My solo 103 km Ride on cycle in 5 hours and 50 mins, Wind speed 19 km/hr, highest elevation 425 meters, mountain pass highway, had a wonderful experience.
This is my first long ride in Anantapur district soil, I don't know how the conditions and roads. I have zero knowledge about this area cycling conditions.
I started from Anantapur clock tower center at early morning at 04:28 A.M and peddled towards gooty on highway and reached gooty fort by 07:00 A.M. It took me 2 and half hours to complete 50 K.M distance.
My cycle is MTB, so It rarely meant for long distances, even I tried my best to peddle it for long distance and finally made it after 6 hours of hard work.
I peddled on cycle till fort entrance, and from there I started trekking on foot to reach top of fort, It is almost 1 KM and very hard to climb because of steep structure. after some time I reached top of fort, there initially I entered into a Dharga and meet a Muslim preacher who have been dedicated his whole life for that Dharga.
Initially I thought this fort was built by Muslim dynasty kings, But I understood from that dhadha. The gooty fort was built by Vijayanagaram Royal dynasty. later it was occupied by the mogals. from that time the area is more of muslim population. This fort is very peaceful and having many monkey troops presence.
Dhadha provided me information, which is generally not published in google. from his words I understood.
- Gooty ancient name was Vijayapuri, later during british rule name changed as gooty.
- When tippu sultan died, gooty fort is under his control.
- Very good thing is hindu and muslim unity, on top of port dharga and at down the fort we have one musalamma temple. every year surrounding hindu and muslim communities celebrates festival as a one family members.
- Fort constructed in a manner of impossible to invade to any enemy, fort have biggest advantage of security and safety as it is situated at the top of the mountain which is 900 meters hight.
- If you look from the top of fort, you can see 10 km surrounding areas moment, so that they can able to identify any possible enemy troops invading and can revolt easily.
After I have visited fort, I started back around at 09:15 A.M. from Gooty to Ananantapur.
I was not aware, before I was starting from gooty that I am going to came across most difficult road to peddle that I have never done before.
As June is starting of Mansoon season, It was very cloudy. As the road is almost is at 450 meters height, I came across many very heavy wind clouds which are travelling from west to east.
- That was very tough time to me to peddle my cycle to forward, because of head wind I totally lost my energy.
- So I started peddling for small distance and try to get some energy though some tea and water.
- While I am peddling my legs and cycle frame was getting shivering due to the heavy wind.
- If you want to achieve any greatest things, you need to work hard. to work hard your mind must be prepared.
- If your mind is strong you can do everything. yes I did it. I finally reached to Ananatapur by 13:10.
My Suggestions for cycle travelers in this route:
- If you are at starting stage avoid to plan in this route, because your energy drained easily and you may have possible dehydration threat.
- If you are a intermediate cyclist, I suggest you to travel in this route during winter, and try to complete ride by 09:00 P.M morning.
- Take more water with you, this area is very very dry, In some places you can't found water for almost 20 km distance. I have faced it.
Travel to Learn and experience of real life:
- Early morning riding can make you witness for wonderful sun raise views from top of mountain high way roads.
- I though ananatapur district totally drought area, But towards pamidi you can find farming, as they have penna river near by. Because of penna river some parts of Ananatpur and most parts of kurnool having advantage of farming. From here many vegitables and fruits are exporting to different places of India.
- People are very friendly and more aggressive, don't try to mess with them.
- In gooty you can see many horses on road, It is like you suddenly went to ancient kings time.
- In gooty any phone screen guard is available at 50 rupees only.
- Basically gooty area is dominated by most of muslim population and you can find very good mix of living culture between hindu and muslims.
