Place: Kabbaladurga trek
Distance: 100kms x 2 = 200kms
Directions: Bangalore > Bidadi > Channpatna > Kabbaladurga > Kanakpura > Bangalore
Krew: Karthik (Sp)
Bikes: Pulsar
Previous Visit: Huliyurdurga trek.
Budget: Rs 400.
IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:
Okay, so birthday’s I have this funny ritual of traveling solo to one of the tough climbs – Kabbaladurga and a place which I revere a lot. It feels like hitting a re-boot / re-set button of your life. Helps you get centred. So, this visit was no different.
INTRO & PLAN:
Previous evening I went out and had some chats at Shivas (Hanumanthnagar) and then fueled up my bike and rested well at night. The day before a solo travel always is slightly jittery, but hey overcoming that jitters is the whole point.
TIME: 22:00 (10/6/2024)
ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:
Yeah, was up by 4am, stretched out. Was ready for the trip. Had breakfast at home itseld, 3 nice dose and was ready head out. The skies looked gloomy, well good sign to ride, but not a great sign when you want to climb a rocky hillock.
TIME: 05:30
RIDE 1: (Bangalore– Ramngara – Channpatna - Kabbaldurga)
As I headed out, it was a weekday, but the traffic on mysore road never ends. I was little shaky in the beginning and though it was not even 6am, the skies were bright. Listening to some Chinese songs I zoomed ahead full steam. After a while, I could see the sun rise on my rear-view mirrors and that felt great. On to the left a train zoomed by, smiling at all the passengers, flipping off a few I made it to Ramnagara. Here I had lost my way last time, so cautiously took the old Mysore Road and reached Channapatna.
After Channapatna, the country roads welcomed me with two broad arms, and I just left the bike dictate the terms of the ride. After all the rains, the surrounding had turned green and it was so calming on the mind. Once I had a chance to spot Kabblu, the top was shrouded in clouds it was such a beautiful sight to behold. Shouting aloud that 1hr I will be there, zoomed into the town, parking my bike and with a mountain goat’s spirit wide awake, I was read for the trek.
TIME: 07:15
KABBALDURGA TREK:
Okay, this trek was slightly different. Past one week I had taken a rest week from workout. Hence I knew this trek would be okay but slightly harder than usual. It took me 40 minutes to reach the top. But if you are trying for the first time 90-120minutes should be considered.Okay here we go with four stretches again:
i) Initial stretch
ii) 3 point stretch ?? – wait what!
iii) Viper stretch
iv) Final Stretch
So ready? Here goes nothing!
i) Initial stretch:
Usually this stretch is so chaotic that I never take the right route, but somehow get passed this. But this time, it was different. From the get-go all things fell in place and I took the actual route from the first step until I reached the favorite spot.
ii) 3 point stretch:
The 3-point stretch which was my favourite, steps had been carved out. I mean yes, it helps but shit, feels bad. “Helping boys become men” – KA tourism dept. I got off the steps and was climbing up the mountain like a lizard, when I could feel someone watching me and slowly catching up. When I turned back it was dog wagging its tail wondering why I was struggling so much with the climb.
iii) Viper stretch:
At the viper, the dog found its own puddle and quenched its thirst. I did not stop, but on the go I had a sip of water and relaxed a bit. The dog and me had a conversation going. I mean the effortless climbing of a dog is just a bliss to watch.
iv) Final stretch:
During the final stretch, the legs were showing signs of fatigue. But I kept pushing it.And at the final moment, the dog wanted me to reach the top first and I want it to go ahead and lead the way. I sat down and so did it next to me. Finally I started running up and then it overtook me reaching the top first.
TIME: 08:00
TOP:
At the top, we visited the main temple first and paid our respects. Then with the dog wondering why I was removing my shoes and putting it back on. Then, I started making way to the shiva temple and my sleep spot. Once the shoes off I entered the temple and crashed on the floor. The dog was confused whether to enter or not, I sat near the door and try convincing it to enter. But it was outside. Once I started dozing off, I could hear light footsteps enter the temple in a confused manner hehe. Finally, the dog had also found its own sweet spot temple and was resting peacefully.
I was explaining how the past year had been the ups and downs of the year. Few of stories it genuinely listened with interest, rest of the times it just dozed off. After about 30mins or so, we decided to head back.
TIME: 08:30
TREK DOWN:
The trek down was an easy peasy one. It took me 20-30 mins of non-stop trek. The final and viper stretch was finished off in a matter of minutes. Then during the three point stretch, met a few people making it up, offered them water and then looking at the stairs I felt sad. Then decided to jump of the rails and go wild and climb down like a lizard I always am. Then the final stretch I just ran to the bike. Then met a person and started conversing with him for 20-30 minutes.
TIME: 09:15
RIDE 2: (Kabbaldurga – Channpatna – Bidadi-Bangalore)
This was 100kms ride back, decided to take back the Mysore road. As I left Kabblu, with still sweat dripping down my forehead like a small stream I washed my face in the town. Then as I started riding my bike, started cooling down. Whew! As I rode on about 3-4km, I turned back, promising her a return I zoomed into the town of Channapatna. Upon reaching the old Mysore Road, I felt home. There is something so different about the mysore road, it is simply more enjoyable to ride on. It was a straightforward ride to home.
TIME: 11:00
CONCLUSION:
Upon reaching home, had some 3 dose slept for a while, then got up and then had proper pappu rice and all and dosed off again. Then Koof called me and said to meet at Blue Wings. So went to BW and crashed there for about an hour so, then after coming back did 50pullups, 100pushups and 100squats in total of 15minutes. Happy birthday to me, FTW!
Cheers all \m/