The Ride That Rolled into Memories: Friendship, Forests & Grandma’s Feast
Friend 2: "Nothing planned."
Friend 1: "Hmm… Let’s ride. I’m heading to my grandmother’s place."
Friend 2: "Ok macha! Let’s ride!"
And just like that, an ordinary weekend in 2007 turned into a tale of friendship, adventure, and nature’s embrace.
A Bike, A Dream, and the Open Road
Fresh out of college, with my first year’s earnings, I bought something that symbolized freedom—my first bike. The choice? The sleek, newly launched Bajaj XCD 125 DTSi—a beauty I couldn’t resist despite my father’s cautious advice to "wait for reviews."
Bajaj XCD 125
The Journey Begins: Hassan to Kukke-Subramanya
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| AI-generated illustration |
Sakaleshpur: Where the Hills Serve Breakfast
By 7 AM, we reached my friend’s relative’s house in Sakaleshpur—famously called the “Poor Man’s Ooty”. The weather greeted us with its cool charm, but what truly stole the show was the breakfast.
Akki Roti, Kayi Chutney, and Filter Coffee with Jaggery—a simple meal that danced on our taste buds and fueled us for what lay ahead.
Bisle Ghat: The Silent Symphony of Nature
Crossing the forest gate felt like entering a different world—dense forests, winding roads, and not a soul in sight except for the occasional tourist jeep.
Bisle View Point: Where Clouds Touch Your Soul
As my friend and I rode deeper into Bisle Ghat, the dense green walls parted to reveal a sight that no camera could truly capture — the legendary Bisle View Point.
No tourist rush, no noise — just the two of us, standing before an endless canvas of misty valleys and towering peaks. The silhouettes of Kumara Parvatha, Pushpagiri, and Dodda Betta emerged like ancient guardians watching over the Western Ghats.
We didn’t speak much — not because we didn’t have words, but because nature had rendered them useless.
It was one of those moments where you don’t just see the view — you feel it.
Ridge Point: Where Every Raindrop Chooses Its Path
A few winding turns later, near a quiet hamlet called Mankanahalli, we stumbled upon something that looked deceptively simple — a stone slab with faded inscriptions:
"ARABIAN SEA ← RIDGE → BAY OF BENGAL"
Here, at Ridge Point, nature silently decides the destiny of rain. To the west, they race to the Arabian Sea; to the east, they journey towards the Bay of Bengal.
I remember telling my friend, "Macha, even raindrops here have bigger decisions than us!"
We laughed, took a photo, and rode ahead — unaware that our own little decision was about to spark an unexpected adventure.
The Neutral Ride & The Bike Trouble
Then came the bright idea—
“Macha, let’s switch off the engine and roll downhill in neutral!”
For 15 KM, we laughed, enjoyed the breeze, and felt like the smartest travelers—until karma caught up. Near Sri Gadi Chamundeshwari Temple, our loyal XCD refused to start. Thankfully, locals helped us revive it!
Grandma’s Hilltop Haven
By 1:30 PM, we reached my grandmother’s home—a cozy farmhouse atop a rugged hill, accessible only via a 2 KM off-road stretch. Lunch was a feast—spicy bird-eye chili buttermilk, traditional South Indian dishes, and the warmth only a grandmother can serve.
The afternoon was spent exploring the farm—learning how rubber milk is tapped, walking amidst arecanut, coffee, pepper, and cardamom plants.
The Return: Chasing Sunsets & Smiles
At 4:30 PM, we began our return, this time via Gundya and the famous Shiradi Ghat. As the sun began to set, we paused at a viewpoint—silent, soaking in the beauty of a day well spent.
By 8 PM, we were back in Hassan—tired but with hearts full of memories.
