“Vrrrooomm- Vrrrooomm”, “Ruperi Waloot – Madanchya Banaat”, “Raw- Kokan Bike Expedetion”
Amit Govande, Giridarshan Trekking Club (GTC), Pune
22th, 23rd January 2011, Kokan Bike Expedition, GTC Get Raw event
It’s a done Deal… There is only one and the best resolution for the new year…it’s going to be a strong start for the new year ….how and what….decided…”Kokan Bike Expedtion” born….
I, Vikas, Anand and Satish Dada, All echoed the same note….Date Decided…22nd and 23rd January and places to explore…..Guhagar, Hedvi, Velaneshwar…..
People should be able to see Maharashtra along with fond historical memories, Giridarshan was formed and now, miles ahead, To attract people to not just trekking but adventure sports as well like Rock Clmibing, Vallye Crossing, Rafting and Bike Expeditions, Giridarshan’s own Get RAW group was formed.
Get RAW Bike Expedition Announced…Word spread across the community…through newspapers, internet…leader’s did their job well….Leaders decided for the activity….its the usual trio…Vikas, me, Anand….and 19 participants who were inspired by the idea of kokan on bike….”Ladies Bayka” were also part of this….Snehal has accompanied us in every raw event by now….Snehal and Shweta…..hats off to their spirit…they joined us at Bhor Phata all the way riding from Satara….
22nd January 2011
22nd January 2011
As decided 22nd Jan, 6.00 AM, 22 “Maharashtra -Freaks, Kokan-Freaks and Bike-Freaks” gathered at Giridarshan’s office…..
All set to go….”Naral Futla”… Feet on the kicks; “Chatrapati Shiavaji Maharaj Ki Jay”…Bang…..Vrooom….Vrooom…..Can you imagine? 22 bikes….Noise….Commotion….Excitement…the environment was charged….Ahoy!
Morning we were facing the challenge to communicate each other on the Big bang highway. But as 3 leaders as per the experiences uses the typical trekkers techniques.
Palshet near Guhagar is my ancestral native….and I know the terrain very well since my child hood….so I was the obvious “leader” for this phase….
Sinhgad Road, Satara road, Bhor, Varandha Ghat and Mumbai Goa National Highway, through Khed , Chiplun and then Guhagar, that’s the plan as of now…..
Sinhgad Road, Satara road, Bhor, Varandha Ghat and Mumbai Goa National Highway, through Khed , Chiplun and then Guhagar, that’s the plan as of now…..
First Pit stop…Kapoorhol….Diversion to Bhor….Snehal and Shweta….expected to join the gang here…they were coming on the bike from Satara….
It’s little cold out here…..but pleasant….refreshed with morning team..ummmm…..Snehal-Shweta kept their timing….
Tea followed by introduction and ignition on…..Vrooom…Vrooom…off to B hor…..
On the route….few people from Vikya’s office had come for adventure camp…..we had courtesy visit to them…and on ….Bhor left behind…and in the Varandha Ghats now…What a site it is…..the Nature…full green Paddy fields on the both the sides….almost blue shining water….it was pleasant…..
When the bikes were at the remote locations It was difficult to track if everybody is there and no one has missed, Amit was far ahead leading all the bikers, Vikas was in the Mid of the biker after 8-9 bikes. And Anand was the tale of the Expedition where he followed no body should left behind him.
There was another concern how to manage when we have a major direction Change
Here using some people from the group use to wait till the last person comes and moves to the right Directions.
For every person who travels through the Varandha Ghats….it’s a MUST Ritual….A rule…A Moral Responsibility….”To eat Kanda-Bhaji” at “Bhaji-Point”..hehehee…..and we were no exceptions to it….
We followed the same ritual….Hot Bhaji, Vadaa-Paav and team….Happy Eating…like Man Vs. Food…hehehee….
Right in front of us…..”Rajgad-Torana-Kavlya-Raigad-Shivathar Ghal” – The pilgrimages for Gypsies like usJ…. We bowed to salute to the great Sahyadri and on the way…..
Varandha Ghat left behind…Vroom…Vroom….Mumbai-Goa Highway, Poladpur, Khed-Bharne Naka, and here we are at Chiplun…..
One road alongside Govalkot Fort, before chiplun goes to Guhagar, This is a bypass for Chiplun….
This road is so nice and comfortable…everybody was turned in to Street Hawk…and they were riding freely…..Both sides of the road…were decorated by nature….Blooming Mango and Cashew Trees… their light fragrance…..aahaaaahaaa!
Approx. 3.30 in the afternoon, the fleet reached to Guhagar… the plan was to fix tents in our Acquaintance’s garden….Archana Khare….Wow….Typical Konkani rustic..bunglow…garden ahead and behind….full off Coconut and Beatle nut trees, and just immediately at the end of the backyard….The Sea…..”Ruperi Valoo ani Madanche Baan”….What else you want man… J
All bags, sacks down….Authentic Konkani Lunch….Solkadhi…ummmm…ahhhaahaa!
The beach was shining orange….the evening rays reflecting through silica….and the playful sea….It was calling us…..to greet him….
Vroom…Vroom….the bikes on the beach man..Yo! man!....Circles, Names, Different Shapes n sizes, It was kind of Bike “Rangoli” on that rustic sand….
The Silent beach turned on to a fair….Bike Fair…..Vroom-Vroom of Bikes, Commotion, Cheers, Shouts, Fun, Clouds of Sand….The Minds and Camera’s standing Still at the sunset….as if the cameras were stuck to the eyes….at last keeping time and darkness in mind….all back to our camp….
we were seeking for a Garage or a mechanic for one of the Pulsar which was not getting starter due to water flown through the Plugs. But most of the time typical Bajaj practices
Worked when Anand started giving a try to start that pulsar and it was started.. Hahaha....
Hamara Bajaj.... ;)
It’s time to set up the camp buddy!
It was unbelievable, mesmerizing and beyond the word’s experience for all of us….Chetan, Chandrakant, their entire crew, the girls, Elderly youngJ Sonawane Kaka….
Under Vikya’s expert guidance… Camp was set up…it’s going to be hurry for dinner now…..
Every trekker’s heavenly Menu… “Dagadancha Chulivarchi Mugachi Khichadi”…. No Question of Alternative Menu….
Snehal, Shweta and Chetan… our Chef’s tonight….and as always….they were receiving expert’s advice on the cookery...heheheehe!
The taste was so relishing… the Kichadi vanished with speed of light… J
The “Sleeping Place” bookings were done by everybody….and “Chool Tea” prepared….and the “steamy tea” and the team… on the beach bro….
It was a starry night…tiny particles of silica were glittering with the rays of stars….the cold sand was comforting and soothing our feet….Silent Sea, cool breeze and gossipsJ….what a mesmerized environment…..not even feeling to go back and sleep…..endless night it should be…..but the sleep was necessary…..tomorrow the second lap was going to start…..finally destination tents…
Sweet memories of the day….playing like a film in front of eyes….did not even realize that I dozed off….
23rd January 2011
Tring…tring…tring…..Tarrrrrr…….the Mobile and Sea both alarmed us and telling us ….Wake up Boys! It’s going be one more heck riding day for you! Better wake up now…..gear up! Morning chores…Breakfast and then to hedvi, velaneshwar…too many things to catch up….
I could see Vipin and Shreyansh….Playing the sea water….you cannot resist thisJ….followed by Breakfast…and on the route to Hedvi…..
Today’s lap was bigger than yesterday…coz we have chosen the new route than traditional route….
“Hedvi-Velneshwar-Tamhane-Chiplun-Kumbharli Ghat-Patan-Umbraj-Satara-Pune”…Phewwwww! ….that’s long….that’s the plan now….
We took “Darshan” of hedvi’s famous “Lord Laxmi-Ganesha”, it’s a very antique and beautiful temple….you get a peaceful bliss to your mind while you are here….you feel content....
We turned to the local attraction….the beach one more time…..we were desperate to see famous “Baman-Ghal”… The place is so scenic that it’s a good spot for Film-Makers…..
Everybody was astonished the see the Baman-ghal… Dark Solid Rock was cut by Sea Waves…. And a deep natural ridge was formed….Clicks..clicks..clicks…flash…flash….flash…..Fun….and towards Velaneshwar…..
Its Endless sea on the way to Velaneshwar…..First we took Darshan of “Lord Velaneshwar(Lord Shankar)”….. and entered the beach at the temple backyard…… it was getting noon….and lunch was planned at Chiplun…so decided to leave Velaneshwar early…
We chose the road via Tamhane to Chiplun…..The plan was to have lunch at Abhishek Hotel near United Highschool at Chiplun…..Everybody had a feast of Assal Konkani Non-Vegitarian food… Our Stomachs were full of Fuel(food) now our Bike’s needed Fuel…..Followed by instructions ad riding towards Kumbharli Ghats…..the route is excellent….you can full fill all your desires of Riding your bikes and test its speed and performance ….all rules kept aside and everybody was free riding…..everybody Biked freely on Satara-Pune highway as well…
Typical kokan Roads were attracting to gearup the Speed and every biker was eagerly waiting for a time to take such speed and finally when we started from PATAN and the 4 Lane Banglore highway was open to us feeling was like Astronaut free to move in the Universe
The “Masti” of two days has come to an end at the final pit stop…
We made a new resolutions to meet in mountains or next bike expedition… over and out… mission accomplished….
PS:- While back home…..Kokan Routes….Ghats….Beaches….the fun….and plan for next bike expedition started already…..Chao!
