A runtime decision it was, a decision which turned out to be a great trip at the end. I had just finished my alcohol session, and was about to go to bed on Saturday, when the phone rang. It was The Red Pulsar on phone. A plan was shaping up, Lavasa on Sunday. I was a little tipsy and I was not sure about getting up early next day. Next morning I woke up on the alarm, sat on bed, drowsy and took a decision. It was indeed a good one.

When I reached Chandani Chawk, Shadowfax was already out of breath, on reserve. I asked the pulsarian of the whereabouts of a petrol pump. Still a few people hadn’t turned up; hence I went on to fill petrol. After feeding, Shadowfax galloped back to Chandani Chawk and we moved ahead.

Since this trip was planned in hurry, only 5 bikes turned up. I hadn’t been to Lavasa before, this was my first time. We went on the Tamhini road, the road much travelled. I have seen the boards of Lavasa many times; it’s just that my wheels didn’t turn that way, before last Sunday.

I had known that the roads towards Lavasa are in a good shape and there is lots of potential for road racing, and rash driving. We did find some nut-cases, some really brilliant riders, riding the smooth curvy roads.

Anyhow I try to express my feelings of riding on such roads, would feel monotonous, the pleasure is beyond expression, and bordering on disbelief. We continued on the roads after having a small break for tea and Pohe. We took Vada pav parcel from there and started the ascent towards Lavasa. In the road we came across a dam. There was not much water then, but I came to know that at the peak or late monsoon, the dam is full and it provides a magnificent view of the backwaters. Unfortunately the rain is not sufficient in Pune and nearby areas to fill it up to our expectations. We had Vada pav there, and left ahead towards Lavasa.

They say, the air becomes thinner and thinner as you travel vertical. That might be the case in Himalayas or Alps, but here, it went on to become thicker. Appeared as fog, this water bearing clouds lay steadily on top of the hill. We tried cutting through it. So dumbstruck by the sheer beauty and coldness, I was tricked on a couple of turns. When I reached at the top, I pinched myself once to confirm, was it all real. Just a few kilometers out of the busy crowded streets, honking horns, dust, smoke, pollution; this was so serene, a tranquil beauty, a meditating mountain, knowing our arrival offering us complete satiation it could. We had the same experience while coming back, this time, there was a slight drizzle to add to the fun.

We buttered the security at the Godlike Greek Gates of Lavasa, and he allowed us to enter putting a cap of 20 kmph on speed. It’s a different thing that we could not insult our steeds like that. We went in slightly (?) more than 20kmph; visited the lake inside and returned.

Considering the current stage of Lavasa, I was not impressed. Actually after the cloudy curtain the stages show was not impressive. The roads are beautified but not natural, and when they will reach at the completion stage as what their site claims then it would be worthwhile to visit the place. Our pockets can’t think of it, anytime that’s a different thing

When we returned, we stopped at the peak, to have a cup of tea. The steamy cup didn’t fascinate then, the clouds around us were much thicker. We had tea there, and started the return journey. In a couple of places we halted for a few photographs, and then returned back to the boring city life. The BRZ trips have started the addiction now, if every weekend the wind does not brush my face and my bike does not tilt beyond 45 degrees, it’s just doesn’t feel as if it’s a weekend any more…