Invisible Cities

This August, in the long weekend, Ayush and I set out on our second ride (since Ooty). We had been planning it for months. A 3-day trip from Bangalore to Pondicherry, onward to Chennai, and back home to Bangalore.

Ayush bought his new bike (Harley Davidson X440) earlier this year. 

Congratulations to him, right? Well, I think I was more elated as compared to him because we absolutely LOVE bike rides. Also, we are a travel freak, adventure mongering couple. So, I knew that bike trips are going to take the center stage this year. And so it did! 

There’s something about a bike trip that makes a journey feel more alive. 

The hum of the engine, the open roads, the smell of the changing flora and fauna. It’s all very different (read as better) from being inside a car. 

This being our second long distance bike trip, we were more confident. So we wanted this trip to be more than just covering kilometers. 

Our goal was to,

• explore routes, 
• discover hidden stories, 
• and understand the cultural fabric of the places we passed. 

Here’s our detailed travelogue. We have included tips and unknown facts for the journey. This will help if you’re planning your own bike trip from Bangalore to Pondicherry.

Why a Bike Trip?

We had done short weekend rides and the Ooty trip earlier. But this was our first long circuit that covered three cities. For us, the decision came down to these things:

• Flexibility: On a bike, you can stop wherever you want. Be it a roadside tea stall, a scenic hilltop, or even an unplanned fort. Just the way we like it!
• Immersion: The smell of freshly cut paddy fields, and the salty sea breeze along the East Coast Road. These are things you miss in a closed air conditioned four wheeler. Don’t you agree?
• Efficiency: In busy cities like Pondicherry and Chennai, bikes let you navigate narrow lanes and save time on parking. It also makes the navigation on day trips much smoother I believe!

So if you’re considering a similar ride, remember: bike trips are less about speed and more about savoring the journey. And if you happen to be a traveler more than a tourist, then I am sure you would prefer this!

Bangalore to Pondicherry: Choosing the right Route

We started early morning from Bangalore to avoid traffic (obviously!). There are three possible routes to Pondicherry that we had researched upon:

Route 1: Bangalore – Krishnagiri – Vellore – Gingee – Pondicherry

Pros:

• Wide 3-lane expressway for most of the stretch.
• Easy to keep high cruising speeds.
• Plenty of eateries, fuel stations, and rest stops.
• Scenic views like farms, villages, rocky hills, and temple spires.

This is the best route if you want comfort, predictability, and faster access to services.

Cons: 

• Mostly highway landscapes (Would you want that?)
• Traffic is heavy: trucks, buses, and long-distance travelers make this route pretty crowded.

Route 2: Bangalore – Krishnagiri – Thiruvannamalai – Gingee – Pondicherry (Our Choice)

Pros:

• Diverts from the main highway after Krishnagiri.
• Minimal traffic, smoother riding experience.
• Minimal traffic, more countryside
• Passes through Thiruvannamalai (massive temple town) and Gingee Fort.

We chose this route for faster commute with a great view throughout the journey.

Cons: 

• Fewer branded eateries, but plenty of chai shops and local food stalls.
• Two-lane roads after Krishnagiri.

Route 3: Bangalore – Krishnagiri – Thiruvannamalai – Villupuram – Pondicherry

Pros:

• Shortest in distance.
• Fewer stops, but very quiet roads.
• Strong rural flavor: paddy fields, bullock carts, roadside markets.
• Less commercialized, more authentic countryside feel.

This route is Ideal if you prefer exploring hidden and offbeat landscapes.

Cons: 

• Narrow state highways after Thiruvannamalai.
• Needs careful riding and steady control.

So, in a nutshell, 

• Route 1 = Speed + comfort.
• Route 2 = Balanced + scenic (best choice).
• Route 3 = Shortest + most rural.

Choose whichever route suits you the best and enjoy it all along! The next point of discussion is, stopovers. I am sure you were waiting for this part. So read on…

Stopovers Along the Way from Bangalore to Pondicherry

One of the best parts of a bike trip is discovering places you wouldn’t normally stop for. Don’t you think? So here’s a breakdown of the stopovers. You can choose to halt at if you are on a road trip from Bangalore to Pondicherry.

Here: 

• Krishnagiri Fort: It is a 16th-century fort built by the Vijayanagara kings. It’s a quick detour, but the climb gives stunning views of granite hills.

• Tiruvannamalai: This is popular for the Annamalaiyar Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in India. The town is also known for Girivalam. It is a ritual walk around the sacred Arunachala hill. Would you like to be a part of this heritage walk?

• Gingee Fort: Once called the “Troy of the East,” this sprawling fort is spread over three hilltops. If the weather and your energy levels allow, you can spend half a day exploring its citadels, granaries, and temples.

Travel tip: Carry enough water and snacks on this stretch. After Krishnagiri, eateries are sparse.

The Final Ride into the Town of Pondicherry

After riding for about 6 to 7 hours (with breaks), we finally reached the French Riviera of India, Pondicherry. Arriving on a bike felt perfect. 

Imagine the main character’s energy while riding through the French quarters, the narrow boulevards, the pastel-colored villas!

It felt like the town was meant to be explored on two wheels. I even started playing the popular A.R Rahman composed song “Mental Manadhil” to match our vibe. 

Haha, but okay, moving on…

Quick Pondicherry Highlights

I will enlist our 2 day itinerary on a separate blog. But I can’t move on without a quick recap of it. So here we are:

• Promenade Beach: Ideal for evening walks.
• White Town: French-era architecture, heritage cafes, and colorful bougainvillea.
• Auroville: Not just the Matrimandir, but also workshops on sustainable living.
• Tamil quarters: The authentic Tamil houses added the spark of authenticity that we didn’t expect. Lovely houses!
• Food: From authentic French bakeries to Tamil-Creole experiments, Pondicherry’s food culture is unique.

A quick fun fact:

Pondicherry still uses old French Rue numbers in municipal records, and locals often refer to them casually.

I can’t wait to write about our itinerary beyond the tourist spots! Stay tuned, will be back with it soon. But let’s concentrate on the bike route itinerary for now. Okay?

Pondicherry to Chennai: The Coastal Ride

After spending one and a half days in the cute little town, we took a detour and left  for Chennai. Again, there are two route options:

Route 1: Pondicherry – Tindivanam – Chennai

Pros:

• A straight 4-lane divided highway, part of the Chennai–Trichy corridor.
• Allows faster travel with fewer interruptions.
• Smooth road quality makes it comfortable for long-distance riders.

Cons: 

• Not very scenic. Most of the ride is through standard highway stretches.

This is an ideal route for those who want to save time and reach Chennai quickly.

Route 2: Pondicherry – Mahabalipuram – Chennai (Our Choice)

Pros:

• Follows the East Coast Road (ECR), one of the most iconic coastal drives in India.
• Offers a mix of landscapes. Like, the Bay of Bengal on one side, and backwater lakes and salt pans on the other.
• Mahabalipuram makes a perfect stopover with its shore temples, rock-cut caves, and beach side eateries.
• Muttukadu backwaters are ideal for a short photography break or a quick chai stop.

Cons: 

• Travel is slower due to curves, traffic, and some uneven patches.
• As of August 2025, parts of the road are under construction. So expect mild bumps, but nothing unmanageable.

We chose this route because we prefer scenic rides over speed. (Highly recommended)

And trust me, despite the roadwork, riding along the ECR was worth it. The sea breeze and the sight of salt pans shimmering under the sun near Marakkanam, was all worth it. 

Here’s a fun fact: The ECR was once part of an ancient trade route connecting Tamil Nadu with Southeast Asia.

Another reason to choose this route you see!

Exploring Chennai on Two Wheels

Chennai can be overwhelming in a car (Just like any modern Indian metropolis) . But on a bike, you can weave through traffic and explore more freely. You have to agree with me on this, come on!

Anyway, we just had an evening to explore Chennai, so here’s our short list of the ride through the city:

• Marina Beach: The second-longest urban beach in the world. Bustling with joy, warmth and unwavering lights. We totally loved it!
• Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore: Though we are not religious, this classic Dravidian temple architecture was a treat to the senses. 
• Ratna Cafe: Famous for idlis swimming in sambar, a Chennai classic since 1948.
• Elliot’s Beach (Besant Nagar Beach): A quieter option to Marina, popular with locals for its cafés and relaxed vibe. Great for an evening chai or dinner stop.
• M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk Stadium): A pilgrimage spot for cricket fans, where history has been made many times. Ofcourse, how would we miss it? 

Fun fact again: Chennai’s lighthouse on Marina Beach is the only lighthouse in India with an elevator. Pretty cool, huh?

Okay, so wrapping this up. We’ll be writing a dedicated Chennai blog soon. In that, we’ll take you deeper into these places and share some lesser-known stories around them.

Till then, let’s focus on the routes again! We have to return home now, come on.

Chennai to Bangalore: The Return Journey

For the ride back, we had three choices again:

Route 1: Chennai – Vellore – Krishnagiri – Bangalore: 

• This is the classic highway route, connecting straight into Hosur before entering Bangalore.
  
• It’s an ideal route if you live in South or West Bangalore. This is because it links easily to NICE Road and Electronic City.
  
• The road is wide and generally smooth, though traffic can get heavy near Hosur, especially during evening hours.
  
• This is the most traveler-friendly choice in terms of facilities with plenty of fuel stations and food joints.

Personal tip: If you’re coming in late evening, plan a dinner stop at the popular Star Biryani. This way you can also avoid entering Bangalore during peak traffic.

Route 2: Chennai – Vellore – Kolar – Bangalore

• This is a great choice if you live in East or North Bangalore. You enter the city through Hoskote instead of Hosur.
  
• Saves time if your destination is around Whitefield, KR Puram, or Yelahanka.
  
• Here the road quality is decent, though the stretch between Vellore and Kolar can feel monotonous.
  
• There are fewer food options compared to Route 1, but you’ll find small dhabas and tea stalls along the way.
  

Personal tip: This route is less stressful if you’re riding on a weekday evening. Thankfully, the traffic is lighter than the Hosur entry.

Route 3: Chennai – Chittoor – Kolar – Bangalore

• This is a quieter option that bypasses Hosur’s chaotic traffic altogether.
  
• The road narrows in parts but traffic density is much lower, making it a more relaxed ride.
  
• It also passes through smaller towns like Chittoor, giving a stronger countryside feel.
  
• However, the facilities are fewer, so it’s better to tank up on fuel and food before leaving Chennai or Vellore.
  

Personal tip:

If you’re riding on a Sunday evening (when trucks and buses crowd Hosur road), this route is a lifesaver. You’ll sacrifice some highway speed but gain peace of mind.

Note: As of Aug 2025, the Chennai–Vellore stretch is under construction, so expect slower speeds.

We had chosen the first route as we live in the southern part of Bangalore. And it was easier for us to avoid the traffic you see!

Final Thoughts

Our Bangalore–Pondicherry–Chennai bike trip was about more than just covering 1,000+ kilometers. It was about:

• Experiencing countryside roads through Thiruvannamalai.
• Riding alongside the Bay of Bengal on the East Coast Road.
• Discovering forts, salt pans, and hidden street stories.
• Singing along the way and getting to spend quality and adventure filled time with one another.

Honestly, every bike trip has its own rhythm. But this one reminded us that the best journeys aren’t always about destinations. They’re about the stops, the stories, and the small discoveries along the road.

Looking forward to hitting the road again. Until then, we wish you the same!