After the long Pondi ride, I've been craving to explore and ride more. But work has not allowed me to do so and will not in near future, so I've been stealing some short rides whenever possible, weekday or weekend.

A short ride to Lavasa happened this Wednesday morning before work, the rain gods were angry so was I. Thought of exploring my and bike's limit this Sunday. But was disappointed again when I reached the foothills and saw clouds hovering all over.

Standing there alone with no plans it struck me, there's a road I wanted to explore. It has been on my mind since the last time I went to Tamhini ghat. A connecting road from Tamhini to Lonavla. The weather was perfect to ride such kinda road in rains. Lets do it I said to myself. With no rain gear as such, just the riding jacket which is claimed to be 100% waterproof if not exposed to water, I started.



So, the ride till Tamhini was known, pretty bad roads, no roads and a couple of good patches like for 100 meters each. All that didn't matter when you stop and look around, stop, remove your helmet and breath in the nature. It's pure, pious, eclectic and unadulterated dose of awesomeness.

There is nothing much to write about so I'll let the pictures do the talking.
PS: All pics taken from my poor 5mp camera phone !

You need to take a right turn just before climbing the Tamhini Ghats.
As soon as you take that turn, the nature hits you hard in the face !





After riding with the lake on your RHS for some time comes an uphill. Trust me it was the best stretch of the ride.



It was 8:30 am when I clicked this and there were still patches with very less visibility.



From this juncture one needs to tale a left turn in order to go to Lonavla, the road ahead was tempting. I had time, lots of it. But limited fuel as I planned a ride to Lavasa initially. So calculated that I'd hit the Low Fuel light with this fuel level at Lonavla. But I was not too sure about the road ahead so left this one for the next time. I wish the duke had just 2 litre more capacity.





Then you come across a beautiful field on your LHS







And then comes the lake again.



And then I found a small opening to get close, so I did and discovered that the slick tyre is impotent on such terrain.



It was worse in the mud, the bike was sliding like crazy. Somehow managed to get out and rode safely and then to my surprise, I found a bike wash in the middle of nowhere.



And a couple of like these, just rode through them enjoying the splash. The bike loved it too.





Riding between hills





I was completely drenched, feeling cold but still wanted to take the picture. The road was so narrow and beautiful but this ones quality is bad. As I couldn't remove my gloves to click this one.



Now the last and final turn before I get to an area with some sort of civilization.







The final one as after riding for 6 odd kilometers I found myself riding on well laid tarmac and a sign board saying Amby Valley 2.5kms & everyone knows here how it is.

So to conclude it, it was a fun ride. Now waiting for the clouds to go and tarmac to dry !