A Long-Awaited Ride to Sogal:

Endurance, Elements, and Fulfillment

Sogal is a quiet unassuming village nestled in the foothills of a Rocky Hill in Savadatti Taluka of Belagavi District, Karnataka. It is rather known among Visitors for two reasons, an ancient architecture temple, The Someshwara Temple, also called fondly as Sogal Somanatha, and a Lively waterfall on location. Years ago, I had visited Sogal by car. It left a quiet impression—so much so that I promised myself one day I would return, but this time on a bicycle. For reasons too many to count, that ride kept slipping further into the background. Until today. Sunday, June 22 2025.

With VCC planning a relatively short group ride, I decided it was finally time to chase that old dream. I set off alone, confident in my bike, my legs, and —my spirit of adventure, made strong by my tourer friends in VCC.

The road to Sogal via Sambra was nothing short of excellent. Quiet and smooth, it made the 63 km to the temple town enjoyable. I reached in about three hours, which felt good for a solo effort.

Once there, I was a little disappointed—the expected monsoon rains hadn’t yet arrived, and the famous waterfall was down to a trickle. But Sogal still held its charm. A brief encounter with deer in the on-site zoo lifted my spirits, and visiting the ancient Someshwar and Parvati temples felt almost like a spiritual checkpoint on this journey.

But the real challenge lay ahead.

The return route via Bailhongal was unforgiving. A steady uphill gradient, harsh headwinds from the southwest monsoon, scorching heat, and suffocating humidity (90%!)—each conspired to slow me down and wear me out. It was one of those rides where every pedal stroke feels like a question: “Can I keep going?”

What I expected to be a 6 to 7-hour ride turned into a 9-hour ordeal. The return journey alone took five and a half hours. And yet, I never once thought about giving up. I had waited too long for this ride. Even if I had to crawl, I was going to finish.

And I did.

Now, as I sit back exhausted but content, I realize it was all worth it. I clocked 130 km on Strava^TM with an Elevation gain of more than 1300 m. The road tested me, the weather beat me down, but the ride fulfilled something deeper—a promise made to myself, finally kept.

Would I Recommend Cycling from Belgaum to Sogal Now?

Honestly, no—not in this heat and humidity. The monsoon winds are brutal this time of year. If you’re planning to go, wait a month or two. Let the rains settle, the greenery return, and the breeze soften. That’s when this ride will truly shine.

The roads are excellent, and the elevation is manageable for any VCC endurance rider. Just pick the right time.

Until the next ride (or madness) calls.

• Manoj Gaonkar, June 22, 2025