The Cuisine and the Cyclists …

India is celebrated for its variety of spices and an array of unique Cuisines. As you move down south, the distinctive cuisines are any foody’s haven, varying with the terrain, landscape and climate.

The Great Malnad Challenge takes a superb route through some of the best hotspots of Malnad, with varying landscapes, terrain, view and cuisines. Malnad is known not only for its breathtaking landscapes and visual highs, its also renowned for its food, its variant masalas, its use of distinct flavours and spices. 

Cycling is an energy consuming activity, and especially when there are so many kilometers of riding and steep climbs, the cyclists are bound to get hungry, real hungry. So the GMC team made sure that these cyclists get a good supply of delicious food. So as and when they traverse through different regions they are face to face with some awesome delicacies , coffee and such.

The GMC 2011 starts in Madikeri and Coorg which is full of coffee estates is not only famous for its coffee but also for its yummy food especially its Pandi curry [Pork Curry] any non veggie’s delight, puttu and Atti Payasa are absolutely mouth watering too. Another place known again for its coffee estates is Chikmagalur, which conveniently is on the GMC route, the freshly brewed coffee from freshly toasted beans straight from the local estates is a must have, the aroma of which cant miss their senses.

Kodachadri and surrounding areas are known for their Hal Garige and neer dose. Kundapura in Udupi district is famous for its yummy Koli Saar [ chicken curry] loaded with the Udupi flavours and its liberal use of coconut. Udupi restaurants are known all over India and even on foreign lands for their authentic South Indian food.

Some well known delicacies of the Malnad belt are the “Malnad Kadabu” which is complimented with tangy tomato chutney, actually Malnad is known for its variety of Kadabus,  there is also the “Pumpkin kadabu” . The use of “Avalakki” or better known as “ Poha” [ beaten/flaked rice] is large, they use it in a variety of dishes, from snaks to breakfast, cooked, soaked, fried, in all its possible formats. Some of the saught after avalakki dishes are “Avalakki upittu” “ Gojju Avalakki” “ Bellada Avalakki” and many more such yummy combinations.

The GMC riders, can try, test and taste all these variety of food along their path, curves and coffee, mountains and mutton chops and arrive with avalakki …

    

GMC School connect program and more…

Great Malnad challenge was envisioned by Tandem trails that have been pioneers in organizing Cycling Trails. While they not only, more than efficiently created a mountain biking trail amidst the green preserves of the state of Karnataka, they also focused on some social causes. The main focus of Great Malnad Challenge was to

·         Enable bikers to enjoy the most scenic yet challenging experience of mountain biking in South India

·         Showcase the Western Ghats and KARNATAKA as a premier ‘Cyclo-tourism’ destination in India

·         Spread scientific awareness against superstitious beliefs among students in rural schools and recognize talented students in remote villages along the ‘Road Less Taken’.

To spread scientific awareness the team of Great Malnad challenge came up with a school connect program. GMC School Connect Program (GSCP) conducted seminars in 3 schools each day, with the joint efforts of Karnataka Rajya Vijnaana Parishath. The seminars were aimed to promote rational thinking among students in rural schools, exposing the scientific principles behind common religious beliefs, which otherwise are presumed to be magical.

The GMC team was focused on driving away all the superstitious beliefs to make way for a clear understanding of science. As the kids are the future of the nation every kid must be educated and well nursed to become a wholesome citizen, with these thoughts in mind their seminars were conducted in rural schools along the GMC trail. GMC conducted a Quiz program in all the 10 schools in association with Grey Caps. 3 winners in each school were given merit certificates and books on Scientific thinking as rewards. In each of the 10 schools 5 children, identified to be below poverty line were given 1 year’s supply of notebooks and stationeries.

Great Malnad Challenge was widely covered in many local news channels and newspapers. Most of these publications followed the event closely from mid October to end of October. The event was widely reported around the state. The publications and news channels that covered the event are Deccan Herald, Deccan chronicle, Times of India, Hindu, Vijaya Karnataka, Eesanje, Samaya Channel, Kodagu Channel, Hosa Dingantha, Prajavani.

All in all the 2010 Great Malnad Challenge was a more than successful event with happy and content bikers and many wonderful moments along the long and lovely Malnad trail.

The Last Leg of the Journey …

The last leg of the journey was far less strenuous and more eased out, for the cramped calf muscles of the bikers to relax and enjoy the beauty. A week had come to pass and the bikers instead of a tired look were more enthusiastic about the completion of the challenge. 

The seventh day of the challenge was particularly more relaxed with mostly downhill rides, from the beautiful green mist covered hills of Agumbe to the quiet town of Kundapura in the Udupi district 84 kilometers of an easy ride, with a Hi of 900m and Lo of 87m. The cyclists who had traversed a variety of the Malnad ranges, after having traversed a cool 650 kilometers of cycling, far from being exhausted were enthused to spend the time on the beach at Kundapura and reached the destination as early as 11am. With all the bikers in full josh, the beach was put to good use by them by playing beach Volleyball, soccer and ofcourse cycling on the sand, as the water swept their dusty tires. After having had a splendid day the Bikers retired for the night at the Turtle Bay Resort.

The Eighth though not overtly challenging was still more strenuous than the rather easy seventh day. The ride from Kundapura to Kodachadri Base the 74 kilometers stretch had an initial Malnad flat terrain, then had to brace themselves for a 2,200 feet climb in a 10 kilometer stretch from Kollur. This ride with a Hi of 570m and a Lo of 87m was pleasant ride with a lunch break at a beautiful picnic spot. The bikers finally reached the Simha farms where they started off a short cricket tournament. The ones who weren’t as enthusiastic about cricket kept themselves happy by lazing by the streams.

As it was the last but one day and there was a certificate distribution ceremony and a feedback session with the camp fire, a jolly good time to sit and discuss how each of the bikers felt about the challenge .

This is what some of the biker’s said …

·         ‘As a cyclist it’s a sin if you are not taking part in GMC’

·         ‘For next GMC I am blocking 3 slots to get my friends along ’

·         ‘I never knew there was so much of beauty in Western Ghats, I will relish this every year’

·         ‘You cyclists should come and have food with villagers like us’

·         ‘We had never done mountain biking with such minimal traffic and roads like these in GMC - truly Road less taken’

·         ‘Tandem Trails has lived up to its slogan’

·         ‘Do not feed us so much, we have come here to lose weight’

The last day arrived with a mixture of excitement towards the completion of the amazing challenge and also a feeling of sadness to leave such a brilliant place, cycling and to return to sad and drab cities with all the noise and pollution. The last day or the ninth day the trail was from Kodachadri to Jog falls a nice 83 kilometers with a Hi of 608m and a Lo of 387m. Every Biker was greeted with loud cheers and welcoming had begun when they reached Jog. A feeling of Euphoria set in as every single GMC biker had successfully finished the challenge and had come to the finish point of this unforgettable 9 day journey.

The feeling of elation continued till the end of the day after which all bikers crest fallen bade good bye to the Malnad range and their team mates, but in the anticipation of the coming year and the coming challenges and trails.

The Journey Continues …

The day four was the stunning route from Kemmanagundi to Muthodi via Mullaingiri. A 90 kilometer stretch of the BEST of what Western Ghats had to offer, with a Hi of 1758m and a Lo of 664m. This stretch was unanimously voted by all the bikers as the most beautiful and scenic stretch in the whole 9 day GMC trail.

 

All the bikers reached Mullaingiri the highest point in Karnataka, sweating the kilometers while engulfed by heavy fog. They relished every bit of this strenuous yet ethereal stretch that added unbelievable beauty to the adrenaline filled eyes, while the fog filled chill breeze prickled through their exhausted lungs, while enjoying the challenging steep ascents. They glided down the descents hands on the handle bar and eyes savoring the picturesque surroundings on their off road downhills. They had reached Mullaingiri well before lunch and continued without hesitation towards Muthodi. They happily relaxed and retired at the Muthodi Nature camp for the night.

The Fifth day the trail was from Muthodi to Kudremukha having completed almost half of the 9 day trail, the bikers found these 86 kilometers much at ease, the Hi of 976m and Lo of 590m were crossed with lesser effort than before, as the bikers who were all in the flow, in the groove and this stretch was accomplished easily. The ascents were conquered with lesser effort giving them more time to take in the view. Sanjay from decathlon was absolutely enthralled with the route and expressed his “Wow”s about it. The bikers headed to Kudremukh without further ado, the fast bikers missed the enchanting evening mist that covered the area. All in a day’s work and happily tucked themselves in and retired for the night at the KIOCL guest house.

The day six was pleasant 70 kilometers from Kudremukha to Agumbe with a Hi of 964m and Lo of 550m. This day proved to be even more pleasant and easy compared to the other days, what with just one initial ascent and mostly descents in their route. Giving them a lot of time to recuperate from the other day’s strenuous routes and also to take out more time for photography and to enjoy the splendid beauty of the place. This route proved best for the photographer too, with the pleasant mist covering the gorgeous view and the “Malnad flat roads” [ now a much used terminology meaning the usual ups and downs]. Having a fairly easy terrain the bikers reached the destination faster, by late afternoon most had reached Agumbe. After a splendid presentation on Astronomy most of them ate sumptuous dinner at the “Doddamane” where the very popular series “Malgudi Days” was shot. They retired for the night at Hotel Malya residency.

The Journey …

The Great Malnad Challenge of 2010 kicked off to an amazing start on the 23^rd of October 2010, organized and supervised by the efficient experts from Tandem Trails. 27 riders under the guidance and experts of tandem trails started on the Journey of their lives.  

The locations were researched and hand picked by some of the best experts , whose main focus was not only to provide a challenging trail but also provide 810 kilometers of an experience in the most bio diverse hot spots [ Western Ghats in Karnataka is recognized globally as one of the main hot spots for Bio – Diversity].

Tandem Trails also used this golden opportunity to create an awareness on the eco friendly medium of transport - cycling, focusing on making Karnataka a Hot spot for Cyclo-tourism.

They also used this opportunity for a social cause as they were riding through some of the most interior locations in Karnataka, with the slogan “ Sowing the seeds of Science literacy along the road less taken”. Tandem Trails partnered with Karnataka Vignana Parishath and 10 Government schools en route to deliver key messages on rational Thinking, cycling and the environment.

The Nine day trail began and the Journey was Flagged off at Madikeri –[ popularly known as the Scotland of India]. Mr. CV Shankar, veteran and former Hockey coach of the Indian Hockey Team launched the event, with the local media covering the details of the event. The 27 riders which consisted of 26 men and 1 lady were to pedal from Madikeri to Subrahmanya traversing different altitudes, highest being 1082m and the Lowest being 13m.

The long and strenuous trail, over looking some gorgeous and greenest of views, twisting and curving through some of the best off road trails the troupe had reached Subrahmanya.

A huge and warm welcome party awaited these exhausted cyclists. To their pleasant surprise the Hotel Management of “Sheshnag Ashraya” had organized a welcome party and a press conference with all the major media personalities, along with eminent Bollywood star “Ameesha patel”who gracefully presided over the GMC press conference. The tired cyclists found new vigour and strength from the appreciative words of encouragement from Ms Ameesha patel.

The day ended on a happy note, the cyclists retired to rejuvenate to wake up to the next day’s challenges.

The second day the cyclists were to cycle from Subrahmanya to Belur, 112 kilometers of a treacherous terrain , Lowest alt of 13m and highest alt of 985m. The highlight of the day being the 30 kilometer off road climb battling through the 2,800 feet ascent, but filling their eyes and lungs with the absolutely beautiful and scenic bisle Ghats. The cyclists having hardly encountered any traffic at all through the day were wind swept with energy and caressed with oodles of beatific nature around them. Most of the cyclists reached belur to start the celebrations at around 5 in the evening and retired for the day at the KSTDC Mayura Velapuri.

The Third Day of the Trail was from Belur to Kemmanagundi, a comparatively easy 73 kilometers with a Hi of 1345m and a Lo of 790 m. The team wearing the GMC branded jerseys and carrying with them Mr.Shankars sporting wisdom traveled along with satisfied smiles, only to be greeted at Chikamagalur with garlands by the “District Science forum” and the eager local press. Highlight of the day which included many ‘Fresh coffee’ breaks , was the one at “Coffee Barn”. The sumptuous meal gave them the necessary energy to do the strenuous 1,800 feet climb to Kemmanagundi. The cyclists happily retired at the Horticulture guest house.

Practice Rides ...

The challenge is not only a test for "pushing the body, but its also for pushing the mind" and to prepare both mind and body before an extensively challenging ride like this, the experts from the GMC group have designed some practice rides months before the event. This will not only help all participants to get together long before the event but will also give them a practice run, and they will get an idea as to what to look forward to and how to tackle with hurdles if any. 

   

  These practice rides mostly consist of less formidable rides to near by locales, like for the 2010 GMC practice rides started from as early as July and were done to near by locales such as "Nandi Hills [ 120kms ]" "Savandurga [ 110 kms ]"  " Thattekere [ 120kms] " " Huthridurga [ 120kms] " these helped the riders gauge their own stamina and build up on it, gauge their strengths and weaknesses and works towards the goal.

All About it ...

The Great Malnad Challenge was envisioned to promote cyclo tourism in the state of Karnataka, It is a Nine day annual cycling event which promises to bring some of the most enthralling locales into the route, including six rural districts in the state of Karnataka. The roads are carefully selected as to avoid traffic, allowing the cyclists ample amount of freedom to explore the roads unhindered.

The Great Malnad Challenge is organised by Tandem Trails - who are a vibrant group of cycling enthusiasts who have set forth with this concept of challenging the steep hills, befriending nature and hugging every curve on the way, all this with a large gang of cyclists, the number of which is ever on the increase. There are more cyclists joining in this year, and we are expecting even more response as years go by. It was started off last year and having seen the amount of enthusiasm and response from the cyclists , one can only expect more this year and in the coming years.

The Challenge happens during the October November time, its the best time of the year keeping in mind the weather conditions and the fact that these picturesque locales will gain more beauty with the October November weather, with bluest of sky, the fresh green, mist and even a little downpour.

The Trail ...and some highlights of the 2010 challenge...

Some highlights from the 2010 - Great Malnad Challenge ...

Here you can see the flagging off - The starting of the journey the beginning of the trail ...Mr Shankar who is the former Indian Hockey Team Coach flagging off the event ...

The Trail ... the route map to be followed ...The Best of Western Ghats ...

The adrenaline rush, the gang kicks off ....

Starting the tedious, thrilling and exhilerating journey of a nine day cycling challenge, with a variety of terrains, from the Raja Seat in Madikeri ...

Some awe inspiring natural beauty, cycling and curving through them ...

cycling through the awesome Bababudangiri hills ...

The sea welcomes the tired muscles at Kundapura ...

Mullaingiri ... standing at the precipice

After all the moments the rejoicing, the adrenaline dies but the "Josh" is at its peak on the last day of this 9 day trail ...

saluting at Jog falls ....

The 2010 Great Malnad Challenge comes to an end ... and this year we begin the same journey with double the energy and excitement with more people and participation ... the drive to challenge oneself , the drive to conquer in the air as the day nears ...

Cycling in the Ghats ...

Cycling is one of the best ways to cover many great destinations, enjoying and seeping into nature and the aura of the place. It makes for an awesome environment friendly way to see places, with adrenaline flowing through every part of the body, experiencing every curve, every tree, every sight, every scenery with the peddle.

The Great Malnad Challenge is all about this adrenaline, that drives us to discover, that drives us to see , that drives us to live. Hence the cycling path is designed in such a way that one can absorb the best of what nature and life has to offer.

The Great Malnad Challenge is one of the best routes for a cycling enthusiast, with gorgeous places like Madikeri, Agumbe, Kudremukh and Kodachadri, this route is the heart of Malnad. Curving through the treacherous steep climbs, glazing through the descents with ease all the while breathing the fresh Malnad air.

Follow this blog to hear all about this annual cycling event that hopes to promote Cyclo-tourism in Karnataka, to hear first hand reviews of the cyclists who have been a part of the 2010 Great Malnad Challenge event.