Mumbai – Goa

       A ride to the then Portuguese State of India – GOA

      January 2018, It was New year and I was eager to start it with a bike ride. 26th Jan was up and was the reason to go. With a flag pole installed on the bike, I was all set to ride the Indian flag all the way to Goa and back.

Calangute

      Left on the morning of 26th around 0430 hrs. Wrapped the flag to the pole, as it was still dark. The chilling breeze was blowing through my helmet visor.

      With the first light of sun, unwrapped the flag at a petrol pump in Lonavala, fueled up and took off!! The early morning clod breeze and the hoisted Indian flag set its own zeal.

      Good will gestures by people and travelers along the road were inspiring for me and Joycy.

Pit stop after Pune

      Took our first break due to some issues with the flag pole. Stretched out and set things in position. Well, I was exited this time to explore the coasts of Goa, but moreover, this was a long-awaited trip.

      The climate was cold and I started munching km faster.

      Speeds were in check and soon crossed Satara. It was starting to get hotter with the rising sun.

Nearing Satara

      Soon after Satara, as usual, took a fuel stop in Karad. Fortunately this was the same pump I took a stop on my Bangalore trip. It was fortunate for the clean washrooms and shady and calm area.

      A quick bite of snickers and snacks was refreshing. Will be posting the pit stops in a different section on the website.

Fortunate Petrol Pump

      Dodging the minimal traffic, we crossed into Karnataka and the feel to ride towards Goa kicked in. Excited to spend a lovely time, took the right from Nipni onto the Amboli – Goa road. .

      But this was just momentary. The roads are not maintained well and most of the way it was potholes and stones. After about a mere 30-40 km took a pit stop to stretch out. Bums were sore and had a backache.

Karnataka advantages over Petrol Prices

      The road side was better and shady though. The small pit stop was refreshing and quickly headed towards Amboli through the potholes, and soon started the descend.

      The view was breathtaking and the ghat road as good as a new. Twisty turns and the lofty hills accompanying with huts and trees on the other side of the valley. The sun was harsh, yet the shades and serenity was calm and cool.

      It’s the same till Sawantwadi. The fresh feel when one visits the Konkan, villages with the fragrance of cow dung and poultry awakens the soul. A bike ride through such places is a bliss.

      Reached Calangute by sunset and rest of the eve was a pleasant time on the beach.

      Being a long weekend, most of my friends were here. Tried to meet most of them along my schedule. Spent 2 days visiting places and enjoyed utmost of the time.

      Been enough on the Pune-Bangalore highway, I opted for the coastal route towards Mumbai for my return ride

Day 3 | The Ride Back :

      Departed by 8 am , soon crossed over to Maharashtra and was on the Konkan Highway.

      Starting about 50 km from Maharashtra border, the entire stretch of highway is mostly a 2 lane road. Most of it is maintained well, a part under construction and part 4 lane stretches.

      Though termed as one of the dangerous routes, the beauty of nature alongside is mesmerizing.

      A pit stop somewhere near Rajapur for a tea and refuel.

      The heat was scorching, the sun was dancing on the head. Was sweating in my gloves and it was a hard time to ride. The roads are too narrow to rev up to higher speeds.

      A stop for Missal Pav , lot of water and it was almost dusk. Through the ghats of Kashedi and into the traffic of the weekend rush towards Mumbai, it was dark.  

      Google shit cuts led us through the loneliest roads, though bypassing the traffic, finally onto the highway. The oncoming headlights on the 2 lane roads was terrible.

      Surpassing Pen, the Google shit cut stepped in again and I took the route via Chirner – Dighode – Jambhulpada and further via Wahal. The darkness was creepy and the roads were terrible. Made it through with huge adrenaline searing every second.

      The sight of the highway and city lights was a bliss. It was 11-30 pm I reached Belapur.

      There on the ride was quick and soon it was home, but that hour or so through the deserted road is still a fresh in my memories.

      A tiring ride, but much more to remember it by. The Konkan highways are extraordinarily marvelous with hills and twisty turns.

      Well, all extraordinary things have its cons too. 

Check out other bike trips and a whole lot of stuff here…