
"Is it gonna end here "
"at least 10 meters of flat road ???"
"On MTB in Kalhatty ? This is Madness ..."
"Good Job guys... (Travelers in Car/Bus)"
With those lines I want to start my 1st blog and my journey as a cyclist until now. above lines was said by the fellow cyclists and travelers. I wanted to complete my unfinished business in 2013 hence planned for Gundlupete to Ooty via Kalhatty ride, due to darkness I couldn't climb last time to complete Kalhatty.
Day One : Gundlupete - Masanagudi
Anand, Mohan , Karthick and I assembled at Mysuru bus stand at 07:00 AM. due to road construction till gundlupete, we decided to take a bus till gundlupete. Somehow we convinced KeralaSRTC bus conductor to carry our mean machines till gundlupete. Mohan & Karthick cycling long distance for the first time but both were fit enough to take the ride.
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Starting from Mohan's Place in Gundlupete |
Crossing borders, Entering Madumalai and the Animals scare
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We aren't lucky enough to witness but TFN who were behind us got the visitors |
Day Two : Masanagudi - Kalhatty - Ooty
Killer Kalhatty/Monster Kalhatty - This climb is known for increasing gradients, gradients ranging from 10 to 25%. 1200 meters of elevation within 14km. where four wheeler's struggle to climb, 36 hairpin bends.. it's a quite challenge for seasoned professionals.
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Starting point of Day two. |
Our day started from glaton manor, Masanagudi, knew it would be humongous challenge to complete with few breaks. started off with ease or I thought.. It was really tough and challenging, because our body wasn't warmed up yet. before I reach the 1st hairpin bend, I was drenched in sweat.
Math genius on and off - Suddenly I started becoming math genius to count how many hairpin bends I climbed. the numbering starts like 36/36 .. 35/36 .... 1/36 and I forgot the number of stops/breaks I took to complete the 36 hairpin bends. I decided to climb and not to walk or push the cycle. Stop/drink water/break for few mins/ride 2 hairpin bends repeated the same steps till 14/36.
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Joy of completing Hairpin bend |
Out of breath - after 14/36, 22 hairpin bends I was unable to cycle, out of breath, body refusing to respond. mind started accepting defeat. it is a test of character. Started pushing the cycle towards destination, climb was at ultra slow motion, never witnessed such long hairpin bends after 10/36.. climb is getting steep and steep. I was fortunate to see kings of Kalhatty(Nils from TFN2015) who climbed Kalhatty in 1 hour 14 mins. I thank the Tour de Niligiris staff for overwhelming helping nature even though we were not part of it. I remembered the quote "I WILL COME AGAIN AND CONQUER YOU BECAUSE AS A MOUNTAIN YOU CAN’T GROW, BUT AS A HUMAN I CAN" pushed cycle through 13 hairpin bends and completed Killer Kalhatty.
Queen's of Mountain Ooty - The change in weather is welcoming change. Our stay was at The Grange Hotel, an awesome place, old English style cottage. I recommend people to stay at this place if you go to Ooty. enjoyed walking in the streets of Ooty which is very familiar to me and my friends were shopping homemade chocolates/Hot chips.
Day Three : Ooty - Masanagudi - Gundlupete
Awesomeness of downhill, Madumalai Hiccups and Classic ending stretch till Gundlupete
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Magnificent valley |
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Another breath taking view |
In Madumallai check post, our journey stopped by forest department, asked us not to cycle in madumallai region, we forced to carry cycle in Jeep till Karnataka border but we got down in Theepakadu and started cycling again crossed border with ease and entered magnificent Karnataka with huge smile and rallied till Bundipura guest house before we took a break. A ride to remember for very long time, as we zoomed till gundlupete. I met very interesting KSRTC conductor(Kumar) gundlupete to mysuru and recollected the memory while discussing with him and got few tips for new trips. Thanks to my friends Anand,Mohan and Karthick for joining me.
WE RIDE
WE STRUGGLE
WE BRAG
Distance : 150 KM
Route : Gundlupete - Bandipur - Madumallai - Masanagudi - Kalhatty - Ooty - (return via same route) Gundlupete
Singing off with loads of love
Mahadev Patel
Facebook: Mahadev Patel