Another classic one from Tandem Trails, blending natural splendour of the Sahyadri with its historical significance. Starting from the temple town, biking through the picturesque green peaks to reach where the sunset is at its best - Agumbe. And for those who dare to attempt, a rewarding 4 kms of gasping ascent to reach a 17th century temple on top of Kundadri hill, which is 1200 feet above Agumbe. The sojourn of the trail would be in a 110 year house, the same famous house where the legendry TV fiction 'Malgudi Days' was pictured.
The 2 day trail ending at the foot of a 9th century 7-layered fort, entails a 30 minute trek to reach the peak, from where one can get a 360 degree view of the entire Sahyadri range.... reached through the road less taken!
This was one of the last trip for the Tandem trails team as we were getting a Summer Break. So thought of have a great route around Agumbe. Altogether we had 19 participants
We reached Sringeri early morning. Checked in for rest and morning freshening up. !!! A sight to behold as they gather for the food being sprinkled by the devotees.
Start of Cycling
Got a very sumptuous breakfast in the traditional way at sringeri.
Soon after that we flagged us off. Support team in place.
On route to Srimane Falls, it is a curvy nice road with sweet challenges thrown in between, but most of us can make it very well. Srimane Falls is a very nice place to visit.
Further cycling towards Agumbe. Enroute stopped for Lunch !! The support was excellent. Enough refreshments provided on the way.
Now the big surprise that awaited me was the Kundadri hills. It was amazing one. The road was very steep. Those who feel Nandi hill is a cake walk, then should try this uphill.. !
Each guys giving others tips on how to tackle such challenges and was just wondering how most managed to come up all the way here
The most beautiful moments were watching the sunset from that hill.
Zipping down we wind up at DoddaMane (Malgudi days fame)... ! Kasturi Akka prepares excellent food for us - Dinner and breakfast.
Since she came to know that we are cycling she prepared a special concoction of herbal roots mix in to tea. They call it khashaya. A mixture of 25 plants roots. Well i got to see the famed house, the interiors are so nostalgic of the movie fame.
Got to have nice warm water bath in the morning.. and set out for newer challenges.
This time i am wondering what would it be like.. but the road is a lovely stretch with minimal traffic. Just love the beautiful nature around it.
The TT guys tell me the challenge is towards KavaleDurga fort. So save my energy for the final stretch of trekking they tell me.
Man if i could some how manage Kundadri hills, this should be a cake walk??? I am mistaken.. Trekking and cycling are two different things.. !
it is a 45 mins nice climb with it own challenges. I really wonder how those kings made the fort in such impossible places. And wonders of all how they managed to build beautiful temples there.
This fort has several layers of fortifications. At the 2 level, i cried out for a stop.. and we had lunch there.. ! It just gave me energy to trek the upper parts of the fort.. ! the sights were breath taking.
And they said the big gates were for the elephants to enter... i really wonder how the elephants managed to climb up there.. ! see me .. as big as an elephant..
This was the feed back which TandemTrails got from couple of guys.
worth the ride.. the support is excellent.. motivation.. without it , i would never have managed the Kundadri hills or the Kaveladurga Fort
Second
Agumbe was my first and now this mammoth trail which promises to cater to the biggest of cycling enthusiasts. This has got me wildly excited and I have started my countdown already for the GMC(Great Malnad Challeange) which they are conducting. Am already looking forward to the imageries of the countryside and rides at dawns with mists condensing on my face. Agumbe still rests fresh in my mind and I was so glad that I took it up and I have been a fan of Tandem Trails since.
As spectacular and vivid the challenge sounds, I am certain it is not for the faint hearted. Far from demotivating anyone, I am only stating that the challenge over the ghat regions demands the highest levels of mental and physical resolve. I am not the fittest person on the face of the earth but I know that the ghats are not for slouches. Cycling in these regions for 100+ odd kms a day is no joke and that too over 7 days demands fitness levels of a different level altogether.. I am sure Tandem Trails is doing a fantastic job with the logistics etc, but I maintain that aspirants should seriously get themselves tuned up otherwise they would only end up in the vans as spectators.
Earlier the thought of snakes was on my mind.. but not a single snake i saw enroute.. so you can be assured that it is safe... with regards to snakes.
