Malshej – The Weekend Ride

The one with Friends

      Over 2 years of riding to states and distant places, it was time to unravel the most of Maharashtra and the neighboring destinations from Mumbai. Among all the long tours, a short Weekend Ride is bliss of a kind.

      This time it was not solo, but the best of my friends accompanying me to Malsej Ghat. Nestled in the lofty rugged hills of the Western Ghats, it is a mountain pass in the Thane-Pune Road.

      My friend, Akshay, bought TVS Ntorq few months ago, and was eager for this trip. Sunish tagged along with us.

Missal Pav Stop (Stupid Blur effect)

      It was Sunday, the 29th of July. I started at 0730 hrs from Sion. Rendezvous was Akshay’s home at Panvel.

      Reached at around 0830 – 0845 hrs at his place. Sunish stayed over at his place so we could leave on time than waiting.

      With Sunish on Ntorq , we left Panvel after having a delicious Misal-Pav in Khanda colony. As we were in Panvel already, we decide to tale the chouk- kasara route to Malshej.

Kick Off

      Soon after dodging the traffic in Panvel, we were onto the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway. With the nature bathing in greenery, its always a pleasant experience during the monsoons to ride.

      Sunish and Akshay were onto their first 200 km + ride. We started off slow with speeds of 50-60 km. It was all good till we took the right from Chouk.

      The condition of the roads is not good at all. Potholes, dust, construction debris etc were the only things accompanying us. The sun was up and somewhere near Kothimbe we took our first break.

Kanda Bhaji Break

      Bought kanda-batata bhaji (onion/potato pakodas) from a market and halted on the outskirts under a tree shade. It was relaxing.

      These guys were enjoying it too. Apart from the bad roads, it was going well.

      After quenching our thirst and feeding our stomachs, we revved on. The roads became good as we cursed ahead. Soon we were crossing Mhasa , the outskirts of Sidhgad and Gorakhgad. The path became narrower and the tress besides taller. The lush green fields were refreshing and provided a much needed relief from the scorching Sun.

mehh.. (Stupid Blur)

      Took a break at the entrance of roadside Field. The cool breeze and the moist grass are just the correct combination to relax yourself.

The Craziness Within

      After a quick chat we departed. The magnificent hills were mesmerizing and we were exited to reach Malshej.

      Small waterfalls could been seen spread all over the hills on the way.

Owwooooohh..

      Post noon we touched the highway and it was now matter of minutes we started to ascend the ghat. The curves are amazing and TVS Ntorq took it well. Sunish was delighted to ride and so was Akshay. I revved ahead and started my ascend , feeling the curves and my tyres holding their grip.

Hey there Biker… (That’s me :P)

      We passed through small seasonal waterfalls with people relaxing around them. Friends and families having a blasting time with music playing. Stopped by to have some roasted Corn. It was much better than what we get in Mumbai. Felt like taking back a sack full of them.

The Corn Break

      Keeping aside the immense feeling of corn 😉 , we got back on the road.

      Within a matter of 10 min we crossed Savarne and were onto the ghat road. The sharp bends were guarded by police and highway authorities. None of the vehicles were allowed to stop. Only few places along the ghat were open for people to stop and enjoy the magnificent hills and water falls.

The Ascend

      Malsej waterfall on the path was at its best, with water pouring down heavily. Got wet while passing through it due to slow traffic around the waterfall area.

The other side of the Tunnel

      We crossed the small tunnel and stopped. Parked our bikes and went to the view point to breathe in nature. No words ever can describe the beauty of nature. Such calmness and silence, even among the hustle of people, made us hear our heartbeats.

View Point

      Spent half hour and decided to go MTDC resort area which is somewhat at a higher altitude.

US

       It was the top of the hill and we could see people on the fencing. We reached there quickly. After observing around, I decided to take my bike inside near the fencing to click her.

Meditation Time

      This proved to be the best decision and indeed the view was stunning. Parked my bike near the edge and we sat admiring the clouds and the winds blowing them to and fro. After enough mediation ;p , it was time to capture these moments.

The Original One

Kids sad with him interfering their photo session

      Few families joined us to click pics with Joycy. The kids were exited to click pictures and we enjoyed it too.

      Nothing but a mere bike photo shoot made memories with the smiles of those kids and families.

The Flying Sunish

:p

      It was around 3 we decided to start our descend. Our stomachs were growling and our eyes searching food.

Hungry !! Koi khana dedo bhai..

      After about 15 min descent, we halted at a small village house with Dhaba. The fresh chicken and bhakri !!! Yummm…. (I ate the words too which were supposed to fill the dots )

No patience to Click

      Finger licking Chicken Sukka and curry with rice Bhakri and rice. We licked the plates clean.

      A 5 min relaxing nap on the rope coat and we started our way back home.

      Took the Highway towards Bhiwandi via Kalyan bypass. The ride was smooth. Sun was at the horizon and it was about to get Dark. Sunish and Akshay did well with Ntorq in the dark. We were soon reaching kalyan where a very very long traffic jam was waiting for us.

Lets not see the Traffic

      It took almost an hour or so to get through. We parted ways at the Kalyan bypass where they both headed Panvel and I rode towards Mumbai.

      Struggling through the traffic I crossed Bhiwandi bypass with a lot of sweat. A short break and I started for home.

🙂

      Was back by 10pm or so with memories to cherish with Sunish and Akshay. This was my second time, after a long, riding with a fellow friend.

      Yes, it refreshed my Mumbai – Pali ride, first with a jello friend, with many more experiences in my closet.

Ride Statistics :

Total km: 300 (to and fro)
Bikes: Gixxer SF and TVS Ntorq
Riding hours : ~7
Fun : 110%
Route: Mumbai – Malsej