Mumbai-Bangalore

Day 1 | Mumbai – Bangalore

      After the Mumbai – Pali trip, my next check was an interstate ride. Thinking of where to head on, my search started for places that would welcome me this time. After a keen look at the maps, South India caught my attention and Bangalore was the next destination.

      Got the Biking Brotherhood xPlorer and the Full Gauntlet from the Andheri Store (Vega Helmets)

   My plan was set ! The Long Christmas Weekend i.e. 23 – 25th ’17. With all the essentials packed into the saddle bags and the bike well serviced, I was ready to hit the roads. Although just 4 hours of sleep the night prior, the excitement for my first SOLO ride complimented the shortfall 😉

Ride Day:-

      I left home (Sion, Mumbai) at 4:30 AM and the thrill sent chills down the spine. Riding in the dark sky was slow, but steady at 70-90 km/h. The road was familiar to me till Dehu due to frequent rides to Pune. This gave me some time to dive into this afresh feel of the journey.

      At around 7 AM, I reached Dehu road exit for Satara which bypasses the Pune city. The Sun was just around the horizon. Took a short break of 5 minutes to set my GPS and inspect my luggage.

      A moment to get over the zeal and get the concentration going, and I kicked off.

    After covering about 165 km from home, I took a Tea break prior to the new Katraj Tunnel at around 8 AM. The tea was refreshing although too sweet. Stretched, and after about 10-15 minutes started with the ride. The traffic was moderate and I was cruising well.

      Soon few Riders accompanied me. Approximately at 10 AM ,145 km from Katraj, took a pit stop at a fuel pump in Karad. Got into small talk with a rider on his way to Goa after which he vlogged and we parted ways.

      In fact, I was beginning to have 2nd thoughts, taking a detour to Goa instead but then I controlled my emotions 😀

      I had an extended break to call all the beloved people, vlog and to relax. Fueled up 6 liters in Karad, enough till next pit-stop as the petrol outside Maharashtra is somewhat cheaper. 😉

      Left after having a bar of snickers and water, and soon I crossed the Maharashtra border. Just as always people are amazed to see us riders in our full ridding gears, I caught the old man on his Hero Honda near the Maharashtra border posing for my click. 🙂

     Such small exchanges are the essence of a journey that keeps one going on, even though the body has a tendency to start giving signs of exhaustion after a while.

      The first interesting sight after crossing the Maharashtra border was a petrol pump on my left with a huge banner saying “Petrol cheaper than Maharashtra“.

      My gloves were just a day old and my knuckles were sore and hurting, but the well maintained roads in Karnataka were too amazing for me to feel the pain and I was cruising at 110-115 Kph. Soon I reached the Amboli Goa exit and parted ways with most of the riders.

      Riding on NH48 in Karnataka is a treat as these are well maintained 6+ lanes (Most of the way).

      As the lonely roads were about to get little lifeless, I surpassed the 500 km mark. Now it was just 500 Kms for Bangalore. Though it was a long way to go, my enthusiasm was sky-high too!

      The landscapes on either sides were a treat to the eyes. Soon I passed this amazing architecture on the way to Bangalore and had to stop for a snap.

      I was running on fumes and in search of a good Petrol Pump. Most of the petrol pumps are on the other side of the highway. Those I came across were either out of petrol or had 10% ethanol stuff adulterated. I opted to skip all of these. Fortunately found an Indian oil petrol pump somewhere near Hubli.

      By this time I was famished and in dire need of a break. Only the search for a good petrol pump had kept me going. I filled my tank to the neck and took a snack – Bar of snickers and ParleG biscuits with water. Damn it’s very energizing and refreshing.

      Vlogged for a while, checked the tires, Lubed my chain and alas ! 40 minutes had passed. Wrapped up things quickly and got back on the track. This was my longest stop on the ride.

      Soon I was cruising at 120 Kmph. Had to lean forward most of the way due to loads of wind drag. The enormous wind mills on the way were breath-taking  and to add-on, I had a stunning view of  the Sun about to set on horizon. 🙂

       At dusk I was 300-350 Kms from Bangalore, well short of my schedule and needed to cover maximum Kms before dark. I took a 5 minutes break near Harihar, which is approx. 280 Kms from Bangalore, to check on my route and plan my speeds.

      It was over 14 hours of riding. Soon I was riding in the dark with my speeds slowed down. Though the 6+ lane roads were reliable, visibility and concentration levels were low.

      Somewhere prior to Hiriyur, I stopped to refuel and refresh. I had planned to stay at a friend’s place who works in Bangalore. It was 190 Kms to the destination and I was thrilled to surpass the 1000 km mark soon.

      After about 50-60 km, I was riding with a fellow rider, who, I assume, was from Himachal going by his Registration number. He was cruising on his Himalayan. We greeted each other and he overtook me. Found a distraction and followed him along just for the fun of it.

      I had nothing to do except talk to my self which I had been doing since I left home. The excitement kept my spirits alive and was in the 2 figure km in no time.

      Entered the 40s, with tiredness encroaching and my knuckles hurting, I decided to carry on. I had earlier put a Band-Aid on my knuckles just to avoid any injury as the gloves were yet new and hard. I had almost thought of the entire feedback story to write to the BBG guys if the gloves had any defect. 🙂

      I tried to keep off the hurting knuckles and soon was close to Dasarahalli Metro Station. Called up my friend while at a traffic signal. I was running out of battery juice and in a hurry, missed a turn. Wasted 15 minutes in the traffic just to get back on to the correct road. I reached my destination around 9-930 PM.

      My friend was waiting for me downstairs with food.As astonished as he was to see me ride all the way to Bangalore, I was eager to eat !

Day -2 | Bangalore Stay

      2nd day was relaxing with mixed thoughts to go Kerala or just stay put in Bangalore. After much of a discussion with fellow roommates there, we decided to go Nandi Hills (50-60 km away). Spent noon as a lazy bachelor and left post lunch.

      The road to the top of Nandi hills, with 7-8 hairpin bends, is spectacular to ride. If you love riding in the Ghats, this is one of those experiences. Many cars overheated and broke down on the way up.

      The entrance to the fortress is charged per the picture. It’s strange to know that entry to a single person is restricted here!

The view from the top was mesmerizing with the sun about to set in an hour. After a well spent time, we started our descent. On our way, took a pit stop at a bend. The view is fantastic, with the sun setting into a valley between Mountains.

      We decided to call the day after this and went to an eatery for a bite. The Set Dosa was delicious. My friend, who is a Mumbaikar too, was fascinated by the availability of Missal Pav over there and promptly ordered. After shopping for few things, I refueled and we were home.

      With egg rice and shawarma for dinner, I took to the bed early after bidding goodbyes to all the roommates.

Day-3 | Bangalore to Mumbai

      3 AM, a very chilly morning. Damn! it was difficult to hop out of the bed and gear up. But, hurray ! Mumbai was calling.

      I hit the roads at 4 AM. Once I was past the city, it was pitch dark with all the street lights disappearing with every passing km away from Bangalore.

      I was accompanied by a Honda civic which slowed down at my side after seeing my no. Plate. And guess the car belonged to Mumbai too, with MH01*** . We acknowledged each other and parted ways.

    It was nothing but my blinking indicators and truck head-lights until dawn. Somewhere about 20 km from Hiriyur I took a break at roadside to check on my luggage and have a drink.

     Found that my front tire was somewhat jammed, and my thoughts began to wander around many possibilities. Though the bike was running fine, the resistance was affecting my speeds and mileage.

      As I was inspecting the bike, a fellow RE biker stopped by to check on me. He nodded and gestured to ask if everything was fine. I acknowledge it. That was the moment when I felt bit assured and the wandering thoughts vanished somewhere thinking that no matter where you are, a fellow rider is all you need to ease-off any obstacles.

      Now I was onto a search for a mechanic to get the front tyre rectified. I refueled somewhere near at Devangere and slowed down to find a mechanic. Somewhere after Haveri, I found a mechanic, and within a matter of minutes he released the Break Oil pressure and my tyre was free again.

      It was 11 am and I was already starving. I had missed to carry chocolate bars, so managed to have few Parle-G biscuits left in my duffel bag. Soon I was cruising on the straight stretch of roads at 120 Kmph.

      Somewhere after Belgaum , I took a snack break. The restaurant manager was very friendly and we were on to chatting about the trip immediately. It was 2 pm after my snack and tea break. I started off again only to stop for a fuel break in Nipani near Maharashtra.

      The road became narrower and the traffic was building up as I entered Maharashtra. My speed was slowed down considerably.

      About 170 km form Kagal, I took a break at around 5 PM. It was a mere 4 hours journey to Mumbai, but soon as I entered Pune(outer highway), all hell broke loose.

       Traffic was horrible! It took me about an hour to pass through traffic and it was 7:30 – 8 PM when I reached Dehu rood. This was the only stretch throughout the ride where I felt tiring and drained. Took me about an hour or more just to surpass Pune. I refueled in Lonavala, sipped a tea and left for Mumbai.

      It was 10:30 PM I reached Sion. All the bugging traffic was long gone and it was home calling. Reached home with ample moments and memories to cherish about. I was tired and drained, but my enthusiasm never left.

      Adrenaline was still shooting up with joy and eagerness to write about it.

      Will I do it Again? Definitely!!! But next time will put in the night hours to ride and reach before dawn. 🙂

PS: I did the ride again with all new adventures and destination further than Bangalore. So hang in there for the next blog.

Statistics : 

Bike: GixxerSF
Riding Hours: 16 Hrs (1 way)
Total time: 18 Hrs (1 way)
Total km: ~2100
Top Speed: 123 kph
Fun: 100%
Route: Mumbai – Bangalore

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