xBhp for some of us bike loving pals is the only way to show our passion towards this not so popular hobby. A way to connect to like minded ppl, a platform for us to isolate ourselves & unite to do participate in the one sport we all love, Riding. I remember 4 years back wen I got hold of my first bike admist strong opposition from my Mom, the purpose was to ride odd 35 kms from home to work & back. A week later I was headed to Lonavala, 35 kms converted to 135 km. As this was my first time on a 2 wheeler on a long ride, googled for some tips & was directed to perfect match xBhp. Things changed……..
Our Life...
Spot the Hyosung GT650R @ Mc Donalds Kalamboli
Since my change from the Unicorn to 220 it has been less of group rides are more of solo ventures. But you never miss the Anniversary G2G (Thumb rule). Waiting at a signal @ Goregaon bumped into ShadowBoy after an year (thtz why we have signal, to meet old friends) and was reminded of the G2G. Place was not yet confirmed, but we all trust MG. Nagaon, a never heard heard of place around Alibaug. Who care where we ride to, until the cake is awesome & foods good nywhere is jst fine. This ride was gonna be a solo mission, Sweta was out for good (don’t tell her tht I was happy). As always we had 2 version of the party, overnight (wet) and single day (dry). N no of reasons for not letting me joining the overnight rowdy croud, but the biggest was MBA. The course was starting the same day as everyone had planned to leave for the nightout. So the plan got pushed to one day ride, boooooo (some sacrifices are to be made for the greater good, whose good is yet in question)
@Wadkhal Naka
Everyone I knew had reached Nagaon the night before. The Sunday morning group was all new for me except for George & Mayur. Got up early morning, a txt msg to George stating this time as usual I’m gonna be late, overdose of MBA induction was the probable cause. All geared up started started from my place at 6.30 (Thtz the time to reach Panvel) to explore another new place. Since past 4 years all our anniversary G2G’s are drowned in rain. To recollect 2008 Malshej wet wet wet, 2009 Mumbai everything was floating on roads, 2010 Bhandardhara – it seemed the dam walls will burst, couldn’t remove the camera. This one for a change was an exception for the Sunday morning group, the night riders had reached the destination swimming, paradoxically. Had heavy rains till Panvel, but after that it was just drizzling. Potholes potholes & more potholes, but yet I bravely reached Panvel. Huddled up wid the group, took eyeful glances of the Red Housung 650cc GTR. A crude beast like machine, looks good, sounds good to but now its a decision between GTR & Ninja, waiting for the CBR to join in. Took some group snaps & the needle was now pointing to Nagaon, only prob no one new the road & all No’s from the reached group were unavailable. Around 8 we started from Panvel McD @ 8.00 n headed to Vadkhal Naka, rest out the route would have to be sorted out on the way. Wid many newbies George was leading the group with me at the tail end. It’s a complete different thing to travel on a N lane road wid a divider & a narrow 2 lane road without one. NH17 – Mumbai Goa highway, falls in the without divider category & has one of the highest no of accident counts & statistically 35% are headon collisions while overtaking. Some say itz an art, I don’t think so, jst be alert, use common sense & ull come out the other end unscratched. Luckily most of the people I ride along are sensible and this group too was no exception. Reached Vadkhal within no time without much trouble, litle slow than planned due to Sunday morning traffic. Got in touch wid MG via Winsey & downloaded the Turn by Turn route info from him, detailed.
Ninja 250 & The Honda CBR250
Hyosung GT650R
A little bout the Hyosung GT650R. Itz not as sweet as the Ninja 650 but itz a Maachoo Beast Machine. Manufactured by Hyosung Motors & Machinery Inc. distributed and marketed by Garware Motors. 647 cc carbureted 4 stroke, water-cooled DOHC 8-valve V-twin engine producing 82 BHP @ 9000 rpm.
The Ispat steel complex is the first thing that greets you when you start towards Alibaug. If you are nuts over heavy machinery, then surely you will like the things around here. The 30 km road to Alibaug is a single lane State Highway, not well maintained & in rainy season dotted with potholes. There are many serene spots along the, beautiful backgrounds for your pics. Dint get enough time to click any. It was not raining but luckily the sun too was a lil shy to glow in glory. Many police checkpoints later we reached our destination. Hoooray, Welcome Wagon was at the gate in all party mood to Welcome us :). The anniversary cake was awesome, Helmet.
Everyone was safely back home by 8.00 pm. Happy Birthday xBhp….
(Pics clicked & edited on iPhone 4. Apple rocks.)
Happy Birthday xBhp
By The Lake..... 