On Saturday evening, as usual, keeping my eyes on the idiot box I was thinking about what to do on Sunday. I didn't know what program was running. I was just a couch potato. I talk with my wifey about the housewares and other essentials. In the end, I measured that nothing was different, as usual. eat-sleep-eat. It was not better for me. Then I asked her for a one-day solo bicycle trip, such as a child asks money for Cadbury from his mother. When she said "go carefully and come before the dark" I felt I won something big. Also, she put two peanut jaggery balls and some bananas outside for me. Because tomorrow's was Ganesh mama's Chaturthi😊. No outside food. Ganpati Bappa Morya. Let's go.
Most of the time while choosing a route I most preferred undiscovered places. Before going to bed I roughly draw the route, on the Google map. (Just walk with me you will get in the details map) The next day I woke up at 0400am. Brushed and had black tea. I tightened my shoelaces and decided to do something different. Go deep or get uprooted.
I think I was the first on the day to reach Lonavla at 0700am, who paddled from Pune. I had started my ride at 0430am. Along the way no one cyclist I had seen. The road was empty except for trucks and cars. I didn't bring headlights with me. That vehicles were supporting me to see the road in the dark, who is coming from the back. After some time, I could see the mountain peaks dimly. A drizzling rain had started near Kamshet and the wet road was shining. I had worn shorts in the bottom and a cap on the head. Raindrops were falling on my legs and face. My left-right wet knees were paddling and shining in the vehicles lights. The cold touch of drops I felt closer to nature and start a conversation with the rain."Are you scaring me? are you kidding me? hey, don't soak my stuff. Hey, showery!" After our chat, within a second, he fell on me. Now showery was stormy. I took my bicycle beside the road and stopped below the tree. I wiped the water from my cheeks with gloves and I requested a tree that save me from this idiot.
After reaching Lonavla I turn left from "purohit's chikki" towards Tiger point. After crossed the Lonavla lake, up hills had started. Many people were going to amby valley by bike and car. Bikers were cheering loudly. Dark was started because of fog. I was the only guy on the road who is going by bicycle. Little rain. Surrounding fog and tall high mountains . People were seeing me surprisingly. The road was full of Royal Enfield and ktm. They were riding full of confidence. Some guys were opens their helmet glass, smiles and showing me up to their thumb. They were truly royal. Some excited people were slowing down their cars and matching speed with my bicycle who is coming behind. They were opening the car windows and talking with me. "Where are you coming from? are you alone? When you left home?" And so on. I was answering them with sweating and hard breath. They were showing care on their faces after seeing my condition. The kids were outing their heads from car windows and smiles. I was getting compliments from all ages. superb! take care! good going! OMG! Nice bro! so on.
After passing Tiger Point, the crowd was getting less. I couldn't see far more because of fog. The mountains were green, black and wet. Water was flowing on the road. The front tire of my bicycle was throwing water ahead. The road was so smooth. Ups and downs. Dense forest. In the fog, the trunk of the trees was looking black and horrible. I had scared. Vehicles frequency had very less. I was having doubts about myself. Drop it or go ahead? In a few seconds, I controlled my negative emotions and overcame my weaknesses and started paddling strongly. I never compromise with my plans. I have always been disciplined with my do's. No excuses. I am not a pure cyclist but I always try to cross my limits. I follow figures very little. I don't want to ride, run or walk the highest miles in a day or race it. But I follow what I have decided. So Again I with my tightened mind, decided to complete this loop trail.
After reaching near Korigad fort at 0930 I took a small break and had hot tea. All around hills were looking black and dim. Now traffic was so less. Because most people had gone to amby valley and korigad and so on. While having tea I asked the tea vendor "How much time will take to reach Tamhini ghat road?" He surprised, He put the sugar spoon by the side and turned his head towards me. He uprighted his eyebrows and made his eyes cup size and asked me. "On a bicycle in the rain!?" I nodded and said 'yes' withholding a tea mug. According to his information, it was so tough with bad condition road and I needed to 4 hours to reach Kundlika valley. Without wasting time I started riding.
Now the real adventure had begun after crossing the Saltar village. The sun was playing hide and seek. The trees were shining in the sunlight. The snaky road was going through the dark forest. The muddy road had started from between the trees. I was under the trees completely. The rain had stopped. Big branches were showering water on me. When I look towards branches, she would say "we didn't. The wind did." Again shower! After chat I started to walk. In between, I met two couples who were going to Lonavla on their bikes. They stopped the bike and talked to me. That's what they asked me where are you from? Are you going alone?so on. They wished best journey and went off.
After passed a small valley I reached Y shape route Tail-Baila corner. I was alone there. The place was so peaceful. The noise of waterfalls and birds were stopping my thoughts. I calm. I enjoyed. From some corner jumping monkeys were also making the noise of the branches. It was so wonderful. For a moment felt, why people are not here. They makes some places overcrowded and avoids such beautiful destinations. That's why I travel on that path where I have never walked before. We should create paths on our own. Well, who will come or not, choices are matter. but I would suggest this place for a single walk who is reading my post.
Now on the road locals were coming and going by bike. While riding their bikes they were looking at me and turning their heads in 90 degrees. Before Bhambarde village, I met a big family who was travelling by three cars. They stopped me and talking. They were eager to know about my trip. Among them were young men, wives, children, and old people. They would pass me and go ahead and stop somewhere and take photos again and again. While passing they used to cheer me up from all three cars one by one. Come on! fast! let's race! and many more. While passing the three of them were honking loudly together and enjoying. At the last point, they offered me food. Wished and went off.
Near Kundlika Valley two couples were filming using a Go-Pro on the road. I stopped the cycle as soon as they said hi to me. A couple stood under the umbrella. And a couple came to me. After getting to know each other, a girl asked me permission to film a conversation. I said "sure!. Then she holds her camera with a gimbal on me. And her boyfriend started questioning. He asked me about some of my past and future adventures. He asked about this journey experience. They impressed me. Wished, and went.
In 2018 I had walked the same way alone at night. Nive to Pimpri. For joining the group to Andharban trek. I went in past. Got memories. Enjoyed and back to present. Most of the time on adventure trips I never go into the past or future. But in the city or other places, it is hard to come to the present. But on backpacking I always enjoy presents. So let's come to the present because now we are on Tamhini Ghat road. After Tamhini I had to needed to face a lot of traffic. I rode a bicycle till upper mulshi. Then lower mulshi, paud gaon and new Sanghvi where I live.
At approximately 1 pm I had hit the Tamhini Ghat Road. I was hungry. I was having pain in the lower elbows of both my legs. I also had pain in my knee and my back. It was a time of pain. It was a time of stretch. Now I needed to give some rest to my body. I always say that 'pain' is proof of alive. Living safe and secure is a sign of death. I believe in struggle and sweat. I always feel dead on the desk and alive in the shoes. Well, lets back without wandering. So there was a small bridge on the road. I had my food. I sit down and eat peanut jaggery laddus and bananas. I made a pillow of stone and lay on the grass. Set eyes on the sky. Relaxed. Wow! And it felt like I reached home.
I never ride to race or chase figures. I just want to reach my highest limits. As I written above beautiful places, but in the real detaching from the world I always feel peaceful. I realized that I like to disconnect from the world and enjoy peace not places. I ride alone and long coz I feel free and strong.
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