[TheTeacher]

Originally Posted by fast_elegance

I am travelling to M'lore as well. I will be starting from Kalena Agrahara at about 4 AM.

Fast, how strange - I'm starting off from Kalena Agrahara as well! Except I leave at 5:30 am. We should meet up some time.

[fast_elegance]

Originally Posted by guyfrmblr

I recommend taking Somawarapete route from Arakalagud. Heard from a relative that the entire stretch inside Konanur is dug up for road repairs.

Thanks for this info. I will stick to the Somawarapete route.

Originally Posted by TheTeacher

Fast, how strange - I'm starting off from Kalena Agrahara as well! Except I leave at 5:30 am. We should meet up some time.

Wow. We will definitely meet up sometime. I drive a white Ritz with got bhp? decal on the rear bumper in case you spot.

[DragonHawk]

Originally Posted by TheTeacher

Leaving for Mangalore at 5:30 am from South Bangalore tomorrow (6th) via Channarayapatna, Holenarsipur, Ramnathpura, Kushalnagar, Madikeri.

Originally Posted by fast_elegance

I am travelling to M'lore as well. I will be starting from Kalena Agrahara at about 4 AM. Trying to decide between
1. CR Patna - HNpura - Arkalgudu - Shanivarasanthe - Somawarapete - Madikeri

Plus one to it.

Seems like many bhpians are heading out to Mangalore and we can plan for a short pit stop. However I am still undecided about the route, since I am starting at 4 from BG Road, I might take Mysore stretch as I feel by the time early birds heading to Coorg start I might have crossed Mysore.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by DragonHawk

However I am still undecided about the route, since I am starting at 4 from BG Road, I might take Mysore stretch as I feel by the time early birds heading to Coorg start I might have crossed Mysore.

Yes Mysore road does make sense for you especially when you start at 4. Just keep the humps in mind. If you are crossing Mysore a 7, look for Hotel Kalyani on the ORR. Its a perfect place for a breakfast. Opens at 7 AM. (Location)

[MorePower]

Originally Posted by TheTeacher

Plan to have breakfast at Channarayapatna and lunch at Madikeri. Would appreciate recommendations for decent vegetarian restaurants at these places.

Also need to refuel (petrol) up and down at Madikeri. Any suggestions for bunks with clean fuel?

Thanks a bunch!

You can try RainTree at Madikeri for lunch. It is behind the townhall. Quaint little house converted into a restaurant. Try their Bella coffee too. Its awesome!

[DragonHawk]

Originally Posted by ampere

Yes Mysore road does make sense for you especially when you start at 4. Just keep the humps in mind

Today did my weekend trip to Puttur, as planned I took Mysore-Madikeri route and it turned out to be a quick trip. No traffic whatsoever till Hunsur. I left my Bilekahalli home at 4.15 crossed ilavala at 6.45 and reached Puttur at 10.30 including a 30 mins breakfast break in Hotel Athiti Kushalnagar.
From what I observed humps in Mysore-Bangalore stretch especially after channapatna are replaced with collapsible barricades and I can't understand the logic behind this as during peak hours this will definitely create lot of jams. Anyways I would recommend this route only if one is planning to leave Bangalore early in the morning and any other time strict no!.

[Samurai]

I traveled the other direction today, Manipal to Bangalore via ampere route. This route is so uneventful, I have really nothing say.

Yesterday my cousin took the same route after I briefed him. He was quite thrilled at the ease and quality of the route.

BTW, it is already June. When is Shiradi opening?

[lyneld]

I'm leaving Mangalore tomorrow morning, however, I don't see anyone recommend the Charmadi route (Belthangady - Mudigere - Belur - Hassan - Channarayapattna - Bangalore). I took this route coming in and thought the road was fine. Is the Madikeri route a lot better? What do you folks suggest?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by lyneld

however, I don't see anyone recommend the Charmadi route (Belthangady - Mudigere - Belur - Hassan - Channarayapattna - Bangalore). I took this route coming in and thought the road was fine. Is the Madikeri route a lot better? What do you folks suggest?

The route may be good, but its the traffic which kills you. Hence the route preferences have changed to Madikeri/Puttur. Charamadi ghat road is narrow and thanks to traffic you can get stuck for quite some time.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by lyneld

I'm leaving Mangalore tomorrow morning, however, I don't see anyone recommend the Charmadi route (Belthangady - Mudigere - Belur - Hassan - Channarayapattna - Bangalore). I took this route coming in and thought the road was fine. Is the Madikeri route a lot better? What do you folks suggest?

We will recommend once Shiradi opens up after repairs. For now, this route witnesses traffic where more than 90% of them are not accustomed to ghat driving and expect roads to be wide and straight.

Else Charmadi has been a classic route without a crib anyway.

[lyneld]

That makes sense, thanks! I travelled Friday morning (left Bangalore around 5am), which is why traffic was considerably bearable - and almost non-existant in some stretches.

I reckon Monday morning is going to be rough, so the alternate route sounds like the way to go! Thanks for the heads up

[speedsatya]

Originally Posted by lyneld

I'm leaving Mangalore tomorrow morning, however, I don't see anyone recommend the Charmadi route (Belthangady - Mudigere - Belur - Hassan - Channarayapattna - Bangalore). I took this route coming in and thought the road was fine. Is the Madikeri route a lot better? What do you folks suggest?

Depends on what time / day you driving. I drive almost every weekend to mangalore and Charmadi is my preferred route. Our starts are early mornings from either side. It's only if we start during the daytime that we take the longer Madikeri route. Otherwise , it's Charmadi that I would recommend anytime.

[DragonHawk]

Originally Posted by Samurai

BTW, it is already June. When is Shiradi opening?

Finally someone heard you. State PWD minister informed that "concreting work might be over in 10 days".
I just hope with some more days of buffer, Shiradi ghat should be cleared for traffic latest by July, of course keeping my fingers crossed
More info here Hindu Link.

[NPV]

Saw this report today in the Indian Express Bangalore edition - epaper Link
It says part of the Shiradi ghat road, a 11Km stretch will be open from tomorrow for traffic in one direction with the right 'track' usable - does this mean just one lane ?

As per the information received from the National Highways Division of PWD on the first stretch, only the right side track would be opened to traffic from Gundya up to a distance of 11Km tentatively from Wednesday.

[Samurai]

Open up to 11kms only, what happens after that, vehicles have to fly?

Why can't they do it properly, in one go?