Wow Phani ! What amazing detail of the road conditions of such a long route ! Your attention to such an important part of a tourers ride has to be saluted ! You are are a true "biker" in every sense of the word ! These details I'm sure will be a welcome guide to many who plan to ride these routes ! Kudos

Take Care & Ride Safe

Thanks Buddy
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Road conditions for the ride :
Bangalore-SataraSatara-Malshej
Fine roads from all the way except for some small patches at some place(around Kaas and Malshej), most of the route is very scenic.
Traffic increases exponentially once you touch the NH4

Malshej-Unai
Malshej-Otur-Akola-Sinnar : Mixture of everything, Ghats/plains/good roads/bad roads/no roads more imporatantly Fantastic route. Almost nil traffic till Sinnar.
Sinnar-Nashik: one might feel claustrophobic after coming from the above route and joining the highway.
Nashik-Saputara-Vansda-Unai: Brilliant is an understatement. Once you enter Gujrat, it becomes a level higher.

Unai-Buhari-Bajipura-Madhi-Kevdi-Dediapada-Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary-Rajpipla-Bodeli-Halol-Kalol-Godhra-Lunawada-Modassa-Ratanpur-Udaipur
Unai-Dediapada: Brilliant roads with less traffic
Dediapada-Shoolpaneshwar: Roads are good until and unless you intentionally want to take the inner roads which a bit on the rough side, but very much rideable/driveable.
Shoolpaneshwar-Rajpipla-Bodeli: Except for some road upgradation around Bodeli, not even water would stay stagnant of the road. Roads are very good.
Halol-Udaipur: Mix of two lane and four lane highways. Quality of the roads are fantastic. One has to watch out for Cows which come on to the road out of nowhere or refuse to stay out of the road.

Udaipur-Gogunda-Jaswanthgarh-Sayra-Ranakpur-Sadri-Bali-Falna-Sanderao-Pali-Bullet Baba-Rohat-JodhpurJaswathgarh-Ranakpur: Roads are about average, but less of traffic except for the towns the route passes through.
Ranakpur-Sanderao-Pali Pali-Jodhpur: Two-Lanes as straight as an arrow. One need not enter the town of Pali to go to Jodhpur. There is a small junction before Pali with few Hawckers on either side. Turn left from there. Towards Jodhpur.

Jodhpur-Balesar-Chandan-Pokhran-Jaisalmer
Once you exit Jodhpur, its open roads till Jaisalmer. Not much traffic anywhere. Look out for Camels and peacocks before crashing into either of them. Peacocks will fly across the road without even the slightest indication.
Carry enough food and water, as the places to find them are less.

Jaisalmer-Sam Dunes: very boring straight roads. The roads have sudden dips so that the vehicle coming from the other side might not see you. So it is suggested to be at lower speeds in this section, Also since the sand will be on the road and cross winds to accompany, controlling high speeds becomes very difficult.

Dhanana-Jaisalmer-Barmer-Sanchor-Tharad:
Sam dunes to Dhanana: roads are narrow. If army convoy is on their way, the there would be enough space for a two wheeler to pass through. Also due to wind the dunes would have shifted to the roads. So have to be careful.
Jaisalmer-barmer-Sanchor: Roads are deserted with minimal traffic except for places like Barmer and Sanchor. Roads around Sanchor are rough and filled with potholes.
Sanchor-Tharad: due to trucks going towards Kadla port, the traffic increases exponentially after Sanchor. Once you enter Gujrat, roads are at their best.

Tharad-Nadabet-Mehsana-Ahmedabad-Vadodara
Roads are good throughout Gujrat(or atleast in the above mentioned roads) The worst part I found was Ahmedabad-Vadodara stretch, Not the Expressway. Reckless riding practices is found in abundance. Apart from the roads very good.

Vadodara-Surat-Mumbai(NH8)
Six lanes all the way. Road quality is of the highest order. Truck traffic is enormous. However eases out a bit after Surat.

Mumbai-Panvel-Mangaon-Divegar-Srivardhan-Harihareshwar-(ferry) Bankot-Kelshi-Anjarle(ferry)-Harnai Beach-Dapoli-Dabhol-(Ferry)-Jaigadh-Ganapatipule
Mumbai-Pen: Occasional potholes combined with above average traffic.
Pen-Mangaon: Roads get congested once you pass through the towns.
Mangaon to Ganapatipule: Mixture of good roads, Average roads, bad roads and No roads. But the good part is that its so scenic that you would not concentrate on the quality of the roads

Ratnagiri-Tarkarli-Sawanthwadi-Bhanda-Panjim-Margoa-Karwar-Ankola-Kumta
Again the route is so scenic that you fail to notice the rough patches that appear Occasionally. The route from Banda-Panjim along NH17 is freshly laid and is in very good condition.
Till Karwar the road quality is above average, but once nearing the exit of Karwar, the sorry state of NH17 becomes very evident.

Kumta-Honnavar-Jog Falls-Shimoga-Tiptur-Tummkur-Bangalore
Surprise potholes are everwhere. The stretch from Honnavar-Jog falls are relaid, except for some section in the middle.
The bad stretch around Sagar is completely done and is in good shape. For the section that was bad in the above route has be done.
Lastly Tumkur-Bangalore: Part of GQ, good four lane.

WoW!!!! What a picture Greenery, seaside, curvy road and rains, if this is not beauty what might be? There is so much in this pic.

Thanks Buddy yeah the ZMA is a trustworthy steed.

Ha ha ha , buut he was a Marne and Not a Patankar

Thank you Sir Your words mean a lot to me. Going again sometime, come what may , wanna see Jog in full glory this year

Thanks buddy glad you liked it

Thanks Rakowli

Thanks man yeah those sea side roads are just fantastic

wow log.... ZMA stalls was the Climax Keep Riding bro

I liked it ... was just feeling the same ... I have been to Alibaug, Karoli yesterday & yes those Sea Hugging Road show is awesome to drive by

amazing log and awesome picture. Enjoyed riding(reading) this log. Riding During Monsoon is sometimes so much of fun, you also get to see some magnificent natural places and scenaries. Congrats for completing your trip successfully.

Phani: Man, really like the travelogue... adventures & so many contrasting colours, from the barren, yet beautiful lands of Rajasthan & Gujrat to the lush greenery of the Ghat section. You had a wonderful time & ride there man. Amazing.... thanks for sharing.

Compliments again on completing your truly amazing ride ! The enhanced greenery after the rains adds so much more lustre to your lovely pictures. When we rode through Jog in April on our way back from Goa, the falls were just a trickle. Amazing what even a failed monsoon can do

Take Care & Ride Safe

What ?? Even his name was Nagesh ?? What a co-incidence !

Magnificent. Very good trip log.

On a side note, your trip has reminded me what a wonderful motorcycle Karizma is. I have a FZ and a bullet right now, owned Karizma and a classic CBZ in the past. Karizma is the one I still miss whenever I think of it.

Good luck

Very true, a million thanks to Nagesh, the driver of the pick up truck.

Thanks Ramesh

yeah it was something similiar to that

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Day 14: Ratnagiri-Tarkarli-Sawanthwadi-Bhanda-Panjim-Margoa-Karwar-Ankola-KumtaOutside my room at 8.30Am


Somewhere around Ratnagiri


Overlooking Tarkarli (One of my Fav pics of the ride )




Given no options proceed towards Tarkarli via Ratnagiri and Mithgvne. Had fallen in love completely with MSH 4 by now.The roads from Banda to Panaji had been freshly laid and was traffic free. Thankfully was able to reach Santacruz to satisfy the growling stomach. Wasted no time in taking leave from Goa(reluctantly though) towards Canacona. Initially thought will stay at Karwar but the roads and not much rains changed the location to Honnavar or Kumta. As you cross Karwar, the sorry state of roads begins. After coming through MSH 4 and NH17 on the MH side, this was like a curse. Found a decent enough hotel right by the highway for some much needed rest. Struck a deal for Rs. 250/- and was super happy because the room was BIGG and neat. At some time around realized the reason for the low tariff. The room was right next to the railway track, in short, I was jacked.

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Day 15: Kumta-Honnavar-Jogfalls-Sagar-Shimoga-Tarikere-Arasikere-Gubbi-Tumkur-BangaloreTrucks on rails The building adjacent to the track, visible, is my room. Hope one can imagine what a "sound" sleep I had last night


The "Best" view I could get of the Falls after waiting for an hour


Around Sagar







Owing to return later some time, crawl out of this place.

Initial and Final Odo readings


After riding around 5800Kms over 15 days, the Man and machine reach home territory.

This had been an experience of a lifetime for me. Would like to thank everyone who helped me go through this, be it winning the contest or planning an itenary or infrastructural help. Without your time and willingness this would have never happened. Most importantly would like to thank Castrol Biking for this wonderful opportunity. Hope to have this co-operation with you going forward as well. Also hope that in the coming years, there would be more such events which bring out the true colors of motorcycling, be it in motorsports or touring. Thank you one and all again.

The nigtmares of 13th day reminds me of Friday the 13th

your thread was awesome with all these beautiful snaps....your snaps speak for itself

Glued to the thread....
While I was reading your log for DAY 13, everything was flowing smoothly until that moment where the ZMA stalled. That was an ouch moment. Fortunately there were people to help you. PHEW! That could have been a deadly experience as it was raining and it was dark. Thanks to that chap who helped you.

Day 13: Mumbai-Panvel-Mangaon-Divegar-Srivardhan-Harihareshwar-(ferry) Bankot-Kelshi-Anjarle(ferry)-Harnai Beach-Dapoli-Dabhol-(Ferry)-Jaigadh-Ganapatipule.

Leave the city of Mumbai by 6 and slowly creep out of the city towards Panvel. To my bad luck the traffic was chocking around Pen, all thanks to the truck that had broken down on one of the curves. Not sure of the Mandwa Ferry proceed towards Mangaon and for Divegar and Shrivardhan. Was loving every inch of the ride from Mangaon, roads going as per their wish, merciless rains. Reach Harnai beach for a late lunch.

Before Divegar





At Bhagamandala




Ferry No.1 for the day (Bhagamandala-Bankot)




Why Should boys have all the fun

The ferry operates from 6AM to 9.30PM . However if it is post 9.30 ferry operates at some extra cost(This facility is available at the mercy of the ferry agents)

Once you start climbing Bankot


The climb from the exit of the ferry to the top has got magnificent views of the river merging into the sea.


Before Harnai


The best past of this route is the aerial view of the beaches alongway. MSH4 Hugs the coastline, in literal sense




School kids playing on the beach


At a view point atop Harnai


At Dhabol ferry point


Sonia And Supriya at my service


Dabhol has got a mini port operating.






Then came the toughest part of the journey today. From Dabhol , the ride towards Thavasl to catch a ferry to Ganapatipule. The Scheduled last ferry for the Jaigadh Side was at 9.30 PM. Pitch dark roads , hardly anybody to ask for dimensions, very few villages passing by. At one of the place a village elder when asked for directions, came out of his house, took me to a point where i could see bright lights on top of a mountain. "keep getting closer to that light and you almost reach the ferry point" He gave the directions to go, any screw-up i make it was only myself to be blamed. To make matters worse, there were landslides at two locations where a huge rock had settled in the middle of the only to allow vehicle the size of a Nano to pass through. So my chances of getting help in case i need, is almost eliminated. The directions from the village elder was the only thing running on my mind, and made sure that those Lights from Jindal plant didnt go out of my sight for long. After almost an hour or may be even more reach Thavasal. A big sign of relief. Ganapatipule is still kms from Thavasal. During a conversation with a Bolero driver about directions to Ganapatipule, he introduced me to another guy on a trax, which ferried fish to Ratnagiri. He agreed to lead me till a place where he would turn for Ratnagiri. The only word to describe the roads from Jaigad ferry point to some distance is "Nightmare" . At one point, we confront a water crossing, where both me and the Trax driver were unable to see the other end, due to rain and darkness. He agrees to go ahead and I was supposed to follow his trail. After few meters, there was steady level of water, which got me a bit of confidence and I start following the trail of the Trax. And suddenly the the Trax start going downwards. i could neither go back or stay in that water. Keeping the bike in High rpm's i proceed further. Just when i was about to exit the crossing, the ZMA stalls. The driver from the other vehicle who had agreed to wait till I crossed the puddle , came running to get out of the water. reason for the Stalling, the water had busted my Spark plugs. Immedietly find a shady place from the rain to change the plugs. Thankfully water hadn't entered the air-filer or the carb. Thanking the driver for all the help i proceed towards Ganapatipule. Stop at the first place where I could find food and shelter and crash for the day. This day will be remembered for a very long time.