xl_rage

Place : Sajjangad
Nearest town : Satara, Pune
Distance : 110 km from Pune, 15 kms from Satara
Attractions : hill, Samarth Ramdas Swami Samadhishtal (temple)

We have been in an IT world for pretty long time now. We can’t live with a nice estimated plan and good execution. There are bound to be runtime changes. For that matter, we even create program code on the fly sometimes. So planning was way too out of my SE roles. We were not sure where to go till Friday evening. Me and my friend had a nice dinner and were trying to decide where we could go for a one day biking. Nothing was decided for sure that day, and Saturday morning arrived. I called my cousin to ask if he was interested in accompanying. So at the end of 0830 hrs morning, we were 4 of them going for sure, destination unknown. Later on couple of us decided on the fly that we would be going to Sajjangad near Satara.


I picked up my cousin from his place and we met the other two at the Katraj intersection. It was almost 0930 on clock and we were scheduled to travel 110 kms by bike. After Tamhini this was my bike trip after a month or so. Due to rain we were not using our bikes for daily commuting. So there was joy and anticipation both.


Pune is situated in a very peculiar position. You go out of the borders from any of the side in monsoons, and nature never fails to impress you. That day Tamhini was of a different taste and this trip to sajjangad was an entirely difference experience indeed. We set out from Pune and within minutes the mountain roads started. A little drizzle of rain was adding taste in the climate. All the travellers must by now know how amazing the mountain roads appear in monsoons. One side you have a valley with gradually increasing depth and on the other side you can see the mountain turning into a hill.


We had our breakfast in a roadside hotel, filled petrol-not adequate as came to know later- and then went ahead. Though there are big talks about how risky and illegal it is, I like to listen to my iPod when I ride bike, for long journeys it’s a must. So here I’m (this is me…) riding the bike, with Randy Blythe of Lamb of God pouring his potent vocals down my eardrums singing Omerta. We had divided the earphones so that my brother could also listen. Talking about rock bands and there abilities is what we so dearly like to do, and so he was bashing anything other than Lamb and I was forcing him to listen to Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth.


The sun was in the mood of playing hide and seek, so the clouds were helping him for it. We were experiencing a little sun and then drizzle of the rain. Satara was about 50 kms ahead and one Asiad bus overtook us. My brother asked me that did I notice the advertisement on that bus. He said it was quite hilarious. That’s it. Yamaha FZ started roaring that moment onwards, a show off between 150 cc Yamaha, and the Ashok Leyland powerhouse. We both were so sure that we were never going to catch the running bus, but then he had to slow down on a turn and we overtook him again. The advertisement was truly hilarious, some BSNL add about call back tunes in Marathi.


We reached satara and enquired about Sajjangad. We were directed for about 10 kms by a man who literally was punishing his bike with his weight on it, but a superb rider. Just before Sajjangad, we could see Ajinkyatara, another fort of shivaji maharaj. By now it was almost 1330 hrs and because of the clouds, the enjoinment could not have been more pleasant.


The ascent to sajjangad is a roadway to heaven. Another mountain road and it has to offer many snapable (I know it’s not even a word, still…) views; in other words, Kodak moments. For those who remember LOTR, it was like the huge fields of Pelennor, where forces of Minas Tirith faced Mordor, Same climate, a little cloudy a little sunny for some time, then darkness of the clouds. One view and you could tell where Asian Paints got all the green shades in their brochure from. We reached on the top and parked our bikes.


There was still a little hike remaining, on foot that is. A few steps crossed and we reached the temple. We prayed there for a while, took some snaps around and left the point. (More of it, see in the snaps J ) The temple was never actually the purpose of the trip. It had always been Biking. Biking for about 200-225 kms roundtrip. So after half an hour we thought of heading back. As already we had started late we had to leave early to cross the highway before dark.


And then we faced the issue. Just when we crossed satara, a little rain started. At the same time, FZ became hungry and I allowed her some reserve. My bike generally never stays in reserve, just when reserve strikes, I refuel. So I never did know the actual capacity till which she was capable of going. We went on around 25-30 kms, and still there was no sign of a petrol pump. Next we found ourselves into Khamabatki Ghat, so no possibility of petrol pump till the ghat ends. Around 40 kms and we were thinking that, we would have to push it for sure. The optimist inside me was still assuring that FZ would go smoothly but I was much apprehensive. Thank god, we found an Indian Oil pump, and all 3 of us, me my brother and my bike were relieved.


It was a great experience indeed, the whole trip I mean. Any trip in monsoon is never bad. The time of a couple of months after rains is also great for such activities. I believe me and my bike are ready for it. And also those who would like to join me are most welcome.

The snaps soon

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SKSy_Biker

Trip log approved.

moeed

Nice log there! Waiting for the pics.

xl_rage

Here Comes the snaps...

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beruoist

Nice set of pics

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whizzkid_ram

Coool pics as usual

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Nio

Beautiful place but the place and roads looks almost deserted!! Why, is it not much known or explored?

ketan_r15

He nice write up and pics..
Nice ride u had..! Congrats for that...

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TnT

Wow, nice ride indeed.. well worded, and pics are good.

moeed

Nice photos there!