It's been more than 15 months since I finished the Bengaluru to Kanyakumari cycling tour in December 2023. This trip was interesting as my brother, Sridhar, joined me on his Ather electric scooter. Since we spent the evenings talking and getting a good dinner, I did not keep notes or record expenses for this trip. So, I will try to tell my story based on what I recall from the saved photographs.
The direct route from Bengaluru to Kanyakumari goes approximately through the middle of the country and is around 670 Km. However, we decided to take the western coastal road and that route to Kanyakumari worked out to around 800 Km.
The Tour in Numbers
- Dates: Fri, 22-Dec-2023 to Sun, 31-Dec-2023
- Riding Days: 8 - Fri, 22-Dec-2023 to Fri, 29-Dec-2023
- Total distance: 800 Km
The Route
- Day 1 - Fri, 22-Dec-2023 - Bengaluru to Mandya (started around noon)
- Day 2 - Sat, 23-Dec-2023 - Mandya to Gonikoppa
- Day 3 - Sun, 24-Dec-2023 - Gonikoppa to Mahé, Puducherry
- Day 4 - Mon, 25-Dec-2023 - Mahé to Tirur, Kerala
- Day 5 - Tue, 26-Dec-2023 - Tirur to Ernakulam
- Day 6 - Wed, 27-Dec-2023 - Ernakulam to Amritapuri
- Day 7 - Thu, 28-Dec-2023 - Amritpuri to Nellimoodu
- Day 8 - Fri, 29-Dec-2023 - Nellimoodu to Kanyakumari
Left from home around noon on 22-Dec and reached Mandya around 7:00 pm. Sridhar left later around 4:00 pm and reached a little later around 7:30 pm. He was able to find a charging spot for his scooter around half kilometer from the hotel.
Left early from Mandya on 23-Dec and took the deviation after Srirangapatna to bypass Mysore. Had lunch around 2:00 pm at Halli Mane where Sridhar could charge his scooter using regular power outlet at the restaurant. I saw 3 to 4 fender-bender accidents involving multiple vehicles with 2 of them happening right next to me. The drivers were not judging that the vehicles in front of them were slowing down due to a speed breaker or a slow moving truck up the hill. Reached Gonikoppa by early evening and had dinner at the hotel itself.
Left Gonikoppa on 24-Dec and enjoyed the ride through coffee farms. Soon, I was descending the hills and a little later entered Kerala. Had breakfast at a new roadside restaurant setup by a retired army person. He complained about not getting reliable staff to work and that seemed to be the recurring theme in Kerala. It was hot and I made frequent stops to rest and have something to drink. Reached Mahé in Puducherry by early evening.
There is a funny thing about Puducherry limits. While most of Puducherry is south of Chennai on the east coast, there is a part of Puducherry on the west coast too. Even on the east coast the land belonging to Puducherry is not contiguous and is broken into several parts. Also, while alcohol is not easily available in Kerala, Puducherry is filled with alcohol outlets.
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| Azheekkal Beach near WavesMahe Home Stay |
Left Mahé on 25-Dec, Christamas day and enjoyed the ride through the Kerala country side - lush vegetation and numerous water bodies. It was nice to watch the Christmas decorations and spirit even in petrol bunks.
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| Lots of sweat |
Left Tirur early in the morning on 26-Dec and rode along beautiful roads right next to the ocean. It was very calming to see morning walkers and tourists enjoying the lovely morning. Had a traditional Kerala breakfast of Idiyappam and vegetable stew. Reached Ernakulam and after checking into the hotel, we went out for a very nice dinner at French Toast Bakery and Kitchen.
Left Ernakulam on 27-Dec and today's route was also right next to the ocean. Saw Shiptard and Chinese fishing nets on the way out of town. Had a wonderful breakfast of Puttu and Egg Curry at a tiny roadside eatery. Saw beautiful temples and beaches all along the way till we reached Amritapuri. We got a room to stay at Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram and in the evening attended a sermon at the Ashram. For some reason neither of us took any pictures at the Ashram.
On 28-Dec, cycled from Amritapuri to Nellimoodu. Saw fishermen picking up fish from their nets early in the morning. Nearing the hotel where we planned to stay that evening came to know that Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor was in town for a speech.
On 29-Dec, cycled from Nellimoodu to Kanyakumari. Early in the morning, Google Maps sent me to a non existent shortcut and had to retrace my path to get back on the proper road. Reached Kanyakumary by 2:00 pm. Took some pictures and then found a place to stay.
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| The non existent short cut |
On 30-Dec morning, we went to see the sunrise next to the ocean and later in the afternoon went to Nagercoil Junction to catch our train back to Bangalore. After a overnight train journey, reached K.R. Puram station in the morning. Picked up our respective bikes and came back home.
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| Sunrise in Kanyakumari (6:45 am) |
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| Some Christmas decorations still on |
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| Nagercoil Junction before loading bike on train |
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| Picked up the bikes at K.R. Puram Station |
