A trip DOWN SOUTH

Soon I was passing bridges every now and then- with even more regret in mind that I'm missing some beautiful scenery and decided to stop on one of them just to look around with my HID support. I dont remember what this place was- it was more than half an hour when a vehicle had last crossed me. It was pitch dark and with the moon missing, couldnt see anything except where your headlight beam goes. I stopped and by instinct switched off the engine- and the sight I saw was something I would remember for the rest of my life. I could feel something moving over my head and as I looked up a few hundred metres away- I could see a two lines of lights rotating. Didnt take time to realise that it was a lighthouse on its duty. A completely dark sky- studded with millions of stars visible so clearly and this light beaming across in all directions. 

A four day freedom ride covering more than 3000 kms across 4 states. The epic narration of memories HERE

One day burst to Shirdi and back

Like in the past, Shirdi trips were never planned- they've just happened. Just a day before I decided I'll be riding next morning. Being stuck with a ceased block-piston again and my bike in running-in, the ride was still on. Heartiest thanks to Alkesh who without a second thought and with full trust handed over the keys of his P220 for the ride. Sought Amit's company just 7 hours before the ride and to my delight he affirmed within ten minutes.

Two P220's on a one-day burst to Shirdi and back. The complete story HERE

Mumbai to Kolhapur and back via Amba Ghat

......We had tea again after getting up and as per the plan, we had to halt somewhere in Kolhapur. It was 4 in the morning and a misdirected advice from a local shopkeeper landed us nowhere. In the end manage to find a spacious shed and we were into deep sleep not extending more than an hour and a half..courtesy the tradition of playing some loud and lousy songs whenever there's a wedding function in a village. Revel and me had managed to sleep even in the noisy conditions, but poor Glen had a torrid time.

Its past 6 and we're up for the rest of our journey. Stopped over for tea at a village after Panhala and headed straight towards Amba Ghat. The Ghats hadn't even started, but the quality of the roads were beautiful.

We just couldn't get over with the scenery, the breeze and the sight of the wonderful roads that we had yet to roll on. Clicked the maximum pics of the ride here.

One of the most beautiful and exciting round trips done.  More of it HERE

Riding through Bhor & Varandha

...Faced heavy showers right from the word go and thick fog as soon as we touched Lonavla. Took a first tea break on NH4 diversion from Dehu Road.

A high speed cruise took us till Kaapurhol and no sooner did we take right towards Bhor- it was an amazing experience. Breath-taking scenery all round.

Experienced the misty gush of the Bhatghar river on the way and went for a site see around Bhatghar dam. Read more about the ride through paradise HERE

Riding high up the Satpudas to Toranmal

....Clouds getting thicker and sight getting worse, we were braking every now and then, grasping all that we could see ahead and move on. Switch to high beam, and you have your own light refracted back into your eyes. Toranmal is still 13 kms away, at this pace it will take us two hours. A puncture is enough to mess up the entire ride. You do get this feeling when the last puncture repair you saw was more 50 kms away. Am praying within "We'll handle this scare god, but please bless the tyres". The struggle carries on in similar manner. Distance indicators were appearing after ages showing what a crawl it was. I was screaming at Amit who was venturing too close the edge in an effort to provide escort lights to Vinod. I wish I could have clicked those scary and anxious moments, but then couldn't think other than getting lost off that place.

A thrilling ride...read more about it HERE

Rainy Round Ride

Vinod & Deepak's circling ride from Mumbai to Chiplun and back via Kumbharli Ghat.

We passed through some amazing scenery- specially Kumbharli Ghat that connects Chiplun to Karad..felt like we were riding through a north-eastern state :)

Enjoyed a typical countryside spiced-up food. Vinod satisfied himself with Mutton Masala and me with Kaaju Masala. With rains and cold weather outside- having hot and spicy food under a shade is a different experience overall.

The complete though short circling experience HERE

Dand-el-ising Ride

Vaibhav's ride cum jungle safari to Dandeli & Karwar

.....the tarmac is absolutely fantastic.. sweeping corners with woods all around.. some scenic views to please and no villages for kms together.. if something goes wrong here.. there is no option but to hitchhike ur way to the nearest village for help.. (touchwood) me rode on without any problems...

Relive the complete experience HERE

Ride to Karwar & Amboli

Alkesh & Deepak

....No blind corners with trees ticking by in the corner of your eyes- with your mind almost keeping a track on the number of them whizzing past you. We already had an extended treat and it was time for some jerky experiences.

Lost ourselves at Londha taking a horrible road which came to a dead end in some far flung village and then again a sign board totally misguiding us on the directions taking us towards Goa rather than Karwar. It was a waste of 30 kms merry-go-round-ing the same place. In the end got placed on the right track and again it transformed into a comfortable glide.

The complete Travelogue HERE

Ride to the Land of the Gods

Kapil's ride to Uttaranchal

.......But wait; there is no bridge to the other side! And these seemingly fresh footprints on loose river bank mud belong to a very, very big cat. We’ve surely got company! Now, normally this is when everyone in the tiger safari rejoices for they are about to sight the elusive tiger.

But this is not your regular safari, is it? whats the fun in that? Here there is no guide, no fellow safari goers, and no jeep to hide in. “we” here is just me and my bike. I’ve come 1800 kilometers from home, I’m unarmed and only human in this jungle!

Read about his complete adventure HERE

Short ride to Jawhar

As planned, Glen and me rode to Jawhar this Sunday.

We started at 6.15 in the morning from Thane and just 5 kms ahead, my speedo cable came off. Hot tea sipping at Ghodbunder before some high speed cruising till Charoti Naka. Got the cable fixed at a garage and carried on through the serpentine roads till Jawhar. Took halt at the lake, clicked a few pics, took halt under a shade and muched some biscuits alongwith company of cattle- one of them getting too close for comfort and only left when all got over.

Paid a visit to the Jai Vilas Palace built by King Yeshwantrao Mukhane in 1940- unfortunately he died 4 years later. We had to bribe the care-taker to enter and again to click pics inside which was strictly prohibited. Was a treat going around it viewing the old furniture, paintings, the rooms trying to relive the moments the royal family would have lived in its times.

Purchased cashews on the way to Vikramgad, the place I assumed to be a fort which in the end was a small village :'( But enjoyed the roads of some 25 kms full of curves- dont remember if we got any straights to ride on and best part was no traffic. Took exit to Manor on NH4 and halted for lunch at a small dhaba ahead and some cool water-melon at Thane.

A few memories of the ride HERE:

Trip to Murud Beach & Suvarnagad

We had a great night riding experience (in batches) and spending time together at Murud Beach near Dapoli. Great job by Prasad and Ishtibhai to get the arrangements up and running. Tasteful dining experience amidst lot of joke cracking on a moonlit stary night. Did miss out on the Dolphins Site Seeing, but compensated by a visit to the Suvarnadurg Fort- a heart in mouth boating experience.

Suvarnadurg the island fortress off the coast of Harnai was a fort built by Shivaji to counter the Siddi. Ths fort was later used by Shivaji to counter the Europeans and was a base for the Maratha navy's ship building facility.

Thanks to Abhijit, Amit, Vinod, Sanket, Vaibhav, Parimal, Salil, Prasad, Ishtiaque, Sarang and Glen for making this trip a wonderful experience.

The pics HERE

D Wild Ass Ride.....

Vaibhav & Amit Patil ride to the Rann of Kutch

We start going inside the confusing barren land as there are no landmarks.. GPS is of utmost necessity to get into this confusing Rann.. As we get into the Rann we spot Wild Asses..Stop there and try to rann behind them to get closer..but in vain.. amit even tries to ride behind them..getting back on the track makes us realise that it was a Mirage..

Enjoy the complete Rann-ing Mirage Ride HERE