The art of travelling between Bangalore - Mangalore/Udupi

[lohithrao]

Originally Posted by dkamath

Made a trip during the weekend. Wondering where did the roads go, between Hassan and Mangalore? Did they simply roll over to a place far away where no mining truck can drive over them? Fun aside, this stretch is not suggested for hatcbacks/sedans until a miracle happens. One can be lucky enough to avoid a few pot holes/craters, but not all.

As can be seen from prabhusati's snaps, the Shiradi Ghat stretch is less painful to drive when it rains, and there will be dust flying around, when otherwise.

Kamath how did the Safari behave on the painful stretch, am sure it wont have complained

Keeping the raods state i decided to seel my OHC and go for Adventure
guess i made the right choice hehe

[dkamath]

Originally Posted by lohithrao

Kamath how did the Safari behave on the painful stretch, am sure it wont have complained

Hi, it sure was well-behaved on the roads . At places where there was no choice but to dive into the epic-craters, all that could be heard was a mild thud.

Originally Posted by lohithrao

Keeping the roads state i decided to sell my OHC and go for Adventure
guess i made the right choice hehe

A thoughtful decision indeed, if you have frequent travel plans to M'lore (frankly, one of my primary reasons in going for a Safari, the Sumo Victa being the other choice).

[lohithrao]

Originally Posted by dkamath

Hi, it sure was well-behaved on the roads . At places where there was no choice but to dive into the epic-craters, all that could be heard was a mild thud.

Mild thud!??? is it from the suspension or the under body touching the ground?


A thoughtful decision indeed, if you have frequent travel plans to M'lore (frankly, one of my primary reasons in going for a Safari, the Sumo Victa being the other choice).

Yes i do, and i intend to travel long distance...and worrying about the roads while i had the OHC had become common.....

Did go to MLore couple of weeks back and i must say the advy dint complain a bit, only that the caliper bolt had gone missing had to bear with that noise on ruff road....

[hrag]

khan_sultan & I had been to Sakleshpur yesterday. A brief update on the route from Bangalore to Sakleshpur:

Bangalore to Nelamangala - the usual bad road, no great potholes but some enough to unsettle a car whose driver is not watching the road surface.

Nelamangala to Sakleshpur - 4 laning activity is about to start between Nelamangala and Kunigal. The usual sand on one side of the road at some places (at a higher level than the road) and pits on one side at some places.

Hassan bypass is a mess as always. The road improves post Hassan. Overall, except for Hassan bypass, the road is generally good except for the sporadic bad patch. We did spot trucks carrying ore near Sakleshpur but far less than what I expected.

For newbies, be cautious in the daytime and avoid at night.

[lohithrao]

any updates on the condition of Shiradi ghats? am sure it is a off roading track by now

[prabhuav]

For all ye south bangaloreans, do take the nice road all the way to tumkur road, you only have to suffer 10kms to nelamangala on tumkur road

[lohithrao]

Wish the NICe road took us till pumpwell circle

[rajshenoy]

Originally Posted by lohithrao

Wish the NICe road took us till pumpwell circle

Hahaha good one ...How i wish

Anwyay me too planning to go to Udupi coming week

As of now planning to take usual shiradi and then dharmastala-ujire-karkal-udupi to avoid chaotic BC Road-Mangalore-Suratkal traffic

Any idea about Shiradi + Dharmastala route ?

[lohithrao]

Rajesh, if you see the entire strech is in not good stage, Nelmangala to Sakleshpur lots of potholes... Shiradi was bad a month back. Road to Dharmasthala was good, am sure it would be good.

Also Mangalore to Udupi was good, but till Mangalore you will have a bad time...

[hrag]

Originally Posted by lohithrao

Nelmangala to Sakleshpur lots of potholes...

This stretch is actually quite good overall, if you read my earlier post. Except for Hassan bypass, the road is good. There is the occasional bad patch but nothing to worry about. The update needs to be taken in the context of an NH.

Will anyway post an update with details of bad patches, if possible, on Monday.

[lohithrao]

hrag, i have traveled in this route last month, yes compared to the later part this is a good road. but when compared to 6months back the present condition is not very good.

But yes its very manageable only that till Kunigal you can find lots of them, but after Adhichuchungiri it gets better.

[dkamath]

There was an accident near Nelyadi early this morning, though not a serious one. A KSRTC Rajahamsa rammed into a mining truck who had stopped for no apparent reason. The driver of the KSRTC Airavath i was travelling by, was proactive and helped remove the door that had jammed on the legs of the conductor, and passengers who could not step out of the bus. The front row occupants (and the conductor) were hurt. Otherwise, a "Jeeva" ambulance was ready and took the injured to he nearby hospital for first-aid, and then to M'lore. Felt sad watching our driver hack at the cabin door with all effort.
The mining business is a boon to concerned interests, and a curse to the common man. Will it stop at all?

[lohithrao]

I agree kamath, these trucks are a big menace, they are very slow but they make sure they stop where ever they want to......

Originally Posted by dkamath

There was an accident near Nelyadi early this morning, though not a serious one. A KSRTC Rajahamsa rammed into a mining truck who had stopped for no apparent reason. The driver of the KSRTC Airavath i was travelling by, was proactive and helped remove the door that had jammed on the legs of the conductor, and passengers who could not step out of the bus. The front row occupants (and the conductor) were hurt. Otherwise, a "Jeeva" ambulance was ready and took the injured to he nearby hospital for first-aid, and then to M'lore. Felt sad watching our driver hack at the cabin door with all effort.
The mining business is a boon to concerned interests, and a curse to the common man. Will it stop at all?

[hrag]

Nelamangala - Sakleshpur update after the weekend trip:

Some bad patches as you get into and out of Kunigal. Watch out for poorly marked rumbler strips in Kunigal town.
Channarayapatna to Hassan bypass is the best part of this stretch.
Hassan bypass: Be very, very careful on this stretch
Hassan - Alur bypass: Good but watch out after crossing the turn off to Alur, the road alternates between smooth tarmac and nasty potholes / ruts.
Alur bypass - Sakleshpur: Same as above. Be careful on the curves since they are concretized (not sure of the correct term) and can be slippery when wet.

Overall, generally good except for Hassan bypass. When in doubt about a pothole / bad patch, slow down.

[rajshenoy]

I have been on hassan bypass.. really bumpy..tough to go more than 70

About Shiradi, i guess no point in asking about the condition...our beloved have to suffer for god know how long

Atleast i am looking forward to avoid Mangalore so that i can save atleast 1 hour