Cycling expedition to MaakaLidurga on 26-12-2008

After few days of preparation and amidst my parent's strong opposition, I set out to my longest cycling excursion (till now) in my all new "Hercules ultima shox dx" geared cycle. Actually it was MADE all new, since both tubes were out a few days back and got replacement with a long seat rod to ease my legs. "Total Overhauling" cost me around 230 bucks(looks like I had kept it in good shape). Motto: Take care of your companion so that it takes care of you :)

It was pure fun and most important of all I had been a long way far from all the bondages with this real world for few hours.

Preparation was the most important of all the phases. So I tested myself before setting out by taking it around 20 kms per day within the city for the last weekend.(20th,21st December 2008). Also, I had been to my friend's place on 25th December riding it about 24 kms to and fro Kalyan-nagar from where we went to morning show-ghajini movie. Its going to be all different post so not detailing it out here ;)

Thanks to "The Nomad" and "roastedneutons" travel blog which helped me out in route and also mentally get prepared for this journey.

I packed up the following things before :
1. Lunch (Puliyogare from home)
2. Water (2 bottles of water)
3. 1 pack Glucose + 2 Electral sachets
4. Dates (very rich in minerals)
5. Hand Pump (heaviest of them all)
6. Knife as a tool and also for safety
7. Bandages
8. Relispray
9. Hexagon tool and spare tubes in case of puncture
10. Digicam
11. Cap
12. Towel
13. Torch

Having checked out the route on google maps and having visited Ghati subramanya (10kms from maakaLidurga) a week back, it was not a problem in finding directions.

I started at 5:45 am in the morning and it was still a bit dark coz it is still winter now. As i reached Yelahanka it was getting brighter and soon the orange sun exposed himself at the horizon, behind the trees amidst the fog. It was beautiful to see... time around 6:30am.

(Sunrise view soon after crossing Yelahanka)
(The morning life had already started in the country side by that time.)

The roads were not bumpy and actually were in good condition, properly asphalted. However, It did make me sing the song "bum bum bole" after a while though!So far so good ;) Re-hydration was done every half an hour till I reached Dodballapur at around 8:30am. I had breakfast(4 idlis+coffee+2 bananas) on the way at around 9:00am and again carried on my long journey. Water was not a problem till then as some or the other village approaches for every 3-4 kms of travel.(The only thing is that you should not be totally dependent on mineral water.) I reached destination at around 10:15am.
(My companions on State Highway No. 9)(Bangalore-Hindupur Train leaving from MakaLidurga station as soon as I arrived)(Destination MakaLidurga)(Red mud roads- A deviation to the hill base)(Perfect Countryside)
(Really broadguage!)
(Meet me @ Infinity)(Untouched lake nearby)
(That somebody's me!)
(Bunch of BMS Mech 2nd year students who had camped there a day before my arrival)(Got company for trekking)(The same lake view from half way climbing of hill)
(A centipede-like train below)
(MakaLi Fort still standing)
(Small temple atop)
(Myself, second from right with awesome cook next to me!)
(Supposed to be the birth of the lake water, It was too deep like a well!)

There was a small ganesh temple at the base of the hills. People of the temple are so sweet that they even offered me Ragi balls for lunch after climbing down! They also took care of my parked cycle till I came back (without removing any of the nuts and bolts or monkey testing of working gears or the air in the wall tubes).

After Cycling for about 50kms+Bathing in lake for half an hour+Trekking nearly 3kms+having lunch+sleeping for 45 mins and then climbing down, with half the glucose packet empty, 1 electral sachet remaining and my lunch box empty... I had lost time to plan my journey back and thanks to lorry driver who hitchhiked me back to Dodaballapur(for about 16 kms) which saved me more than an hour and a half or so in my return back to Yelahanka-towards hebbal-back to my place. I took very few breaks and pedalled at constant speed on my way back and reached home at around 5:45pm. It was a memorable 12 hour butt-wrenching journey but(t) also my best ever. I had traveled around 80+ in my cycle! I feel good after the journey. It has increased my appetite a lot ;)

I would like to go for long distance cycling expeditions seriously along with some cyclists/trekkers organization to keep up my passion. Can anyone help me out please?

Cheers,
Karthik Bharadwaj H