First 2-wheeler excursion

Prelude : http://baboo1985.blogspot.in/2013/08/my-experiences-with-2-wheelers.html

I was still reeling from the effects of the previous accident and had taken to riding only on smaller familiar routes. My friend "Ojo" prodded me into an excursion ride. I sought permission from my father as he had his inhibitions. But being  a rider himself (Honda Cub, Royal Enfield) he understood the joys of open road riding. With some pointers and sanctification I got the go ahead.

It would be four friends (Ojo, Golu, Vishy and me) and three 2 wheelers. Simple plan: Mumbai-Alibaug-Murud-Janjira-Alibaug-Mumbai. Ojo hails from Alibaug so was the definite leader for the trip. We zeroed in on the 23/24 July 2010 weekend. Golu and I (starting from Borivali) would travel the previous night to Ojo's place in Panvel. We would leave next morning by 6 AM and Vishy (Dombivli) would join us.

The night leg of the journey from Borivali to Panvel, I rode pretty cautiously (with Golu as pillion), covering a distance of 70 km in 2 hours.

Gang* [* - Apologies : our state of mind doesn't necessarily reflect in our expressions ;) ]:

The next morning there were heavy rains. We suited up in overalls and set out for Alibaug. Initially I faced some problems, as the accelerator would just go dead. After a while I realized the engine had not heated up well. Stoped and started again this time waited for a fairly reasonable time.

Moving steadily we reached Vadkhal Naka 50 km from Panvel, where we stopped for breakfast.

Yup!! Yours truly, Baboo.

Tanked up on Food and Fuel and continued further to Alibaug. We  reached Ojo's place and dumped our bags. The journey ahead was us riding on beautiful coastal roads lined with colourful fishing villages. In a short while  we started again southward to Korlai. 25 km from Alibaug lies the sleepy fishing town of Korlai. It has a lighthouse and a fort that was built by the Portuguese in 1521.

After a spending a short while there we moved further 35 km southwards to Murud-Janjira. Murud and Janjira are twin towns. There is a fort of Murud-Janjira which is in the middle of the sea and one has to take a ferry to the fort. The view of the fort from the town is breathtaking.

We reached the jetty but were told that due to high tide we would have to wait for a couple of hours before we could go to the fort. We didn't have the luxury of time so we proceeded to the Murud beach instead. We had lunch and chilled off before starting back 60 km to Alibaug.

We reached Alibaug and dead tired as we were cleaned up and lay lifeless till dinner time. We headed out for dinner at 8 PM (everything closes shut by 10 PM), roamed a bit and had dinner. We all were so tired that we bunked into the lovely beds Aunty had prepared for us and slept like babies. Next morning we  got up leisurely, had breakfast and went to the famed Alibaug beach for a stroll.

On the return leg of our journey, Ojo stayed back home and the rest of us started onwards to Mumbai. Golu and Vishy were taking turns on his Unicorn and within an two hours we were at Sanpada. We parted ways Vishy taking the Thane route and we the Sion route. Golu and I made one last stop at the Sanpada Bhagat Tarachand before hitting home at 4 PM.

No hiccups. No close calls. My total round trip ride was 400 km and the joy of the trip was beyond my heart's content.

Finally!! Inner Peace.

There haven't been any rides after that but watch this space.

UPDATE: I haven't done enough justice to the beauty of the Konkan region. The Konkan region is at its majestic best during the monsoon. You have beautiful greenery all around. The weather is to die for. Only spanner in the wheel is the State highways don't hold up against the rains, marring part of the experience. The other wonderful aspect was the ride along the coastal roads. No words can do justice to that.

Add to your bucket list: Travel on a coastal road till you hit a deserted beach and just revel and soak in the Sun, Sand and the Sea.