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I Completed this ride few months ago. Delayed post Since I was busy with few other things.
Ride duration: four and a half days
Distance covered: 4100+ Km
I like endurance rides. To me endurance ride is to be at safe and sane speeds and spending long times on the saddle. These will automatically take care of the time and distance factors.
I stopped somewhere between Dharwad and Belgaum for lunch, after spending about six hours on the saddle. I had ensured that I was properly hydrated throughout as it was hot. After lunch and good amount of break, I resumed my ride and entered Maharashtra. Roads have been well laid and are in super condition. As I entered Kolhapur belt, I came across these road side sugar cane juice shops which served one of the best cane juice I have had till date. I gulped down so many.
I continued my ride with drinks breaks. I crossed Kolhapur as sun was going down. I stopped for a while to enjoy cool breeze and a mesmerizing sun set.
I reached Satara and decided to call it a day. I started looking for accommodation. I rode through busy streets of Satara and inquired about clean budget hotels from locals. One of them guided me to a hotel Sagar. I was given a good discount by the manager when he learnt that I was riding from Bangalore and planning to ride further into Gujarat. I answered his queries about my gear, my bike and how could I ride such long distances.
I freshened up and went out hunting for good Maharashtrian food. Again I was helped by a local rickshaw guy to a small hotel called Maratha Bahar. I ordered for a simple Maharashtrian Thali and it was delicious.
After having ridden around 810 Km, my body yearned for some good sleep.
The excitement of riding and having limited time made me get up even before my alarm chimed. I got ready and checked out. I was in a dilemma whether to continue further or to take a diversion towards Ajanta and Ellora. I thought of first riding to Pune and then decide.
It was a beautiful morning. I enjoyed riding through tunnels. I also came across many groups of youth on their motorcycles, without any protective gear, following another young man carrying torch and was being constantly cheered. All I got from them was loud cheers instead of any information.
My motorcycle chain was loose and was making noise. So, I decided to stop by at Pune Benelli service center. I reached there by 8 AM. I was asked to wait in the lounge and I was given a very warm treatment and bike was thoroughly checked before it was handed over to me. I sincerely appreciated their concern and kindness and moved towards Mumbai, as I decided to enter Gujarat instead of diverting towards Aurangabad.
I was thoroughly confused while riding towards Mumbai as I reached Express way on which motorcycles are not allowed. A nice taxi driver helped me to locate the right path through ghat sections.
As I entered Navi Mumbai, heat was taking its toll on me. Also, I was stunned with amount of traffic I was seeing. Even though I am from Bangalore, I must confess that human and vehicle populations were slightly intimidating. Moreover, I was confused as I was given different directions by different guys. Somehow I made it to Thane from where it was not so difficult to find the way to NH towards Surat.
I had so much of fluids, did not feel like eating anything. So, I asked the waiter to give me something light of his choice. And he served me Misal Pav. It was tasty which made me to order additional Pavs.
Roads were just brilliant. However one has to be careful with the way vehicles are driven and ridden in wrong lanes and from opposite directions. I was enjoying the ride with occasional breaks. There were few diversions due to road repair and construction work. But diversions and service roads were also in good conditions. As I cut through Vapi, Surat, Bharuch and Vadodara, Sun was ready to close the shop and it was time for me to look for a stay as I had clocked close to 700 Km for the day.
I had a nice Gujarati Thali, followed by a small spin around Gujarat where I found Cane juice shops service delicious cane juice for just Rupees 10 per glass. After having couple of glasses, came back to hotel and had a chat with hotel manager about ride from Anand to Kutch and about the route which and more importantly how to avoid Ahmadabad traffic by taking Sardar Patel ring road.
I was served hot coffee early in the morning along with some sandwich. Though I had not asked for the same, the manager had arranged for it as I had a long day ahead. While checking out, he also offered me sweets which with a heavy heart I had to politely decline as there was no space in my baggage to carry. He understood my situation and asked me to take them if I revisited. I thanked and started my journey. It would be a long day ahead.
Roads were beautiful and traffic was very less. It was like riding through wild wild west. Barren lands till your eyes could see. I also witnessed couple of mini whirlwinds.
BSF personnel checked my permit and allowed me to proceed further. As I got closer, I could see the land turning white from brown.
After one point I was told that I cannot ride further. I had to either walk or take a ride on a horse or camel carts. I struck a deal with a horse cart guy and I was the only one on his cart wherein other carts were filled completely.
The land turned whiter as I got closer and it was surreal. When I reached the point from where all I could see was the desert made of salt, not sand. I was told by the tangawala that this would be like a fantasy land during full moon day. He told a bit about himself and how they are doing this job for generations. Then it was my turn to answer his questions.
I met a very jovial guy who took my pics. He was full of life and fun. After taking few of my pictures, he also posed for a couple of pics. I really enjoyed talking to him. He was super cool and fun.
Full of life
The man and the beast. Bhimji with his horse.
Down to 1 horse power
After spending good amount of time, I started my return journey. I was thirsty and stopped for couple of cool drinks on way to Bhuj.
I reached Bhuj, paid obeisance to almighty from outside of Swami Narayan Mandir. Then headed towards Ahmadabad.
Benelli was center of attraction throughout.
Rode through saltpans near Bhachau. Here I did not encounter strange smell that I experienced near Tuticorin. A beautiful evening was coming to an end. I rode relentlessly before I decided to hit the sack at a hotel near Ahmadabad outer ring road. Had ridden around 940 Km at the end of day and was in deep slumber in no time.
Another beautiful morning ride.
It was a very hot day and I took many breaks including a heavy Gujarati breakfast.
Somewhere near Vadodara I came across this old gentleman who was full of life riding this unique luggage carrier which looked like a Bullet from the front and made one of the loudest exhaust notes. I had seen few of these previous day as well.
Re-entered Maharashtra. Beautiful roads. I was careful enough this time to seek good guidance to bypass Mumbai and reach Pune.
After Panvel, I missed the signboard and entered Mumbai-Pune expressway again. This time I was stopped by cops. However, after telling them that I am a new guy to this route who was guided by locals and explaining about my ride, cops let me go and also showed me the route to get on NH4. While riding through ghat section, somewhere between Khandala and Lonavala, I again got on to expressway and this time I was hundred percent sure that there were no sign boards. I cursed myself and was slowly riding back. I stopped couple of guys and checked. This time they said I could ride on expressway before exiting to Lonavala. I was bamboozled. I reached Satara around 11.30 in the night and checked into same hotel I had checked in on first day. They asked me about my experience in Kutch. However they let me off when they learnt that I had ridden around 815 Km for the entire day.
On the last day of ride, I got up late after a good sleep. I bid hotel guys good bye who had been very warm towards me. I just kept riding with breaks to quench my thirst.
I entered Karnataka and was back to Idli, chutney and Sambar.
Gradually a hot day turned cooler and pleasant. Conditions suddenly changed from sweltering to overcast.
I paid my obeisance to Lord Sri Ganapathy near Chitradurga, my home town, for having seen me through this journey of 4100 Km in about four and a half days.
Was I happy? Yes! Was I satisfied? No! Still many more rides to come. Thanks for your patience of going through my blog.
Ride duration: four and a half days
Distance covered: 4100+ Km
I like endurance rides. To me endurance ride is to be at safe and sane speeds and spending long times on the saddle. These will automatically take care of the time and distance factors.
I stopped somewhere between Dharwad and Belgaum for lunch, after spending about six hours on the saddle. I had ensured that I was properly hydrated throughout as it was hot. After lunch and good amount of break, I resumed my ride and entered Maharashtra. Roads have been well laid and are in super condition. As I entered Kolhapur belt, I came across these road side sugar cane juice shops which served one of the best cane juice I have had till date. I gulped down so many.
I continued my ride with drinks breaks. I crossed Kolhapur as sun was going down. I stopped for a while to enjoy cool breeze and a mesmerizing sun set.
I reached Satara and decided to call it a day. I started looking for accommodation. I rode through busy streets of Satara and inquired about clean budget hotels from locals. One of them guided me to a hotel Sagar. I was given a good discount by the manager when he learnt that I was riding from Bangalore and planning to ride further into Gujarat. I answered his queries about my gear, my bike and how could I ride such long distances.
I freshened up and went out hunting for good Maharashtrian food. Again I was helped by a local rickshaw guy to a small hotel called Maratha Bahar. I ordered for a simple Maharashtrian Thali and it was delicious.
After having ridden around 810 Km, my body yearned for some good sleep.
The excitement of riding and having limited time made me get up even before my alarm chimed. I got ready and checked out. I was in a dilemma whether to continue further or to take a diversion towards Ajanta and Ellora. I thought of first riding to Pune and then decide.
It was a beautiful morning. I enjoyed riding through tunnels. I also came across many groups of youth on their motorcycles, without any protective gear, following another young man carrying torch and was being constantly cheered. All I got from them was loud cheers instead of any information.
My motorcycle chain was loose and was making noise. So, I decided to stop by at Pune Benelli service center. I reached there by 8 AM. I was asked to wait in the lounge and I was given a very warm treatment and bike was thoroughly checked before it was handed over to me. I sincerely appreciated their concern and kindness and moved towards Mumbai, as I decided to enter Gujarat instead of diverting towards Aurangabad.
I was thoroughly confused while riding towards Mumbai as I reached Express way on which motorcycles are not allowed. A nice taxi driver helped me to locate the right path through ghat sections.
As I entered Navi Mumbai, heat was taking its toll on me. Also, I was stunned with amount of traffic I was seeing. Even though I am from Bangalore, I must confess that human and vehicle populations were slightly intimidating. Moreover, I was confused as I was given different directions by different guys. Somehow I made it to Thane from where it was not so difficult to find the way to NH towards Surat.
I had so much of fluids, did not feel like eating anything. So, I asked the waiter to give me something light of his choice. And he served me Misal Pav. It was tasty which made me to order additional Pavs.
Roads were just brilliant. However one has to be careful with the way vehicles are driven and ridden in wrong lanes and from opposite directions. I was enjoying the ride with occasional breaks. There were few diversions due to road repair and construction work. But diversions and service roads were also in good conditions. As I cut through Vapi, Surat, Bharuch and Vadodara, Sun was ready to close the shop and it was time for me to look for a stay as I had clocked close to 700 Km for the day.
I had a nice Gujarati Thali, followed by a small spin around Gujarat where I found Cane juice shops service delicious cane juice for just Rupees 10 per glass. After having couple of glasses, came back to hotel and had a chat with hotel manager about ride from Anand to Kutch and about the route which and more importantly how to avoid Ahmadabad traffic by taking Sardar Patel ring road.
I was served hot coffee early in the morning along with some sandwich. Though I had not asked for the same, the manager had arranged for it as I had a long day ahead. While checking out, he also offered me sweets which with a heavy heart I had to politely decline as there was no space in my baggage to carry. He understood my situation and asked me to take them if I revisited. I thanked and started my journey. It would be a long day ahead.
Roads were beautiful and traffic was very less. It was like riding through wild wild west. Barren lands till your eyes could see. I also witnessed couple of mini whirlwinds.
BSF personnel checked my permit and allowed me to proceed further. As I got closer, I could see the land turning white from brown.
After one point I was told that I cannot ride further. I had to either walk or take a ride on a horse or camel carts. I struck a deal with a horse cart guy and I was the only one on his cart wherein other carts were filled completely.
The land turned whiter as I got closer and it was surreal. When I reached the point from where all I could see was the desert made of salt, not sand. I was told by the tangawala that this would be like a fantasy land during full moon day. He told a bit about himself and how they are doing this job for generations. Then it was my turn to answer his questions.
I met a very jovial guy who took my pics. He was full of life and fun. After taking few of my pictures, he also posed for a couple of pics. I really enjoyed talking to him. He was super cool and fun.
Full of life
The man and the beast. Bhimji with his horse.
Down to 1 horse power
After spending good amount of time, I started my return journey. I was thirsty and stopped for couple of cool drinks on way to Bhuj.
I reached Bhuj, paid obeisance to almighty from outside of Swami Narayan Mandir. Then headed towards Ahmadabad.
Benelli was center of attraction throughout.
Rode through saltpans near Bhachau. Here I did not encounter strange smell that I experienced near Tuticorin. A beautiful evening was coming to an end. I rode relentlessly before I decided to hit the sack at a hotel near Ahmadabad outer ring road. Had ridden around 940 Km at the end of day and was in deep slumber in no time.
Another beautiful morning ride.
It was a very hot day and I took many breaks including a heavy Gujarati breakfast.
Somewhere near Vadodara I came across this old gentleman who was full of life riding this unique luggage carrier which looked like a Bullet from the front and made one of the loudest exhaust notes. I had seen few of these previous day as well.
Re-entered Maharashtra. Beautiful roads. I was careful enough this time to seek good guidance to bypass Mumbai and reach Pune.
After Panvel, I missed the signboard and entered Mumbai-Pune expressway again. This time I was stopped by cops. However, after telling them that I am a new guy to this route who was guided by locals and explaining about my ride, cops let me go and also showed me the route to get on NH4. While riding through ghat section, somewhere between Khandala and Lonavala, I again got on to expressway and this time I was hundred percent sure that there were no sign boards. I cursed myself and was slowly riding back. I stopped couple of guys and checked. This time they said I could ride on expressway before exiting to Lonavala. I was bamboozled. I reached Satara around 11.30 in the night and checked into same hotel I had checked in on first day. They asked me about my experience in Kutch. However they let me off when they learnt that I had ridden around 815 Km for the entire day.
On the last day of ride, I got up late after a good sleep. I bid hotel guys good bye who had been very warm towards me. I just kept riding with breaks to quench my thirst.
I entered Karnataka and was back to Idli, chutney and Sambar.
Gradually a hot day turned cooler and pleasant. Conditions suddenly changed from sweltering to overcast.
I paid my obeisance to Lord Sri Ganapathy near Chitradurga, my home town, for having seen me through this journey of 4100 Km in about four and a half days.
Was I happy? Yes! Was I satisfied? No! Still many more rides to come. Thanks for your patience of going through my blog.
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