Lonavala on Royal Enfield 350

Riding to a ghat….high altitude…on my enfield was always a wish for me.

And this Sunday-8^th July2012…wish came true. It was swapnil who was more interested in going to Lonavala but his choice was his bike-New Splendor pro. But when he came in the morning and we were only 2 of us(as 2 more gave us a ‘taang’), so decided to take this on Enfield instead of Splendor. We were running late, so in hush-bush…I picked up my debit card…put on my jeans..T-shirt and a wind-cheater and left around 8 AM.

After reaching highway I realized I m not having my License….Swapnil said he has his own…whts the use? I hardly give my enfield to anyone that too on such a lovely ride. I told him…..Lets see…..

By 9 we were at McDonalds for breakfast.Had hot egg muffins there.

At 9.30 we left, By the time we reached Khopoli….the scenery around got mesmerizing. I was realizing that this is gonna one of the best bike ride I ever had till now!!

Long wet roads with lush greenery around and Mountains on both sides with their peaks lost in fog.

Old Pune highway is much enjoyable than new (expressway) one. I love it, everytime I come here.

In no time we reached near Khandala ghat….swapnil was continuously asking me to be pillion but I was actually avoiding him. I had a thought of giving him the bike on return journey.

Riding on the ghat was immensely difficult…atleast for me….first time rider on a ghat!

Changing gears, holding clutch, applying brakes on curves………with views worth dying around you, makes it a heavy ride  for the bike with a pillion. I could smell the sizzling clutch plate……anyhow we crossed khandala ghat and entered Lonavala. By the time we reached Lonavala…..things had gone wrong for my clutch……I cdn’t change the gears. And the bike went off…. O! shit…what now….was my reaction.

But luckily it was the Kumar resort junction where swapnil was about to meet his friend who came all the way frm HYD to Lonavala( crazy…isn’t it) for a day picnic.

So I pulled my bull and parked it in left lane…near the ‘ice cube’ spot. I realized what my bike needed is---- rest.

Then we were roaming in and around town….sometimes walking and sometimes with 2 pillion on the bull.The climate there was typical a hill station. It was Raining anytime anywhere…. With smoky clouds all over.

Roaming on bike in lonavala or nearby spots is troublesome on weekends due to enormous traffic.

The situation is like if you miss a turn, you wont dare to take a U and go back!

Noticed a good Maharashtrian restaurant this time named …………….Gajali….although we spent sm time in the restaurant but did not have food there……we had some further plans.

By 3.30 we decided to leave Lonavala and rush back towards Bombay (I luv this name and it will necer change for me).

As soon as we cleared Khopoli and were about to reach panvel, we faced multiple rounds of heavy rains.

By the time we were mid Panvel, we were a bit of shivering, as were all wet. I was worry abt the bull.

While on our way back we halted at Panvel…..had some hot food there…. The restaurant was ok….food not great…… alcohol=doubtful nad place too short of staff…. On enquiring we got to know that half of the staff is ill and is sleeping upstairs.

Anyhow we completed our evening meal….and left quickly for home. By 9 I ws at home and ws feeling very pleased and a bit tired due to lack of sleep.