Quote:
Originally Posted by asdon @Royal_cruiser -any update on Aldur - Belur section? I belive you did a trip last weekend through this route? |
Hey Guys, just back from C'lore after doing a quick trip to Sringeri.
Road conditions:
- Bangalore to Bellur Cross: awesome all the way! Toll has not yet started, but all vehicles have to stop n go as they are now in trial phase. Best stretch IMO, the Kunigal bypass - straight stretch for about 4-5 kms with a clear view. Good to let loose those horses!
- Bellur Cross to C'patna: patched roads with a lot of construction happening on both sides of the road. Some parts of the roads are a bit uneven, but nothing really worrisome - might slow us down a bit.
- Bellur Cross to Hassan: Good single-laned road and good for early 3-digit speeds. Not too much patch work here and is generally a good smooth drive.
- Inside Hassan before hitting the road to Belur: very average and dusty! We could take the ring road and bypass this stretch, but probably not worth it since its a very small stretch.
- Upto Belur: very nice stretch. Just be a bit cautious at 3-4 curves where there is no proper sign of the road being divided.
- Belur to Ckm: patched roads in decent condition. When I went there in Dec, the condition was not so great, but it has been done up now and very much easily driveable.
One point I would like to mention - I was unable to take the Belur-Aldur route, as we got delayed in Sringeri and had to head back to Ckm for an additional overnight halt. But, upon checking with my folks there, was advised not to venture out on that stretch - there are far too many turns with no proper markings and the condition is also not so great. We wont really save much in terms of time and are better off going to Ckm.
- Ckm to Aldur: the first 8-10 kms are good, until the deviation to Aldur. From there the next 6-8 kms are average to bad (potholed and eroded surfaces) in many places. Also,
low GC cars, be wary of getting off the tarmac as you could damage the underbody - the local and govt buses may give a hard time on this one. This point to be noted for almost the entire distance till Balehonnur.
- Aldur to Balehonnur: largely decent roads and encountered only a couple of bad patches. In fact, some of the stretches seemed to have been freshly laid - may be in anticipation of the mega meet
So, overall, I would say we'll have largely good roads all the way - except for those 6-8 kms nearing Aldur.
I did not observe the resort as we were in a hurry to get to Sringeri - but I guess this should give you a fair account of the road condition.
Fuel stops:
Should not be a problem until Hassan. But, there aren't too many from Hassan to Ckm and hardly any after Ckm. So, please plan to have enough fuel till either Hassan (~180 kms) or Ckm (~250 kms) where you should find decent fuel points.
Eat outs:
Hmm, not the best of joints on this highway. Mayura @Bellur Cross should be the most decent of the lot, where we usually always stop for a break and snacks. There is a Kamat near C'patna, but I absolutely hate that place for the quality of food. Else, there is another restaurant in Hassan, but getting parking place for so many cars is a pain. There is also a CCD on the way (I dont recall if it is before Mayura or after).
Weather:
Daytime is warm. I mean really warm! So, its good we'r starting early.
The evenings and early mornings do get chilly - the car's temp reading showed 15 deg in Ckm this morning when we left. Those coming with kids, please get warm clothing, for the others a light sweater should do just fine.
Other noteworthy points:
Cell phone connectivity can be a pain in some places after Ckm. I'll be carrying a BSNL no - so in case you want to reach your folks, you could share that no. Not sure how it is in the resort?
If we'r lucky we should be able to see the coffee blossom in the estates along the way. In case you've not seen this before, it really is a sight to behold with small white flowers dotting small stretches of the estate! Not to mention the fragrance these flowers carry with them - quite refreshing!
Do carry at least a couple of torches, just in case of emergency.
Keep Avomine tablets handy - Ckm onwards we'll have plenty of twisties with ups and downs!
Hmm, have penned in all that I could think of. In case of any questions or clarifications, feel free to check with me. In case my responses on the forum are delayed, then feel free to call/email me
Have to catch up on a couple of days of pile up