Bytes of Bengaluru: Go on a royal ride: This weekend, do something different. Skip the lie-in in bed and go on a cycle ride instead. Here are some options to get you started. And don’t forget your helmet behind

Bytes of Bengaluru: Go on a royal ride: This weekend, do something different. Skip the lie-in in bed and go on a cycle ride instead. Here are some options to get you started. And don’t forget your helmet behind
cycle ride

Cubbon Park
Level: Beginner


When the fumes from traffic get too much, there’s always the greenery of Cubbon Park to save us, right in the heart of the city. With its roads and marvellous green cover, Cubbon Park is one of the best places to start your tryst with cycling. Plus, you get the benefit of all that clean, fresh air as you work up a sweat. Get there early, before 8am, when the weather is still great and the park is closed to road traffic. Or even better, on Sunday, when there is no traffic allowed. You’ll find others like you, enjoying the green lung of the city. Perfect for an easy, fun ride to get you back in the groove of cycling, or to prep you for longer, more challenging rides if you’re just starting out.

Bangalore University

Level: Intermediate

Bangalore University

Bangalore University



The traffic’s not too bad, the roads are good and there’s a tree cover to keep you company – what’s not to like? Head out early, when the rest of the city is still sleeping – except for the many, many runners you’ll see along your route. If anything, the sight of others exercising alongside you acts as motivation. You can ride inside Bangalore University, touch Mysore road and come back into the University and head back. The trail offers a downhill as well as a climb, after which you can ride along the smooth, flat roads inside the university. A great option for those coming from Nagarbhavi.

Nandi Hills

Level: Tough

Nandi Hills

Nandi Hills



If you’re up for a challenge, there’s nothing like Nandi Hills. Definitely not for the faint of heart, the uphill climb from the base will set your quads on fire. If it’s a weekend, expect lots of vehicular traffic, which makes this even more difficult. Make sure to have all your protective gear in place – helmet, elbow and knee guards – and keep lots of water handy because you’ll need to stay hydrated as you negotiate the hairpin bends and the heavy breathing. Coming downhill, though, is the best part. Just make sure you have good, working brakes on your cycle because you’ll need it! An iCycle stand at the base allows you to rent cycles at an hourly rate.

Bamboo Forest, Hennur
Level: Beginner


Get off the road here, and into a hidden forest with lovely trails, lots of greenery, bird calls and more. A new favourite with the city’s walkers, runners or even those just looking to enjoy a fun picnic with friends, the 34-acre park can be easily accessed from Hennur Main Road or from Outer Ring Road junction. A great location to start learning how to go about mountain biking, because it offers just enough challenge with some climbs, as well as a whole lot of fun with some easy tumbles. And the green cover is just a bonus.

Magadi
Level: Intermediate/ Tough


This one is long – 100km long, to be precise. Past Bangalore University and Kommaghatta Lake and finally at the Thavarekere-Magadi Road intersection, where you take the keft to Magadi Road. The Bums on the Saddle blog says this 25-30km stretch is mostly downhill, and the road becomes a single lane, which means you need to be a little careful of all the other vehicles along the route. A scenic route takes you past the Tippagondanahalli Reservoir, and soon, you are a just few kilometres before Magadi. Head back the same way, turn right at Thavarekere-Kengeri Road and ride towards Nagarbhavi. Make sure to carry food and water – this route will definitely test your mettle.


The Big Banyan Tree

Level: Intermediate

The Big Banyan Tree

The Big Banyan Tree



This route can be easy or challenging as you like. If you’re coming from the city, you can include the climb at Kommaghatta Lake. One route suggestion goes that after Hoskere Lake, you take a left towards DoddaAalada Mara (Big Banyan Tree). This is a route through villages, with little traffic and good road conditions. At a major intersection, you take a left, and after the village of Ramohalli, turn right and continue riding for a few kilometres until you reach DoddaAalada Mara (Big Banyan Tree). While the tree itself is a sight to behold, the route also offers a deviation – right after the Big Banyan Tree – which will head towards Tavarekere.


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