MUGILPETE,PARADISE VIA HELL'S ROAD- PART 1 BEST MONDAY EVER

Screaming, shouting, honking, running, swearing; this is your typical Monday morning. But for me, on the 11 Feb, 2013, it was deciding, in a split second, whether to swerve left or right. I had to avoid either a red KSRTC bus or a grey majestic bull. Typical Indian Highway.

Me and Gautam* had set off to Mugilpete (a.k.a Mandalpatti) in Coorg district. Any ride to Coorg is always welcome. This was to the second highest peak in the Deccan Plateau (so i have been told). Gautam was my pillion for this ride. This was my second ride with him, and i was comfortable with him and he with my bike. 

We set off at 7 AM.  

State Highway 88, or Hunsur road as it's called, is a pleasure to ride. Well paved, less number of speed breakers and unlike the Bangalore-Mysore highway, there are sign boards to warn you of these "humps".

I noticed that the fuel indicator was dropping fast. This was because of our combined weight, the gear and sadly, the fact that i was er...overweight.

Unlike the Banglore-Mysore road, which is peppered and salted with dhabas and eateries of all stars and sizes, Highway 88 doesn't offer you that many options, except in major towns and cities. Our pitstop for breakfast was Cafe Coffee Day.We did "sit down" for sunshine and a happy tummy. The Belgian shot is worth it. But someone needs to teach them the art of making a simple cheese sandwich. Mine was served with corn, palak paste and cheese. I managed to force it down with coffee.

Refilled and refueled, we headed to what seemed like endless diversions. If not for the locals, we would have been lost. After the last diversion, Mugilpete was roughly around 15 kms. Before completing this stretch, we stopped for a classic bikers' pee break. Unzip and let it all out in the midst of nature.
Up ahead, i had no idea what was  about to hit me.