Ganpatipule - On The Road by the Sea

The destination for our monthly ride was chosen - Ganpatipule, a village famous for its temple on the beach. This is where it had all started for me, backpacking solo. My first visit here was around 12 years ago, as a 17-year old. I had come back here around 4 years ago too. And now, I was going back there, on a bike! It was nostalgic.

Somewhere near Pali

It was our usual meeting spot at 6 AM, the McDonald's at Kalamboli (Ronald McDonald probably knows us by our first names now). The regulars were Sanket, Saurabh, Abhishek and me. Swapnil had been with the gang on 2 rides before this. Ameya and Kunal completed the team. While we had Nitin who joined us only for breakfast.

Although everyone met at McD, we went for breakfast at Datta Snacks, which is a famous food joint in Panvel, on the old Mumbai-Goa highway (or whatever is left of it). By the time we started, it was 8 AM, and it was hot already. Our first destination was Harihareshwar. The roads were mostly under maintenance, and the condition was really bad. I had my phone connected to the device in my helmet so that I can listen to the direction from the Maps, also, the music made the ride bearable. We took a couple of halts for water, and clicking pictures, before reaching the Harihareshwar at 1215 PM. On asking, we found that the next ferry to the other side would be at 1230 PM, we sped through the narrow village streets to get to the jetty, and when we did get there, the ferry boat was not there for another half an hour. They stuffed the boat with people, cars and bikes, and when we were ready to start, it was so cramped that people couldn't get out of their vehicles! It took us 20 minutes to get to the other end of the river. It was a nice experience, and saved us some time too.

Chiplun by pass

After unloading at the other end, we rested for a while before continuing. We went for lunch at a small restaurant at a place called Mandangad. Since it was really hot, we settled down in the AC room, which was empty except for one more customer. And it came as a shock when the manager came in and asked us to move out to the Non AC section if we are not ordering alcohol! And we had to leave. We settled back in the Non-AC section since we were too tired to look for another hotel, ordered food; it was edible. We left soon after, still had another 160 kms to go.

Ganpatipule

Our next stop was Chiplun, the landscape was beautiful which meant photographs! So I stopped, while the others went ahead, and that's why I missed the next turn, with around hundred kilometres to go. Luckily, I had network, I called up one of them and told them that we'll meet at Ganpatipule, and proceeded with my 'solo ride'. It had happened again! The route was great though, and I was glad that I took the wrong turn. Although the entire stretch of road was completely empty, and I was a little scared at first, I went on instead of turning back (Boulevard of broken dreams played on my headphones). It was dark soon, but it was a great ride. I caught up with the others fifteen kilometres before Ganpatipule. 

Riders on the beach

We reached Ganpatipule by 8 PM, and went off in search of hotels (It was my suggestion to look for a hotel after we get there, bad idea). We searched a lot before finally booking two rooms at Hotel Ekdant. The guy managing the place was from Mumbai, and he was helpful and polite. We dined at the restaurant there, and everyone was tired and sleepy. Some of us went of to sleep, while a few others went off to explore the place. There wasn't much to see, and we couldn't visit the beach at night. So everyone dozed off by midnight.

Ready to leave!

Next morning, we got ready, had our breakfast, and went off to the beach for a walk. Ganpatipule beach was nothing like what I'd seen a few years back. The beach was more commercial now, water sports, joy rides on camels, and loads of shops selling eatables; it was crowded too. We didn't hang around for long, and went back to the hotel to load our bikes for the return journey. We left for Are Ware road at 1230 PM. I had ridden on that road before. It was beautiful, with the road running right along the sea. We stopped for quite some time here, clicking pictures and enjoying the view. It was 3 PM when we left, and the next stop was Ratnagiri. We had a lunch quickly, and decided to take the highway, which added a hundred kilometres to the return journey, but the inner route would've been difficult to ride on due to the oncoming traffic. It was 5 PM when we left Ratnagiri, the weather was cloudy and a cool breeze was blowing across. The road was smooth, with minimal traffic. It was a great time to ride. On the way, we halted at the windmills just before Karad. They were huge! Then came Amba ghat. It was overcast here, almost as if it would rain. It didn't though. I was able to corner my bike on the curves with ease, almost till a point where I could touch the ground while riding. Of course, I didn't try it. 

The dab!

       We reached Karad at 8 PM, had a quick tea and left by 830. Home was around 290 kms away now. But we were on the highway now, an average speed of 80-90 kph wasn't difficult. We reached Pune at 1045 PM. Dinner took some time though, and by the time we left Pune it was past midnight. 

Somewhere near Karad

I was feeling sleepy now, and hence was riding at a leisurely pace. Let the others go at full throttle, I thought. But when the sleep got unbearable, I put the music on, and started singing along. I felt awake instantly, and was able to increase my speed again. In another hour, we reached Lonavala, had a cup of coffee, and left by 2 AM. And again, we were speeding, back on the Expressway before moving back to the old Mumbai-Pune highway. In an hour we were at Panvel, saying our final good byes until the next ride. I reached home at 3.45 AM. Even at that time, there was a bit of traffic on the road, because some truck had an accident. 

My jump shot!

It was one of the more challenging rides that I'd done, not because of the distance, but because of the roads and the time it took. Also, the fact that I was feeling sleepy didn't help. But yes, we all made it home eventually. There were instances when we could've continued riding instead of stopping and reached home a few hours earlier, but then I wondered what was the point of riding if you are not taking time off to enjoy the view. It is not a race that's meant to be won. It is less about reaching the destination, and more about enjoying the journey!