasargod. Hot bath, dinner and sleep to prepare us for the ride the next day.
Distance covered for the day was approximately 86.5 km.
Day 02 : Kasargod – Jalsoor
Sun, 21 Aug 2011
Started to ride early at about 6:30 am. The route through the forest section was lovely however with many uphill climbs. Nice single track road and minimum traffic. After riding past Cherakala and Bovikanam, for about 14.5 km, we reach the breakfast point.
Continue to ride through Mularia on a curvy smooth road ride downhill and further on, with a few climbs on the Cherkala-Jalsoor road (State Highway 55) till we got to ride alongside the Chandragiri river. Halted just 3 km before Jalsoor, at a bridge on the river that’s just wide enough for two persons standing side-by-side. Having taken pictures here – on and off the bridge, continued to ride on to finally stop at Jalsoor.
Distance covered for the day was approximately 48.5 km.
While the bikes got loaded onto the canter vans, we freshened up. Got onto the bus to head towards Sulya to have our lunch there and then head back to Bangalore via Madikeri. On route, we get to watch the movie ‘The Flying Scotsman’ that lifts everyone’s spirits in cycling. Much later on the bus, our enthusiastic ride organizer gets everyone involved into playing games like ‘Mafia’ and ‘Dumb Charades’ and we reached Bangalore sooner than expected.
Awesome event organizer: Cycling And More a.k.a CAM
