Who ever said you can’t mix business with pleasure? And, not take a Yamaha RD 350 touring?

Kuppam is a village in Andhra Pradesh about 120kms from Bangalore and has been given the title of a ‘model village’ giving it IT infrastructure amongst other things. All this in the context of Emerging Economies and also because its the constituency of the then A.P Chief Minister, Chandra Babu Naidu. Other than that it’s just about any other village and if you were just driving through, would probably not even notice it.

I planned to be in Kuppam for a day (or so) about a month ago for some work. I decided to take the Yamaha RD 350 touring and make a good ride out of it. More so because, I had heard recently that the NH-4 route was good. And, was the route good! Due to the recently held polls, the roads had all been freshly laid and were in excellent condition.

Rode along without much problem through KGF and onto the road leading to Kuppam. Just after the Karnataka border, I asked some old people the way, who sent me off on a wrong route through some narrow twisting roads between fields. This road eventually connected back onto the main road. Thanks to the elections, even these roads were great. A little bumpy that causes the rear to step out every now and then but good fun. Thanked the old goofs who’d sent me on this route.

The work at Kuppam took me a few hours and decided to stay over for the night, because the hosts were not willing to let me ride back in the night. Got out of Kuppam at 0630 the next day after a chai and rode back. I took the diversion that again led me off the highway into the smaller road aka great fun road. Clouds threatened above but no rains. Got back onto the highway and into Karnataka and back to office in about 3 hours after having breakfast along the way.

Places you can stay in Kuppam: There is a new hotel in Kuppam that has just come up. I can’t recall the name but some people called it, Kuppam’s 5 star. Rooms at about Rs.400.00. I think you can pitch a tent almost anywhere, seems pretty safe.

USP: Nice place to chill out, if you’re not looking for ultra modern amenities.

Route to Kuppam

Not the route I took, exactly.

Yamaha RD 350 Touring gallery

These pics are from the days when a 4 MP camera was pretty much top of the line in point and shoots.

Nearing Kolar

Had stopped to get out of the wet weather gear that was of use only within Bangalore. Got really hot as there were not even a few drops of rain.

Doesn’t look like a Indian village house does it? With the wireless LAN and all the works.

The next day, on the way back. Left at about day break.

Sunrise time!

Typical Indian village scene. Man with bullock powered tillers. (for Paul and Tony especially)

How most of the surroundings of Kuppam is. Rocky

Posing in the middle of the road.. Absolute traffic free roads.

The Mysore State was renamed Karnataka in 1973.

What? When did they start calling cops, Joker Beedi. And in 4 different languages.

A very green stretch in Kolar Gold Fields.

Full throttle? Open highway!

Threatening skies, but luckily I didn’t hit a wet patch.

Terracotta. Potters along the NH-4.

Terracotta.

For those who are interested, these guy’s rates are a steal. The tall pot on which the woman is working is about Rs.150.00 (~US$3). Depending on you’re bargaining skills, you could get a better deal.

The elephants are lesser than a foot tall. 🙂

Near the potter’s place. My last stop on the way back.

Crash!! A Tata Sumo that’s crashed heavily and jumped onto this side of the road. This was at the exit of a fast curve, just hope no one went into it.