If you are a First Time Long Rider (Approx 1000 Kms) then this is definitely for you.
I had planned this since November 2012. I had my budget set, purchased few items from eBay. Got my GPS set. Things I carried were (GPS sat, 12volts usb socket for phone, a camping tent, hunting knife, pair of denim, a pair of shorts, 2 T-shirts, Biscuits-Cookies, mint, USB/FM Radio speaker, Aviator RayBan and Reebok shoes and Canon EOS 5D).
I had been observing the latest blogs about the road conditions and the best time to be in these places cause I had been postponing my journey for quite sometime (almost a year). In December I informed my better half that we will be going to Goa in Feb. As she is more into Yoga and exercises it was easy for her to say yes for such a long travel.
I had service my bike at the authorised service station and informed him that these 7 days the bike will meet at least 1000 KMS. So considering the fact that it is risky without having any tools I need the veichle in perfect shape.
He service it and installed the Cigarette Lighter Socket for my cellphone charging on the handle bar. He also installed the Coke Can holder on the handle bar. The USB speakers were installed on the Odometer. I installed GPS on the Fuel tank cap. I also installed a helmet camera on my right side as the beaches will be mostly on my Right side. I carried my Camping Tent in the trekking bag.
I also carried the Yoga Mat for camping.
Day 1 - Feb 09 2013 (Wheels 230 Kms)
I packed my trekking bag with the above articles and on Feb 09th 2013 we both completed our night shifts in our respective organisations and set to refuel the bike. It was up to the brim. We also kept Rs.3000 cash for emergency as there are no ATMs outside Pune city limits then took a route at 0900hrs through Kothrud-Thamini Ghat-Mangaon-Mandangad-SH102_Dapoli-Anjarle Beach resort. We stayed overnight at beach touch Durvankur cottage(Mr. Todankar). Phone: 9404765584 (02358) 234390. Since we had entire day and and worked overnight so we were traveling at ease and quite alert on the ghats, we took several halts and had lunch just before Thamini Ghat. We called Mr.Todankar and informed that we will be late and will arrive at dinner. Believe me or not but my butt was as hard as a rock and by the time we reached i could not feel it any more. The bike did well the first day as it was carrying approx 150 Kgs of weight. It was almost 1800hrs when we reached the cottage as i was too tired but my wife was refreshed with the scenic beauty of the beach and the coconut trees and the location of the cottage at a remote with cattle grazing in the courtyard and fresh sea breeze from the beach. She was all set to go on the beach and I was all set to go and take a nap.
But the moment we got our rooms we kept our bag and within minutes feel asleep on the bed. When Mrs. Todankar stated that there is Hot water in the bucket for getting fresh and then she can serve dinner. We got fresh and I had Surmai Thali and my wife had Frawns Thali. After dinner we decided to take a walk on the beach but it was so dark that we could only hear the roaring waves and could see nothing. But then as already requested and a surprise to my wife I said that we will go a little further and it was so freezing that we walked 50 feet and decided to stop. But then I lit the fire at the logs which was already gathered by Mr.Todankar. My wife walked back to me and stated OMG.... Camp fire. I said only fire and no camp. The fire kept away cold breeze up till 0100hrs by that time she was already asleep and even after several attempts she did not wake up. I decide to lift her back to the cottage and then the next morning.....When i woke up i could not find her in the room and called her but the there was no network on the cell phone. I walked down the Mrs.Todankar and she stated that she saw her going to the beach. I hurried to the beach and there were few group of girls on the left playing in the water and some boys playing cricket on the beach. But she was no where to be seen. Then all of a sudden i heard OMmmmmm. As i turned my collar bone and i saw her sitting on stone and performing yoga. I thought of speaking to her but did not felt appropriate to disturb her.
When she was done we both walked back to cottage for our breakfast. But then she suddenly ran to the sea to play and we played for almost an hour and then got back for getting fresh and break fast. We paid approx Rs.750/- (Room rent Rs.500 + 2 plates Dinner + 2 plate Poha and 2 tea) We left the cottage at 0900hrs as we had to move on with our journey of second day......
Day 2 - Feb 10 2013 (Wheels 120 Kms)
This time I had no idea about how good/bad the roads will be, where will we halt and what are we going to see and will everything be friendly but since the actual adventure lies in surprises.
We packed our bag and set to rode onto the beautiful and quite place called Ratnagiri. The plan was overnight halt at Ratnagiri but there was something else that was instored for us as we moved ahead.
We left early as we wanted to cover most of the travel under the morning tender sunrays as it was going to be humid as the day past. I had then installed the helmet camera and my GPS showed me the Mumbai Goa Highway which is one of the best to go with if you have a Cruise control on your bike or car but i re-routed the my path and took the Major Highway 4 Goes from Anjarle-Dapoli-Dabhol Jetty-Guhagar-Jaigad Jetty-Ganpati Pule.
The only reason why i took this inspite of having Cruise Control was nothing but 2Jetty rides, Jaigad, Enron Energy Project and the beautiful scene that fell on the either side of the road that we could see and record on the camera. I told my wife that from today we have no pre-reservations for Hotel / cottage accomodation and even food.She looked at me and said that we are carrying camping tent and we can buy fresh fish on the go all we need will be lemon / salt and pepper and banana leaves to cook the fish. I thought that only I had adventure mind set but my wife was a step ahead of me. The journey gets even joyce and interesting if your partner shares and thinks more adventurous. If we had taken the Mumbai Goa Highway we could have reached Ratnagiri much faster but we had to halt atleast 30-45 mins for jetty and again 20-30 mins to go across the river. But it was good and essential to give a break to your back/spine and your engine as both should be perfect on a long drive.
Also adventure was the main motto of the entire journey and so we came to Dapoli, no need for refulling but still check your brakes/oil and there is only one ATM in Dapoli Highway near the petrol pump (State Bank Of India) other ATMs are inside the city which you do not need to waste time. Atleast withdraw 2-4k from the ATM as you might come across somethings to buy and they do not accept cards.But this SBI ATM is like the OLDSKOOL and will take some time to vend you money hence do not kick the machine or your card is gone. Once you cross the ATM and petrol pump on your left go further more and from the cross road take the first right turn (Make sure you ask you way to the locals at the turns) after reaching few KMS down the road on the righ side of the road you will find Cashew processing unit (Salted/ chocolate/Red chillie powder/ and much more varities) Samarth Cashwe factory - http://samarthcashew.com/Gallery.html after tasting and buying few kgs of cashew we were back on track and then boarded the jetty at Dabhol after getting our boarding pass for 2 Adult + Motorcycle. Once you reach the other side ask the locals way to Guhagar. Before entering Guhagar ask for Jaigad road or you migh end in Guhagar dead end. Once you reach Jaigad jetty point you can buy your self refreshments near the ticket booking office. Make sure you take ample reset as the road from Jaigad onwards is pretty bad. Though road construction material is lying since ages you might never know if they are done.At one point I thought that I made a mistake but after moving forward for few Kms it was worth the beautiful sites that we came across. While on the go my wife decided to open the Cashwe packet and gradually feed me as my both hands we maneuvering the bike on those snake shape roads. The water bottle was installed on the handel bar can mount and quenched our thirst on the go.
I had planned this since November 2012. I had my budget set, purchased few items from eBay. Got my GPS set. Things I carried were (GPS sat, 12volts usb socket for phone, a camping tent, hunting knife, pair of denim, a pair of shorts, 2 T-shirts, Biscuits-Cookies, mint, USB/FM Radio speaker, Aviator RayBan and Reebok shoes and Canon EOS 5D).
I had been observing the latest blogs about the road conditions and the best time to be in these places cause I had been postponing my journey for quite sometime (almost a year). In December I informed my better half that we will be going to Goa in Feb. As she is more into Yoga and exercises it was easy for her to say yes for such a long travel.
I had service my bike at the authorised service station and informed him that these 7 days the bike will meet at least 1000 KMS. So considering the fact that it is risky without having any tools I need the veichle in perfect shape.
He service it and installed the Cigarette Lighter Socket for my cellphone charging on the handle bar. He also installed the Coke Can holder on the handle bar. The USB speakers were installed on the Odometer. I installed GPS on the Fuel tank cap. I also installed a helmet camera on my right side as the beaches will be mostly on my Right side. I carried my Camping Tent in the trekking bag.
I also carried the Yoga Mat for camping.
Day 1 - Feb 09 2013 (Wheels 230 Kms)
But the moment we got our rooms we kept our bag and within minutes feel asleep on the bed. When Mrs. Todankar stated that there is Hot water in the bucket for getting fresh and then she can serve dinner. We got fresh and I had Surmai Thali and my wife had Frawns Thali. After dinner we decided to take a walk on the beach but it was so dark that we could only hear the roaring waves and could see nothing. But then as already requested and a surprise to my wife I said that we will go a little further and it was so freezing that we walked 50 feet and decided to stop. But then I lit the fire at the logs which was already gathered by Mr.Todankar. My wife walked back to me and stated OMG.... Camp fire. I said only fire and no camp. The fire kept away cold breeze up till 0100hrs by that time she was already asleep and even after several attempts she did not wake up. I decide to lift her back to the cottage and then the next morning.....When i woke up i could not find her in the room and called her but the there was no network on the cell phone. I walked down the Mrs.Todankar and she stated that she saw her going to the beach. I hurried to the beach and there were few group of girls on the left playing in the water and some boys playing cricket on the beach. But she was no where to be seen. Then all of a sudden i heard OMmmmmm. As i turned my collar bone and i saw her sitting on stone and performing yoga. I thought of speaking to her but did not felt appropriate to disturb her.
Day 2 - Feb 10 2013 (Wheels 120 Kms)
This time I had no idea about how good/bad the roads will be, where will we halt and what are we going to see and will everything be friendly but since the actual adventure lies in surprises.
We packed our bag and set to rode onto the beautiful and quite place called Ratnagiri. The plan was overnight halt at Ratnagiri but there was something else that was instored for us as we moved ahead.
We left early as we wanted to cover most of the travel under the morning tender sunrays as it was going to be humid as the day past. I had then installed the helmet camera and my GPS showed me the Mumbai Goa Highway which is one of the best to go with if you have a Cruise control on your bike or car but i re-routed the my path and took the Major Highway 4 Goes from Anjarle-Dapoli-Dabhol Jetty-Guhagar-Jaigad Jetty-Ganpati Pule.
The only reason why i took this inspite of having Cruise Control was nothing but 2Jetty rides, Jaigad, Enron Energy Project and the beautiful scene that fell on the either side of the road that we could see and record on the camera. I told my wife that from today we have no pre-reservations for Hotel / cottage accomodation and even food.She looked at me and said that we are carrying camping tent and we can buy fresh fish on the go all we need will be lemon / salt and pepper and banana leaves to cook the fish. I thought that only I had adventure mind set but my wife was a step ahead of me. The journey gets even joyce and interesting if your partner shares and thinks more adventurous. If we had taken the Mumbai Goa Highway we could have reached Ratnagiri much faster but we had to halt atleast 30-45 mins for jetty and again 20-30 mins to go across the river. But it was good and essential to give a break to your back/spine and your engine as both should be perfect on a long drive.
Also adventure was the main motto of the entire journey and so we came to Dapoli, no need for refulling but still check your brakes/oil and there is only one ATM in Dapoli Highway near the petrol pump (State Bank Of India) other ATMs are inside the city which you do not need to waste time. Atleast withdraw 2-4k from the ATM as you might come across somethings to buy and they do not accept cards.But this SBI ATM is like the OLDSKOOL and will take some time to vend you money hence do not kick the machine or your card is gone. Once you cross the ATM and petrol pump on your left go further more and from the cross road take the first right turn (Make sure you ask you way to the locals at the turns) after reaching few KMS down the road on the righ side of the road you will find Cashew processing unit (Salted/ chocolate/Red chillie powder/ and much more varities) Samarth Cashwe factory - http://samarthcashew.com/Gallery.html after tasting and buying few kgs of cashew we were back on track and then boarded the jetty at Dabhol after getting our boarding pass for 2 Adult + Motorcycle. Once you reach the other side ask the locals way to Guhagar. Before entering Guhagar ask for Jaigad road or you migh end in Guhagar dead end. Once you reach Jaigad jetty point you can buy your self refreshments near the ticket booking office. Make sure you take ample reset as the road from Jaigad onwards is pretty bad. Though road construction material is lying since ages you might never know if they are done.At one point I thought that I made a mistake but after moving forward for few Kms it was worth the beautiful sites that we came across. While on the go my wife decided to open the Cashwe packet and gradually feed me as my both hands we maneuvering the bike on those snake shape roads. The water bottle was installed on the handel bar can mount and quenched our thirst on the go.
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