Riding Along Sahyadri’s : Malshej – Shivneri – Ghodegaon (Part 2)

A Peace full Soul

Shivneri Fort :

Shivneri fort was on Anup places to visit list for a long time. He used to crib always how much he wants to go to Shivneri and Singhagad. So finally we were at the foothills of the fort. I confess tht Im not such a big fort fan, but until the camera likes it I don’t have a problem. We were yet to decide wether r goin to climb all the steps and see th ruins of the fort or ride back. We asked some vendors around bout the no of steps and how much time it would take to reach to the top n back. They were quite hellpfull and the approx time was tht we would require was 2 hrs. With enough time in our hand me and shiva convinced Anup tht he can climb all those steps.

The two Honda's

Ganesh Gate - Shivneri

We literally dragged Anup to the top. I after a long time was walking. We bikers get so used to keeping ous ass’s on the seat, pressing a button and twisting the throttle that we almost forget the 11 no bus. So I tooo was struggling to climbing all the steps. God knw how the Marathas used to do this everyday, all this kellogs and bonvitta has made us so weak. We waited at all the gates, there were many of those. Took some snaps for which no one was ready to pose, tooo tired. The irony to all this was a family which we had started the climb after us consisting of children girls and old ladies overtook us halfway. Ohhh my God, salla puri izzat ka falloda kar diya..

Warrior

So we had covered 3/4th distance n already our lungs were out. Has some ginger mixed lemon water, must have. Tht was mind blowing, thirst quenching and refreshing surprisingly and tht too jst for 5 rs. We finally made it to the top. I wanted to see a fort n ther was nothing of that sort around there. Everthing I could see was ruins so we all were quite disappointed. We asked some visitors that wht can we see here. Everyone pointed to a distant place, the birth place of Shivaji. As it was tooo far n there was no energy left after such a small endeavor we decided to jump down on to our bikes and ride home.

Shivneri is a nice fort to stroll along but it would not attract the ooo’s n ahhhh’s. The Archilogical department has put some nice sign boards which show the name of each gate you pass through and other structures. There are two gardens and a temple to visit. The climb is not that steep and the administration has renovated the steps for tourist. The only way to reach to the top of the fort is by climbing all the steps, there is no rope way or ny alternate mode.

Dimbhe Dam:
It was around 12 when we finally were back on the bikes. I was still raining and we slowly headed towards Bhimashankar & were planning to go to Ahupe from there. The weather started to get better and the road conditions started to worsen. There were potholes all over and the Honda’s were rattling. As a pillion I was jumping around and nither shiva nor anup wanted to slow down. We reached a village and took a break some 20 – 25 km from shivneri. Asked some villagers around of the route to Ahupe, most of the didn’t knw the place at all. Some rickshawalls told us the route but also confirmed tht there is no motor able route from Ahupe back to NH222 (Malshej) & also told us tht the road are worst ahead. So we decided to move back, the whole Ahupe plan was flop & I was a bit disappointed. We headed back to Junnar and then back to Malshej. We had in mind tht we are goin to visit the lake tht we had seen enoute. So tht was the backup plan but our man objective of offroading was yet to be completed.

While heading back to Junnar anup saw some caves on a mountain. A local told us tht the only was to reach there is on foot & advised us not to go there is would be dark until we returned. We went a bit ahead and saw a small path leadin to the mountain & the anup jumped off the road with my uni of the dirt track. I was a bit astonished seeing the unicorn perform so well even in this terrain. The ZMA was jst enjoyin it & climbing the slope with ease while the unicorn was struggling a bit with itz heavy load & the slope. I had to push it through for sometime. Shiva with his ZMA had climbed up a considerable hight wen some villages told us tht there is nothing ahead. So we headin back to find the tarmac. I was busy runnin behind them clickin snaps, it was difficult. In 20 mins we were back on road, it was the same experience tht you would have on Mars (pathetic roads).

Offroading on the Unicorn

Not on a Beach but near The Lake...

Shiva with his Karizma

After covering some more Km’s were again of the tarmac, this time we were climbing the slope wihch had no path. Anup on the ZMA was leading me to the top and shiva preferred to follow us on foot rather than being a pillion. I t was really a wonderfull experience. Parked the bikes & took some snaps, I would not write more on this let the photos do the taking.

After enjoyin the offroadin session and satifying the offroad thirst we headed to the lake. Took some snacks on the way so tht we can eat it at the lake, we were hungry….. Reached back on NH222 and strated finding a route to the lake. There was a small road which leaded to the lake. The road was bad but the area around was so scenic tht those the 1Km stretch is now one of my favorite roads. To our surprise the road adruptly ended and went inside the lake, yes right Inside the LAKE. Tht was scary & weired. I wanted to take some pics with the bikes parked inside water. A lady was washing clothes by the shore we asked here bout the lake and the road, she said the road is used in summer when the water level goes down and assured us tht except a few crocs here n there it was safe. So I started pushing the bike into water and the two lazy bone staring at me. Took some nice snaps. Waited by the lake for some time & then headed back home.

It was an awesome ride & we had done my things Malshej, Shivneri Fort, Offroading, photos by the lake. But we were not able to go to reach Ahupe so tht task is yet pending…………………….

Riding Along Sahyadri’s : Malshej – Shivneri – Ghodegaon (Part 1)

Title: Riding Along Sahyadri’s
Location: Shivneri, Maharashtra
Route: Mumbai – Malshej – Shivneri
Date: 01 Dec, 2008

The rain had subsided. We had a cup of tea and some good day packets. Start a good day with a bite of Good Day. The dhaba was pathetic, all messy. We didnt have much choice as it was raining heavily for quite some time. We started gearin up for the route ahead. Eicher road map was out on the table to find the route to “Ahupe”. So we wore our jackets and started back on NH 222 (I lve tht no). As usual, we sat in the bikes and it again started raining heavily. This time I was on the front seat riddin the unicorn and gettin wet. Anup was sittin behind me as a pillion for some time and clickin snaps with my sony.

Malshej Ghats

The ZMA & The Flying glove (Spot it)

The bends atop the ghat

Peace

As the km’s increased on the trip meter, showers also started to become stronger. We had to park underneath a tree or would be fully drenched for the nxt 100+ km’s. The rain didnt want to stop. A thought came across tht the ride was a bad idea & we shld turn back home but seeing at the school kids headin to school without an umbrella was enough for us to regain faith in the tarmac bellow. We strated again with a underpowered unicorn and ZMA with a bald rear tyre. The ZMA was wobbling on the wet roads so we were slow. This time anup was riddin and I was shooting snaps.We crossed murbad in the nxt few minutes. The eyes were glued at the “Misal Pav” being served at the small tapri’s in Murbad. I was dying of hunger. Few km’s passed zoom… zomm… and the ghat sections of the NH222 started. I had been on this route during the rain’s. In mid august wen we had been here the surroundins were lush green with foggy climate. I can never forget the scenery. This time it was not green but has a yellowish tint of the dry grass around. Even with this pale yellow colour due to which the surroundings glow during the summer the ghats seemed to be awesome. The camera jst loved the Nane Ghats. The characteristic of this ghat is itz low altitude and properly banked roads.

Nane ghat was a cool ride. With anup on the drivers seat and the roads pretty dry we were at avg speeds of 70-80 km. Soon malshej started. Heaven was around the corner. Ive seen many ghats but the rocks on the mountains and the perfect harmony of trees and mountains always puts malshej on the top. Reachin to the top of the ghats we had a cigy break. I dont rem if they had alight. We had parked the bikes on the edge of the road. The view for there was cool. We could see zig zag roads tht we traveled to reach on the top. in 5mis we were out of there. There were sin broads everywhere “Falling rocks, Donot wait”. We slowly climbed dow the slope. I had captured enough photos to keep me busy for a week. Malshej had ended in a matter of 30 mins.

We were now busy hunting locals andaskin them the road to Ahupe, Shivneri………….

Breakfast on Foothills:

After some discussion with the locals we realized that we were way ahead of the turn for Ahupe. The only reason for this was tht I thought that nane ghat is after malshej where as itz opposite. So now to reach Ahupe we had to take the longer route from Junnar.

With nothing in the tummies we kept riddin . Soon on the foothills of Sahyadris where malshej ghats end and smiling at the Kalsubhai range in the opposite direction, we spotted a dhaba. Not actually a dhaba but a small road side joint. During the last G2G at malshej we had been to this place (Hope chetan n all remember it, bobby’s last ride). As it was early morning, around 9.30 am there was noithin ready. Shiva desperately wanted to have shev bhaji which he had tasted first time at the same place in August. Unfortunately there was no shev, so no bhaji. We settled for kanda pooha and tea. Till the cook was busy in kitchen I started to take some snaps around. The lens had some donkeys, cows and thorny bushes for breakfast. The pooha was takin ages and Anup as usual wanted to kill the owner for the delay. Finally the plates arrived and we refulled our tummies. In the cool climate of malshej the hot tea and warm plate of pooha was taskin awesome.

We started riddin agin after takin some directions from the owner. Eicher road map was always around to help us but we didn’t want to take ny risks. So we started movin, headin towards an unkown territory. After some 200 odd mts we saw a lake. A massive one which seemed to be filled recently by some dam thingy. We wanted to reach the banks of the lake, tried some offroadin but in vain. Later the villagers told us the only way to reach there was from the dhaba we had stopped for food. So instead of goin back some mts we decided to move forward.

So the now the plan was to go to Shivneri fort and then Ahupe and while commin back visit the lake. So we headed forward on NH 222. After some kms there was a inner road goin to junnar which we were supposed to rid eon. The road unlike the NH was very narrow and had many potholes, more than wht we have in mumbai during rains. We were a bit excited as we thought there would be a big change of offroadin in this type of terrain. The unicorn was leadin and suddenly on a turn the ZMA cam runnin. “Guys, U knw wht. There was a beautiful Hen, I jst killed it……….”. Shiva had ran over another animal, but unlike Goa it was not a cow this time. So now Shiva was demoted from “The Cow Killer” to”The Hen Killer”.

Shiva: The Hen Killer

Yellow Beauty

Traffic Jam

Into the Jungle

Jungle Jungle .......

Before all the villagers would come huntin for us we ran from the place. The road ahead was a dirty patch of tramat windin down the ghats. It was a bit scary and almost impossible to bend because of all the rubble around. But as u knw Anup sirji is not goin to be stopped by shabby work of some contractor. Zooom we went through the ghats…………..

We reached the foothills of The Great Shivneri Fort, the birth place of the great maratha yoodha Shivaji.

We will meet Shivaji after a short time. Till then enjoy some road pics………….

Riding Along Sahyadri’s : Malshej – Shivneri – Ghodegaon (Pre-ride Log)

Title: Riding Along Sahyadri’s
Location: Shivneri, Maharashtra
Route: Mumbai – Malshej – Shineri
Date: 01 Dec, 2008

On a terror struck weekend in mumbai. 3 bikers and 2 bikes from mumbai decided to visit the birth place for shivaji and ride in the along the calm and peaceful Sahyadri mountains in mahrashtra.

I started to write the triplog. Was thinking a lot of how to start it. Then how can you have a triplog without the reason you planned the ride. I could not resist my self from going through the incidents that took place before this trip.

Here is something that my heart has typed involuntarily.

The two beauties

Were scared to go more inside

A Wednesday :
The was dull. Heading to office seemed I wondered, how boring it is to work form 9.00 – 7.00. Do the same thing day in an out. Get up early in the morning, not actually early but a bit late always. Then clean the mess, flush out all the bugs frm ur body. Get dressed like a joker with a tie in haste. Run run & run for the 9.07 Dadar local and while ur runnin for the train think of contingency plans in case u miss the train. How boring and dull this schedule is I felt. Even is such a planned day where nothing seems to ever change for 5 days for the week, uncertainty always prevails. One never knws whtz next. Who knws whether you are you are goin to return home today nite for dinner or the Almighty has something else in store for you. May be good or bad, but always as one goes away from his safehouse we call home each passing min during this period bring more and more uncertainty in ones life which is nullified when he comes back home in the evening.

So in this uncertain world with many more variables than Einstein and Newton had thought, I started my journey towards office in South Mumbai. The same usual work at office. Nothin special to cheer about or even thing of. So as the day started it comes to an end as the sun starts setting in the sea. Lovely scene along the worli sea face near my office. As the sun sets the level of uncertainty in your life starts to reduce. As one packs bags and heads towards a stable platform and a fortress of love & harmony the role of luck starts diminishing.

I reached home around 10.30. One of my friend was at my place to take some stuff. Had a bath, a cup of tea. In the background I hear my mom spekin to someone on the phone and saying “Yaa everyone’s fine. Anup & Sourabh both have reached home.” For a sec I thought might be usual chat with my grandpa. My bro come to the room & says there are terrorist firing from AK47 at public in VT station and a bomb has exploded somewhere. I told him to shut up and close the rooms door and get out as I was on the phone. Look at how used to I have become to such terrorist attacks, it now feels like India wining a match. Nothing special, nothing to care, itz nothing so important tht would force me to snap a long distance call get out of my bed and tune in to 24*7 crap news channel. Is it to be taken so lightly?

I lost a person I knew in these terrorist attacks on the trident, I jst came to knw it yesterday. Two of my friends had had jst signed off from duty @ Taj Palace. One works as a supervisor on the 6th floor. I didn’t realize tht how a person jst like me motivated by conspirers and a gun in had can change so many peoples life. On Thursday wen I went to Taj with my friend to find his girlfriend who was missing since the past night, I first time heard an AK47. The sound is horrific and nothing tht I want want hear ever in my life again.

This incident has changed many peoples life. The only ppl to blame for this is each one of us. The only reason 150 ppl lost their lifes was because of carelessness at various levels.

I hope that we stand up once again united and take the responsibility of securing India.

Shivneri & Malshej

Winter Rains

The Ghost Rider

The Night :
Mumbai under siege for the past two days, my office had declared holiday even on Friday. With my laptop in office I was pretty my bored at home. Suddenly phone rang “Anup”, so there was a hope that Saturday may be bright. Had a concall with RazorBlades to decide where we are heading. But after a discussion of about one hour we were yet in Mumbai. The main problem was bikes. There ppl and one bike in ridding condition. Anup’s ambitions engine had flu and needed to visit a doctor. There was 0 breakin on razors RTR due to the wrong tyres tht he had purchased last week. We failed to persuade Razor to bring his friends Bullet.

We called up Shiva to see wht he was doin on Saturday and as expected he was free for a ride. Four people on a concall will to ride somewhere but don’t knw where. Razor was hesitating to come for ny ride due the constant headache he was having for past few months. The doctor had said him to rest. So he was out of ny ride. So it was Me, Shiva & Anup “The Lonely Trio” again for a ghostly ride. We don’t knw the destination yet. We had first planned to go to Sinhagad and Shivneri fort through pune. But we cancelled it. Anup told he will find a place to ride to and call us back in an hour.

So by midnight we zeroed in on a tribal village called “Ahupe” on the foot hills of Sahaydri. The route planned was Nane Ghat – Malshej – Shivneri Fort – Bhimashnkar – Ahupe – Nane Ghat. The agenda of the road trip was “Off Roading”. We wanted to explore a small off road route from Ahupe to Nane Ghate. So with the route map ready we ready to go.

Early Morning

The Rider & The Pillion

Sunrise

With a Honda Unicorn and Hero Honda Karizma were were all ready to go. The one other problem was cash, we only had 1500 for the full ride and we would have to save every penny and every drop of petrol tooo. We started \from thane around 5.30. It was drizzling throughout. Filled tanks of our Honda’s at a petrol pump near bhivandi bypass, Rs. 500 petrol for the ZMA and Rs. 500 for the Unicorn. We headed towards Kalyan and the drizzle was turning into rain. We had not expected rains at all, but assuming it would stop we kept ridding. Instead of stopping the the rain God was showering his bessing on us. On one side my heart wanted the rain to stop but on the other hand I knw the rain would make the climate in Malshej awesome. We finally stopped at a dhaba and waited for the rains to subside.