Just Couple of days before ride:
“The beginning is the most important part of the work” – Plato
So just two days before the ride it started to sink in that I am really doing this solo ride.
I prepare well in advance .. start with my packing I took out my saddle bag and started putting things from my list. Yes I do have a ride list and if I find something missing, I arrange it in these two days.
I also lube the chain a day in advance and don’t ride the bike after that so that the lube seeps into the chain properly.
I do get the tyre air checked and fuel the tank a day in advance. This makes a major difference as I don’t waste time early morning.
The day of the Journey – Bangalore to Mumbai
Let me start by saying this, most of my fellow riders told me covering a 1000 Km’s in a day is a challenge. Secondly, which they avoid telling me on my face is , “Man you are not young anymore” at 52 years of age my body is not young enough to take this stress. But I am passionate about my fitness. Riding and fitness goes hand in hand.
I left at 5:15 am from Bangalore, A delay of 15 mins then the planned departure. Thankfully I fixed my saddle bag the previous night so just got ready, Started the bike to go and kiss the highway…
My first planned stop was after 200 Km’s at a breakfast place I frequented wherever I go to Goa. Hotel Mysore Cafe (https://maps.app.goo.gl/cudEHG2DsKZS38NSA) .Here I reached 30 mins behind schedule. So I had a quick bite, had some water and tasted a little salt (Salt helps you during ride) And started again.
Then I reached Hubli (202 Km’s), Then next stop was Kolhapur (207 km’s) where I had lunch.. after that I sprayed some chain lube on the bike ( it’s Ideally after every 500+ Km’s chain should be lubed) Then Pune (230 km’s),so at 5 pm I was at Pune .800 Km’s in 12 hours. Very happy with the ride… The highway was decent enough. Another 180 Km’s and I would be in Mumbai. Wow!!
Although My happiness was short-lived.. Bikes are not allowed on Pune-Mumbai expressway
I had to take Lonavala route, by this time it was dark, No proper Street light. At Lonavala I faced weekend travelers’ rush and eventually traffic on road. Finally I crossed Lonavala rush… Due to rains earlier, Roads were in pretty bad shape… It slowed me down drastically… And when I entered Mumbai – I got to know why they say “the city never sleeps”, traffic traffic everywhere…
My destination was Kandivali where my sister stays and I eventually reached there by 11.15pm.( I did stop for a quick Dinner in between) .Yes last 180 Kms took almost 6 hours.. More then double the time what I expected.
Bangalore-Mumbai
Here I stayed for the next two days before I started for my next destination – Udaipur
Mumbai- Udaipur
Was looking forward to ride on Gujarat road as I was told that they are Amazing…
Anyways due to some family get together… Slept late the previous night and left one hour later than initially planned… left around 6.30…
The weather was gloomy… It was drizzling… Not very ideal weather for a ride…
You have to be careful not to be too close to the vehicle especially the four Wheeler/ trucks ahead of you… As the water get splashed on you .. but even then it kept happening with me and had to frequently stop to clear the helmet visor from the road mud…
Stopped in between to have homemade Yummy sandwiches prepared by my sister… yah she forced I carry and I can’t thank her enough. And Tea (Wish I had avoided that)
By the time I reached Surat, The sun God started to play hide and seek with me… Was happy to see the weather clearing up… Just took a break at McDonald’s Surat but couldn’t decide what to eat.. as I was very careful about my diet during ride… Anyways… had water…Cleaned helmet visor and all set for next 200 + Kms…
Mumbai-Surat rain effect.
Had lunch at next destination… Started again and that’s where the rain started again… Apart from that on Gujarat highway …lot of cows and dogs on road so had to slow down… On top of that… Fallen tree due to rain leading to some road diversions…
I remember it was 3pm and rain was light but as I started to approach Rajasthan … The rain suddenly increased. Thank God I had carried a good quality rain coat ( Duckbeck pant jacket type). Never knew I had to carry on like this for next seven hours … phew. I did had bike mobile mount and mobile rain cover which came in handy.
Yes it was rain rain and rain… And now it was getting darker … Then road was full of potholes… Filled with water .. even more challenging .. so to keep my daily target of riding … I continued my journey in rain … And covered next 100 Kms in 3 hours .. my shoes were not water proof hence took a break to dry up socks and shoes…I carry foot powder with me which I applied in plenty to my feet and socks to soak water.
(“Ek baar jo maine commitment ka di, uske baad tho main khud ki bhi nahin sunta.” (Salman Khan in Wanted.) So after about 15 mins break. Started again… Never knew that this would be toughest part of my ride … It was 7pm… Raining heavily and without any second thought.. I started the bike … Now rain was even heavier… More potholes… More trucks and cars and the high beam from trucks coming from opposite direction… And diversions due to road construction. I could hardly make out where the road is… (Imagine driving a car in heavy rain without wipers being on)… So was forced to do something which should ideally be avoided… Tail a truck… I just followed the truck and carried on for next 70 Kms like this… In between went through very big potholes .. My bike was hitting the road from below the engine due to these potholes as they were really deep.. was worried about bike but had to carry on… Finally at 10.15 pm I reached Udaipur… partially Wet but fully exhausted…
I booked a Zostel – shared accommodation where some very curious room mates wanting to hear my story… 😊
Had my late dinner and just crashed on bed…
Udaipur – Delhi
Woke up fresh… Took few pictures of famous Udaipur lake … while having breakfast.
By the time I left Udaipur it was 9am. Called my brother in Delhi (who was constantly checking on me) to inform ( With excitement) that I will see him in Delhi… His reaction was … Will you reach Delhi Today… With a smile on my face , knowing I had done almost 1000 Kms the first day .. I told him YES 😊
It was quick exit from Udaipur city… and I was on this beautiful … Scenic … Wide highway… Initially it was difficult to pay 100% attention on road as after yesterday’s rain filled ride… This was a treat… But ultimately I made sure that I don’t get distracted by the scenic beauty for too long….
Long before I could realise I was on the outskirts of Ajmer city … did little over 200 Kms… Smooth and fast ride… Kissed my bike (yes quite literally ) for being so dependable in every terrain and a joy to ride…
Few people came over asking for pictures … Felt like a star…
From here to Jaipur was my next planned stop… It was effortless ride… As I told you earlier… I had saved the list of all KTM workshops of where I was visiting or passing by. So when I left Ajmer I called KTM Jaipur that I am coming … I wanted to show them the bike because of the beating it took during Mumbai Udaipur ride. It was all well… They suggested me to change the chain as I was visiting Himachal and I have already done 18500+ Kms with it.( Ideally they change it every 10000 Kms, thanks to my constant lubricating the chain and ride pattern, I could almost extend the life of chain to double its expected life) anyways, Not taking chance, I told then to replace the chain. Which took 3 hours … In between ordered lunch through Swiggy which got delivered at KTM workshop. Right use of technology 😅
I went to Hawa Mehal of Jaipur ( A famous tourist destination) straight from workshop.By the time I left Jaipur… It was 6.30pm
Another 275 Kms and I would be in Delhi … Hooray…
But getting out of Jaipur took some time… Evening peak hour office traffic…I guess… And we blame only Bangalore for bad traffic.
After 2 hours of riding.. I reached a place for some royal Dinner of Rajasthan… Huge restaurant on highway. That’s when I called my brother (Atul Johar) in Delhi… Who was quite concerned that it’s dark and after some time trucks will be on the road… (By this time I didn’t share to him what I went thru on route to Udaipur, now every challenge looks doable ) but keeping my safety in mind, he insisted that I stop over at Gurugram ( outskirts of Delhi)…
I reached Gurugram by 11.15pm to my friend’s Deepak Sharma place who is also a biker and who was also constantly checking on me and my safety throughout the trip..
We chatted for some time… Deepak offered me a cup of coffee… That’s what friends do.. Makes you feel at home.
By this time the bed was calling… We said good night and went to our respective rooms..
Got up fresh the next day… Had bath. Tea with cookies and it was around 7am… I left for Delhi.
I just can’t make you all imagine what I was going thru while riding towards Delhi. Never dreamt in my life that I will ride to Delhi… Never in my wildest dream riding solo.. but I started feeling that I am doing something extraordinary.
It was around 8am … That I reached Delhi… My birth place .. 😊
My brother was there to receive me and I wanted to shout out loud .. “I DID IT” But their over possessive dog didn’t even allow me to hug him.
I take a few days break here before I start my further ride…
Metal Creed India 