[prabhusati]

Return trip to Bangalore from Mangalore on 26th Aug 09 (continued)







As we reached the top of the ghats, there was heavy fog. Visibility was not at its best.











One surprising thing was did not see a single mining truck during our return journey. Could not understand where have they gone? Reached Kamat Upachar at 12.45pm. Had lunch and continued our journey. I have already described the road condition between Hassan and Bangalore in the previous posts. Again took the diversion after Kunigal to Magadi. This road is a good option to avoid the Nelamangala Bangalore strech of NH4 which is being widened. Traffic density increased as we passed Magadi town and reach Sunkadakatte at around 4.30pm. Since peak hour traffic was yet to begin driving on Magadi road and the ring road was ok. Went straight to the HP petrol bunk in HBR Layout and asked him to top up. It took in 25.88 litres. The total distance travelled on the trip meter (door to door) was 376 kms. Another 13 kms running happened in Mangalore city. During the return trip, my Innova gave a FE of 15.03kmpl.

Overall, Shiradi is driveable, but consumes time.

One more option a friend suggested in Mangalore is

Mangalore - Moodabidre - Guruvayanakere - Ujire - Charmadi - Belur - Bangalore.

He mentioned that he travelled on 29th July 09 and the total distance is around 400 kms. We had to choose between Shiradi and this route; and decided to try the Shiradi as the distance was less and had to reach before evening.

[bullinb]

Originally Posted by lohithrao

Seems like all routes are messed up Prabhu/bull which route you guys prefer?

Depends on when will you be dirving. If at night, avoid Shiradi. You are almost certain to get stuck in traffic. Moreover, the oncoming bus traffic will get on your nurves; man I hate those private Volvo buses.

There's no contension if you are heading to Udupi/Kundapur, CM - Aldur - Sringeri route is by far the best.

[prabhusati]

Originally Posted by lohithrao

Seems like all routes are messed up Prabhu/bull which route you guys prefer?

Lohit,
If driving during day time, Shiradi would be the choice.

On the Madikeri route, Kushalnagar to Sampaje is supposed to be bad. Not sure of the distance though. This route also can be tried either onward or on the return journey.

[lohithrao]

Thanks for the info guys...

Shirdai looks decent enough, i think taking University road would save me from the BC road horror... after uppinagadi i think we need to connecting route?

Charmadi is also a option but with all the round abouts and am sure it has its fair share of bad roads. guess it will work out the same?

Btw i will be driving during the day.

[prabhusati]

Originally Posted by lohithrao

Shirdai looks decent enough, i think taking University road would save me from the BC road horror... after uppinagadi i think we need to connecting route?

Lohit,
Melkar is quite close to the new bridge over Nethravathi (near BC Road). You cannot miss this juntion.

[zteg]

Is melkar after the bridge or before it?

[prabhusati]

Originally Posted by zteg

Is melkar after the bridge or before it?

When you are travelling from Bangalore to Mangalore, Melkar is before the bridge.

[zteg]

Originally Posted by prabhusati

When you are travelling from Bangalore to Mangalore, Melkar is before the bridge.

Thanks prabhu, will try that route this time. Will post the pics of the road once i am back

[lohithrao]

Originally Posted by prabhusati

When you are travelling from Bangalore to Mangalore, Melkar is before the bridge.

Prabhu any idea on the distance from here to Mangalore?

[prabhusati]

Hi Lohit,

Melkar to Mangalore - approx 38 kms

[kannan666]

One of my friends just came in to Bangalore yesterday from Mangalore. He came down with his family in his Estilo and he came by the Charmadi route. Says he took around 8 1/2 hours including stops and that there were only really two bad stretches, one near Belthangadi and another near Mudigere.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by bullinb

No way. I drove on both the stretches last weekend. CM to Mudigere is MUCH better than Belur - Mudigere. Wider road and almost no potholes.

Same here, I also drove on both roads 2 weeks before.

In fact, I also drove Belur - Gendehalli - Mudigere as well.

Agreed that the CKM-Mudigere stretch is wider as compared to Belur-Mudigere but the state of the roads are same and there is no MUCH difference but again, there is very little traffic on Belur-Mudigere road as compared.

Also, for the time you spend entering Ckm, before Hiremagalur with that diversion for ROB and the time you again spend traversing out of Ckm on KM road all the way till Rampura Handpost and finally you will have to venture throughout Mudigere town to reach the Handpost again which is approached without venturing into Mudigere if Belur-Mudigere is taken.

Eventually, it is gambling on road quaility, time and a few extra gear changes and additionally an extra 25 kms!

Individual opinions may vary.

[mohan41]

I have a query on the Belur-Aldur route (to avoid going through Chikmagalore). How to proceed after Belur and any idea of the recent conditions of that route?

[lohithrao]

Thanks Kannan..

I guess taking Charmadi and connect NH8 via Ujre-Dharmasthala and then take the Melkar route should be good or head towards BC road from Ujre only that i have to go through BC road horror not sure how bad it is though...

[zteg]

Hey lohith, whichever route we take, we will have some serious offroading to do. Just pray that our car doesnt give any troubles