Tapola Ride Log - A Tale of Two Puncture Warriors and their Amigos

Join Date: Jul 2023

Location: Mumbai

Posts: 23

Thanked: 177 Times

What is this beingness if, afloat of care
We person nary clip to basal and stare,
No clip to basal beneath the boughs
And look arsenic agelong arsenic sheep oregon cows.
No clip to see, erstwhile woods we pass
Where squirrels fell their nuts successful grass

- William Henry Davies wrote these lines successful 1911, and I copied them from a publication written by Mr.Ruskin Bond

Tapola Lake

It was the period of September and the rains had started to recede the obnoxiously drenched portion of Mumbai. The rains are truthful huffy successful this portion of the world, astir of the biker folks spell into hibernation (aka Parking Queens). The bikes hold it retired till the roads are adust truthful that their masters don't person to support them cleaning again and again. But past again we besides person folks who wage obscene magnitude of wealth to item their bikes earlier a Monsoon Toofani ride, i.e. Mr.Alok Shetty. Never mind, truthful the program was ON !! Come October the MARs folks volition thrust retired for an overnighter and the destination was selected - Tapola. Well Tapola was aboriginal selected, we were earlier scouting for bungalows successful the celebrated Mumbaikar favourite elevation stations i.e. Mahabaleshwar & Panchgani. However, aft overmuch deliberation our CEO, Mr.Ritesh decided to revisit Nandanvan Resorts successful Tapola arsenic the spot was overmuch cheaper astatine 2K pp each meals included. Confirmations received from 10 riders and the booking was done, a definite fig of folks dropped disconnected arsenic the dates neared citing their ain reasons, accustomed worldly truthful won't get into details.

Come 4th Oct, the accustomed pre-ride excitement was ON !! Packing bags, tools, tyre inflator etc was the accustomed the people of business. Some folks decided to get their bikes repaired and serviced, fog lights not working, fork seals leaking, etc, etc. Mr.Shetty calls maine astir 8.30 asking if I cognize a mech successful Thane arsenic the mechs wherever helium serviced his motorcycle had goofed up fitting the handlebar grips. Cautious capable the went to an accessory store and picked up a brace of Dominoe grips but installing them was different task, a fewer telephone calls and we gave up. He had to thrust with the near grip fitted connected the close broadside of the grip barroom and vice versa. I archer you this antheral is ever up to thing funny, past clip helium had killed a mediocre pigeon with his helmet and decided to thrust 600 kms without a visor. Phew. Alarms were set, bags packed and we agreed to our accustomed gathering constituent of McDonalds astatine Kalamboli.

Day 1 - A agelong blistery day*- Since this was expected to beryllium a overnighter a aboriginal commencement was ruled out, Ritesh pinged successful the radical that we tin instrumentality it casual - truthful we did. 2 Groups, 1 from Thane different from Western Mumbai started riding astir 6-6.30 and reached the gathering constituent astatine Kalamboli astir 7 americium which was an hr late. A full of 10 riders, here's a speedy intro

Mars Gang

We had 2 Ninja 1000 sx - Myself and Vinay, determination were 3 off-road bikes Ritesh and Prashobh connected their Versys 650's, Ajit connected his V-strom 650, Alok & Aldrich connected their Z-650 and Z650RS. And the remaining 3 riders were the KTM pack - Prashant connected his good mannered Adv390 and Ryan & Nikhil connected the notorious omnipresent Duke & RC 390's.

After a speedy little connected the routes, halts, fueling - the thrust began. Most of the guys were connected intercom, we are presently utilizing the Bluarmor C30s (which are quiescent businesslike but not large compared to Sena) truthful the coo-ordination is simply a spot casual connected the spell and it besides adds a definite constituent of safety. The emblematic Kalamboli to Lonavla way is simply a nary brainer, nevertheless immoderate guys did deed a mates of nasty potholes connected the JNPT road - Alok and Ryan especially. The thrust up-to Lonavla was uneventful, beauteous cloudy upwind accompanied us. Post lonavla we regrouped, the RC390 needed substance I reckoned and I besides tried to accidental upon a refuel arsenic I tried to spot the trusted IOC XP95 substance bunks. But to our atrocious luck the bunk did not banal it, caput you the RC390 hardly holds immoderate substance successful its bladder and Nik should person refueled the motorcycle determination itself. I had planned a halt connected the COCO IOC connected Pune bypass wherever myself and Nik halted and refueled. We did not fuss stopping others and the remainder of the clan continued. The Pune postulation blessed us, amazingly it was sparse and astir of our riders were ripping done the traffic. We conscionable got halted astatine 1 spot wherever a beverage van had met an mishap and the passerby vehicles jammed up to bask the view. Other than that it was a creaseless sail done the monolithic Katraj Tunnel.

The adjacent halt was a overmuch needed meal halt astatine the BPCL McD outlet station the Kailas Bhel gazeebo. I was a spot picky astir having junk nutrient aboriginal successful the morning, and to my astonishment determination was a CCD and Dutta Snacks outlet arsenic good on the sides. Got myself Poha, Upma and a sandwich, remainder of the guys ordered Burgers and Fries. All the portion we waited for Vinay aka Batman riding his N1000, helium was taking it dilatory arsenic helium was resuming riding from a break. Rest of the guys did a speedy refuel, mates of phot sessions and disconnected we went for the 2nd limb of the journey.

Resting Beauties

The Boys

It was astir 10.30 americium that we started, up adjacent was the beauteous Khambatki Ghat section. All the riders geared up for immoderate country carving league to come. Everyone enjoyed the the league successful those ghats, it has agelong flowing corners arsenic good arsenic immoderate choky pins, a mates of straights too. Boys grazing their ft pegs and boots connected the tarmac, hitting a mates of potholes, I astir ran into Alok's Z650 arsenic his motorcycle slipped into neutral successful a uphill corner, phew. We cleared the ghat successful nary clip and waited down astatine the Wai-Mahabaleshwar phata for others to catchup.

We spent rather an magnitude of clip astatine the phata arsenic Batman decided to skip the gathering constituent and rode done it supra the flyover, thankfully helium was utilizing a BT instrumentality truthful we called him up. Spent aroung 20-30 mins, turned into a bully hydration interruption arsenic the prima was beating down upon us. Aldrich was carrying immoderate vigor drinks, we gulped those down too. Most of the guys were wearing hydration bags, which are bully nary doubt, but the consciousness of drinking h2o from it is not that great. I dump a sachet of Electrol successful it and support drinking wherever we halt oregon get stuck successful traffic, not definite if others would hold but the plasticky aft sensation of the tube conscionable doesn't look to go. Anyways, Vinay turned up aft immoderate clip and we resumed our journey.

Myself, Alok, Prashobh and Prashant were ripping up the upland enjoying the astonishing Vistas offered by Dhom lake. Rest of the guys were stuck successful immoderate traffic, truthful we decided to instrumentality a speedy halt astatine the Parsik presumption point.

Photo Time

We relished the presumption and waited for a regroup, successful the meantime we did a speedy photograph league - received a telephone from Aldrich. Here we go...Chronicles of Puncture warrior numero Uno - Ritesh had a level tyre connected the rear. Thankfully helium was carrying a puncture kit and a tyre inflator. They managed to hole the tyre for clip being and moved up - passed america by astatine the presumption constituent successful hunt of puncture repair shop. We excessively geared up and everyone regrouped again - by the clip we reached, Ritesh's V650's rear tyre had...hold your breath...5 punctures. Most of them were done the tyre tread, we benignant of knew that this was not a bully sign.

Wow

We dialed successful our maps gps nonstop to Tapola, it was getting blistery and we inactive had 50-60 kms to cover. To beryllium frank we had benignant of underestimated the thrust clip and roadworthy conditions were not helping either. After we took the near from Mahabaleshwar market, the roads ran bully for immoderate time, immoderate of the guys who had visited earlier conscionable took disconnected i.e Ajit, Ritesh, Prashant. While myself, Aldrich and Alok struggled a spot connected the route. We did a tiny photoshoot astatine a vale presumption point, Alok did immoderate foundation enactment - a tiny store tally by a granny. Hydrated, Aldrich took immoderate photos and we decided to determination on, meantime Vinay besides joined us.

After we went a small up astatine a Y fork, we decided to instrumentality near - arsenic I had been earlier present to a agro edifice called Rockford (do checkout - beauteous place), waited for immoderate clip for Vinay to join.

Some random passerby told america not to instrumentality the way and spell backmost to the main road. And truthful we decided to spell back, Aldrich was already retired of determination successful hunt of Vinay who was obscurity to beryllium found. Mind you determination is nary compartment telephone reception successful this area, truthful we were incapable to telephone anybody and were relying connected the representation loaded connected Prashobh's phone. Anyways, aft we came backmost connected the main roadworthy - we knew this was benignant of a mistake. The roads were nether operation and successful immoderate horrible information - astir 20 kms of disconnected roading. We cursed each on portion we continued to transverse implicit this horrible patch. After riding immoderate clip and 1 country aboriginal we saw the astir beauteous and magnificent vista of the travel - archetypal presumption constituent of the Tapola Lake. It was perfectly magical, took photos and videos to our hearts content. We had regrouped present and decided to determination connected arsenic we were benignant of famished it was 3 pm, good past our luncheon time. The archetypal radical benignant disconnected took disconnected and had already reached the Nandanvan hotel, our enactment for the trip. Slow and dependable we besides reached the edifice navigating done the atrocious roads. We would person missed the edifice arsenic immoderate of the folks did arsenic it is simply a spot connected the wrong of a downwards moving road. The attack roadworthy to the edifice was a steep gradient, courtesy - cement roadworthy coming disconnected leaving metallic rods and wires successful open. Thankfully everybody reached without immoderate incidents, got the luggage disconnected the bikes and moved successful and refreshed ourselves. We had booked 3 rooms, each were AC, benignant of basal but what other tin you inquire for astatine 2k pp stay, lunch, dinner, meal each inclusive. This was a bully fund spot for an overnight travel - ps - different bully enactment to enactment astatine would beryllium adjacent the water itself further down the roadworthy - determination is simply a bully agro tourism B&B.

Anandvan

We had a bully luncheon session, veg/non-veg some the meals were amazing, location cooked. I indulged successful some of them and similar the veg repast arsenic it came with Shrikhand. We benignant disconnected had a shrikhand standoff with the edifice guys erstwhile they refused to service it to the folks who opted for Non-veg Thalis - we immoderate however managed to coerce a mates of tiny bowls of it though from the caretakers. After a hearty meal, mates of america took powerfulness naps station a grueling thrust and dense precocious lunch. Ritesh was nevertheless connected a antithetic vigor and pushed everybody retired for a Boat thrust and Kayaking sessions astatine the lake. We took retired a mates of bikes, I chanced upon riding Niks RC390 arsenic it had been a portion I rode a 390 since I sold it disconnected backmost successful 2022. Alok rode Ryan's Duke 390, Ritesh chanced upon Aldrich's Z650, Prashant connected his trusted Adv390 and the remainder were each riding pillion. We reached the precocious and hopped connected to the vessel - caput you the vessel thrust and kayaking was each included successful the 2k pp package, reasoning of it present - if feels similar a banger of a deal. Anyhow, each of america aboard, (mobiles each stored successful Prashant's Adv380 apical box), we were each expecting the diesel powerfulness to marque immoderate irritating noise, however, to our astonishment - the large vessel was each electric. We could bask the vessel thrust successful bully soundlessness lone a small spot of elctric whine could beryllium heard, turns out, the skipper was the proprietor of a tiny vessel gathering institution helium has started and this was the archetypal vas helium built himself - what a delight.

Enjoying the water view, Prashant decided to instrumentality retired his Insta360 and each of america huddled for immoderate chill photos to beryllium clicked. We enjoyed the vessel thrust and successful nary clip we reached the banks connected the different broadside wherever the proprietor had built a Agro Tourism edifice - accompanied by a large Cow Milk Farm setup. We enquired astir the Kayaks, they were lying astir successful not truthful bully condition. However, aft a speedy lavation and draining retired the h2o 3 kayaks were ready, the proprietor gave them beingness jackets and immoderate info connected Do's & Don'ts - connected the solo travel we accidental Ajit & Ritesh taking disconnected followed by 2 up bigger kayak successful which Ryan and Nik were paddling along.

Rest of america decided to fto them bask arsenic we skipped the lawsuit and went up towards the cottages & workplace for a speedy chai break. The locomotion was rejuvenating arsenic 2 monolithic slender hounds decided to travel america - gentle giants I would say, precise intimidating astatine the aforesaid clip truthful affable and sweet. They took america till the farms and went connected their ain trail, we had a speedy look astatine the enactment options and the Dairy Farm - it was inactive nether operation - should beryllium acceptable by December.

Enjoying the Twilight

I for 1 wouldn't caput going and having a nighttime retired successful that wilderness disconnected the grid - nary network, nary disruptions, constitute a chill log arsenic I americium penning present from the comfortableness of my home. I emotion specified benignant of places, good who doesn't - with the close institution immoderate spot comes live - we had immoderate chat with the owner, bantered amongst ourselves had immoderate chai. It was good past 6.30 present and the airy was fading - we decided to caput back, took the aforesaid vessel backmost to the enactment connected the different side. Some bully clicks successful the fading airy by our Motographer Prashobh, reached the enactment and thanked the vessel proprietor for the mini tour. While getting disconnected the boat, we saw a ro-ro ferry which takes cars and bikes to the different broadside of the water which cuts down a bully magnitude of kms to scope Tapola directly. Alok suggested we instrumentality the ferry the adjacent time arsenic we did not privation to thrust the pathetic roads backmost again - we each agreed aaye ! Took off, reached the edifice killed immoderate clip playing UNO, had a large enactment session, music, banter, singing songs and a bully dinner. I benignant of called it a aboriginal nighttime arsenic I was feeling a spot drained, remainder of the guys slept astir 2 americium successful the greeting - phew !!

View from the stay

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Day 2 - Surprise! Surprise! The upwind extracurricular was perfectly fantastic. All covered successful mist and dew, the somesthesia had dropped and it was beauteous to ticker thing but achromatic fog each around. We rapidly asked the caretaker to hole the meal - Poha, Omelet and chai. We refreshed ourselves aft immoderate toothpaste hunt and decided to cheque retired our bikes. Ritesh had a due level connected the rear tyre contempt yesterday's fixes. The existing puncture was leaking again, thankfully helium was carrying a artillery powered aerial pump, truthful helium kept it up to capable it again portion we enquired for a puncture repair store around. Luckily determination was 1 by the roadside a mates of Kms back. Looking astatine Ritesh's motorcycle I decided to cheque my motorcycle arsenic good - and conjecture what? I was destined to beryllium the Puncture warrior fig 2!! My bosom sank looking astatine the level rear tyre connected the bloated dense Ninja - each that value and nary aerial successful the rear tyre - due flat. Anyhow, I decided to disregard it and we each had our breakfast. Ritesh & myself past decided to spell to the puncture repair feline - we asked him to hole it and helium denied. Reason? The puncture was beyond repair. I benignant of agreed due to the fact that it was already a large spread filled up by a plug. But to beryllium frank the feline wasn't worthy it - frightened that helium mightiness not beryllium capable to hole helium was adamant not to hole different plug successful it. We coerced him to enactment 1 successful anyhow - and yet aft that it kept leaking a small bit. Right crossed determination we saw different road, seemingly successful bully information going to what spot nary idea, the feline said that's the way to Kaas Plateau and its successful bully information - different passerby uncle halted adjacent america and told america that helium came to Tapola from Satara broadside utilizing the Ro-Ro and planned to spell backmost via this roadworthy alternatively of the Ro-Ro. We asked him wherefore not the ferry, helium said that the timings are not close and they clasp the ferry for hours connected extremity for section folks and advised america to instrumentality the roadworthy instead. This is erstwhile Ritesh said lets instrumentality the road, I benignant disconnected went with my instinct to spot what the locals accidental - and lad was I truthful wrong!! Up adjacent - nightmare.

A troubled Ritesh with a nasty puncture to fix

We headed backmost to the hotel, I took the pump from Ritesh and filled up the rear tyre connected my motorcycle to 30 psi alternatively of the accustomed 42 psi. Reason? The artillery had drained out. So we kept it to complaint portion each the different folks packed and geared up. I took a caput commencement arsenic I wanted to hole the puncture connected my bike, aft reaching the spot and immoderate inspection aboriginal - we located the puncture to beryllium a tiny leak which was successful betwixt the tyre tread. The feline told not to enactment immoderate plug arsenic it would look the aforesaid contented arsenic encountered connected Ritesh's bike. I benignant of agreed and fto it be, took immoderate photos and waited for the others to arrive. We had a speedy photograph league arsenic the views were mesmerizing, I was backmost successful the temper knowing that the leak was not specified a large deal. Ritesh went up and had a speedy refill - Ryan our successful location Moto Vlogger came successful his elements and asked maine to sprout a mates of videos of him cornering connected the beauteous country - I obliged. Meanwhile 4 of the guys decided to determination up arsenic Ritesh's tyre was leaking aerial portion the remaining 4 waited for maine and Ryan to join. Here connected the amusive communicative begins.

In framework - Ryanrides - who has promised to enactment up a vlog deity knows when.

Beloved

Lineup

First radical was accelerated and obscurity to beryllium seen, we were benignant of good with it arsenic we enjoyed the way which was flowing on the banks of the lake, a constrictive roads, trees and farms alongside - It was beauteous and everybody was loving it. Except for Alok - "he was similar hum kyu kar rahe hai ye road?" - to which I said - "The ferry would person been an acquisition nary doubt, but the roads are besides truthful bully - past wherefore not? Only happening is that the roadworthy is isolated incase of immoderate puncture present means we are doomed!! Ritesh bhai should person thought of that."

Little did I cognize that this enactment would travel backmost to wound my ain ass successful an hours time. After riding astir for 30 kms, I felt thing was a spot disconnected portion turning. A mates of corners up and I was done, the motorcycle felt ace dense and tracking away, nightmare travel existent - Ninja had a large clip flat. My bosom sank again and truthful did everybody else's, this was going to devour distant everybody's precious time. I was going done each benignant of feelings, mostly sorry, for wasting clip - which could person been wholly avoided had we taken the Ro-Ro ferry to get to the different broadside alternatively of doing these 40 unusual kms.

A car passed by and we asked them if determination is immoderate tyre repair store adjacent by. Alok and Ryan went backmost to the past colony a mates of kms backmost to inquire - caput you nary compartment telephone reception here, truthful determination was nary accidental we could link with Ritesh for utilizing his tyre inflator. We got immoderate info, 8 kms up determination was a store - it was retired of bounds for sure. Behind, 4 kms determination was different store astatine a colony called Apti, nary brainer, we had to spell back. Catch? It was a elevation climb, each the portion it was downhill for us. Prashant and myself turned the whale around, I was adamant connected riding it connected dilatory velocity backmost - but Prashobh said it make different occupation if the tyre decided to travel disconnected the rim, Prashant said it could besides harm the rims.

All the portion I was reasoning however the hellhole americium I expected to propulsion this hefty motorcycle up for 4 kms? Prashobh removed the luggage and mounted it connected his bike, thankfully the vessel was lone fractional afloat - disconnected I went pushing the bike, aft a mates of meters I stopped huffing and puffing. Guys advised to enactment it successful 1st cogwheel and clutch it, locomotion on with it. This seemed to work, but it was exhausting - 300 mtrs backmost we reached the 1st village. Took disconnected my overgarment and hydration pack, kept it aside. The shopkeeper, 2 females said that the puncture store is different 3-4 kms away, and that they had a rhythm pump incase it was of immoderate usage to use. It turned retired to beryllium a beingness saver, Prashobh gave it a wring archetypal and we could spot the tyre inflating visibly, I could perceive the leak and it was the aforesaid spot - aerial leaking from betwixt the threads.

Prashobh and Alok to the rescue - No the different feline is simply a section villager who got america the manual pump

10-15 Psi max it could hold, we decided connected a strategy - Alok was to pump the aerial aft getting disconnected his Z650 and I was to rapidly thrust the motorcycle arsenic acold arsenic practically imaginable - we did this astir 5 times and reached the colony wherever we were expected to find the shop. The feline was waiting for america connected the road, determination was nary shop, it was his home, truthful helium asked to get the motorcycle up to his house. I heaved a suspiration of relief. I prayed to God for electricity, thankfully the pump started and we got connected the job. Found the puncture an plugged it good, got the aerial unit backmost to 42psi. Tak, Tak, Tak, I could perceive immoderate dependable and whistling. No prize for guessing, it was the spot which we plugged and it was leaking. Uncle benignant of gave up, I asked him to plug different 1 in. Meanwhile Alok was backmost aft a 5 kms joyousness ride, helium benignant of missed the shop/house arsenic we disappeared disconnected the road. Some words and we went backmost to fixing the leak, 2nd plug in, pumped up the unit and wow - it was inactive leaking. Exact aforesaid occupation that Ritesh was facing connected his bike, we were successful a soup. After immoderate clip the leak benignant of stopped, the unit was astir 30 psi. We decided to support the excess plug arsenic it is to screen up the leak and rode with immoderate unit the tyre could hold. Alok gave paid 100 rs for the deed and disconnected we went. The puncture was disconnected center, truthful I decided to thrust arsenic upright and arsenic consecutive arsenic possible, fundamentally thrust similar however Ajit rides his Vstorm 650 (No pun intended). We reached the archetypal colony wherever each the guys were waiting, hydrated ourselves and decided to propulsion ahead.

Rear tyre astatine 8K kms, with 2 plugs for 1 nasty puncture

We were advised by 2nd puncture repair uncle and the 2 ladies to instrumentality the Medha ghat way and debar going to Kaas Satara arsenic the way was successful atrocious shape. We agreed. Finally successful the day prima we started riding - we had nary thought however galore kms it was going to beryllium truthful we took it by instinct and motion boards.

Rerouting

After immoderate riding we came to a fork, 1 way went to Kaas different up to Medha. We took a interruption consulted the locals and moved up - we could again spot the Tapola water arsenic we were climbing up - everybody was benignant of fed up by present with the water presumption "Bas karo yaar bohot hogaya ye Tapola water view, pakk gaye" screamed Ajit and Alok. All this portion the 1st pack had reached Kaas Plateau, Aldrich called america and informed that they were excessively pushing up to Satara successful hunt of a Tyre store arsenic the V650 needed a due replacement to get backmost home, it was precise risky riding with 5 punctures and 1 of them leaking profusely. With Aldrich and Vinay determination for enactment with Ritesh, we were a spot relaxed and informed them that we were skipping Kaas and Satara altogether and taking the Medha Ghat way to scope the road directly.

Group 1 who was searching for tyre successful Satara

The plugs connected my tyre were holding up good, flattened with nary leakage. I was gaining assurance and sticked to riding successful "Ajit Mode" done retired till we reached the highway. We had already started climbing a ghat and aft a speedy hydration and susu break, we reached the apical - and voil?, we were greeted by a elephantine Wind Mill, everybody was mesmerized astatine this engineering marvel. Alok sighed, "I ever wanted to spot a windmill up-close and click pictures" to which we each agreed connected the intercom. Took different break, things were nevertheless overmuch merrier and lighter by present arsenic the Ninja was cruising without immoderate issue. I was a spot happier that everyone was enjoying the way and this windmill turned retired to beryllium a immense boost to everybody's morale. We parked our bikes successful line, retired came Prashant with his insta 360 and Ajit pitched and thought to sprout a reel utilizing the opus "Tambdi Chamdi" - what a fantastic idea, it was amusive shooting the video with everybody successful their elements now. Looking astatine our watches, we decided to propulsion disconnected ahead. We bid our bye bye's to the upwind mill and marched along.

Windmill

After climbing different ghat astatine Kusumbi were greeted by a large Lake, it was beautiful. Ajit cried again, "Bas karo yaar nai dekhna ab ye Tapola lake", anyhow, we stopped for clicking immoderate pictures, it was an astonishing sight.

Another Lake - Kanher Dam

Everybody successful enactment we climbed down to the colony called Medha. The thrust up was blissful with due tarmac roads, everybody was flying and Ajit was ripping done arsenic well. I kept a dilatory gait intentionally and rode on with Prashant. We rapidly halted for a tyre unit cheque arsenic Ajit was feeling his motorcycle was a spot debased connected aerial pressure. I checked the unit connected my motorcycle and it was speechmaking 42psi hot, truthful I fto it be. Quick cheque connected everybody's motorcycle we decided to propulsion up searching for a petrol pump, the RC390 was begging for substance again connected its reserve, fortunately we recovered a petrol pump astatine Kudal and fueled up. I besides topped up different 5 liters, mostly I would capable up lone XP95 but it is not that easy disposable successful this broadside of Maharashtra. Anyhow, we rode on and yet reached the highway, each assemblage was estatic looking astatine the 4 lane. We decided to halt for a speedy luncheon and get details and whereabouts connected the 1st group.

At the edifice we ordered ourselves a monolithic luncheon aft going done each the shenanigans since morning. Aldrich informed america that they had reached Satara and recovered a store for replacing the tyres connected Ritesh's bike. Apollo H1 was the widest and closed imaginable prime they could find successful Satara and to beryllium frank it was worthy it. By the clip we had finished our luncheon these guys arrived, we met them and stock each others stories, what a thrust it was turning retired to be. Happy to beryllium agreed again, bully food, hydration interruption and stops planned ahead, we paid the measure and decided to push. I told Alok that I would beryllium taking a caput commencement arsenic I request to find an Indian Oil bunk to capable up with XP95 and truthful I did, 3 bunks enroute and XP95 seemed to beryllium elusive. Finally connected the 4th effort I recovered 1 bunk which stocked the overmuch coveted XP95. Just arsenic I came retired of the bunk aft refueling, I saw Nik passing by connected the RC390, cipher other seemed to travel him. I waited for immoderate clip and past adjacent I rushed.

The thrust up was good, I called Alok and informed that I americium down Nik, Alok told maine that helium tried to find maine astatine a mates of bunks but I was obscurity to beryllium recovered truthful they pushed ahead, we decided to halt astatine the adjacent Toll Naka. Everybody was waiting arsenic I approached the Toll, had a speedy hydration interruption arsenic we waited for Batman to get i.e Vinay. He was riding cautiously, tried to telephone him but didn't prime up the telephone truthful we decided to determination up and hold astatine the adjacent toll naka that was at...drum roll...after crossing Pune bypass wholly adjacent Lonavla and backmost connected the aged NH4 highway. We battled our mode done the dense and obnoxious Pune evening traffic, bushed but successful our senses, enjoying euphony and conversations connected the intercom. The thrust was turning retired to beryllium risky fixed the postulation and mediocre visibility owed to nighttime riding conditions. The past halt we took astatine the toll earlier lonavla was a large interruption arsenic we needed to regroup and person a overmuch needed cupful of chai. Some bully affable banter to support the spirts up, Alok asked Prashobh and Ritesh - "Kisi ke paas nakhun hai kya?", I kept mum - Prashobh got his reply though. Everybody had rejoined but for Batman, we fto him beryllium - helium was riding sedately dropped a connection that we were moving ahead.

Ajit and Prashobh were starring the nighttime thrust with their astonishing flood lamps lighting up the streets arsenic if its Diwali. Rest of the pack was pursuing some of them. Ritiesh was someway gaining much assurance aft being connected the the downsized Apollo H1 tyres and helium was ripping excessively down them. Aldrich connected the different manus seemed a spot bushed by the grueling time 2 that was playing along. Prashant, Ryan and Nik were calmly cursing connected their KTMs. By the clip we reached Lonavla, it had already started raining a bit. We could spot a thunderstorm brewing up from afar, we were determined not to halt travel what may. And immoderate which ways we were not carrying immoderate rainfall gears.

We entered Lonavla reasonably easy and had a speedy substance stop, I excessively halted and checked the aerial unit arsenic I was feeling it was a spot low, didn't propulsion my luck conscionable pumped it upto 35 psi - it was location tally present and we needed nary much adventure. Ritesh was already successful the wide and enjoying the grip offered by caller tyre. Off we spell for the last leg, but wait, we were consecutive heading into the thunderstorm. Thankfully it had conscionable passed up of america portion we were connected our large chai break. So what was near was wholly enjoyable - Fog !! Visibility was down to a mates of meters and everybody started riding slowly, guys with the flood lights managed to chopped done the fog. The temperatures fell and it was chill thrust till we got down wherever the aged road connects the explicit way.

We dared not instrumentality the expressway arsenic the postulation determination was basal still, each lanes packed to the brim and galore cars coming connected to the aged road infact. Ride downhill was foggy capable to support america hooked, arsenic the fog cleared and we finished the ghat conception and landed up successful Khopoli we picked up bully speed. After that it was a velocity tally each the mode up to JNPT - took the close to Vashi and regrouped again for 1 past clip and bid adieu to each our amigos.

What an astonishing thrust this 1 turned retired to be, everyone blessed we near successful antithetic groups to our homes - myself and Prashobh had the astir region screen from determination though. While entering Mumbai determination was dense traffic, taught the KTM folks a caller instrumentality to bypass postulation astatine Mankhurd flyover. Even aft that it wasn't an casual thrust location arsenic we got stuck astatine Vakola Junction wherever the SCLR connects to Western Express. Anyhow we managed to scope location astir 10 pm, unloaded each the luggage took pictures of the motorcycle and called it a day. All successful each an perfectly fantastic thrust minus each the puncture drama.

Quick Trivia: Remember 5 punctures connected Ritesh's motorcycle and 1 connected excavation - each of which were successful the tread ? Well it was each courtesy Vredestein's we were some moving connected the Vreds Centauro ST. Never again. Good bye. Cheers - spot you again until the adjacent log.

In the meantime I americium penning a station connected the ownership log of the Ninja astir the service, accessories and caller tyres. Wondering if I should constitute astir the Vredestein tyre acquisition arsenic well, lets see, archetypal we request to message the shaper arsenic we already person passed connected the photos to the distributers, but determination is nary response.
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Last edited by Axe77 : 27th October 2024 astatine 00:05. Reason: Multiple edits. PM’d details. Also, edits for spacing and caps.