It wasn't the same... just not like the old times. In the recent past, after my bike was transported to Jammu and back to be precise, the ease with which I used to ride, the comfort level and confidence were not at all what they used to be. Me and my bike were simply not running as a well oiled machine. :-) Was it because I deprived it the pleasure of being ridden on the highest motor-able road in the world, I am not sure. :-) I felt that the harmony was fading... The clear indication of it came last week when I actually, for the first time since owning the bike, banged another motorcyclist from behind. Sure, I was able to control the bike and stopped it from skidding and all that, and no injuries and not much damage to either parties involved in the accident resulted, but that was a big blow to my morale. There was a bent horn holder and a slightly bent crash guard. I did not feel like riding the bike in that condition so I used my car the entire week.
The thoughts of fixing the damage and going for a short ride started on Saturday night and after Vindy and Bandya responded in negative to my invitation I decided to do it alone, Swapna having her own plans. So first thing Sunday morning, I got to work. After taking out the horn holder I realized that the tools and tackles I had were insufficient, most of the ones I need with Vindy for their mega trip. That was a dampener and I decided to drop the idea of a ride and just go to Padmavati instead.
The thoughts of fixing the damage and going for a short ride started on Saturday night and after Vindy and Bandya responded in negative to my invitation I decided to do it alone, Swapna having her own plans. So first thing Sunday morning, I got to work. After taking out the horn holder I realized that the tools and tackles I had were insufficient, most of the ones I need with Vindy for their mega trip. That was a dampener and I decided to drop the idea of a ride and just go to Padmavati instead.
As I got ready at around 9.40 AM and locked the door, in a split second I changed my mind and decided to ride down to Lavasa (लवासा). Many a riders and non-riders have told me about how beautiful the scenery is and how lovely the road is for riding. So I tanked up at my usual petrol pump and checked the tire pressure and started moving toward Chandani Chauk. A board at CC informed me that Lavasa city was 44KMs. I was still a bit tentative and unsure on the bike but as the traffic thinned down and roads started winding the familiar feeling started to come back. The first sharp turn without applying brakes, at a slightly lower speed with hands pressed hard on the handle-bar and the rattle created by down-shifting of gears ringing in ears and vibrations getting transmitted through forearms. So that's how we do it :-) After that I just opened up, easily negotiating the small ghats at Bhugaon and Pirangut. This is a road well know to me so I was not looking around for the nature's beauty but just focusing on riding. Before I realized I was at Pirngut in under 30 mins taking a left turn for Lavasa.
Now I intentionally slowed down as the road changed and the scenery changed. The quality of tarmac was really good with barely a pot hole to be seen. The board indicated Lavasa to be 27 KMs away and the road was mostly a winding one through various hills. The recent rains meant that the entire landscape was covered in green and the sun was playing hide and seek due to the intermittent cloud cover. The traffic was very thin now with an occasional car here or a couple riding down there.
I was now very comfortable on the bike and ate up the miles like crazy. I was enjoying it so much so that I overcame the temptation to stop at some strategically located tea stalls for a cuppa tea. Soon the wall of Dasve dam came into sight and I was riding along side it and hit what looked like the final Ghat before Lavasa. This ghat was a riders dream with good roads and lots of hairpin bends and I was now really into it. Half way through the ghat, I finally decided to take in the view of the dam backwaters so halted and clicked a snap or two. 
It was 10.30 AM. Moving ahead I soon reached the Lavasa city entry gate at the top of the ghat. I had to make an entry in the register and off I went inside the city. The ghat road was now descending and I clicked a few snaps of the Lavasa city from the top. All along the journey I was planning for what I would be doing while returning, but as I approached the last hairpin turn, I noticed the boards pointing towards Panshet and Varasgaon dams.
Another impulse and I checked with the security guard, that the road really led to Panshet as promised and in the excitement forgot to ask him how far it was. The road which was smooth and gentle till now suddenly turned in to a one full of potholes and gravel and my speeds dropped down considerably. Driving down for 15 mins and so I realized I did not know how far it was. Saw a few villagers sitting by the side of the road and asked them. 20 KMs, I was told. 10 mins down again asked another villager and was informed that it will take 1.5 Hrs. :-) So finally another 5 mins and another inquiry, I was told it will take 20 mins. :-)
All this while, the road was still very rough but winding and scenery around was no less than what it was on earlier road. My confidence was back to normal, or so I felt. Controlling the bike from a slip on the rubble was no big deal now, nor was making the correct use of the entire road width while turning. An occasional car would pass, but for most part I was the lone soul on the road for kilo meters at a stretch. The road actually moves along the Varasgaon backwaters, so I always had the dam water to my right. Now I could see the wall of Varasgaon dam in the distance and was relieved to know that it will not take 1.5 Hrs. :-) Another turn and familiar shape of Sinhagad was recognizable from the mountains in the distance.I was really thirsty now as I was riding almost non-stop barring a couple of photo breaks and the break at Lavasa entry gate. Soon negotiating the curves and gravel, I was passing along side the walls of Varasgaon and Panshet dams finally reaching to the village of Panshet at noon. The odo read 85KMs. Took a break to rehydrate myself and also had a wada pav and Tea and in 10 mins started my journey towards Pune. The road from Panshet till Sinhagad phata is really nice and smooth and I opened the throttle. As I neared the Sinhagad Phata, I remembered about a road which goes towards Bhor from here. I called up Vindy for directions, but as always he did not pick up the phone when needed. So I decided to keep going, only to realize what a big mistake it was. The moment I started my journey towards Khadakvasla, the road was full of cars and bikes and the traffic was moving at a very slow pace. From being the lone soul on the road to being surrounded by the crowd, it wasn't a transition I had wished for. I was getting impatient and soon I started ripping the bike along finally reaching the by-pass highway and in due course of time, to my house. The odo read exactly 125KM and the clock told me it was 1:00 PM.
This ride was a different one. Probably a first I did with no company. It took me through breath taking scenery, to not-so-good roads, to crowded places. But in the end I have to admit that , most importantly, the feeling of oneness when you are riding the stead, the harmony, is back.
