This time I tried a new route while driving down from Chikkaballapur to Coimbatore. This was via Devanahalli – Singahalli – Budigere – Varthur – Attibele – Hosur – Salem – Coimbatore. The Attibele to Coimbatore route is the usual route when we drive down from Bangalore to Coimbatore but I wanted to avoid the dreaded Silk Board junction in Bangalore. So, instead of coming down from Chikkaballapur to Bangalore Electronic City Flyover, I skipped the city ride by taking a left road that goes from behind the Bangalore Airport into Singahalli – Budigere and then Varthur.

I liked the stretch from Devanahalli to Varthur. However, as we come close to Varthur and Sarjapura – these are like Bangalore suburbs and quite developed. It feels similar to driving through Bangalore city.

Reminded me of driving down the Mumbai – Pune expressway into Aundh, Kothrud highway stretch (this was during my Ahmedabad to Coimbatore self drive. Read about it here.). These are suburbs of the main “Pune” city. But they are so developed that it feels like the main city only (and probably they are now). Bangalore suburbs of Varthur and Sarjapura are the same.

Next time I might try skipping this section and maybe from Budigere go into Hoskote and then to Chikkatirupathi and Bagalur to enter directly into Hosur. Maybe that would be a more enjoyable drive.

With Sadhguru’s Adiyogi center in Chikkaballapur, 70 kms from Bengaluru, I have now driven multiple times down the Coimbatore <-> Chikkaballapur route. There are multiple options of routes including the Chikkaballapur to Neelamangala to Maddur to Sathyamangala to Coimbatore road. That’s how I wrote about my Sathyamangala and Dimbum ghat drive earlier. I have now done that forest and ghat route twice, once from both directions.

However, all said and done, I find that stretch longer than the Salem route. Main reason is that the road from Chikkaballapur to the homestay in Talkadu region is 5 hours. With the road being more interesting, I am more likely to take halts. This lengthens the journey. From Talkadu to Coimbatore is another 6 hours with Dimbum ghat and a meal break. While on the Salem route, I find only the first ride till Salem is about 6 hours. After that it is a relaxed 3.5 hours. I think I prefer this for quick trips. Though the Sathyamangala route is a lot more interesting, so if I want to spend a few days in the Talkadu / Mysore countryside then I can opt for that one. Was checking this team BHP forum where a lot of driving enthusiasts post their route preferences. Surprising, many of them are saying they have done Bangalore – Sathyamangala Ghat – Coimbatore in 5.5 hours. I am not sure how this possible. Maybe these drivers are in those cars that cruise at 150km/hr and pass by on the roads 😀 Even when I feel I am doing a good 80 km/hr on non-highway roads.

Stopover at Salem & A Glimpse of the Cricket Economy of India

This time I took a stop over at Salem. Earlier, I have done the Bangalore to Coimbatore route via Salem in a one day ride only. However, since I was coming down from Chikkaballapur, the drive became longer by 1.5 hours. Moreover, I don’t prefer more than 6 hours of driving on the same day. So, a stop at Salem is comfortable.

I was planning to stopover at Radisson Blu as it was right on the highway and didn’t require any detours at all. I actually didn’t want to enter Salem city as again I would have the trafficky roads. I was excited about the swanky hotel vibes & a little concerned whether a stopover is worth the 5k I would be spending. Surprisingly, however, the entire hotel was booked full when I drove in. There was a cricket event happening in the city! So, as I started checking other hotels for availability, the last rooms were getting booked by cricket enthusiasts! First hand experience of the CRICKET ECONOMY of India!

Inevitably, I had to drive into Salem city. I was intrigued when I saw they had a fairly long two-tiered flyover across the city. Maybe, I should explore more when I have time on hand! As I noted these city details, I also explored hotels. In one hotel I saw a super small room which usually they kept for internal guests only. Then in another hotel, I found an empty room, but by the time I reached there someone else had already taken it.

Anyway, I was quite flustered, and considered driving straight to Coimbatore rather than staying in a crappy room at twice the price.

So, I must say I was quite relieved to find a standard room in Shivaraj Inn. Well located on the highway and they hadn’t hiked up their rates too much. So, that was good. The room was nice with an amazing sunrise view over Salem city! I didn’t expect that. Food was decent also with a breakfast buffet included in the cost.

I had a relaxed breakfast and left at about 10.30 am. I figured the afternoon about 2 o clock would be a non-peak hour on Avinashi road as I entered Coimbatore. That turned out quite right. The drive back to Coimbatore was uneventful and Avinashi road was not too crowded as I entered.

All in all, a good trip 🙂

Would you like to know more about different driving routes in this region? Let me know in the comments so I know to create more content around it!