SATARA CIRCUIT RIDE AND DRIVE EXPEDITION: 28 JUNE 2015

Riding a bike for long distance is the event I never had in my life. Last year I purchased a Royal Enfield Classic 350 but never had a long drive. The maximum distance covered by me on bike in a day was approximately 180km. As I am planning for Leh bike for next year 2016, experience in riding g long distance is must. So I decided to go for this expedition "Satara Circuit Ride and Drive expedition" planned by raw adventure solutions operated by Vikas Kaduskar. Please refer below link for more details about RAW.
http://rawadventuresolutions.com/


This expedition was for around 350 KM in a day starting from Pune through the Western Ghats around Satara Mahabaleshwar region. The route passes through some amazing ghats like Mandhardevi, Pasarani, Tapola, Bamnoli & Kass region.

1. Its me Manoj Naik

2. Waitng for some members to come

3. Breakfast point: From left Vikas, Mehul n Rahul

4. Shrutika taking ride of my bike

5.

6. From Left Rahul, Vikas and me

7. me & my bike

8.

9.

10. From Left Shiva, Rahul, Sagar and me.

11. Kanda Bhaji near Venna Lake

11. Beautiful landscape

12. Selfie point

13. Lunch point Tapola

13. Kas lake

14. Kas lake

15. Our Safety Gear

on 27th June I made my packing with all essential things in small back pack. Hand gloves, Elbow & knee guard and Helmet was made mandatory for this expedition for bikers.


I started at 6:00am from home at filled petrol in bike at petrol pump on University road and reached the meeting point on junglee maharaj road at 6:30am where Vikas was already waiting with other participants. In total there ware 15 participants- 10 in 2 cars (Mehul Sewak -Krutika & their friends) and 5 bike riders (Rahul Oswal, Sagar Patil, Amrit Mishra, Shiv and me). Vikas was on bike.


We all introduced with each other and started at 7:00am. The route was through Sinhagad Road- Bangalore express way. Amrit meet us after crossing Ambegaon flyover. After passing the tunnel we stopped at road side petrol pump and waiting for two cars to come. I filled air in tires. After 15 minutes we stared again. Vikas informed that we will be travelling to Bhor and had breakfast there.


At Bhor we halted for break fast at 8:15 am I took so called Rassa wada. it was testy and spicy too. After tea the expedition started again. The route was nice and surrounded by greenery. Moving through the zig-zag road and taking break for photos every one was enjoying. At 11:30 we reached Panchgani. heavy traffic on road to Mahalabeshwar due to weekend.


At Venna lake there was tea break again. this time Vikas ordered Onion pakoda with tea.
Now it was time to move for Tapola. Tapola was 27km from Mahabaleshwar. The route was very good. At 1:30 we stopped for lunch on road side hotel Lake Sagar. At back side there was Koyna back water and the landscape was simply beautiful. We ordered Aloo matar, paneer , dal fry and enjoyed it with chapatti. Little spicy menu but was good. Few of us took tea  and we moved towards Bamnoli village (base village for Vasota fort trek)  road which was 39km from Tapola.


At 5:00pm we reached near Bamnoli village. Now we will travelling to Kass and there after to Satara- Pune. At Kass lake we had a photo session with our bikes. The view was good. After tea brake at we reached Satara at 6:30pm. Mehul and his friends said good bye to us and moved to Pune. Amrit went to meet his friend in Satara and now we were 5 bikers left for Pune. I was riding with speed of 90km/hr. As compared to Sunday the traffic was less. I really enjoyed the ride and speed.


At 9:30pm I reached safely at home.


In total 375km from Home to Home in a day. Highest for me and it also built some confidence to Leh tour.


Thanks to Vikas for arranging such good expeditions as usual.


Bye bye!!