Last year did the trip on my Bullet and this year had my spanking new KTM Adv S.
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Sometimes you feel like leaving everything and running off into the sunset. So that was me on May 10th, and sunset meant goa !!
I made reservations in Goa and KSTDC Badami. I am a fan of the Indian state tourism department hotels as one gets ample parking, and comparably bigger rooms in them, even though may not be totally spic and span in most cases.
May 9th was my last working day in my office and what a banging way to start the sabbatical with a ride the very next day. Last year did the trip on my Bullet and this year had my spanking new KTM Adv S, at 998 Kms on the odometer I started my trip early morning to Goa. It was amazing how comfortable the bike was and how it quickly covers distance in no time. This is a far superior highway mile muncher than the Bullet.
My first break was at Gurjent Punjabi Dhaba with aloo paratha and wonderful tea. While at the stop I stretched and did a few pushups to get my back straight and observed that my new Axor Kaza Boots has broken 2 buckles!! This was a pathetic piece for 10.7 K cost !! Its not a cheap boot at this price to have a flimsy buckle which breaks off in it’s first proper ride (However Axor did replace these without a fuss, but I am not too sure that the replacement one will hold any better!!)
With the Indo-Pak aerial war going on, I didn’t quite enjoy the stop in peace but was browsing the whole time to check up on the developments. Next stop was a CCD near Haveri for a short break. I decided to take the Mundgod-Yellapur-Karwar-Goa route. This is a scenic road through villages and highways so enjoyed the ride here after the drab highway riding.
Reached my hotel by 6 pm, since it was a beach side resort tried to venture to the sea, but after the long day and the hot and humid weather headed to the room and called it a day. After reaching home found out that the ceasefire was declared between India and Pakistan, upon Pakistan DGMO request.
Next day had breakfast and I wanted to taste the goan fish thali and feni. Asked the waiter if I will still be able to ride for what I had planned, he assured that I will be. I never do this but that day since it was just 1 km and I decided that if I feel funny I will order some more food and wait it out there. After a satisfactory lunch did a bit of random riding on the goan streets and as all goans do, headed for a siesta. In the evening went for a stroll on the beach, captured a few peaceful moments I always get at the sea side, interrupted by the life-guard whistles for people venturing too far inside.
At night met a friend, did some riding near the marina, but at every pause I was sweating a lot due to the humidity. Came back home and crashed out for the night.
Next day cleaned up and lubed the chain and found that the mileage was > 27. For a machine that is as peppy and powerful as, this 390 engine a mileage above 27 is more than one can expect. Sometimes it was even around 30 kmpl. Total trip came out to be 29 kmpl, for the 1500 km round trip.
From Goa next plan was to reach Badami KSTDC and relax for the day. On the way I took rest for sometime in a jungle and when I was relaxing my neck by removing the helmet, forgot to wear my glasses and rode off, after a few 100 meters realized my mistake and rode back to the stoppage point and luckily found my glasses on the sand.
Reached Badami in the afternoon and the day was spent relaxing and raising complaint for the Axor broken buckles. Headed to sleep for early morning cave temple visit. Morning was comfortable but as soon as the sun rays hit, it was hot and I was sweating, figured out all the vantage positions where you can get some wind flowing and would pause there for some relief!!!
The Badami cave complex and the fort area is separated by a slum in between. Thought I would circumnavigate the slum by walking around the lake, but the step design was such that it was too much hassle to avoid the slum, so went in had a glimpse of the life of the people there, romeos trying to impress some lass by riding to and fro in triples – I wonder why not try to impress solo, what is the deal with trying to impress in triples !! Smiling with my own thoughts proceeded finally to the fort and museum complex and I was in for some cardio!!
Visited the cannon buttresses, granary stores, the temples and the grand canyon type geologic features and had a wonderful and peaceful time there. Saddening to see that people had littered just near the dustbins, which tells more about our own social responsibilities.
Again found out a pleasant windy area near the upper temple and then it was time to visit the museum and leave for the resort. Was reminded to not take pictures so I don’t have anything for the museum. Explored the other side of the museum and felt like it has been sealed off due to some unknown reason.
To reach this spot I had to clamber and squeeze through a very narrow passage doing gymnastics, a reminder to other “healthy” individuals, eat less before stepping in here, had I had some heavy breakfast, I would have definitely would have to hold my breath to squeeze in through this narrow passage:
At night I devoured local cuisine consisting of crispy jowar roties (jolada rotis) with baigan (eggplant) masala. Also had some chicken curry with rice. Realized that it was raining heavily outside. Morning woke up and fixed up the Rynox Navigator. This bag is really good and with the quick strapping system takes max 3-4 minutes to get all set up. Also doesnt shake around while riding. But have to keep a few bungee cords in case the fastening straps fall off.
After an uneventful ride reached home.
- Total Kms on Odo: 2500 km
- Trip Kms: 1500 km
- Trip Avg: 28.8 kmpl
- Max trip avg Badami – BLR: 29.8 kmpl ~ 500 km
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