The 200 Duke was accompanied by a Yamaha FZ-150 for the 10-day trip across the state.
BHPian kiki_13 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
I am part of the rare species of female bike riders in India. Most of the girls stay away from motorcycles thinking it is meant for boys/men. I would like to promote responsible riding of motorcycles by women. From a 100cc scooter to a 200cc motorcycle, the journey was exhilarating for me. I read many travelogues on TeamBHP and would like to contribute my travel stories here as well.
My first geared motorcycle is our Duke 200 (which I now fondly call Kiki). I fell head over heels in love with motorcycling and the machine equally. The sheer fun of riding, low-end torque, manageable weight, superb braking, and above all the looks – definitely female!
Eventually, we had to buy another motorbike in order not to fight for a chance to ride. That’s how we welcomed the FZ-150 to our abode! This was a ten-day trip across various landscapes of Karnataka on two bikes.
One State, Many Worlds – The tagline for Karnataka Tourism is true to every word.
The flat landscapes around Hubli give way to lush forests and river Kali towards Dandeli and the Anshi National Park. Snaking through the Kali Tiger Reserve, emerge on the coast of Karwar, welcoming you with blue waters. Ride south and (southwest to) enjoy the unique beaches at Gokarna – with small forests skirting the shores. Travel another 50 kilometres towards forest and hills to be mesmerised by the wonderous Yana Caves. Satiate the appetite with some of the best vegetarian recipes at Udupi. Eventually, the fresh coffee directly from a plantation near Chikmagalur before heading home, and that’s the 10-day road trip in a nutshell.
With our rides ready for a 2000km trip through the north and west parts of Karnataka – our beloved Duke 200 and Yamaha FZ-150 – we started on a fine Saturday morning. The ride was eventful on the monotonous PB road with kind and encouraging elderly men admiring a lady riding a motorcycle. Bharati Lodge – an old building with parking available inside the premises – situated right next to the central bus station has clean rooms and options for all budgets. The traffic on the Hubli-Dharwad Road kept us awake most of the night. Hubli comes alive on Saturday nights with a young crowd (mostly students) from the neighbouring Dharwad city who are seen having a good time at fancy eateries and updating their Instagram.
After an early breakfast from the local favourite Ayodhya Restaurant opposite the bus station, we journeyed towards Dandeli via Dharwad. The road from Hubli to Dharwad is fantastic except for the traffic signal at every 200 meters. On the other hand, the Dandeli Road is in good condition and meanders through wooded routes. Nature First Eco Village is an ideal place to stop for a day if you want to skip the hustle and bustle of a tourist place. A sumptuous breakfast was Rs.100/- including a cup of tea. Continuing, we passed through Haliyal and reached our Airbnb place in Dandeli by lunchtime.
Dandeli is part of the Western Ghats region with an elevation of 472 metres having a tropical highland climate. It is named after a local legend, a deity called Dandelappa. Located alongside the Kali river, Dandeli is famous for white water rafting and other adventure activities like Kayaking, Zorbing, Jungle safari, Canoeing, River crossing etc. Anshi National Park, which was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2007, is part of Dandeli. In the olden days, the region was known for paper mills, sawmills etc.
The dark and wild Kali Tiger Reserve
With one full day to spare at Dandeli, a ride to Castle Rock sounded exciting. Unfortunately, crossing the border to visit Dudhsagar was arduous due to restrictions (unavoidable RTPCR test). Castle Rock is a small village surrounded by dense forests bordering Goa. These woodlands fall under Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, also called Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve. This region is famed for birdlife besides Wildlife. It was gratifying to ride until the border on the Karnataka side, as we were on the other side during our Goa ride.
It was thrilling to traverse through narrow and winding roads to reach Ramnagar, a chief town on the Panjim-Belagavi highway. It serves as a good pit stop to fuel up for the ride ahead, through the forest with scant sunlight. A deviation takes you towards the famous Old Magazine House – a hotspot for feathered friends. The road in the ghat section is under construction at many places. The ride is at snail speed though the scenery compensates for the bad roads. It was a delight to stroll around the empty Castle Rock Railway Station. A small shop nearby serves piping hot local cuisine.
Spread over a vast area of 1300 square kilometres, Anshi National Park – recently renamed as Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR), was on top of the bucket list of riding routes. The SH34, Ramnagar-Karwar road connects Karwar to Dandeli via Joida. This is the usual route taken, but a detour from Sangave the interior roads with twists and turns take you to Ulavi via Syntheri Rocks. A little ahead of Ulavi, this road connects to SH146 and finally at Anshi joins SH34. The jungle of KTR has a very distinct vibe compared to the adjoining national parks of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa. Some routes are through dense forest with narrow meandering roads, with a stream on one side. Several minor roads lead to interior villages, with many options to explore the area.
The most popular attractions are Syntheri rocks and the pilgrimage site of Ulavi. From Ulavi, there are other stunning places to visit. To name a few: Shivapura Hanging Bridge, a Panchalinga cave and a viewpoint. There are 4WD jeeps, which will take you around these places for Rs.1000/- per Jeep. Locals say the off-road is doable on a motorcycle, so you can give it a try if you are itching to ride your ADV motorcycle on these 4WD routes. It is said that crossing the Shivapura Hanging Bridge to reach Yellapura cuts the distance by more than half, though only two-wheelers are allowed to cross. There are many resorts and homestays around the national park area. Stay in one of them and explore the national park and the hinterland.
Continue reading BHPian kiki_13’s Karnataka travelogue for more insights & information.
Keyword: Lady biker & her KTM 200 Duke: 2,000 km trip across Karnataka