Our Sunday loop: Kukkarahalli lake to Lalitha Mahal

Every Sunday at 6 am, a group of riders sets off from our shop on Vani Vilas Road for an easy 18 km loop. Anyone can join, on their own bicycle or one of our rentals at ₹150. Here is the route, in case you want to try it on your own.

We head west first, to Kukkarahalli lake, which is only a few minutes from Gokulam. The road around the lake is flat, shaded and quiet at that hour, with the university buildings on one side and the water on the other. Early morning walkers use the path around the lake itself, so we stay on the road and keep to the left.

From the lake we ride south-east across the city, past the edges of the palace grounds, which are best seen before traffic builds up around eight. The route then heads towards the foothills of Chamundi Hill. There is one gentle climb of about a kilometre near Lalitha Mahal, which is where riders with gears are glad of them. Nobody is left behind; the group waits at the top.

Lalitha Mahal sits white against the hill, and we stop on the road in front of it for ten minutes and a photo. The ride back is mostly downhill and flat, through quieter residential roads to Gokulam, arriving around 7.45 am for coffee at the shop. Bring water, a helmet and front and rear lights, since it is still dark at six for much of the year. Beginners are welcome; the pace is about 15 km an hour.