My First RIDE: Nandi Hills

Small Intro:

       I am new to the biking, never ride a bike alone for 5 mins and no Driving License. But I am passionate for Tours. To fulfill my dream I need a bike. My friend/colleague PraveenCJ's Enfiled influenced me a lot. I should tell about my body structure, I am 164 cm height and 55 Kg weight. Can I handle 4 times heaver than my weight,  a ~200 Kg TB? So my friends took me for test drive. First time I ride a TB, but not felt so great, because of nervous and I am not perfect at gear switching also. But one thing I observed is, I don't feel like I am driving a 200 Kg TB. I got confidence that I can manage. Without any thoughts I Booked Thunderbird 350 in September 2013.
     
       After around 3 months I joined in Driving school, got an LLR, but they don't train for 2-wheeler. So I should learn on my Brand new RE only. After 5 Months I got a call from RE showroom saying my TB will be ready for deliver in next Month. Finally I got my RE-TB,  WOW its so beautiful than any pretty girl. I can drive slowly but not comfortable at Bangalore traffic signals. Carefully managed for 1 month and learned, now TB is part of me. Its been 50 days I own a TB , but not dared to go for a trip because I don't have a License. Traveled ~2000 KM without license, Lucky no Police stopped me :). I cleared the Driving test and got my License, now it's time for my first trip.

       Planned to go to NANDI HILLS with my brother on SUNDAY. I woke up at 3 AM and got ready, still my brother is on bed. I just went out to check the weather. Oh shit it's raining, I scolded the weather GOD like anything. At 4 AM also still raining but not heavily, but my brother said NO. I scold myself and went to bed again. Again next weekend planned for NANDI HILLS. This time I planned to go with a friend.
   
      GOD is so kind on me this time. Weather is so perfect for a drive, cool breeze is touching the body like feathers. Started at 4 AM from home. Till now I never crossed 80 KM/H, because only 2000 KM traveled so far. Roads are so calm and sleeping, now its time to test the max speed and vibration levels. With my RE thump at 100 KM/H  (of-course compared to bullet its less) I felt so great. As the speedometer crossing 100+ , slowly vibration started. Vibration making my legs numb at 130 KM/H. I guess 130 KM/H is the maximum for TB. tried multiple times, but never crossed 130 KM/H mark. Now my LOVE over my TB gone mad :) . My TB giving 45 KMPL mileage on city traffic, not checked on highway.

NANDI HILLS:

       Finally Today (June 1st 2014) I enjoyed my first ride to Nandi hills. Though it is not a great distance, but its my first ride. A total of 160 KM traveled. The one and only hill station in Bangalore city. 50+ km from Hebbal outer ring road towards Hyderabad highway. Best time to reach is 5:30 AM to see the sunrise. weekends will be heavily crowded.

I reached check-post at 5:30 AM, check-post opened at 5:45 AM. First time I am riding on Hill curves. I felt so great at each curve. Entire Place is filled with fellow RE bike roars, other bikes roar not reaching to ears. There is a great feel at each curve @30 KM/H  than the 130 KM/H Highway cruse.  After around 40 curves reached top of the hill around at 6 AM, felt bad for less no.of curves.

I thought of filling oil before climbing the Hill. There is one petrol bunk but its not opened at that time. Meter showing blinking point means it can go 40+ and reserve oil also there, but i am little worried because of lack of experience on long distances. But I am able to reach top of  hill & returned back to highway without even switching to reserve oil. 

Ticket counter opened at 6 AM, took 10 mins in Que. ticket cost Rs 10/- per person and 2 wheeler parking fee 20/-. Bike parking arrangement is good compared to CAR parking. But CAR parking is at top of the hill, which is 15 mins trek/walk from ticket counter. People say sunrise is so good and lot of mist/clouds. But I don't see any, maybe because of hot summer time. even the SUN also complete bright by the time we reached top. If they open ticket counter at 6 AM, I am not sure how come others able to see RED SUNRISE, may be while climbing the hill itself we have to find a good spot. Clicked few pics of Hill views and good scenes. Breakfast is good but prices are high for the given quantity. In 3 Hrs, finished site seeing, photo session and covered mostly all hidden corners on the hill. thought of leaving now. But I don't find a NANDI statue on the hills. With a little disappointing returned back, but thought of visiting one more time. Later came to know that NANDI statue is 15 km away from the Hill. Around 10:30 AM started return journey and reached Home @12 PM. While descending the Hill, switched off the engine except one place. Later friends suggested me to drive on low gears, otherwise breaks will be wear out because of continuous breaking causes more heat. 

Explore on Hill:  (Just to walk around all these places takes around 1 Hr.)
                          Sunrise, sunset & clouds at early morning
                          Tippu's summer palace & Amrutha sarovara
                          Tree houses
                          Temples (100 year old temple of Ugra Narasimha and Yoga Narasimha)
                          Tippu Drop
                          Source of river Arkavathy ( I missed it )

Near by Explore:
                         Nandi statue (Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple).  (15 km distance to Nandi Hill)



Here are the Pics:


Route map:

Eagle view of Nandi hills:

One of the view from Hill:

I know It's not so great, but what I saw is this bright SUN at morning ~7 AM:

Not many Birds over the Hill, but got one of them.

I guess, servant checking for bugs :)

Ohhhh... RISE of APE.    Is he angry for taking pic without his permission ?

WoW... How Adorable is this family!!   ...........wait, that's not 3, I see 4 tails

That's a great view:

Hotel Mayura menu :

Tippu's drop view:

Nandi hill's Neighbor:

That's me at tree huts:

Amrutha sarovara:

Bike Parking:

That's Me with My BIRD.