XBHP ISG2G 2015 at Madikeri

XBHP ISG2G 2015 at Madikeri

The Inter-State get together held at Madikeri in July 2015, was organised by the XBHP team members. Many of those who turned were mostly from Bengaluru, Chennai and Coimbatore.

This year’s XBHP Inter-State Get Together 2015 held at Madikeri (Kodagu district) was hosted by the Karnataka XBHP members. Many of the riders that turned up for this event were mostly from Bengaluru, Chennai and Coimbatore.

From the pre-ride until just the day before this ride, purchased boot covers from the RE online store and then a spur of the moment purchase of the TBG ankle length boots from Let’s Gear Up. Just the day before, went to checkout MotoAdda to pick up the Viaterra Fly V2 (non-magnetic DSLR camera tankbag) but they were out-of-stock, so rushed over back to Let’s Gear Up to get one. Happy with the purchase, got home and went on to pack for the trip having taken snaps of the purchase, that I would do a review of, at a later date after having put it to good use.


Day 01 : Bengaluru to Madikeri

Sun, 05 July 2015

A ride distance of 21km (via NICE Ring road) to the start point – bus stop on Mysore road (National Highway 275), was the first to get there by 4:55am, shortly followed by Sandy on his silver CBR250, then by Phanikar (organiser from BLR) on his fairing-less but well matured Honda ZMR. Close to half an hour past by the time the rest of the riders turned up. Most of whom I was acquainted with from the pre-ride that happened a week before. Despite my over 18 years of riding a two-wheeler, standing there (for my first long ride) amongst the other riders who were all too familiar with each other made me think of myself as a fresher attending my first day at college. But that’s how it usually is for anybody I suppose.

Few chose to ride over 100km/hr led by the confident Gadiyar on his Black CBR250, and so decided to ride with them. We stopped at Adiga’s for breakfast and after a good fill, headed out till the ring road at Mysore leading towards Madikeri and after having covered about 128km, we stopped for a fuel refill at the BP petrol bunk on Hunsur Rd, Hootagalli. By noon and having roughly covered a total distance of 240 km in about 6.5 hours that included the breakfast and a couple of stretching / cigarette (a.k.a sootta) breaks, we reached our destination place of halt. Weather was drizzly through the day, while we had lunch and relaxed for the remaining part of the day. As evening came, the bikers from Coimbatore turned up and by nightfall the bikers from Chennai.


Day 02 : Madikeri to Mandalpatti

Sun, 05 July 2015

Morning comes when Jay, Alok and Shashank turned up on their bikes. We were ready by about 10am, all wearing their respective T-shirt specifically designed and made for this event. All geared up, we rode for about 20km to reach the Hardoor bridge (over the Harangi river). While we rode in unison in a single line formation, it gave me and (and quite likely all of us) a sense of responsible pride and confidence while the local folk looked on with curiosity and children looked on with that look of amazement…the same way we did when we were kids looking at big bikes back then. The bridge overlooked a vast and scenic green pasture that would instigate anybody run about like a little kid in bare feet. After taking group snaps, selfies, photos and videos of the riders and place alike, headed out to ride through the faint vehicle tracks on the green pasture that was quite slippery and tricky to manoeuvre through but worth it nonetheless. My mind thinking – this place had trails that would be fun to explore on a bicycle, so coming here again is on my list. Having spend close to an hour, we headed back to base for lunch.

A belly filling lunch with some even having alcohol, got most incapable or were too chilled out to do a ride post lunch. That left with just a handful of us to ride. Despite the light rains, with the rain gear on and led by the good-humored Praful (organiser from BLR) we headed out riding for about 28 km to reach Mandalpatti (Pushpagiri forest reserve). The last stretch to the hilltop was tracks with just stones and pebbles. This is a good off-road trail that would be enjoyed best on an off-roading motorbike or MTB. My mind had me thinking ‘my babe’s slick but pricy metzelers, so no puncture please’. While my backside took a good seat-beating, the song – ‘Mere do anmol ratan’ (meaning – My two precious gems) from the movie ‘Ram Lakhan‘, that kept playing in the back of my mind…if you know what I mean.

This was my second visit to Mandalpatti, earlier being on a bicycle few years back. We stopped by the arch on the road, and got to the top of the hill by the side on foot. Strong winds blew, fog moving past covering the place giving visibility to just a few feet around. Helmet visors was completely covered with dewdrops in a matter of minutes. We took in the clean air and the peaceful solitude of the place. Snaps taken here of whatever possibly visible of us being there and then headed back. Before getting back to base, we did a brief stop at the marketplace to pick up some spices and honey. Back at the base camp, there was an informal get-together of all riders. Thanks giving to the XBHP members from different cities for organising this event and each one introducing themselves to all was a cheerful and happy moment. Dinner followed by alcohol and chit-chat. My sleepy head awakened each time by the hearty laughter from Phanikar, that which would have a movie villain or Rakshasa turn away in shame.


Day 03 : Madikeri to Bengaluru

Sun, 05 July 2015

The riders from Chennai and Coimbatore started off early by about 8am. While the rest of us from Bangalore settled our dues, packed up our stuff and were ready two hours later. Some chose to ride directly back to Bangalore to get there early. Rest of us rode for about 40km to get to Kotebetta. At the top stood a huge natural stone hill partly covered with dense fog, secluded away from the town. A stairway let up to a small grilled enclosure that guarded a simple shrine dedicated to Shiva – The Auspicious One. The quiet serene tranquility of the place would have one ponder on how to assimilate nature’s beauty. Fog in the wind covering parts of the hill giving it that mystical aura. Dark clouds hovering only above this hill with light drizzle seems like natural way to appease Shiva. Having spend some time here, we headed out to ride via Hassan, just so we avoid the heavy weekend traffic on Mysore road. After about 100km, with a brief midway stop for lunch, we reached the Bangalore-Mangalore highway for a tea break.

From here it, was a good 145 km of highway up to the toll booth near Nelamangala. This stretch got me to check out my duke’s potential. For the first time, I got to touch 160km/hr and the feeling was sheer thrills and tiny bit of heart-pounding fear of a mishap or accident at this speed. That being said, the bike however is at it’s best at 100-120km speed range, with its exhaust note sounding sweet. At the toll booth, we stopped to regroup and then bid adieu to the gang of my newly made friends. Then rode another 52km more at a constant 80km with one fellow rider and now friend – Shashank. A total distance of about 710km covered in all, really not much when compared to the avid and long distance riders who have covered so much more distance to attend this event and otherwise.


Many thanks to our host SPOCs – Phanikar, Praful for organising it so well. Cheers to all and will definitely be doing more such rides besides tours to different places. So many beautiful places to see and only one dear life. Wear helmet, put on your gears and ride safe!

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