[manjubp]

Last 2 months I had two round trips to shimoga.

First trip it was . BLR - Channarayapatna - Arsikere - Shivamogga (7 weeks back)
Second trip was . BLR - Chitradurga - Channagiri - Shivamogga-Sagara (4 weeks back)

First route after Arsikere it is too much of traffic, below average road surface and lot of close calls.

Second route via Chitradurga - Channagiri is fantastic, except last 15 KMs, which is just above average. Any day I would recommend via Chitradurga - Channagiri.

[ampere]

So looks like slowly and steadily the Chitradurga-Channagiri-Shimoga is improving. And once it comes full on, it eventually would become the main road line to Shimoga. But I still miss the food joints on Hassan road !

[fusionbang]

So is the Chitradurga-Channagiri-Shimoga a best bet for 5pm start from Bangalore? I will have family with me and travelling on this Friday evening.

I know there is no food joints, which I am ok with as I am planning to reach for dinner.

My usual route is Channaraypatna-Arasikere-Shimoga, and based on previous post was considering doing the Chitradurga route.

[Fauji]

Originally Posted by fusionbang

So is the Chitradurga-Channagiri-Shimoga a best bet for 5pm start from Bangalore? I will have family with me and travelling on this Friday evening.

I know there is no food joints, which I am ok with as I am planning to reach for dinner.

My usual route is Channaraypatna-Arasikere-Shimoga, and based on previous post was considering doing the Chitradurga route.

I understand that there is road widening happening between Chitradurga and Shimoga via Channagiri. Stick to time tested route via CR Patna - Arsikere - Shimoga.

[fusionbang]

Originally Posted by Fauji

I understand that there is road widening happening between Chitradurga and Shimoga via Channagiri. Stick to time tested route via CR Patna - Arsikere - Shimoga.

Thank you Poorna sir, will stick to the known route than trying out a unknown road with family. Will take the Chitradurga road while returning in day time.

[rbp]

Originally Posted by fusionbang

Thank you Poorna sir, will stick to the known route than trying out a unknown road with family. Will take the Chitradurga road while returning in day time.

Since you are travelling on Friday and late evening, I suggest you take the chitradurga route. Arsikere to Shimoga at night is a nightmare, between Tarikere and Bhadravati, some roads are very narrow and people drive with high beams on.

[ampere]

Check with @Condor who travelled during night (I think). Channagiri-Shimoga may throw up surprises on the road. Even though Arsikere-Shimoga is crowded, it a known devil. Do check that aspect.

During day time, it does not matter. Also one falls short of hotels on the Chitradurga route.

[aithalsandy]

I would avoid Chitradurga-Shimoga section during night, till it is fully done. If you don't know the road well, this section can throw surprises.

Yes, via arsikere is a known devil

[Teesh@BHP]

Originally Posted by Fauji

I understand that there is road widening happening between Chitradurga and Shimoga via Channagiri. Stick to time tested route via CR Patna - Arsikere - Shimoga.

Originally Posted by ampere

During day time, it does not matter. Also one falls short of hotels on the Chitradurga route.

Is there any update on the road condition/completion between Chitradurga and Shimoga?

I am to ride tomorrow morning to Karwar. Thought this time I will take the Shimoga- Sagar- Honnavar route. Would it be a problem to ride through the 'road widening' section?

Inputs will be helpful.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Teesh@BHP

I am to ride tomorrow morning to Karwar. Thought this time I will take the Shimoga- Sagar- Honnavar route. Would it be a problem to ride through the 'road widening' section?

I think during day time you should be good. I was saying not to be tried at night, because one wont be able to spot the sudden changes of road conditions if any.

[Fauji]

Originally Posted by Teesh@BHP

Is there any update on the road condition/completion between Chitradurga and Shimoga?

I am to ride tomorrow morning to Karwar. Thought this time I will take the Shimoga- Sagar- Honnavar route. Would it be a problem to ride through the 'road widening' section?

Inputs will be helpful.

Teesh,

I would recombined regular route via Channarayapatna - Arsikere - Tarikere - Shimoga - Sagara - Honnavar - Karwar if you want to go via Shimoga. If you start at dusk, it will be a pleasant drive throughout as the busy stretch is only between Birur and Shimoga. Enjoy your drive.

Not sure if this is your first drive on this route. If yes, do stop at the view point after Jog falls to see this lovely sight of Sharavathy valley. You will see a small structure on the road side from where you can see this.

[pradeepmr]

Drove from Shimoga to Bangalore via channagiri, chitraduraga. Road work is almost complete except 2-3 small patches. It was pleasure to drive during daylight.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by pradeepmr

Drove from Shimoga to Bangalore via channagiri, chitraduraga. Road work is almost complete except 2-3 small patches. It was pleasure to drive during daylight.

So looks like this highway is going real good. And very soon this should be the default crowd-sourced route to Shimoga. I just hope more hotels show-up on NH4 past Tumkur. Its a bad scene on that front.

[aithalsandy]

@ampere,

On of my friends recommended​ VRL canteen after Tumkur. This seems to have good parking, claims to be 24/7. I will update when I visit. However, this canteen is closer to Tumkur, which still doesn't solve our concern of options around Chitradurga.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by aithalsandy

@ampere,

On of my friends recommended​ VRL canteen after Tumkur. This seems to have good parking, claims to be 24/7. I will update when I visit. However, this canteen is closer to Tumkur, which still doesn't solve our concern of options around Chitradurga.

Yes I have heard of this place. But I would still say we need more and as you mentioned near Chitradurga. A location just before Chitradurga is just ideal. All the Hampi crowd and of course the mainline 4-lane crowd will lap it up.