It started with a plan for a bike ride to anywhere, and ended up being one of the most awesome experiences of my life. And to top it off, had two of my best friends along all the way, right from the exhilarating morning trip to the absolutely scary return journey. Hope you all like the pics (and the background story as well)
I just wanted to take my bike out for a ride out of the city and had hooked up a plan to ride to Kashid beach with a couple of friends. For reasons both backed out so I was left with either cancelling or going alone. Well, I decided to go ahead with the solo ride and that was that. How that all changed in the next 4 hours!
- Friday, 9 PM- I get a call from Andy, and when I told him of my plan, he said he’d try to join in
- Friday, 10.30 PM – Mesg from Andy – He’s In, we agree to meet at 7.30 AM @Santacruz
- Saturday, 12.30 AM – Wondered if Girish would come along, gave him a call, phone busy.. Said chuck it.
- Saturday, 12.35 AM – Girish calls back – gives in-principle agreement subject to maternal approvals
- Saturday 12.35 to 1.15 – Trying to get others on board, called Pats Charitraheen’ and rags the cool guy. Both non-committal. Will see tomorrow (today)
So woke up early sat morning, gave wakeup calls to both the guys and got ready. Somehow, we all got delayed and met up at IIT powai gate. I agreed to lead as I had the (useless) map and knew at least part of the route. Sped along EE Highway, crossing 100 KMPH for the first of many times on the day. Halted at vashi to call up Mahesh
Andy took his position at the handlebars of my bike (happened many times, when the bike was
stationary). Mahesh backed out, we had some bhajiya pav’s and were on our way along palm
beach road!
Took a turn to uran and went along the So-called State Highway 54 (with ferozshah kotla type ground) upto panvel, where we had our first butt-break and asked for directions. Took the road for Mumbai-Goa highway and a couple of turns later, we were on our way back to Mumbai along JNPT road, turned back, asked for directions and resumed our journey.
Right till Vadhkal naka/Pen, we had very good roads, enjoyed the ride and were there by 10.30. Onwards to alibag!!!! The route to alibag was full of potholes, nice twisting turns and an awesome bridge where we
stopped to take some pics!!
stopped to take some pics!!
Crossed Alibag and hit the land of potholes… A few KM out of the city I noticed this track leading a bit away from the highway towards the sea shore, we took it and reached an amazing backdrop!
Did a bit of offroading, then I had a short affair with a parayi bike (girish’s P180). And on we go..... We crossed Kashid on our way and got our first glimpse of Murud fort far off in the distance
We reached the jetty by around 2 PM, then we had to take a ferry to the fort itself. Some pics of the fort and the trip to and fro below -
Due to seeing too many episode of Raaz pichle Janam ka, we also got some glimpses of our past lives at the fort -
Ø 1232 AD -Here’s (commando) Girish guarding his khidki from enemy soldiers and then taking a break with watchman Andy
Ø After seeing their boss also sitting at the same place, they went back to their duty
1375 AD – Both born as monkeys, playing near the cannons , Girish belongs to the bichoo monkey gang who faces forwards and Andy to the eagle gang, whose philosophy was to always sit ulta so they could watch their backs!
Finally we left our past lives at peace and were on our way back.
We were stiff hungry so we decided to stop at Kashid beach n have snacks. Didn’t realize when it crossed 5.30, so started hurrying back, after crossing alibag, we stopped atour favorite bridge again to get some pics!
It was dark now, so we decided to go slow on the highway. Kept up an average speed of 35, cos there were no lights on the roads, and the high beam of the opposing vehicles kept blinding me!! Somehow we managed (thanks to my newly installed Philips 55w crystal vision bulb) and my parkhi nazar ;) Then we reached a small ghat section which absolutely scared the pants off me!!! Went over a rock so took another break along the highway to check for damage. Called up home and back to Pen. There we stopped for a bio break and also had tea to calm our nerves! Continued on our way and hit the sion-panvel highway around 9. Then it was just a couple of stops for another break, refueling and on to Dahisar (to drop Andy)
Finally, around 11.15 dropped Andy and then went to mind space for pickup duty. Reached sasural by around 12.45 and had a bath, I think I would have turned 2 tones lighter (according to that John Abrahams garnier tone checker thingy) after the bath removed all the grime.. The last though before crashing into oblivion of sleep was "The Journey was 10X worth the destination itself!"
Complete Pics at : http://picasaweb.google.com/vinay.shinde/MurudBikeRide#
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