Pics: http://www.itasveer.com/shared/kailas
I had done a solo ride in November 2007. Had not posted about it part due to a "whats another ride in the midst of so many", "it's after all 250kms", "its not any Ladakh or Leh or mountains"; but more probably because I was simply lazy. Its late, but still posting, and will make it a small write-up. Idea was to fulfill a childhood curiosity. At the ripe young age of 24 *:D* Till the age of 11, I was in KGF, where my dad was working in the gold mines. The place is 100km from Bangalore, in Kolar dist. The place had just 1 real 'main road' which itself was the state highway. Our house was on the road (not literally :P ). I always knew one side of it is the route to Bangalore, but wondered where the other side would lead to. I learnt much later on that it leads into Tamil Nadu, taking you to Krishnagiri after a few turns. But the curiosity was still there to 'see' the route. Decided to do just that. After several postponements, one of which caused by Zen TVS (had posted about this); I finally made it on a Monday, taking leave from work. Woke up late, got stuck in traffic on NH4 (leading towards Chennai) and progress was slow. Finally made it to KGF by 11 AM, had lunch in a family friend's place and taking route guidance from them, proceeded on this state highway 37 (I think thats the number). Idea was to hit the new Bangalore-Chennai highway (part of the golden quad) and then on return to Bangalore via Hosur. For a brief few kilometers I touched Andra Pradesh and then into Tamil Nadu. I stopped to ask directions from a localite, who asked to me dropped off somewhere and he would show me a short cut. I was apprehensive and would have generally refused, but this time, for some reason I thought "why not". He hopped on the bike and took me through a shortcut though some village and told me that his village is on that road and it would lead to the highway. After a few villages his village did come and he hopped off. Then I noticed something. He had told me his name and at that time, I paid zero attention to what religion he was. When I stopped for him to alight I noticed that, that village had only muslims. It really looked like a segregated settlement (the previous village was abt a km away), and then a sad reality struck me. As much as we would like to talk about secularism and one India, we are still divided in the interiors. So much so that communities live physically apart. Feeling somewhat down, I continued on the road that this guy had said would lead me to the highway. Took some pics of some very nice country roads. He was right. I did hit the highway. The board and boarding NH. It was hell as I reached Bangalore. LONG LONG MAD MAD traffic. What a contrast to the narrow scenic silent country roads I had just been on, not too far away from Bangalore after all! The pics are here: http://www.itasveer.com/shared/kailas This did not turn out to be a tiny post after all. :) As for my ride, 250kms, 3 states, a peek at one of India's (sad) realities, beautiful country roads, off roading, plenty of photographs (spoilt by having accidentally set a high ISO 400), and "seeing" what the other side of the road had to offer. Route: Bangalore - KGF - Kuppam - Vepanahalli - NH - Hosur - Bangalore round trip 250kms. If you have read so far, just that's a reason for me to :) -- Kailas Shastry. -- !! -- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
