9th May 2009. Morning 6:15 AM, Chilled air even after being summer, dusky light, sun about to rise. I am on bike, ya ya I know I can’t drive bike. I am as pillion rider. Set for Mangalore (What??) I am serious. Yes, set for Mangalore, to attend Sam’s, my friend, wedding. So why on bike? Do something crazy so that we can make Sam's wedding memorable in our life. It will also add an experience as we had a dream of exploring the world (Isn't it too much, fine lets reduce it). Exploring Incredible India. Following is just a narration of our travel.
Initial plan to visit Mangalore was through Tata Safari, which is owned by Parag. But he couldn’t join us due to office work. So plan was dropped. And then Chetas came up with the idea of visiting Mangalore on two wheels. It was exciting but also time consuming. But I agreed and we got into preparation for the day. Chetas first tried out a trial with an 100 Km ride in single day. This trip was done from Dahisar-Panvel-SEEPZ-Goregaon. This was to check with many of the factors like, bike performance, time consumed, physical stress etc. 100 Km didn't effected much. So decided to increase distance and try for another trip. And within next few weeks a trip was organized to Harihareshwar. This trip distance was
approximately 190 km single direction i.e total 400 Kms. On return journey I decided to drive the bike. This will help me to have hands-on with bike, on road (highways), and some time for Chetas to relax. Unfortunately we met an accident which severely injured me. Now our Mangalore trip was in danger zone. Because our parents won't allow this was for sure (It's not their fault because now will allow after such incident). But we still continued our preparation with some positive hope. It took me more than two weeks to get out of the bandage; simultaneously we were losing days very fast. I wasn’t in good position to recover, so it was decided Chetas will drive single evenhandedly, the complete trip. During this time Chetas have collected different information from different people, for e.g. what all precautions are to be considered, how good the roads are etc...
Changes which took place for bike were handle grips, engine oil, spark plug & replacement of brake shoes. Here I would like to mention that engine oil was replace with synthetic oil from MOTUL and the spark plug was replaced with NG spark plug. Filled nitrogen in tyres instead of normal air.
On 8th May 2009, Chetas reached my home at 23:45 hrs. The next day (9th May 2009) Chetas started the bike with a kick and we felt very energetic as blood was passing through whole, like the engine oil goes through the engine of bike. Thus we left Panvel at 06:30 hrs. We took right from Palaspa phata just outside Panvel and took Mumbai-Goa Highway. Crossed Karnala bird Sanctuary and slowly we crossed Pen and reached Wadkhal-Naka at 07:25 hrs. It’s 38.3 Kms from Panvel. (From here on the distance mentioned is from Panvel) By this time I got backache. This was due to heavy sacks and non-habitual to biking. At Wadkhal-Naka we swapped the bags assuming it will help me to reduce the ache. But in vain. With the backache I still continued and we reached Mangaon at 09:15hrs (98.9 Kms). Here we took halt to cool down the engine. From here on we took many such halts. At Mangaon we loosen the belts in such a pattern so that bags rest on bike and the weight on shoulder gets reduced. And it worked and we continued with this pattern for our entire trip. We crossed Mahad and reached Poladpur.
From here on ghats start. The first ghat was "Kashedi Ghat", this is the only big and dangerous ghat, which we came across, on entire NH-17 till Mangalore. Following Kashedi Ghat there are two more ghats known as Parshuram and Bhoske. Once you overcome these three ghats you reach Khed. When you are crossing Kashedi Ghat, you are also leaving borders of Raigad district i.e you are entering into Ratnagiri district. So Khed is first small city of Ratnagiri which you come across. And then Chiplun. We reached Chiplun at 12:30 hrs (219 Kms). Here we took our first major halt for lunch. I will really recommend hotel Shiv Sagar (only veg.) for breakfast or lunch.
After having lunch, due to bike key problem we wasted our almost one and half hour at Chiplun itself. We started our journey, sun was at top of our head. Journey speed was reduced as we have to take more frequent halts due to heat. We reached Sangameshwar(270 Kms) railway station. This station proved that were driving in parallel to Kokan railway. And now I couldn’t bear my backache and requested Chetas to halt at good place where I can sleep flat on ground which will reduce my backache. I literally slept on road for 10-15 minutes. Started our journey, still with the ache but with reduced intensity. Crossing Sangameshwar we reached near Hatkhumbe (302.8 Kms). Because of my backache we decided to take halt at Hatkhumbe. But it would have ruined our further proposed plan. So we decided to take halt at Lanja. While crossing Hatkhambe local bike rider brought us into notice that bike’s rear tyre is punctured. At the same time we were stopped by traffic police. They verified all the papers and license and let us go. We asked traffic police for mechanic who can get us tyre fixed. Luckily it was only 5 minutes far. So suggested Chetas to go alone with bike, whereas I waited with traffic police. Chetas arrived, and we both were feeling bad because nitrogen which we filled in the tyre is removed and we have to fill air. Journey couldn’t be halt because of such normal issues. So we carried on and suddenly there was a crowded place. We were surprised. During the complete journey we never came across such crowded place. This place was called as Lanja. We still have to achieve Rajapur. It was growing dark and as per our plan, no night driving, so we had to reach as early as possible do defined destination. We had sometime night driving and we reached Rajapur at 19:30 hrs (360.7 Kms) Short bv 40 Kms, as per our plan which was 400 Kms per day. (So the first day halt would have been at Kankauli).
10th May 2009. Second day, 7:15 hrs. Because of such a physical stress we had a sound sleep. As per our schedule to start journey at 6:00 we started late by one hour and 15 minutes. Second day journey started. Very immediate to Rajapur it was ghat. While going across the ghat we discovered that Rajapur city is settled in Sahayadri hill. We were enjoying the sunrise and the sahyadri hills. We reached Kharepatan. The first village of Sindhudurg district. It means we left Ratnagiri district and entered into Sindhudurg. And we took our breakfast halt at Kankauli at 0845 hrs (420.4 Kms). From there we headed to my native place Malvan. We reached Malvan at 1100 hrs (473.8 Kms). My family was waiting for me. Meet them. Had our lunch and then decided to move. We started from Malvan at 1330 hrs and next major halt was at Banda. Reached Banda at 1445 hrs (545.7 Kms). This is the last city/village of Maharashtra. After this we were entering Goa state and leaving Sindhudurg district and Maharashtra State. The first city/village that we came across of Goa is named as Polem. Our next scheduled halt was at Panaji, capital of Goa state. We reached Panaji at 1745 hrs (609.9 Kms). For second day our scheduled days halt was in Karnataka state. But we were running out of time. So we decided first lets reach Margao and then decide whether to leave Goa state or not. We reached Margao at 1815 hrs (621.8 Kms). I have gone through google maps while preparation, so I assured Chetas, roads are straight till Mangalore so it won’t be
problem even if we drive in night for some duration. So was done. We left Margao. I was confident because we were at sea-level so we won’t come across any ghats. The last city in Goa state is Canacona. We reached Canacona at 1920 hrs (659.3 Kms). Canacona had jungle and Ghat, which we had to cross in dark. This was the only place which we crossed in dark without any knowledge of road and place. And we were stuck in such a pattern we couldn’t even halt there and were not able to find how long we have to go. Finally we crossed Goa and entered into Karnatka. And as planned our second day halt was at Karwar. We reached Karwar at 2045 hrs (696 Kms).
11th May 2009. Third day. Started late at 0820 hrs. Karwar is very good place. Next to sea. You can stand on roads and enjoy the sea water. Things were changing. The advertisement posters the language the city names and many more. We reached Ankola at 0925 hrs (730 Kms) and decided to take halt. Next for breakfast we halted at Kumta. Reached Kumta at 1000 hrs (765 Kms). Ordered for Idli sambar and dosa. And you get the real taste of south Indian food. On having good breakfast, we started with our journey. We were excited because today, we will reach Mangalore. Due to summer heat we had increased our halts. Next halt was at Honnavara 1130 hrs
(785.6 Kms).. After Honnavara, we faced huge problem due to private transport. They were so bad in driving sense, that many times we have to get down of the road and wait for few buses to go. And we use to abuse them. Till now we didn’t faced such problem. But then we understood it’s not only bike, but they even don’t look at the buses. They just want to drive as if they are the only one on the road. It may be, because they take diversion from Mumbai-Bangalore highway. And that national highway is very good. Our next halt was at Bhatkal. 1245 hrs (823.2 Kms). Other two halts were Kundapura 1425 hrs (875.5 Kms) and then at Udipi 1530 hrs (910.7 Kms). At Udipi we had some light breakfast, we didn’t realize that we had skipped our lunch. At Udipi we received Cletus call (we were staying at his place), that his home is before actual Mangalore city. And so we reached Kinnigholi 1715 hrs (950 Kms).
Stayed at his place for three days attended Sam’s wedding. Will talk about it in next blog.
15th May 2009. Seventh Day. Started early at 0545 hrs. We already had a bad experience with those private buses, so thought we could avoid them by reaching Honnavara as early as possible. Managed to reach Honnavara at 1035 hrs (1115.3 Kms). Next halt was at Kumta, as we while coming to Mangalore we really enjoyed the breakfast. Reached Kumta at 1110 hrs (1134.9 Kms). After seeing the time we decided our day’s halt will be at Sawantwadi. My mom’s native place. And accordingly we increased our pace. As by now we got adjusted for travelling, so our halts got reduced. We crossed Karnataka and entered Goa. Reached Margao at 1645 hrs (1276.6 Kms). At this stage we were confused as to take halt in Goa and enjoy Goa or move to Sawantwadi. As we don’t want to waste our time, we decided to take halt in Sawantwadi itself. Finally reached my mom’s native place at 2000 hrs (1355.9 Kms). This was the only day, where we travelled maximum distance of 405 Kms. When we had planned our trip, we decided to daily cover 400 Kms. But never achieved that target, for any of the days except this.
16th May 2009. Eight day. After long drive, we were exhausted. So didn’t wake up early. Enjoyed kokan food. Specially Mangoes and Jackfruit. And then started late around 1345 hrs. We were concerned if we could reach by Sunday, back to Mumbai. While going to Mangalore we were least bothered as we were having three days in our hand. But while return trip we didn’t have a single day. So nothing was decided halt, just drive. When it goes dark, will search for hotel. In that way, we managed to reach Lanja. A taluka in Ratnagiri district at 2000 hrs (1522.1 Kms).
17th May 2009. Ninth day. Started at 0620 hrs. Reached Chiplun at 1020 hrs (1634.7 Kms). Halted in same hotel Shiv Sagar for your breakfast. Next we reached Poladpur at 1330 hrs (1705.2 Kms), the first village while entering Raigad district. After Poladpur, we faced huge problem because of heat. This made us to take halt after every 15-20 minutes. Atlast we took a big halt at Mahad 1410 hrs (1722 Kms). Reached Wadkhal naka 1800 hrs (1813.9 Kms). The naka from where one road goes to Goa and other to Alibaug. And then the destination Panvel 1950 hrs (1851.9 Kms)
| Destination | Meter Reading | Kms between two halts | Daily kms | Total Distance In One way | Total Kms | ||
| Day 1 | |||||||
| Panvel | 13907 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Wadkhal Naka | 13945.3 | 38.3 | 38.3 | 38.3 | 38.3 | ||
| Mangaon | 14005.9 | 60.6 | 98.9 | 98.9 | 98.9 | ||
| Chiplun | 14126.9 | 121 | 219.9 | 219.9 | 219.9 | ||
| Sangameshwar | 14177.6 | 50.7 | 270.6 | 270.6 | 270.6 | ||
| Hatkhumbe | 14209.8 | 32.2 | 302.8 | 302.8 | 302.8 | ||
| Rajapur | 14267.7 | 57.9 | 360.7 | 360.7 | 360.7 | ||
| Day 2 | |||||||
| Rajapur | 14267.7 | 0 | 0 | 360.7 | 360.7 | ||
| Kankauli | 14327.4 | 59.7 | 59.7 | 420.4 | 420.4 | ||
| Malvan | 14380.8 | 53.4 | 113.1 | 473.8 | 473.8 | ||
| Banda | 14452.7 | 71.9 | 185 | 545.7 | 545.7 | ||
| Panaji | 14516.9 | 64.2 | 249.2 | 609.9 | 609.9 | ||
| Margao | 14528.8 | 11.9 | 261.1 | 621.8 | 621.8 | ||
| Canacona | 14566.3 | 37.5 | 298.6 | 659.3 | 659.3 | ||
| Karwar | 14603 | 36.7 | 335.3 | 696 | 696 | ||
| Day 3 | |||||||
| Karwar | 14603 | 0 | 0 | 696 | 696 | ||
| Ankola | 14637 | 34 | 34 | 730 | 730 | ||
| Kumta | 14672 | 35 | 69 | 765 | 765 | ||
| Honnavara | 14692.6 | 20.6 | 89.6 | 785.6 | 785.6 | ||
| Bhatkal | 14730.2 | 37.6 | 127.2 | 823.2 | 823.2 | ||
| Kundapur | 14782.5 | 52.3 | 179.5 | 875.5 | 875.5 | ||
| Udipi | 14817.7 | 35.2 | 214.7 | 910.7 | 910.7 | ||
| Mulki | 14849 | 31.3 | 246 | 942 | 942 | ||
| Kinnigholi | 14857 | 8 | 254 | 950 | 950 | ||
| Day 7 | |||||||
| Kinnigholi | 14920.9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Udipi | 14958.9 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 988 | ||
| Kundapaur | 14999 | 40.1 | 78.1 | 78.1 | 1028.1 | ||
| Bhtakal | 15047.2 | 48.2 | 126.3 | 126.3 | 1076.3 | ||
| Honnavara | 15086.2 | 39 | 165.3 | 165.3 | 1115.3 | ||
| Kumta | 15105.8 | 19.6 | 184.9 | 184.9 | 1134.9 | ||
| Karwar | 15173.6 | 67.8 | 252.7 | 252.7 | 1202.7 | ||
| Canacona | 15211.6 | 38 | 290.7 | 290.7 | 1240.7 | ||
| Margao | 152475 | 35.9 | 326.6 | 326.6 | 1276.6 | ||
| Aros | 15326.8 | 79.3 | 405.9 | 405.9 | 1355.9 | ||
| Day 8 | |||||||
| Aros | 15342 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Sawantwadi | 15369.7 | 27.7 | 27.7 | 433.6 | 1383.6 | ||
| Kudal | 15388.7 | 19 | 46.7 | 452.6 | 1402.6 | ||
| Kasalphata | 15407.9 | 19.2 | 65.9 | 471.8 | 1421.8 | ||
| Kankauli | 15422.9 | 15 | 80.9 | 486.8 | 1436.8 | ||
| Kharepatan | 15459.1 | 36.2 | 117.1 | 523 | 1473 | ||
| Rajapur | 15480 | 20.9 | 138 | 543.9 | 1493.9 | ||
| Lanja | 15508.2 | 28.2 | 166.2 | 572.1 | 1522.1 | ||
| Day 9 | |||||||
| Lanja | 15508.2 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Hathkhamba | 15537.9 | 29.7 | 29.7 | 601.8 | 1551.8 | ||
| Sangameshwar | 15570.1 | 32.2 | 61.9 | 634 | 1584 | ||
| Chiplun | 15620.8 | 50.7 | 112.6 | 684.7 | 1634.7 | ||
| Khed | 15654.3 | 33.5 | 146.1 | 718.2 | 1668.2 | ||
| Poladpur | 15691.3 | 37 | 183.1 | 755.2 | 1705.2 | ||
| Mahad | 15708.1 | 16.8 | 199.9 | 772 | 1722 | ||
| Mangaon | 15739.6 | 31.5 | 231.4 | 803.5 | 1753.5 | ||
| Nagothane | 157785 | 38.9 | 270.3 | 842.4 | 1792.4 | ||
| Wadkhalnaka | 15800 | 21.5 | 291.8 | 863.9 | 1813.9 | ||
| Panvel | 15838 | 38 | 329.8 | 901.9 | 1851.9 |
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