xBhp ride to Amby valley!!

This sunday I'd gone out on a ride with members of online biking group xBhp. The group usually meets up once a month but due to some reason could not have a get together for some time. In a situation which is scarily similar to my own group meetings, there was a huge emotional drama with ppl declaring that they would never join in again and lots of placating, finally a ride was decided to Amby Valley. 

On the day itself, woke up at 5.15 and with a guy who stays close by made our way to the Panvel MDonalds which was the meeting point. Now I was expecting around 10-15 people to join in, but I reach there and see 25-30 bikes parked... Already feeling that this day's gonna be something else :)

Hit the old highway to pune and were cruising  at 75 Kmph, all of a sudden we hear these loud droning sounds in the distance. The guy in front of me moved to the left lane and motioned me to do the same... I followed him and was about to ask him what the whole scene was when a group of superbikes just blurred past us.. The feeling was same that you get when your a bit lose to the edge of the platform and rajdhani express just blasts past you!! I think here were  R1's and MT01... awesomeness indeed. We then reached the ghats and had an awesome time climbing up.. The guys in front of me were pro's n seeing them I also started throwing my bike into corners at 40 kmph.. After 2 close calls in a row and being saved by the very good brakes on my bike, I slowed up a bit. Still had a lot of fun while climbing. Stopped for a bit at sunrise and then took a few more pics....

 

 

 

Met up with pune guys at lonavala and stopped at a bridge ahead of the city. Seeing all the bikes lined up from one end of the bridge to another was an absolutely amazing sight!

 

 

Had an amzing ride up to the Amby passing by Lions point.

  

Finally reached Amby valley gates and again broke up into groups, gettin to know one another and admiring the bikes out there. One guy went off the orner but didnt get hurt thanks to all the protection he was wearing.. When I saw the roughed up bike but the rider without any scratches, there was an aakashvani in my head 'Vatsa, Jacket aur Gloves aur Kneepads le lenaa!!' with temple bells ringing in the background :D The bike amazingly was running well and was with us all the way up and back without any problems I think. Amazing engineering Yamaha!!

Moved on to Lions point where we had some bhajiya and tea and had a formal introduction. It was then that we realised that there were FIFTY frikkin bikes in the group.. 

 

After spending abt an hour there all moved down in formation. Was hilarious to see other vehicles just get off the road and gape at the long convoy of bikers in Jackets, Gloves and Helmets. We were all feeling like some VIPs with people lining at the sides of the road (kids were actually doing that :) Again I got a bit reckless at the turns but then slowed down and did my own thing while being passed by almost all riders. Came down 2nd last (before the Activa, I think ;)

 Suddenly we heard that some1 had crashed at the steep corners on the way down, thankfully none of the guys were hurt. That luck didn't hold one we hit the highway tho'. One of the riders on a Karizma crashed on the expressway after his rear brakes failed. We had'nt realized this and were waiting at the Khopoli exit for everyone when some locals told us there was a crash. Some1 in the group called back to say that the guy ws hurt. His bike was almost off the cliff. The bike again was in working condition and the rider himself got it bak to khopoli. There we went to a hospital where he got 2 stitches across the bridge of his nose. Very lucky to get just these few injuries. 

Finally were all were off from khopoli to panvel at very aaraam se speeds of 65-70. Reached there and joined up with the rest of the gang at Himalaya Punjab where we had lunch (chicken, of course!!) and then off to our places.Was back home by 4.30 and chilled out rest of the day.. 300 KM done on the trip!

Had and awesome day and looking forward to more such rides in the future. Next target in line - Malshej Ghat!

All pics at http://picasaweb.google.co.in/vinay.shinde/XBhpG2g31Jan2010#