About 6 months ago I met Mr.Navroze Contractor to discuss about the bike trip. Mr.Navroze gave me a copy of Bharat Parikrama DVD. Since then I have been trying to watch that DVD with friends and relatives. But there were always some or the other issues - power cut, lack of time etc.

But three days back I and Silje started with it all over again. The intention was to understand how such a trip could be video documented. Silje would be joining me for as many days as possible on this trip and would be helping me with video documenting the trip and interaction with the community.

After completing the DVD, we thought about how we would feel after finishing the trip - the trip full of surprises, excitement, learning and self discovery.

On 4th of April, I and Silje left for mock ride to Sringeri. The first day we started from Bangalore at around 5:40PM. It took about two hours to reach Kunigal gate. My legs started to pain because I had to balance the weight of the bike, luggage as well as Silje (around 275kgs in all). We took a break in a dhaba and then we started towards CR Patna.

The night ride was tough - as usual - High beams blinding the riders, leading bikes off the road or into a pot hole. We reached CR Patna at around 10:30PM. We stayed with my friend’s uncle.

Next day we visited Sravanabelagola, Halebid and landed in Chickmagalur at around 7:30PM

On 6th we visited Mullayanagiri (the highest peak in Karnataka) and then left for Sringeri.

7th of April was the longest ride of all - 360km approx. We took about 6.5 hrs to cover it. The ride was from Sringeri to Bangalore with stops at Chickmagalur and CR patna.

The GPS tracks of the trip are as below - [Read more →]