Grand Tour 2009, Stage two - SACM to Gokarna
I left Sri Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt early Tuesday morning, heading north-west via Turuvekere, joining NH 206 at Tiptur. Stopped in Arsikere to fuel up and have breakfast, and continued via Kadur, Tarikere, and Bhadravati bypass to Shimoga.
There's a confusing intersection at the outskirts of Shimoga, one sign saying turn left for Jog Falls (the Agumbe road), and a few meters later another sign saying straight ahead. I asked two people; one said turn left, the other said straight ahead, into the city. Maybe there's a bypass if you take the turn to the left, but I went into the city, which is one enormous road construction zone. What a mess.
Finally got through town and en route to Jog Falls, my planned overnight stop. Took a basic room at the Tunga Guest House right near the entrance, and strolled around the grounds. They are doing a lot of renovations at the moment. 300 km today.
In case you are carrying a clock (or anything else) that you don't want to lug around with you while visiting the falls, there is a "Clock Room" available, with a notice "Keep Your Matrials Authorise Clock Room". :-)
Last year a fellow biker had suggested the road between Jog Falls and Bhatkal, rather than NH 206 via Gersoppa to Honavar, so I took that route next morning. Although paved, the road surface is not very good for a lot of the way, and I did most of it in 2nd and 3rd gear. Three hours for 80 km. Ok for one time, but I wouldn't want to drive it again. Had lunch in Bhatkal, and on to Murudeshwar to take a room at the RNS Guest House with an ocean view. 100 km today, 1000 for the trip so far.
RedWing is running like a charm. A sheer delight to drive. I've done over 2000 km total so the running-in is officially complete. Still haven't gone above 80 klicks. Petrol economy is a satisfactory 50 kpl.
("Klicks" is Canadian slang for kilometers - either speed or distance.)
Thursday morning I lollygagged around, had breakfast, and strolled along the beach, then into the town to look around. Checked out at 14:30, had some lunch, and drove to Gokarna. NH 17 is a bit dodgy, especially around Murudeshwar -- you can barely drive a kilometer without having to slow down for broken pavement and potholes. It really needs to be resurfaced. North of Kumta it gets noticeably better. The road from the highway into Gokarna is also in pretty bad shape. Took a room at Vaibhav Nivas where I had stayed last year. I plan to spend at least a week in Gokarna before heading north to Goa. 80 km today.
There's a confusing intersection at the outskirts of Shimoga, one sign saying turn left for Jog Falls (the Agumbe road), and a few meters later another sign saying straight ahead. I asked two people; one said turn left, the other said straight ahead, into the city. Maybe there's a bypass if you take the turn to the left, but I went into the city, which is one enormous road construction zone. What a mess.
Finally got through town and en route to Jog Falls, my planned overnight stop. Took a basic room at the Tunga Guest House right near the entrance, and strolled around the grounds. They are doing a lot of renovations at the moment. 300 km today.
In case you are carrying a clock (or anything else) that you don't want to lug around with you while visiting the falls, there is a "Clock Room" available, with a notice "Keep Your Matrials Authorise Clock Room". :-)
Last year a fellow biker had suggested the road between Jog Falls and Bhatkal, rather than NH 206 via Gersoppa to Honavar, so I took that route next morning. Although paved, the road surface is not very good for a lot of the way, and I did most of it in 2nd and 3rd gear. Three hours for 80 km. Ok for one time, but I wouldn't want to drive it again. Had lunch in Bhatkal, and on to Murudeshwar to take a room at the RNS Guest House with an ocean view. 100 km today, 1000 for the trip so far.
RedWing is running like a charm. A sheer delight to drive. I've done over 2000 km total so the running-in is officially complete. Still haven't gone above 80 klicks. Petrol economy is a satisfactory 50 kpl.
("Klicks" is Canadian slang for kilometers - either speed or distance.)
Thursday morning I lollygagged around, had breakfast, and strolled along the beach, then into the town to look around. Checked out at 14:30, had some lunch, and drove to Gokarna. NH 17 is a bit dodgy, especially around Murudeshwar -- you can barely drive a kilometer without having to slow down for broken pavement and potholes. It really needs to be resurfaced. North of Kumta it gets noticeably better. The road from the highway into Gokarna is also in pretty bad shape. Took a room at Vaibhav Nivas where I had stayed last year. I plan to spend at least a week in Gokarna before heading north to Goa. 80 km today.
posted by IndiaJP at 7:29 AM
2 Comments:
my sweet friend blog is nice............
Nice blog with lot of information.We are planning a visit to Mangalore/Gokarna/Murudeshwara. Can u suggest any good home stay/guest houses near beach(Malpe/Surathkal/Gokarna beach)which is not too costly..upto1500 would b fine.... n good to stay wid family..
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