utsavchs

Destination : Ellora
Riders : Shrinath Rao & utsavchs
Rides : Shrinath Rao - YZF R15, utsavchs – RTR HE
Departure : 15:10:2011 08:00Hours
Meetup Place : Bajaj Allainz, Yerwada

The plan was rolled out by me a week before with the timings and other important aspects were put into by Shrinath. The original plan was to meet at Bajaj allainz by 04:00AM and leave thereafter as to escape the traffic at Wagholi and adjacent areas. At 3:30AM, I ring up Shri to get ready and get to know that he had just slept. This being a long ride we could not agree to the fact of travelling without rest. So the departure timing was postponed till 6:00AM. I reached the meetup place at 6:04AM and at 6:11AM I call up Shri to know that he is also leaving. When he din't reach till 07:30AM, I felt like stranded all alone in the tour when suddenly the phone rings up to let me know that there was a huge traffic jam at Sangamnagar all thanks to the Volvos. At 7:50AM Shri reaches the meet up spot and I get to know that a auto had crashed into the R15 ended up breaking the glass number plate.

DAY I

We start at 8:00 AM deciding the average speeds to be maintained at 80 ~ 90kmph and to stop directly at Smile stone cafe for breakfast and fuel break. We crossover Kharadi, I on the tail, to end up in the jams of Wagholi as I had feared before. After getting cleared up we started getting on high speeds and before long we see a terrific traffic jam for kilometers. I passed the immoble vechicles within the gaps between them with Shri at my tail, and what I see was a huge accident of a returning (to Pune) ST bus which probably had a blast. The roof and the front was ripped apart and was lying few metres away. A piaggo ape which was going was also hit with the bus's windshield and had crashed on the left side into a pole. Saw a few injured people and the road tar was burnt. We continued on our journey. After sometime Shri and I required to refuel our bikes and we find that they do not accept cards. As we reached Smile stone we had a good breakfast of Cheese Uthappam and tea. It was around 11:00Am when we left smile stone cafe after I first noticed these pet birds of the cafe and clicked a few shots of them. I told shri to lead and I would catch up as I required little more time to wear the guards.


The Birds





I was easily doing 95kmph+ and I passed into Ranjagaon and going a few more kms I found Shri ahead and crossed him taking the lead. Soon I crossed the crossing of Ralegan-Siddi, the destination of my last ride to meet Anna Hazare along with IAC, Pune. Truly it was a village of exceptional wonders. The air was purer than anywhere I had experienced and the surroundings greener and the air had a fragrance in it. It was a peace when can only be experienced in that village and can't be told its true essence. However, we continued on our route to Supe and forward to Ahmednagar. The ghats between Jeur and Khospuri were just amazing. The road was smooth four laned but the dividers were missing. I stopped after crossing Nevasa Phata under a heavenly shade of a tree beside the highway. I was cruising at 113kmph continously and the engine needed a break. Also Shri was no where near the horizon. I had a smoke and after waiting for 15 mins I see a bike with headlights switched on. We travel with our headlights on day & night as its easier to trace our groups on distant planes and long arrow head highways. I figure out that it was Shri and I take on my place on the bike and again start cruising at 113kmph. The roads were smooth except a few broken potholes here and there everything was great. At some places, the roads were being fixed and the four lanes had turned into one lane.

We continued on the State Highway 60 and at Jalgaon, it was like 70kms that I was maintaining the lead at a strech and Shri never saw me. I thought Shri might be little pissed off and stopped again under a peaceful shade to have a smoke. Shri was not on the horizon and after a good 20mins I see Shri coming. After lighting a ciggi and a nice chat, I find myself nearly dehydrated. We were too thirsty and the sun was shining bright. We were sweating badly under our armors. We stopped at nearby Waluj where we devoured on a bottle of Bisleri and a bottle of sprite each.

We had no idea about the hotels around this place as I had ventured out till here but never stayed, and Shri said this was his first long ride although. We called up our fellow mate biruoist (Rohit Upadhaya) as he had stayed here somewhere and had knowledge of the hotels in this area. Upon getting a brief idea we asked the locals the way. And we were misguided and went upto Jaswantpura. Later we were guided back onto the highway and reached Daulatabad. I on the tail, was having a hard time to keep up with Shri on the broken roads.

The weather after crossing the Aurangzeb's tomb was lot cooler. Although the sun was shining brightly the coulds were racing fast to coverup. I felt it might be a storm as the wind began to blow. Soon, two drops fell on my visor giving me the message of the on coming rains. I raced past Shrinath, who was leading for the past 40kms, as my RTR's godly tyres have such great quality of not gripping the surface if its wet. I dread to roll when this happens. Anyways, the nature was faster than me and a hard ice struck my shoulder armor and I felt someone threw a stone. I was about to checkout when I again got the message that it was gonna be a ice storm and its better to move under a shade before we get pounded. We had just stopped roadsite beside the forest to take shelter under a huge bush when we were pounded upon by the rains. We ran into the forest and under the tree but it was too late, we were already wet!

We waited there for 10mins but it was worthless as the bush didnot stop the oncoming rains. We decided to move forward just praying the rain god to spare our heads and helmets off the half inch thick ice cubes. Nearly nothing was visible and within 300 metres we see a shelter, a roadside resturant infact where scores of people had taken shelter. We also went on to take shelter. When I took off my helmet, the sound of the pounding ice upon the asbestos cemet sheets overhead was pounding. It was louder than anything I ever heard, as if nature was showing how nimble we humans are in front of nature. This continued for the next hour and soon the pounding ice stopped with rains still falling as a bit more than drizzling. I told Shri, if we attain lower grounds (Ellora is at lower ground than this spot) we might not face the rains, and true to my word when we ventured into the lower parts with Shri taking on the lead, the rains had already stopped there long back. The roads were begining to get dry. We asked for the MTDC resort and ended up at MTDC resturant. The Ellora caves are right beyond their superb trimmed gardens and majestic. We had the thali as it was already over 4o'clock and we were hungry as hell. After 2 bowls of rice 3 chapattis 2 vegetables 1 dal and a bowl of super sour dahi we went on take a few snaps of the first sight of Ellora Caves.

First View :




I was quite sure that we could not finish the 34 caves and the Taj of Deccan before returning to Pune tomorow. However we asked the hotelier of the MTDC resorts and he told there was none. All were private resorts. We went to the nearby two star resort and got to know that they were full. From there we were shown the way to Milan Hotel (super cheap both in quality and monetarily as of 350rs per day). We did not like it and went on to the last one Vrindavan Resorts. We took a room for two at amazingly cheap rates. There were only two types of accomodation available.

The Cottages : Rs.700
The Posh Halls : Rs. 1200

We had the room of Rs. 1100 and we changed fast as the Caves are closed at 6:00PM. We went to the nearby Cave 16 on my RTR. The entry fee was Rs. 5. The gardens are amazingly created with the bushes and the jungle floras bloomed in various colours before the huge caves. We were left stunning within the rock cut cave. Shrinath's Cannon DSLR had started giving problems which he later fixed. Most of the visitors were either Bengali or were from North India and I could understand what they were saying. What they said was so hillarious.















































Shri in action:


A Painting at the Resturant:


At 6:00 we had nearly covered the most of the Cave No. 16 when the guards and the police started usherring the people out. We were about to retire for the day when we remembered that we were dangerously low on cash. We headed for the nearest ATM, Axis Bank and it was closed. The next nearest one was a kilometer away. After reaching, we found out that it was to be moved and was closed. The next nearest ATM ahead was at Kannad 30 kilometres away and it was night and back was 30 kilometres away at Aurangabad. As, to go to Aurangabad we had wet ghats with no road lights and hence dropped the idea. The road to Kannad was pretty straight one except the roads had deadly potholes. I was low on fuel and had to refuel soon within 100kms. Went on ahead to a nearby pump and guess what.. it did not accept cards. Nothing accepted cards over there. ATMs are closed for weeks. We find ourselves without money and nearly without fuel.

I have a nasty habit of going over the potholes rather trying to dodge it. Also my rear shock absorbers were adjusted to hard settings. And Shrinath on it was really having a very bad time. I hardly tried to dodge or even brake when any pothole came. Well added to that fact, I think shrinath also forgot that I have a very poor eyesight at night and hence even try to refrain from riding in the city. For the next 60 kilometers, Shrinath was swearing at me to which I turned deaf, and continued going over the potholes.

Upon reaching Kannad, we found that there were only 2 ATMs in the city and one of them was closed. I was little pissed upon hearing that. However we found the last working ATM within the radius of a hundred kilometres, State Bank of Hyderabad and had our transactions. I required a packet of cigs and we came back. Nearly all the shops were closed. As soon as I light a cig, shri gets panicked. He had forgot hist LS2 Helmet 3 kms back at the ATM. We went back to get his helmet. I saw two persons leaving the ATM lane on a splendour and I was suspecting they might take the helmet with them. Still I continued, and upon reaching the helmet was there above the ATM. Shri ran to get it. Again we continued back the deadly highway, pitch dark surroundings with the oncoming vechicles headlamp completely blinding my already poor vision and the potholes as the added effect and shrinath's swearing as the background music. The sky was again turning bad with thunder striking the nearby jungle trees and a loud sound as the air near it blasted. After reaching Ellora again, we got ourselves food from the Jain resturant of Vrindavan Resort.

It was a good day. Ranging from the ashed tar, fiery heat icy cold wind and the half-inch thick ice hail storm which nearly had us, stupid talks of the common man about the caves, a hundred kilometres in search for an ATM amidst a jungle way which was also a highway, nearly ran out of fuel which could had stranded us in the middle of the jungle with lightning striking the trees about 100 metres away and the heavenly 60+ kilometers of potholes which massaged my back and hurt shrinath's back what else could go wrong? Everything nearly was wrong might be right but whatever it was, it was just great! First time I saw what happens when lightning strikes a tree.



DAY II

I got up at 9AM. Was little bewildered, as I never got up before 1PM except yesterday when I had 7 alarm clocks around my head to wake me up. Had a bath with the cold water (There was a board of hot water on the tap but it was cold). Shri wokeup at about late 10. Had a micro cup of strong tea, which Shri had half spilled. As Shri was having bath, I ventured around the resort to laze around the lawns, armire the statues and to click a few shots.


Few Clicks of the Morning:












The rooms where we stayed:


We checked out at 11:50AM and with Shri on lead, went ahead to Aurangabad to see the Taj of Deccan. The entry fees was Rs. 20 and parking was Rs. 5. Here too, many people were from Bengal and we were being eyed as Badass biker boys. Few people also took us to be from Stuntmania and Roadies. The security guard took us as we were tourers (which was correct) but he thought we were to tour the whole of Maharashtra, and I had a hard time to make him understand that we came to see the Taj of Deccan and Ellora caves only.

Taj O' Deccan a.k.a. Bibi Ka Maqbara:
























The funniest comment of a young bengali lady on the fountain in front of the Taj, "I think this was to be made into a swimming pool !!" I was like, What the fack! After clicking a few pics we left the Taj of Deccan with out enjoyable memories at 2:10PM.

I wanted to have a sutta break but not at the Taj. We touched the highway, and after a few kilometers I stopped for Shri to catch up. We had predecided of the speed to be around 90kmph. I was doing a constant 99kmph and hence Shri was left behind as he had slowed down due to the traffic. After 15 mins, I saw Shri coming. After a treat of the cool water upon our thirsty throats, we continued on our way.

I did not want to ride at night. Atleast no where outside Pune. Even its Kharadi or Wagholi at night would do. My office is at Kharadi and tis bin there for the past 2 years. Every pebble on that route is memorised in my brain. I went on to do high speeds and Shri still din't knew I can't see at night, hence was coming slowly. I was cruising at 110 with short bursts to 130.

After 70kms, I stopped for Shri and a cig ofcourse. After 15 mins of waiting, couldn't locate him on the horizon so was going ahead slowly, when an accident took place a few hundred metres from my. A 808 truck, whenever a vechicle tried to over take it would swerve towards it. I saw it do the same to a Sumo and a steel Blue Indica whose driver took to fright and took the car aside and stopped. This time it did the same to a huge trailer which was on its right, and it ended up crashing into the divider as the 808 went ahead merrily.

The trailer's front axle came off and rolled over to the other side of the road. No one was injured as the driver jumped out of the cockpit and was swearing at the 808 amid the highway at the top of his voice.

I stopped after a few hundred metres to watch the scene, and also to wait for Shri. To my admiration, the highway police came too fast to the scene along with their crane. 20 mins later Shri came to the spot as I had already finished my first ciggi and was gonna light the next. After a short chat, we decided to stop after Ahmednagar.



Soon we reached the busy streets of Nagar with people frisking by carelessly as the rain god was blessing us. The traffic was huge and took me 30 mins to cross it but Shri was long ahead of me with his R15 easily cutting through the jam packed highway of Nagar. At near 5, I saw Shri waiting at a road side shop as we had some food. As we were chatting the rays of the golden sun started shinight on the road as a Sleeper Volvo came to halt there. The people who got down, started admiring our guards as we left.



This time, I was ripping hard. The cool breeze was hitting hard on my cheeks and beard with the sun's golden rays above was creating a mystique atmosphere. I crossed Shri while I was doing the top notch speed on the ghat section again. It was my favorite way on the Nagar road. Only place to do cornering (Being a somewhat cornering fan). And suddenly at a corner I find myself in a bad situation. I think I would fall if I lean much and also if I do not lean I would end up crashing no matter how much I apply the brakes. Remembered Vishwas Sir's (xBhp ID: TrustVishwas) advise, "If you want to turn and cant turn or afraid to turn, just look at that way you will automatically turn" I did the same and got the corner. Seriously, Thanks a lot for that advise Vishwasji.

It was beginning to dusk when I decided to stop and wait for Shri so that I can follow his tail lights till the end. After a good 30 mins Shri comes in and after a stta break, I start following his tail lights. Soon we end up in a huge jam and this time I thought it was wagholi. To my mistake it was just another deadly accident. Without wasting any time, we tried to cross over and this time I managed to cross first. Without proper vision and no Shri in the front I was frantically following a yellow Krystal with two girls on it traveling at 30! Soon the R15 came to my rescue. With it leading the way, we crossed down into Wagholi then Kharadi. Filled up my Bike's tank (was at perfect reserve as the bike started giving jerks) with 15.93 Litres of petrol and 15 pouches of iftex.


Some Lost Clicks:




Nandi:




Lord Shiva:


The Tunnel I went Exploring at Ellora:




Soon, my departure came at the Viman Nagar chowk. We ended the ride with a garam chai and a sutta. Shri was gonna have dinner with kartik pai anna and I was to retire into my doma to (ancient greek word for house).

It was a great ride, and to my liking, Shri's riding had improved a hell lot! Infact I could say, he was way better than me. He was as fast as me, if not faster and he even went ahead to do come shoe scrapping. Today's ride was much better compared to yesterdays. Cool weather, shining sun, great twisties, Shri's riding improved and the best thing, near empty high ways for long streches.


If anyone requires the contact details of the resort where we stayed:

V.R. Jain
Nr. Ellora Caves, Ellora Tq.Khultabad Dist. Aurangabad Maharashtra
Phone: 02437244284
Mob. : 09860163162, 09326163162
Web: www.vrindavanResorts.com

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Noor

Thread approved

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shrinathrao

Well all saying went to waste with you blind man.

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kartikpai

Fantastic log guyz . . I really miss my saddle days now . . .

BTW few corrections utsav bhai . .

MIDC resort or MTDC resort . .

And I still wonder how you are so good in remembering numbers and how exactly do you cruise at 99KMPH !

Anyways good write up . Now post some good pics .. & Utsav mil lo bhai humse bhi . . barso ho gaye mile tumse

Cheers fellas !
Pai

P.S I am badly motivated to ride soon !

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utsavchs

~Updated with pics and the edittings~

Thanks Kartik bro.. Thanks for the corrections.. I can remember numbers lot better than names (My brain cant break down names into binary language and store them its easy with the numbers in that )

Will meet ya as soon as I get free.. little busy here n there...

Thanks Noor bhai.. was desperately waiting for the thread to get approved since yesterday.. Thanks a lot!

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revvhard

amazing log!!!!!
I might be going to Aurangabad too this weekend,would i need to call and make a reservation at Vrindavan Resorts??

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RedFlash

Love it

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utsavchs

@revvhard:
Thank you for your precious comments. I would say, please try atleast to make a call to Vrindavan as mostly on the Weekends the resorts out there are full and you might not get an accommodation considering there are only a very few facilities of acco. over there and also carry adequate cash. The ATMs over there are not working for the last 2 weeks.


@RedFlash: Thanks for your precious comments sir.

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trustvishwas

Really an amazing log. Couple of questions -

1. Did someone die on this ride? You had deadly potholes, deadly highways, deadly weekend and heading gives that impression so asking.
2. How come Shrinath was ahead of you?

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Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and then beat you with experience.

utsavchs

Thank you Vishwas sir for your valuable comments.

1. Well I named it deadly because we came around events (read as accidents) which caused other people to loose their lives. We saved ours luckily else we too might have followed the same path lest circumstances and situations went against us.

2. He could escape my lead only once in the daylight when I got stuck at Nagar. At night, I have a very poor sight (Also one of the reasons why I refrain from traveling/riding at night) hence Shri leading was the best choice to follow considering he is the safest rider out there to ride with then.

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