Yeah...left has 27kms of bummpy road..it has been like that for alomst 2 years now....this year its even worse as they hav started the workon small bridges over lil rain gutters goin accross the road, i had to ride thru that road this may with only the moonlight and light from other vehicals which was rare with zero traffic at 10pm with broken headlight. Dang it was scary......
I started from the point you guys joined NH8 to straight ahead another 7kms from the junction you guys took a left, road beyond that point was good for a moonlit ride...

Is the story over ???

when your riding on sat/sun also then why the hell travelog not updating on sat/sund.. man..these working days have altered our life styles

The story is not yet over.

Actually was swamped with work. Will take out time today and tomorrow to actually write and post it asap.

Jaiwana Haveli, 14, Lalghat, Udaipur, 313001 to Hotel Fountain, 8, Western Express Highway, Thane Ghodbunder Road, Mira, Versave Bridge P O, Thane, MH 401104 - Google Maps

Warning : Not a single photograph. . . just a wall of text. . .

really great story ... hope it just doesnt end here or is it ????

Hey Vishwas...Truly great story...cant wait to read an amazing new chapter(or be a part of one)...God Bless...

I see suspense building up for your last travelogue. Very beautifully narrated.

Wonderful experiences precisely written. Never felt bored. Liked it.

Thanks all for your compliments. My sincere request, love it. . . hate it. . . rate it.

In last episode, we were at Hotel Fountain, Ghodbandar Road near Thane and were leaving for our homes in Pune. The time was 6 pm. Just a short 160 odd km ride. Nothing much to worry about.

Ghodbandar Road to Pune, Maharashtra - Google Maps

Amit knew the road through Thane town so was leading. Right after we started riding, we encounter extremely heavy traffic. Luckily, we managed to keep each other in sight. The pace was extremely slow. Even an arthritic snail could have easily kept pace with us. Extreme heat, exhausts, sweat, sore butt . . . full on enjoyment. Finally we managed to cross Thane town and see Kalwa bridge. Again massive traffic jam. Took a turn towards Panvel. Massive traffic jam.

Soon we were royally stuck in a traffic jam between Airoli & Rabale. All the lanes from both sides were completely choked. No one was moving ahead. We had also crossed vehicles by getting bikes down in unpaved area. But soon that lane was also blocked. We soon realized that the traffic would not move again in next half hour or so. Shut off both the engines. Had a small conference with each other and we decided to meet up directly at McDonald’s Kalamboli, if we get separated. Still no movement. . .Waiting. . . fuming at my decision to move ahead instead of staying back.

Luckily for us and unluckily for him, some ministers’ convoy had stuck in the traffic jam next to me. After 5 minutes of wait, all 7-8 vehicles from this convoy started blaring their sirens and horns. Nearly 15 minutes lapsed with no result. All the vehicle owners around the convoy were cursing them. Suddenly a glimmer of hope. A policeman turned up to see what all that noise was. When he found out that some minister is stuck in the traffic jam instead of us commoners, he called up help on his walkie talkie. In next 5 minutes, all other roads were blocked and our lane was allowed to move forward.

Hurray. . . finally moved from that place. Traffic was still extremely heavy and we were tired. Finally reached McDonald’s Kalamboli at 7.40 pm. We had taken 100 minutes to cover 47 km distance, averaging a fantastic 28 kmph. By this time, we both were completely drained of energy. Took a break and had cold water.

Got the news that a new flyover is being constructed in Panvel town creating fantastic traffic jam. Called up some knowledgable friends who confirmed the news. Then we both decided to take JNPT bypass. After a break of around 20 minutes, we started once again.

Took the JNPT bypass. Road was good and relatively traffic free. Trouble came up again in 25 km. The junction where Goa highway starts was choked with trucks and trailers. Decided now or never and started hard core off-roading. After around 5-7 km, found unclogged highway once again.

Started riding towards Khopoli when couple of pulsar owners and a Verna owner took offence to our speed and started chasing us. We both slowed down and allowed them to overtake but they again slowed down. May be wanted to show how much better they were than these two ninja riders.

Little did they know that we had ridden nearly 800 km on that day and were in no mood for racing. After five minutes of us slowing down and then they slowing down, I decided to rip and rip I did. I left all those idiots behind and was gunning around 130 kmph on this beautiful road. Amit was following me closely. Finally we reached Khopoli around 8.40 pm. Took a butt and water break again. By this time, my knees were screaming for mercy and my backside was threatening to go on strike. It was more because of our 15 hours of so in the saddle. The last stretch between Thane and Kalamboli had sapped our energy completely.

Again geared up in 15 minutes. We decided to ride straight to Pune without any halts. Climbed ghat, crossed lonavala and I needed a pee break urgently. Amit refused and I had no option to follow him. Finally he stopped near Malawali. Had a short 5 minute break. It was pitch black and we were happy that we were in the last stretch.

Just this thought gave us second wind and we rode fast but smoothly towards our destination. Amit’s house comes much earlier than mine. So stopped on the side to bid him bye. Took first and last photograph of this day and moved to my house.




Finally reached my house at 10.20 pm to find out that wife had kept chilled beer ready (for the first time in life).

Total ride time today was 17.5 hours. Distance covered was much less at around 900 km. Last 160 odd km had taken us 4 hours 20 minutes.


Epilogue:

We enjoyed bad roads, amazing roads, nice sunny weather (read as extremely hot), burnt saddle bag, riding 2000+ km on bent alloy, extreme traffic jams, 23 km straights, suffered from food poisoning . . . Absolutely fantastic ride. Enjoyed every bit of the 3600 km ride.

This ride gave me my companion for future rides. We both did not need to exchange even one single call or sms during the whole 9 day ride. We always were in sight of each other. Every day, we both got up at scheduled time, got ready at scheduled time and rode as planned. Amit had to suffer a lot and ride very slowly due to my bent alloy but did not utter a single word about it. Hats off to his patience.

This is the Essence of this successful trip log.......Bravo.

The chasers on the highways I believe are more intrigued by the safety guards around our knees and elbows + gloves and jacket added with full faced helmet. They feel as if we are aliens and go crazy. Above all you were riding Ninja which is the envy of these morons.

Finally, congratulations to both of you, great write up too. All the best for future rides.

The whole log is just awesome. May be I could someday use the confidence, planning and decisions of you, Sir.

And that last para, 'the true biker relationship'. It can't be explained in words.
In total, Awesome sir!!!

When is the next trip sir ?? Eagerly waiting for next trip log...hope it will be soon.

Awesome Awesome Aweome.....
Waiting for the next trip log................