Three States and Three National parks covered in two days on bicycles. 150 kms and loads of fun.
‘A momentous ride through an enchanting route along Bandipur, Madumulai and Waynad’ – was the synopsis of this trip but was a lot more. We were to cover Bandipur National Park, the Mudumalai National Park, Edakkal caves and ending with Soochipara falls in Kerala.
Day 01 : Bandipur – Mudumalai – Gudulur – Sultan Bathery – Edakkal caves
Sat, 26 Nov 2011
Reached Gundulpet by bus at about 5am to freshen up and change into riding gear at the hotel. Back on the bus for another 15km up to the Bandipur-Mudumalai National Park border (KRN,TN border) where all had breakfast and at about 7am started to ride through Mudumalai National Park. Rode through the serene lush green forests (but for the occasional habitual horns of bigger vehicles despite the warning signs posted along the roadside that read ‘Do not horn’) till we reached Gudulur.
Bandipur National Park - 875-sq.-km. forest park established in 1974, home to tigers & other endangered wildlife is located in Gundlupet Taluk, Bandipur, Karnataka.
Mudumalai National Park - 200-square-mile wildlife sanctuary & national park open since 1940 and known for its tiger reserve located in Mudumalai, Tamil Nadu.
Distance bicycled from Mudumalai National park to Sultan Bathery : 64.5 kms in 5.75hrs (approx.)
Along the first 5 kms, wondered if this was a good idea, till I came about the left turn heading towards the Edakkal caves. Another few kilometers was good, until the climb for about 2km that was very testing. Further was a fairly leveled road that was as a breath of relief. Then again a climb on uneven rough patches of road. Didn’t have a lock for the bike so pushed it along up the steep pathway. Finally on reaching the the ticket counter, parked the bike by the side after being convinced of its safety by the security there. Climbing the steep set of stairs felt like added weights tied to my feet. At the top, the view from where gave the feeling that the effort put in was worthwhile besides giving that sense of accomplishment.
Few riders chose to get here by jeep and while they went up to the caves, we headed back and this ride downhill was exciting. On reaching the hotel back at Sultan Bathery, my bike cyclometer read 92.5 kms done for the day.
Edakkal Caves - These remote caves feature petroglyphs from the Stone Age, plus scenic views is located in Nenmeni, Kerala 673595
Distance bicycled from Sultan Bathery to Edakkal caves and back : 28 kms in 2.25hrs (approx.)
Day 02 : Sultan Bathery – Vaduvanchal – Meppadi – Soochipara falls
Sun, 27 Nov 2011
The ride from Sultan Bathery to Soochipara falls was quiet serene in itself. Having ridden 4km, we take a left towards Ambalavayal and soon approach the Edakkal hill. After encircling the hill and having covered about 8km, take a few left and right turns to reach Chuliyode. This stretch of road had three steep climbs that was challenging, but pedaled my way up all three and that gave a real boost of self-confidence. Then past by the quiet serene roads to Vaduvanchal all along asking the local folk for directions. Rode over some good stretches of road and then some bad ones but throughout the ride, the view of the landscape kept all riders in awe.
Soon reached the main road and took a right turn towards Meppadi. Having covered about 32 kilometres, I reached the town of Meppadi and asked the local folk for directions to Soochipara falls. At this point, dropped my camera by accident thereby leaving it unusable. Ride on with a disappointment of not being able to take anymore pictures. The following stretch of road of about 12 km was simply breathtaking and made me want to stop ever so much to take pictures but couldn’t.
As Soochipura falls neared, the views took a back seat and the road got rough, easy to skid from the light rains and started to incline making it difficult to ride on. Finally reached the top to check my bike cyclometer reading of 44.5 km covered for the day. Having bought tickets to the falls, walked the stone cobbled pathway and steps leading down to the base of the waterfall. Most of the riders who got there got into the cool water and it felt really good.
Later made way back up to the point where all riders had left the bikes. Stopped to have a quick snack of Maggi noddles, and then rode back downhill up to where the bus and canter vans were parked. After all the riders/bikes were on the bus/canter vans, headed back to Sultan Bathery for a quick lunch at about 3:30pm and then back onto the bus for a long drive back to reach Bangalore by midnight.
Soochipara falls - A 3-tiered waterfall with a pool at the base for swimming, reachable by a 10 to 15 minute forest hike at Vellarimala, Kerala 673577
Distance bicycled from Sultan Bathery to Soochipara falls : 44.5 kms in 4.5hrs (approx.)
