Cycling 375km from Bengaluru to Sigandur Bridge: A Journey of Perseverance
People often fall in love with scenic places and engineering marvels, and I was no exception. The Sigandur Bridge, inaugurated in mid-July last year and widely shared on social media, captured my imagination instantly. Determined to witness this landmark firsthand, I decided to cycle there, embarking on a 375km journey from Bengaluru to the Sharavathi river in Karnataka.
The Planning and Initial Challenges
Originally a winter plan that nearly fell through, I managed to schedule the trip for early March. The Sigandur Bridge, officially known as the Sharavathi Backwaters Bridge, spans 2.5km across the vast backwaters of the Sharavathi river. This infrastructure project connects Sagara in Shivamogga district with Sigandur and extends further to Kollur in Udupi, enhancing regional connectivity.
I set out at daybreak on March 5, aiming to cover 250km on the first day and the remaining 125km the next. After being seen off on Tumakuru Road, I was alone on my bike, navigating the long Bengaluru–Honnavar highway.
The Grueling First Day
The journey began with a breakfast halt at Tumakuru, but as the day progressed, the sun turned unforgiving, particularly around noon. Despite carrying a camelback water bag and electrolytes, frequent refills were necessary. Beyond Gubbi, the Bengaluru–Honnavar Road revealed itself as an endless bypass stretch—devoid of trees and shade, dominated by flyovers, concrete, and retaining walls.
To cope, I cycled through playlists featuring artists like Rajkumar, SPB, and Amitabh Bachchan, all while pedaling through the intense heat, well-coated in sunscreen. By the time I reached Tiptur, exhaustion had set in. A brief rest at a roadside farm provided some relief before resuming after lunch at Arasikere.
Kadur and Birur passed smoothly, but Tarikere slowed me down due to roadwork and chaotic traffic, costing a precious 30 minutes. Aiming to minimize riding in the dark, I finally reached my overnight stop at Bhadravathi by 9:30 PM, utterly drained.
A Scenic and Memorable Second Day
The next morning began early. Past Shivamogga, the road transformed into tree-lined stretches that offered much-needed respite. Riding under a canopy of green, accompanied by light music and cheerful waves from schoolchildren, became one of the most memorable parts of the journey. I deliberately slowed down, choosing to reach Sigandur by evening instead of afternoon to fully absorb the beauty of the countryside.
Fortunately, most of the Shivamogga-Sigandur route was downhill, with the rest consisting of rolling terrain. At the Heggodu stopover, I paid a brief visit to Neenasam, the renowned theatre institute. After lunch at a nearby hotel, I attempted to rest in the cool comfort of an ATM, but its air-conditioning was not working. Instead, I found solace under the shade of coconut trees, taking a short nap.
Arrival at the Sigandur Bridge
The final 30km stretch through Genasinakuni brought me to the Sigandur Bridge by 5 PM. Families milled about, taking photos, but I was drawn to the sheer expanse of the 2.5km structure. Riding back and forth across it, with the mellow evening sun casting a golden hue, felt like a well-deserved reward.
Nearby, idle launches—once used to ferry devotees and vehicles across to the Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple—stood as reminders of how the bridge has transformed connectivity. After capturing a video of the ride, I continued to the temple, freshened up, and completed a quiet darshan.
Recognition and Return Journey
As I exited, curious onlookers inquired about my origin. "Bengaluru," I replied, which was enough to draw smiles, selfies, and words of appreciation for the ‘pedal yatri'. At Sagar, I negotiated with a private bus operator for transport back, where the bike cost more than my ticket. After a brief exchange, we settled on equal terms. By the time I reached Peenya early the next morning, the sun was just rising, marking the end of an unforgettable adventure.
