7th – 20th January 2008
January
3rd Arrive early morning into Bangalore – transfer to connecting flight to Cochin / Kochi
Afternoon: Paperwork at Customs.
Suggest rendezvou stay at Bolgatty Palace Hotel. The Bolgatty Island is a short but inspiring boat ride away from Cochin. Set amidst lush, tropical greenery, it is one of the oldest existing Dutch palaces outside Holland. This quaint mansion was built in 1744 by a Dutch trader until leased to the British in 1909, serving as their residency untill 1947. Now it is a modest, but quaint Heritage Hotel with an easy 10 min boat ride across the harbour to Willington Island docks.
4th Morning collect bikes from customs.
Stay at Bolgatty Palace Hotel.
5th Ride 300 km to Kovalum Beach
Rendezvou at the fantastically located 5* Coconut Bay Resort right on the beach set within its own bay.
6th Ride the beautiful coast road to Kamyakumari.
Stay at Hotel Sea View. Park Ferme set up in the centre of this seaside town where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean all meet, crashing onto the rocks at the very tip of India.
7th Day 1 First bikes flaged away at 8 am from town centre for short trip to The Great Arc on 77 - 41’ Meridian.
Straight off-road crossing the tropical countryside running north along the Arc. The terrain is lush, green and tropical. The tracks, were they can be found, are dry and dusty but easy to run, but beware of the thorns which can puncture your tyres with ease. An delightful river crossing on this first morning should keep most running close to the Arc until the Tambraparni River. A crossing for the ambitious and resourceful - or follow the default GPS route over the bridge at Tinnevelly and back onto Arc and so continue on with a fantastic drive running easily close to the Arc. Should be possible to achieve a mileage close to the 59 Arc Miles of the day. 1st camp at the village of Achchampati. Easy day, but….
8th Day 2 A very different day today. An easy start on reasonable country lanes through tropical plantations to Truvengadam right on the Arc. Cross the river or take the bridge at Sevvalpatti? Run the Arc and see the looming Andhatti Hills. How to cross the hills? Arc for six miles and then more hills to cross onto the Upper Vaigai Valley and run back onto the Arc. Cross the river in the Valley or run 4’ off the Arc to the bridge? Camp on river bank.
9th Day 3 Cross the plantations, river and tracks along the Arc via a quite stunning mountain drive over the Palani Hills. This is quite simply one of the best drives in India!
Back on the plain for a good opportunity to run very close to the Arc on country roads all the way to the camp at Amaravati River on 184 Arc miles.
10th Day 4 Cross the River Amaravati on the Arc or make time and go via nearby bridge? Great run along old canal and towpath running the Arc for many miles as far as the River Nogil. There is a bridge close by but how low is the river this season? Small range of low hill to cross at dusk and camp at Chinna Ullur Landa on 252 Arc miles.
The tropical south is slowly changing as we climb to onto the arid Deccan plateau. Over the coming days the Arc climbs to over 3500 ft.
11th Day 5 Reasonable country roads on the default GPS track to run the Arc in the valley at eastern edge of the Biligiri Rargan Hill. Once at the Cauvery River into a transit section as there is no opportunity to run the Arc, but a fantastic ride through the forest to Hogenakkal Fall and then the ferry to the east bank of the Cauvery River and the camp at 303 Arc mile.
12th Day 6 Continue with the forest drive although no opportunities to run close to the Arc, but enjoy a fantastic drive to the northern Biligiri Rargan Hill crossing the Arc before descending out of the hills back onto the Arc to the run to south east of Bangalore. Back to transit for the ride into the city. Quite an experience. Bangalore 325 Arc miles.
At 325 miles the Taj West End waits us. Standing in 20 acres this 5 star hotel was originally built for the Governor of Bangalore. The hotel is classified as one of the Leading Hotels of the World and is a perfect place to relax and celebrate the half way point.
13th Day 7 Bangalore Rest Day.
14th Day 8 Out early in transit to the Arc just outside the city. North of Bangalore we are on the Deccan plateau and all restraints of hills have gone. From here the land is arid, the countryside more open with days off-road riding ahead. This is where the serious runners will stay close to the Arc.
Once the forest is behind find the forest tracks that run close to the Arc. Fantastic late afternoon drive across hot, Darren, arid landscape to camp near Guibanda. 376 miles
15th Day 9 Some quite magnificent off-road sections most of the day. Great landscape and fantastic opportunities for the brave to run off-road along the Arc. Camp at Regatialle 424 miles.
16th Day 10 All day off-road, dust, sand, fields, tracks, running as close as possible to the Arc. It is now the Arc challengers will start to sort out the leading group. Camp on the river bank with in the Singamumlal tank on 451miles.
17th Day 11 Hard rock covering tough terrain. Railway and river crossings as well as broken rutted tracks and sand! River too wide (?) if so transit over bridge to camp at Needa Valli at 483 miles.
18th Day 12 More of the same tough rock covered terrain and rutted tracks and challenging river crossings. Ride into Ij on 536 Acr miles.
19th Day 13 Terrain barren and hot. River waits for us along with sand and dust. Real cross country riding. Just follow the Arc. Camp at 614 miles
20th Day 14 Run the final miles to the finish of The Great Arc.
638 miles after 13 hot, exhausting and very adventurous days. Run into Hyderabad for hot water, bath, beer and a party celebrations!
Prize giving and celebration of the first crossing of the Arc for more than 200 years!
21st Pack up bikes and send back to Cochin for shipping. Evening Flight to out.
