With its incessant potholes and inadequate cycle tracks, India is hardly a place for cyclists. However, the country still has some of the most scenic cycling routes in the world.
Erik Solheim, a former Norwegian diplomat, Tuesday tweeted an aerial shot of a beachside road and captioned it, “World’s Most Beautiful Cycling Route ? Udupi, Karnataka, India.”
The photo soon gathered over 47,000 likes in a matter of a few hours.
Solheim did not name the specific road or the route in the photo and that prompted many Indians to guess the exact location. Many people correctly guessed it as Maravanthe Beach near the town of Byndoor in Karnataka’s Udupi district, which is close to National Highway 66.
World’s Most Beautiful Cycling Route 🚴♀️ ?
Udupi, Karnataka, India 🇮🇳. pic.twitter.com/BNU5fVdMlA— Erik Solheim (@ErikSolheim) May 17, 2022
However, some users contested the former diplomat’s tweet. A Twitter user wrote, “Definitely not cycling friendly road. I had been there many times. Cars and trucks go at speed of 100kmph. Also, there is no dedicated line for cycling.”
Some of them guessed the location incorrectly and talked about another route as well.
Another said, “For those advising it as NH & can’t do cycling, let me correct. It’s not NH u quoting of another heaven #Maravante beach in Byndooru, this is Malple-Mattu-Kaup road stretch which is absolutely a cycling route.”
Absolutely unbelievable
How beautiful is this place!!!— Rebecca ReddyKhan (@saki7879) May 17, 2022
My home town! Thank you for sharing. If you get a chance visit St Mary’s island and stop at Maravanthe where beach on one side and Souparnika river on other side of the road!
— Jay Shetty (@RealJayShetty) May 17, 2022
Thanks @ErikSolheim sir, for taking Udupi to international level.
For those advising it as NH & can’t do cycling, let me correct. It’s not NH u quoting of another heaven #Maravante beach in Byndooru, this is Malple-Mattu-Kaup road stretch which is absolutely a cycling route.
— Rathan Ramesh Poojary (RRP)🇮🇳 (@RathanRameshRR1) May 17, 2022
I Was there couple of days ago 😃 pic.twitter.com/dFwEZnK7qQ
— Chinmay Phadke (@phadke_chinmay) May 17, 2022
The route is very scenic no doubt but this is national highway so cycling you may not think of trying.
— रंजना प्रसाद 🇮🇳 🚩 (@Ranjna_P) May 17, 2022
On right of the above image it is Arabian Sea and on the left side it is the river Gangolli. Place is Maravanthe. Very beautiful place.
— Does it Matter? (@kpl_kar) May 17, 2022
Beautiful.
Unfortunately, trying to motorize the vehicles in the name of progress and development is what is ruining the ecology.
Slow-paced development with a comprehensive view of things would have helped.
— Subbaraju (@aliasSubbu) May 17, 2022
Also the most dangerous. It’s beautiful but has no cycling track and Indians give two hoots for road rules. Cycle at your own risk.
— Nelson (@Nelsouza1978) May 17, 2022
Definitely not cycling friendly road. I had been there many times. Cars and trucks go at speed of 100kmph. Also, there is no dedicated line for cycling
— veeresha baligara (@TheNameIsVeer) May 17, 2022
For those who confusing with Maravanthe, This is Malpe-Padukere-Mattu- Kaup intereor road stretch. It’s not just a gem it’s heaven. One of the most unexplored locations in Udupi. pic.twitter.com/uxlIsOMMgq
— Adarsh P Cherugad🇮🇳 (@AdarshPCherugad) May 17, 2022
The picture shared by Solheim was originally taken by photographer Dhenesh Annamalai, who had shared it on his Instagram account @aerial_holic.
While sharing the photo, Annamalai wrote, “Maravanthe Beach so unique is the fact that it is surrounded by two beautiful water bodies, namely the Arabian Sea on the western side, while the placid and amazing Sauparnika River on the eastern side”.
