Before writing my short travelogue, would like to thank,
1. Team-BHP: Yes, this is the place where I learn't a lot related to Cars and Driving Tips/Techniques. In Particular in driving safe. After I put those Team BHP stickers have always been driving carefully :-)
2. Google Maps: The maps and navigation (of course without voice guidance) from Google were very accurate and once I set the start and end point, just had to follow the track suggested. These maps have very minute details and almost every road. You would know every curve ahead of the road and every detail along, be it a bridge over a river or a forest area. If google provides voice guidance along with these maps it would be surely a big hit. There are minor mistakes, for example, instead of suggesting a bypass road, google may suggest you enter the city and join back the highway, but these are minor compared to the benefits it offer.
Now, like the rule in "Transporter" movie series, I had my own rules for highway drive. To name a few,
1. Max Speed Limit of 120 KMPH irrespective of how good the roads are. Often speeds are in the range of 80 - 100 KMPH.
2. Never overtake from left (exception being on 4 Lanes where slow moving trucks occupy the right most lane).
3. Never overtake at turns, even if no vehicle is coming in the opposite direction.
4. Slowdown when entering and exiting villages.
5. Drive with Low beam and use High beam only when absolutely necessary.
6. Never race with other cars, vehicles on highways. Don't feel shame when being overtaken.
There were many like these and most of these are learn't from our beloved Team BHP
Day-1:
Woke up leisurely at 7 AM, got ready, tanked up my Indica. Started off from Hi-Tech city at exact 10 AM after a heavy break fast. Was on NH7 towards Kurnool by 10-30 AM after an excellent drive on ORR.
NH-7 was wonderful to drive on and I kept a steady 100 KMPH.
Some Pics of NH-7 and my Indi:
Between Hyderabad and Kurnool there were a total of 3 toll gates. Paid a total of 134/- (40 + 39 + 55).
By 1-15 PM, entered Kurnool City. To move on to NH18, take left from NH-7 where you see Kurnool 0 KM's ( Avoid the flyover after this). NH18 passes through the city and Google Maps accurately helped in passing through the city without any issues. Never had to roll down my windows for asking directions.
Around 5 KM's after Kurnool, there was a diversion ( approx 0.5 KM) which is full of stones, had to navigate carefully. Michelin XM1 did a wonderful job here :-). Soon after was cruising on NH-18 at constant 80 KMPH. There was a beautiful ghat ( which is quite small) with greenery everywhere. The road tarmac seems to be newly laid and it was great taking the curves. Could not stop for pics as was driving alone.
Reached Nandyal ( 75 KM's from Kurnool) at 3-30 PM, didn't felt hungry and continued my drive towards Kadapa. The road after Nandyal was a typical Indian 2 Lane road with occasional potholes. But I could easily maintain speeds of 60 - 80KM/H.
Pictures of NH-18 en route to Kadapa:
Reached Kadapa bypass by 5-30 PM ( 130 KM's from Nandyal) and found a big display board with directions towards Renigunta through Kadapa bypass. Since I traveled once on APTDC Volvo, could easily recollect the place and drove directly into APTDC hotel which is right beside the Kadapa bypass circle ( It is towards Kadapa City).
Ordered Some fried rice and snacks. Called up wifey, informed her that I was around 150 KM's from Srikalahasti. Wifey was surprised hearing that I started at 10 AM but was almost there by evening :-). They are yet to board the train ( at 8-30 PM) in Warangal. Assured her that will be driving safe and by 6-30 PM started towards Renigunta through Kadapa Bypass.
( Google suggested to enter Kadapa town and then join back the state highway)
Pics near APTDC hotel:
Last pic of the day:
Soon it got dark and found the trunk traffic to be heavier on this route. Kadapa to Renigunta is around 140 KM's and this is some State Highway ( could not recollect the number). This road is much wider compared to NH18 and I could maintain speeds of 70-80 KM/H.
This road has some real nice curves, ups and downs and was a delight to drive. As AC is on, need to do frequent downshifts ( to 4th Gear) when overtaking the trucks. Almost every village has customary speed breakers ( most of them are the large ones, which can be done in 3rd gear) at the start and end of the village.
Since its night, missed couple of these speed breakers and was on 4th Gear when crossing. Also missed couple of huge potholes when doing around 80 KM/H. But the XM1's did a fantastic job of taking up these without any issues. Initially, when going for XM1 tubeless over steel rims, was worried a bit, but a couple of searches through team bhp put those fears aside.
Reached Renigunta at 9-30 PM and from here Srikalahasti is 25 KM. Called up the agent/broker who is supposed to book our accommodation/Pooja tickets etc and informed that I will be there in half an hour.
Tanked up at a fuel pump near by and finally reached Srikalahasti at 10-15 PM. It took a little over 10 hours from Hyderabad to reach Srikalahasti excluding all the breaks.