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On one random evening, when we were sitting and discussing next destination...
(Name of person has been abbreviated to keep secret identity..don't worry will be revealed in due course)
A : hum log nashik bhi jaa sakte, kabhi nahi gaye hai, kai baar socha but ek baar jaa sakte hain.
V(thinking) : Finally, a new place, but who goes to Nashik, heard it's a useless place and dangerous Highways, and also he has just said a line, all will forget, and we will end up going Lavasa again.
Two days later,
I am sitting in my room, and I receive a call from unknown number, one thing leads to another and I come to know I have a chotu si relative in Nashik. Well one more reason to visit the place.
Next day,
I found myself searching for areas around Nashik, and come across Saputara, had always heard it's name while I was staying in Gujarat, always wanted to go there, but couldn't ever, and after checking distance and road conditions, the seed of 'riding to Saputara' has been sown in mind.
On next random evening,
When we were discussing Monu bhaiya's ride to Sandhan Valley, I was too much influenced with it, and wanted to see that place, and suddenly this thought caught up like 'forest fire' in sub conscious. And next few days I kept searching for routes possible to cover all of Nashik, Saputara, Sula, Bhandardhara. When I finally managed to get a route which was manageable in easy two days ride, I
presented my plan to team, not many were ready, but Akshat readily agreed for 23rd June weekend.
(Name of person has been abbreviated to keep secret identity..don't worry will be revealed in due course)
A : hum log nashik bhi jaa sakte, kabhi nahi gaye hai, kai baar socha but ek baar jaa sakte hain.
V(thinking) : Finally, a new place, but who goes to Nashik, heard it's a useless place and dangerous Highways, and also he has just said a line, all will forget, and we will end up going Lavasa again.
Two days later,
I am sitting in my room, and I receive a call from unknown number, one thing leads to another and I come to know I have a chotu si relative in Nashik. Well one more reason to visit the place.
Next day,
I found myself searching for areas around Nashik, and come across Saputara, had always heard it's name while I was staying in Gujarat, always wanted to go there, but couldn't ever, and after checking distance and road conditions, the seed of 'riding to Saputara' has been sown in mind.
On next random evening,
When we were discussing Monu bhaiya's ride to Sandhan Valley, I was too much influenced with it, and wanted to see that place, and suddenly this thought caught up like 'forest fire' in sub conscious. And next few days I kept searching for routes possible to cover all of Nashik, Saputara, Sula, Bhandardhara. When I finally managed to get a route which was manageable in easy two days ride, I
presented my plan to team, not many were ready, but Akshat readily agreed for 23rd June weekend.
So it was final that we will leave on 23rd morning, and meeting was dispersed. Meanwhile next 5 days were an awesome feeling for me, I like to plan things, I like to picture myself taking on those roads, I like to picture myself overtaking trucks on single lane highways, picturing how these new Ghats would be, what it would be like if we have to ride in rain. It builds up confidence and a level of anxiety which keeps you level headed.
one of the pictures I pictured myself clicking, which did actually come true
Perfecto !!!
And next 5 days, eating, sleeping, working I was thinking about this ride only.
It's something about long rides, which takes my mind off everything happening around me, it kind of washes off all the worries, and bring a lot positive 'force'.
But I did not want to go with only one more guy, that more of becomes solo ride, and it always take three to tango
So an intimation was sent to all riders, with whom I had come in recent contact, and Voila!!! we had our third rider, Vikas. His excitement level was always highest of us all, as it was his first long ride, first ride with gears and all, and first ride with us. Initially there was a doubt in our mind, about how he will cope up, time of travel, fatigue etc, but as we later found out, it was due to him, that we were always high spirited, it was due to him that I clicked many pictures and he kept us pushing "ek baar aaye hain, lets cover most of things we can, fir kab ayenge kya pata".
In next 3 days, we got Vikas his riding gears, got our bikes long ride ready, and few tips from our management later, we were ready to set on ride on Saturday morning. On Friday night, the 22nd June, I went to bed early, but as happens before every long ride, I hardly slept, made few calls here and there, wished my friend kiddo on her birthday. We were to start on 4:30 am, and it was already 1 am, with hardly any sleep, but I kept thinking, still I am taking rest, no issues, I will be able to ride a fresh, and again I started picturing myself through route, crouching and twisting Antique Blue's throttle full open, letting it's roar pierce through silent valleys and tugging behind Limited
, and then I would remember we have third guy with us and I will slow down. When sun will rise, I will stop and click few pictures, one from this angle, another from....... and I was lost in my dreams which were about to come true very very soon.....
chanda mama so gaye suraj chahu jaage...
dekho pakdo yaaro
ghadi ke kaatein bhaagein.....
And I suddenly sat up awake to my alarm, it was 3:00 AM, I was supposed to wake up Akshat & Vikas, first called Vikas, and he picked call in 6-7 rings, all sleepy in his voice, but with a sense of excitement and first thing he says to me "yaar neend hi nahi aayi, ek baje soya, excitement ho rakha hai", and I was like "hota hai, mujhe bhi nahi aayi, apki toh first hai". Next call was to Akshat, there is something of intuition always before calling him, that he won't pick call on first, and he must be fast asleep with his useless phone either silent or on charging and then we will have to go to his place and wake him up, and as it happened my next 15 mins went in getting Akshat to pick a call. So after getting ready and placing all the gears and bike with turtle bag, I reached Akshat's place at 4:10 am, we got our clothes at one place, got Limited ready to roll out. Then proceeded to Shivar Chowk, where Vikas joined us in few minutes and after a brief introduction we were to
It's something about long rides, which takes my mind off everything happening around me, it kind of washes off all the worries, and bring a lot positive 'force'.
But I did not want to go with only one more guy, that more of becomes solo ride, and it always take three to tango
So an intimation was sent to all riders, with whom I had come in recent contact, and Voila!!! we had our third rider, Vikas. His excitement level was always highest of us all, as it was his first long ride, first ride with gears and all, and first ride with us. Initially there was a doubt in our mind, about how he will cope up, time of travel, fatigue etc, but as we later found out, it was due to him, that we were always high spirited, it was due to him that I clicked many pictures and he kept us pushing "ek baar aaye hain, lets cover most of things we can, fir kab ayenge kya pata".
In next 3 days, we got Vikas his riding gears, got our bikes long ride ready, and few tips from our management later, we were ready to set on ride on Saturday morning. On Friday night, the 22nd June, I went to bed early, but as happens before every long ride, I hardly slept, made few calls here and there, wished my friend kiddo on her birthday. We were to start on 4:30 am, and it was already 1 am, with hardly any sleep, but I kept thinking, still I am taking rest, no issues, I will be able to ride a fresh, and again I started picturing myself through route, crouching and twisting Antique Blue's throttle full open, letting it's roar pierce through silent valleys and tugging behind Limited
, and then I would remember we have third guy with us and I will slow down. When sun will rise, I will stop and click few pictures, one from this angle, another from....... and I was lost in my dreams which were about to come true very very soon.....chanda mama so gaye suraj chahu jaage...
dekho pakdo yaaro
ghadi ke kaatein bhaagein.....
And I suddenly sat up awake to my alarm, it was 3:00 AM, I was supposed to wake up Akshat & Vikas, first called Vikas, and he picked call in 6-7 rings, all sleepy in his voice, but with a sense of excitement and first thing he says to me "yaar neend hi nahi aayi, ek baje soya, excitement ho rakha hai", and I was like "hota hai, mujhe bhi nahi aayi, apki toh first hai
". Next call was to Akshat, there is something of intuition always before calling him, that he won't pick call on first, and he must be fast asleep with his useless phone either silent or on charging and then we will have to go to his place and wake him up, and as it happened my next 15 mins went in getting Akshat to pick a call. So after getting ready and placing all the gears and bike with turtle bag, I reached Akshat's place at 4:10 am, we got our clothes at one place, got Limited ready to roll out. Then proceeded to Shivar Chowk, where Vikas joined us in few minutes and after a brief introduction we were toStart...
From Left to Right
1. Vikas - Yamaha FZ-S - Newbee
2. Vyom - Bajaj Pulsar 180 - Antique Blue
3. Akshat - Yamaha YZF R15 V2.0 - Limited
From Left to Right
1. Vikas - Yamaha FZ-S - Newbee
2. Vyom - Bajaj Pulsar 180 - Antique Blue
3. Akshat - Yamaha YZF R15 V2.0 - Limited
And we three started at 4:40 am from Shivar Chowk, just a 10 minute delay from schedule, well we can have fun with that . The start was steady, with everyone slowly getting into groove before we hit Highways, which came after 15 mins of ride. And here some instructions were passed by the guy least expected of 
... by Akshat
I will lead, don't overtake me, vyom will be behind you, keep at speed you are comfortable with, overtake carefully, enjoy the ride and have fun, we will stop at sunrise.
And hence started our 730 kms ride, which eventually turned out to be mine most amazing ride,...
. The start was steady, with everyone slowly getting into groove before we hit Highways, which came after 15 mins of ride. And here some instructions were passed by the guy least expected of ... by AkshatI will lead, don't overtake me, vyom will be behind you, keep at speed you are comfortable with, overtake carefully, enjoy the ride and have fun, we will stop at sunrise.
And hence started our 730 kms ride, which eventually turned out to be mine most amazing ride,...
....
And hence after taking a note on Note, about the initial details, we started on our Journey.
After a 15 minutes of ride were at Pune - Nashik Highway. It was around 5:00 AM by then. But still quite dark. As we have been hearing about Nashik Highway, that it is a single lane one, I was surprised to see a four lane highway. First thought was, may be for few minutes this will continue. Slowly n steadily we picked up pace, gaining in confidence that road seems to be free of sudden potholes and bumps. The only few odd out obstacles were the trucks without tail lights or stray dogs.
Once we got into steady 90s, with keeping the NewBee in RVM, we cruised along.
I personally love riding in group at night. There is a funny feeling about seeing the one in front of you putting on indicator and then you put your own indicator and check in rear view mirror, only to find the one tailing you also has his indicators on. Then in a swift motion all three overtake or change lanes, like water occupies free space. It's just awesome. Then while overtaking trucks, I think of how those drivers would feel bikes overtaking in so rightful and fluidic motion. Having seen it many times, I can assuredly say its a very refreshing sight..
So after around 45-60 minutes of ride, came a toll booth, after which started our two lane highway roads. It had laid down a carpet full of potholes for our coveted entry on to it. And suddenly a thought flashed 'is it going to be this way whole route, No that can't be, it shouldn't be'. As soon as this thought was about get real, the potholes gave way to smoother roads, not the very best, but they felt better. After riding for another 40 minutes we took our first stop at 5:40 on clock. By now, it was twilight before the sunrise, so we decided to take a longer break, click some photos, empty bladders and have chocolates.
Meanwhile Vikas n Akshat were busy emptying bladder, I took out the Camera
...
After having few chocolate bars and having some water, few stretching for muscles we were on our saddle again..but wait, it's time to take note...
with Nashik being 143 kms more, and two lane highways, we decided to target 10:30 - 11:00 am reach, assuming good traffic and easy riding and ample stops. The roads from this point were really good, only problem was two lanes, and one has to be very careful while overtaking. and just when we were getting into groove, I saw sun, and for my ending love with him, I had to stop while signaled Vikas to continue...
The first morning of the ride,
it rejuvenates from every side
The cool morning breeze flows,
a sweet whistle it blows
All this has been there for years,
why this is now music to ears..
with the lyrics
Ride, Ride, Ride
ride on my dear !!!
The Series of Amazing Sunrise never Seizes to Stop
From here on for next 50 minutes it was speed fest for Antique Blue. The awesome thing about sunrise period is, it replenishes your energy level, you suddenly feel rush, as you are able to ride faster, judge better because visibility is getting better. So once I caught up with Vikas, I twisted the throttle full open, crouched, and watching roads through tiny visor of Pulsar, I sped away. It was exhilarating experience, to drive on 100+ speeds on two lane highways, with trucks, Indian SUVs 'toofan', on both lanes. Being on two lane highway for first time, it was one experience which was educating in itself to. The best part was, the slender slopes, never ending curves on which you can drive whole way crouching. It was fun, absolute fun. Whenever you get tired of wind, just simply crouch, whether or 60 or 90 + , it was always relaxing, and it was doable because, it was easy to control the bike; as being single lane for you, you are able to keep a check on temptation of twisting throttle to max !!!
I and Vikas continued in similar fashion, with sometimes slowing down to enjoy the beauty surrounding the roads. I didn't feel like stopping and clicking photos, because sometimes it is better to keep movie going, rather than to to stop and rewind it....
and we took our next stop at 7:10 am, 70 kms from Nashik... aren't we going faster than predicted, yes we were... but it didn't feel like...
Everytime you embark on a journey, there is that one single impulse behind it, which has pushed the thought, the idea, the craving into reality. I was no different to it. The impulse that pushed me, was certain introduction to a little girl, who via via relations turns out to be sweet lil relative. It was her craze to go on for a ride, that made me think, "ohk why not give her a ride too!!!"
All this was giving me goosebumps now when I was asked to give her a call, and let her know that we were 70 kms from Nashik.
This was our second stop of the day, at 7:10 am. As customary it is, we leaked bladders empty, then had water and finally "Chocolates". Ohh! I so much love this part of ride, whenever you stop, you get a chocolate and noone stops you from having chocolate. This time I grabbed a 'Snickers' from Akshat
Then some photo time...
Now since we had made it to this point sooner than we expected, we decided we will have quick breakfast in Nashik and then head on to Saputara and then...ummm it was planned till here only. The only uncertain point was whether the "Lil relative" was going to join us or not, depending on which we will have to decide on our route. So just to know, we checked the address she gave us and the nicest coincidence - she lived on the route we will have to take for Saputara i.e Dindoli Road.
Hence we started again, and well the roads and the winds that treated us from here on, well lets say, one of those "Nice and Scary" experience. The roads from here were awesome, smooth layers of tarmac, good amount of traffic of cars, trucks and buses, good as easy to handle. This kept the dizziness away, as we were required to keep at full attention level and boredom never kicked. Another factor contributing to it was, super cross-winds.
Almost all would have experienced this, when you are overtaking a truck, suddenly all the wind hitting on to you vanishes and as soon as you just get ahead of truck... BAM !!! you have hit a "wind wall", and picture this, you trying to get back in your lane, leaning on to left and wind pushing you to your right,and rear wheel going crazy..hahaha..it's fun to imagine
After one of such experiences, our own Newbee signaled me to stop, I did, and his voice was filled with panic, "mera tyre shayad puncture ho gaya hai, wo achanak se doosri side jaa raha hai" and well, I introduced him to a new person, new companion of rides.... "Cross Winds". We had some laugh, and we started again. But just after few minutes of more ride, I saw a lonely tree on curve, I thought "wow, what amazing picture" and zoomed past it, and made up in mind that I will stop come whatsoever at next similar spot. Many "Lonely" trees went past, but none was like it. And main problem was, I wanted to find similar scene, a tree on curve, with unending fields on left and blurred hill range beyond them and on right clearly visible hills and best thing was right amount of light. So kept up my patience and it did pay
And we Started again,
there is a nice feeling about "Starting" again, it mentally keeps you fresh I guess.
so battling cross winds wasn't enough, we thrown up with longest of Ghat section, and well it was awesome, minus roads, Picturesque plateaus on both side, easy curves, steep U-bends, complete with Jam packed Traffic. So this went eventful and me n Vikas both keeping up good speed, kept going on, It was 8:49 am and Akshat was nowhere to be seen, well in front of us, then I received a message "Waiting at diversion , 206 on Odo" which I obviously read later, when I stopped to let Vikas catch up. So our Akshat had already reached Nashik. I stopped at 9:05 am and checked message and replies "ruko wahin, akele ride pe nikle the kya, aake watt hai apki, photos ke liye toh rukte...". In few minutes Vikas joined, and we went ahead for Nashik. Reached Akshat at 9:20 am, and then head on to Dindoli Road, by then had received message from "Lil relative" that she will joining us.
We went to Panchvati Circle, and then I ringed her a call, one thing led to another, and it was decided we will be going to their place for quick breakfast and then head to Saputara. And brilliant part was, she was coming to pick us.. (we rarely get such chances
)She came, and I was like, she is indeed "Little relative"...
So she led us to her home, and well very fast, as if some aeroplane was after, zooming past traffic in hurry like there is a house on fire. So when we reached her home, on inquiry she said sweetly...
"aap log bikers ho, mujhe laga tez chalate hoge, toh isliye tez chala ri thi" - and I have met bike crazy, ride fanatic - Tanvi
We went like...lightening struck..and said, nothing like that we drive safe, well let's go and have Breakfast...
Little Birdie, sitting atop
asked us why you taking stop
quickly replenish water
get atop your show stopper
ride to the destination
you should not
for the love roads is coronation
believe it or not
Sing a song as you ride
never u need a place to hide
As whole sky is above so high !!!
Ride Ride Ride,
for the love of Roads
you ride ..
Group riding is fun, more than that, riding with friends is super awesome, and how a good pillion makes ride more enjoyable - I was about to get to know it on my way to Saputara.
After having a very light breakfast at Tanvi's place, where all of the discussion was about where I was last seen by them, in that shaadi or other shaadi.. not mine..some relatives...and after all of that and good laugh, we started gearing up. Now we were four. Me, Akshat, Vikas and Tanvi.
We again started our journey, this time to Saputara.
The route is very very straight, get on to Dindoli Road, and keep going straight till you reach Saputara.
We fueled up our tanks and then get along the roads. Meanwhile I was also giving Lil Tanvi few pointers, main of which being to not fell asleep and if at all feel sleepy, let me know, stay alert about road ahead, wasn't expecting more from her but here also I was proved wrong . Slowly and gradually we all picked up our roads. Cross winds were still very much there and alongwith traffic, making it difficult. Though the roads were surrounded by very picturesque scenery but didn't feel like clicking, I was more engrossed in capturing all those moments in memory for ever. But then how can one stop the bud from growing...
More than that I love this, part.. taking live notes
After having a very light breakfast at Tanvi's place, where all of the discussion was about where I was last seen by them, in that shaadi or other shaadi.. not mine..some relatives
...and after all of that and good laugh, we started gearing up. Now we were four. Me, Akshat, Vikas and Tanvi. We again started our journey, this time to Saputara.
The route is very very straight, get on to Dindoli Road, and keep going straight till you reach Saputara.
We fueled up our tanks and then get along the roads. Meanwhile I was also giving Lil Tanvi few pointers, main of which being to not fell asleep and if at all feel sleepy, let me know, stay alert about road ahead, wasn't expecting more from her but here also I was proved wrong
. Slowly and gradually we all picked up our roads. Cross winds were still very much there and alongwith traffic, making it difficult. Though the roads were surrounded by very picturesque scenery but didn't feel like clicking, I was more engrossed in capturing all those moments in memory for ever. But then how can one stop the bud from growing...More than that I love this, part.. taking live notes
The roads were two lane all the way till Saputara, but very picturesque.
I will let the photos do the talking for some time...
And yes..as notes suggest, it took us almost 2 hours to reach Saputara, which included ample stops to click photos, one of the most amazing Ghat, not particularly Ghat, but plateau roads I have seen till now. Very strong cross winds at places, and climate was most inviting. As it was cloudy almost all the time, with few rain here and there.
I will let the photos do the talking for some time...
And yes..as notes suggest, it took us almost 2 hours to reach Saputara, which included ample stops to click photos, one of the most amazing Ghat, not particularly Ghat, but plateau roads I have seen till now. Very strong cross winds at places, and climate was most inviting. As it was cloudy almost all the time, with few rain here and there.
Hunting Down Limited
The Gentle Curves
That's me...look its all green around
That is one beautiful Road section..we encountered hundereds of them
Three for Tango
Ahh! Beauty
And we reached Saputara around 1:15 pm, travelling a total of 297 Kms from Pune, and having loads of fun, Not bad !!!
Almost all rides are for various objectives. But applying Rider's Algorithm of Fun, these list of objectives can be shortened to a very few basic necessities.
1. Good Scenic Roads.
2. Cloudy-Sunny weather
3. Many Photographs
4. Good Company
We all were fortunate to have tasted all the above four till now. But still we found something missing...
Ahh!!! "Taste" se yaad aya..
5. Variety of Food
I would not be wrong to say that every rider enjoys having different regional food of the place. It's like "oh, we are in Gujarat, let's have gujarati food". Well that's the exact statement made by Akshat after being dejected by renowned Saputara Lake.
Sometimes Photographer in me takes over Rider..
And we started searching for a place to have good Gujarati food. And we reached a cross road. Left road going uphill and even right road going uphill while straight ahead went to Surat. So that meant all the eating joints were on the road we just came from...and none looked good enough to eat.
So we did inki ponki and decided to go to LAKEVIEW RESORT...ohh no it didn't have any view..and as was decided we ordered Gujarati thali. And which was very unlike gujarati thali. The thali had, dal, Alu sabzi and tamatar usal alongwith 6 rotis, butter milk. The only consumable thing of these was Butter milk.
Dal was so sweet that it felt we were served hot custard
.And we didn't waste a lot of time there..
After taking a good 45 minutes halt, we saddled up again. And decided to search around those hills. So from the cross roads we went to left up hill road which after few meters had a Y junction with another going down hill and another going uphill. We presumed downhill was going to lake, and with no one having any interest in going to lake, decided to go upwards. But alas, just after a turn there was a big gate and inquiry got to know, the road is blocked due to bad condition. Dejected we again went to cross roads and this time went straight ahead (right uphill road from previous perspective), again uphill...we shifted down to second gear, bike is going uphill..more uphill, suddenly there is no tar road, and only stone, that too big one and when I look up from road, there is uphill u-turn and shift to first gear, And I stopped there, saw the road condition, and thought it wasn't worth risk going more up, as roads were terribly terrible. and with saddened face we came back to cross roads. Akshat was by now totally disappointed, Vikas too low but was optimist and I was looking to somehow push the gang. Straight went to police wala, who told us to take Y junction downhill road. Well that was the turning point, and after some 1.5 Km of off roading on flat hill tops, we reached a spot from where it was breath taking view, winds so strong that everyone was afraid to go near edge and well Akshat's gloves also survived flying off..
We left from Saputara at around 3:20 pm. Our return trip was a speedy one. A nice change was strong spell of rain shower, which soothed down the slightly increasing temperature. While return, thanks to my amazing pillion's understanding,we were crouching whole time taking corner with elegance and trying keep up with Limited. We did good on that front, sometimes it's a nice to push your limits I guess.
So since starting at 4:30 am in Morning, we decided it's time to give our steeds and ourselves a bit of rest. After dropping Tanvi at her place, we got back to Google baba. And did come to our rescue, with few knocking of hotel doors, found a place to rest at panchvati yatri.
once we lied on the bed, all the enthu went to sleeping. To our rescue came Vikas. And started pushing us "chalo yaar, Sula chalte hain, maine friends se suna hai bahut achi jagah hai, itni door aye hain chalo chalo chalo". But Akshat had some relatives to meet to, and it was decided I and Vikas led by Tanvi will head (she turned out to be good city guide) to Sula Vineyard and will meet back for dinner. Therefore Sula it was ....
The place is must go for all who go to visit Nashik. It has very good location, and well cheap pleasantries are always welcome, Right ???. A nice setup of restro, with good music being played and very good crowd
Sitting there where 2 hours went, we never realized and it was Akshat's message that made us realise we have to go back for dinner. We left from Sula, with some pleasantries and headed back to hotel.
and..
Well we had dinner and decided to start next day at 5 am SHARP...and it turned out very sharp...
That pretty much sums up our first day of ride. In which we covered -
4:30 am - Start
9:15 am - Nashik
1:13 pm - Saputara
4:41 pm- Nashik
7:30 pm - Sula
11:45 pm - Good Night
End of Day 1 - But next day was more awesome !!!
. Thanks for the invite by the way 
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