YHAI NATIONAL GOA BIKING EXPEDITION 2014

I am Manoj Naik living in Pune, Maharashtra and this is my blog about YHAI National Goa Biking Expedition 28 Dec 2014- 4th Jan 2015.

Youth Hostel Association of India arrange Goa cycling expedition every year in Dec-Jan. Along with cycling expedition they also arrange family camping, sailing, trekking expedition during the same period. For all expeditions the base camp is in Panji, Goa. My then office colleague Purushottam and I decided to go for this expedition and we booked the seats with reporting date 28th Dec 2014.

It was mentioned that there will be a 10KM test ride and those who qualify the test will be allowed for the expedition. I and Purushottam was worried about it as the last cycling done by both of us was 10 years ago. Finally we discussed and decided to purchase cycle. July... August.., Sept..., Oct.. passed but none of us purchased the cycle. But when November started our worry increased. I finally decided to join Gym.  Fortunately new Gym was started near my home and I asked the owner to make me fit for my cycling expedition. He informed and allowed me to do cycling and leg exercises. I had only 25 days in my hand as joined the Gym on 30th Nov. 2014 and was departing to Goa on 25th Dec 2014. Daily I was cycling for 25 minutes in total. But I was not sure if I can pass the test.

On 24th Dec I decided to cycle till the limit of my legs and to my surprise I cycled for 65 minutes non stop. This built some sort of confidence about the test to be performed at base camp. Even though my reporting day was 28th Dec I decided to go on 25 Dec to relax in Goa and booked train ticket of Goa express. Also booked room for 2 days in Youth Hostel which was very near to YHAI base camp. My return bus ticket was on 4th Jan 2015.

Bad luck!!! due to fog in Delhi all trains were running late approximately by 10-12 hours. I decided to go by bus as 12 hours delay will spoil my next day as I will reach there in night. So I booked MSRTC bus scheduled at 4:30pm from Pune station.

25 Dec 2014: Pune to Panji, Goa

I did my packing with all essential things as mentioned on YHAI website. I started at 3:00pm from home and reached Pune station at 4:00pm. The bus came on time and I boarded the bus at 4:45pm. This was my 4th consecutive year to Goa. I was alone and Purushottam was joining me on 27th Dec.

26 Dec 2014: Goa Sightseeing

The bus reached Panji bus stand at 5:00pm. I asked for auto to Youth Hostel but the driver demanded Rs.150 which was too much for a distance of just 4km. Finally I hired pilot (two wheeler pick and drop person) and he agreed on Rs.80. The pilot dropped me at youth hostel gate around 5:40am. I entered the hostel and fortunately the room was not occupied. After basic documentation room was given to me. I also booked North Goa sightseeing tour bus scheduled to arrive at 8:30am.

I checked in the room and had bath. I did my breakfast at canteen in the youth hostel.

The sightseeing bus came at 8:45am and the real fun started.  Visited the places like Coco beach for Dolphin ride, Vagator Beach- Calangute Beach and back to youth hostel at 5:30pm.

1. Miramar Beach near Youth Hostel

2. Dolphin ride

3. on the way to Dolphin ride

4. Coco Beach

5. Goa Jail

6. On the way to Dolphin ride

7. Vagator beach

Day 0: 27th Dec 2014: Goa Sightseeing North Goa,

Today it is North Goa Sightseeing tour. St. Francis Church-ancestral Goa- Colva beach-Mangeshi temple-Aquarium and dropped me youth hostel at 6:00pm. Purushottam came in evening at 7:00pm and we had dinner together. Tomorrow we have to report to Base camp.

8. St. Francis Church

9. St. Francis Church

10. Mangeshi Temple

11. Entrance of ancestral Goa

12. Don't know what exactly it is

13. Colva Beach

14. Colva Beach

Day 1: 28th Dec 2014: Reporting to Base Camp.

We checked out the hostel room at 8:30am and after breakfast walked to the base camp on Sports Authority ground. It was 10 minutes walking distance only. It was big ground with lots of tents arranged on all side of ground. We reported and after all documentation & payment of deposit Rs. 3000 we got rucksack, inner sheet and our tent. When we entered the tent there was guy from Mumbai-Pankaj Raut in tent. We introduced with each other. Later Mr. Sudhir from Aurangabad, Pruthvin from Banglore, Nitesh and Aditya from Delhi, Siddharth from Vadodara joined us. So we were 8 persons in one tent and the batch size was 20. Later we introduced with other 4 colleagues from Gujrat- Dakshay Shah and his son Deep (12 years old only), Hitesh, Kalpesh. So in total we were 12 members. At 1:00pm lunch was ready and we all enjoyed it. No event was planed for rest of the day. I took rest in tent and went to Panji market for purchasing some essentials. I purchased tifin box as I forgot to bring from home. We came back in camp around 7:15pm. Dinner was served at 8:00pm. Camp fire (without fire) was arranged at 9:00pm where many members performed different activities. Bournvita was served at 9:30pm.

Tomorrow was the day for cycle test , orientation, City ride.

15. Breakfast at Youth Hostel with Purushottam


16.  YHAI Goa Base Camp

17. Purushottam (left) and Pankaj in tent

18. Taking walk on Miramar beach



19. On Miramar beach




20. YHAI base camp



21. Veg food at Base Camp site

Day 2: 29th Dec 2014: Orientation, Joy Ride in City

Mithun Das was our camp leader and he informed that after breakfast cycles will be allocated to us and then we all need to give cycling test.

Read information about Mithun at below link:

http://gypsyinjeans.com/2014/12/11/interview-with-mithun-das-a-renowned-cyclist/

At 9:30am Mithun shared information about the expedition and handed over our cycles & helmet to us. It was 18 gear cycle which I had never ride. He asked us to check the parts and brakes etc. My cycle was looking good. I made two round in the ground itself. He took us to nearby ground for pilot ride and informed us about the basics of gear and gear shifting. All five members of Gujarat (Dakshan-Deep-Kalpesh-Hitesh-Siddharth) were professional cyclist. All other including me were finding little difficulty in handling the cycle.

 Now it was the time for Test Ride. Mithun took us to nearby hill called Aldi Hill for test ride and asked us to climb the uphill 4KM from base camp.

I reached the the top of slope with some efforts and waiting for Mithun. I felt it was very easy test and happy that I made through. Later Mithun came asked us to follow him for test drive.

Test drive?? then what was this we did so for??

Ohh!! It was not a test drive then, now I was really scared.

We stopped near one turn and Mithun informed that the test is we have descend and ascent the hill.

 It was in total 4.0km ride one side. We all did it and reached the starting point. Mithun asked us to descend again. We did it but returning back was very hard for me and others also. Some how I managed it by shifting the gears and I reached the staring point. I dropped the cycle drink some water and laid on ground as I was very tired.

All 12 members came to the starting point. Mithun asked us to do it again. Ohh No!!! This was really difficult. This was third time and very hard but all did it. So total 12 km in three attempt.

It was 12:30pm and we moved to base camp. Before base camp Mithun took us to Youth Hostel lawn and we introduced with each other. Later at 1:15pm we reached base camp and did our lunch.

At 4:30pm we have to go for city ride at Dona Paula.

But it was late due to some reason and we started at 5:30pm and reached Dona Paula at 6:00pm. After spending some time we returned to base camp at 7:15am. We submitted the blanket and extra luggage. Dinner, Camp fire and Bournvita as usual. Tomorrow we will moving for next camp Assolna.

22. Mr. Mithun Das (left), Purushottam and Siddharth

23. With Dakshayji (extreme left) and Hiteshbhai (on right)

24. Nitesh (black T shirt) & me

25. Nitesh & Aditya (with chhoti chaddi)

26. From left me, Aditya, Hiteshbhai & Kalpeshbhai on the way to test ride

27. At Youth Hostel lawn introducing with each other

28. Team GB9 at Youth Hostel lawn

29. Camp fire arrangement at base camp.

Day 3: 30th Dec 2014: Mormugao harbor to Assolana Camp, 40KM

All got ready at 7:30am. Food packet including fruity, sweets, chocolates was given to everyone. We also took our packed lunch. At 8:00am rest of the camp members flagged off our group GB9.

We reached Dona Paula at 8:30am. From here we will be  transferred to Mormugao harbor by Boat. The boat came at 8:45am and we loaded all cycles in boat. Mithun was not coming with us. He informed that One technician and one local guide will come at Mormugao to instruct you further.

At 9:15am we reached Mormugao, unloaded the cycles and our sack. The technician Raju from Delhi and guide Gajanan came there and informed us how to proceed further.  We decided that if someone moves fast he will wait for others to come and then move further. Expedition route sheet was given to everyone. This sheet includes the details of path to be followed, when to take turn how to go etc.

Riding from Airport road-we moved to beach side road. But due to hide tide condition guide informed us that riding cycling on sand is not possible and we have to move by road only. At 1:00pm we reached Colva beach for lunch point. I stayed here for two times during my last visit so quite familiar about the surround. I, Purshottam, Sudhir and Siddharth went to Manisha hotel and ordered Fish Thali.

At 1:45pm we started again. Just after 10 minutes Sudhir's cycle tire punctured. We called Raju and informed  him our location. He came and replaced the inner tube. At 2:30pm we reached Mobor beach. It was very nice beach and couldn't avoid our self entering the water. Most of us took bath and we started again at 3:00pm.

At 4:00pm we reached the Assolna camp. It was football ground and one room was allocated to us. All took bath again. At 5:00pm aloo bonda was served with tea. My legs were really paining and better not to ask futher. " Mard ko bahut Dard hota hei ye aaj pata chala"

Dinner was served at 8:00pm.

Tomorrow we will be moving to Netravali Camp and we planned to move sharp at 8:00am.

30. At Dona Paula.
From left Purushottam, Sudhir ji, Mithun Das, Me, Hiteshbhai, kalpeshbhai, Nitesh, Aditya, Deep and Dakshaybhai

31. Jetty to take us on Mormugao Harbor

32. Nitesh loading bikes in jetty.

33. Bikes loading on jetty

34. with Sudhirji (red T) and Pankaj

35. Experiencing to navigate the jetty

36. On the way to Mormugao Harbor

37. From left: Aditya, Kalpesh, me, Pruthvin and Siddharth

38. Killer smile of Nitesh (Delhiwali smile)

39. with  Kalpesh, Pruthvin facing back




40. Fish Thali at Colva beach

41. Technician Raju fixing punctured cycle

41. Group GB9

42. Assolna Camp room

Day 4: 31st Dec 2014 Assolana to Netravali Camp, 41KM

In morning all were ready at 8:00am along with our packed lunch and cycles. As we were about to move one of the cycle tire found punctured but Raju fixed it within 10 minutes and we said good by to Assolana camp. The road was very nice with trees on both sides. It was almost empty road and hardly some vehicle was passing.

At 1:30pm we reached a temple and Budbud lake with brick walls all side. This lake has a specialty. When you clap or make noise bubble arose from bottom of lake. This was really amazing. Some of us including me took bath in the lake. All finished their packed lunch at the temple and moved on further. Gajanan told us that Netravali camp is hardly 5 km form the lake.

We reached Netravali camp site at 3:00pm. The site was in Netravali forest and we were supposed to stay in temple. As it was 31st December we decided to celebrate it . All contributed some money to bring so cold drink, snakes etc. Our cook also agreed to make pakoda and potato fries for us.

There was small river near this camp site so after dropping our luggage in temple all ran for bath again. The water was little cold but very clean. Tea was served along with some snacks at 5:00pm.

We all gathered in temple and planned some events for new year celebration. Soup was served at 6:30pm. After dinner we started playing cards. All enjoyed it . We were playing it late night. At 11:30pm the cook bought pakoda and potato fries for us. At 12:00am all wished each other Healthy , wealthy new Year 2015 and enjoyed the snacks and cold drinks.

Tomorrow we will moving to our next camp site Collem camp as Dudhsagar camp was cancelled.

43. Getting ready to move for Netravali camp

44. With Pankaj (left)

45. Fantastic Five
From left: Deep, Dakshay, Kalpesh, Siddharth and Hitesh

46. Bud Bud Lake

47. Gopinath temple, Netravali

48. At Gopinath temple

49. Reached Netravali camp site

50. Taking bath in river at Netravali camp site
From left: Guide Gajanan, me, Purushottam and Siddharth

51. Time to sleep

Day 5: 1st Jan 2015 Netravali to Collem Camp, 44KM

In morning we took our breakfast and packed lunch. Started our move around 8:00am. Our campsite was at Collem. This place is popular as from here there is road to famous Dudhsagar water fall. Road was good with lot of ups and downs. The Gujarat members was much ahead of us. When we start cycling from base camp all five cyclist got vanished in few minutes only. But always waiting for us to come.

Today I and Sudhir was in middle and after travelling for 2 hours we saw Dashay and other waiting for us. Later we came to know that one cycle tire was punctured and Raju was fixing it. We were about to move and suddenly I noticed that my cycle tire was also punctured. All did wait till Raju fixed it.

At around 1:00pm we stopped in varanda of road side house and took our lunch every one enjoyed it as it was Puri and potato sabji today. We started again and rain started. I and Sudhir were wet within minutes and decided to stop below tree & started again when the rain stopped.

We reached Collem at 3:30pm. We had been given big hall for stay. The washroom facility was best all past camps. I took bath and went to Collem for ride along with Raju and Sudhir and came back at 7:00pm. Other members were busy in playing cards.

Dinner was served at 8:00pm.

Tomorrow we will be moving to our last camp site Bondla.

52. Getting ready to move Collem

53. Beautiful road with greenery

54. River on the way to Collem

55. Packed lunch Puri and Potato sabji

56. Collem camp site

57. Technician Raju (left) and Sudhir

58. Busy in playing cards

Day 6 : 2nd Jan 2015: Collem to Bondla via Tambli Surla Shiv temple., 50km

Today the main part was visiting Tambdi Surla temple. This temple is a 12th-century Shaivite temple of the Lord Mahadeva and an active place of Hindu worship. It is notable as the oldest temple in Goa.

We started at 8:45am today. road was good and now I was used to ride the cycle. There was very little pain in legs. "utna to chalta hei yaaro, pain nahi to gain nahi".

At 10:30am we reached the temple. There were two small shops serving soda, cold drink and packed snacks. All ordered cold drink and purchased some food items. Then we walked towards the temple to take darshan of Shiv linga.

One can read more details about the temple at below link.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahadev_Temple,_Tambdi_Surla

We took darshan and clicked some photos and started again towards Bondla camp.

At 1;00pm we reached gate of Bondla wildlife sanctuary gate. We took our lunch and after some rest started the ride. It was uphill ride and very stiff. I tried for some distance and declared off my ride and decided to trek the hill along with my cycle.

Finally reached the camp at 5:15pm. It was dormitory room of Bondla forest division. Bedding was one above other. it was good. I took bath and enjoyed the tea with peanuts. I and Siddharth stayed at camp site while other went to see the zoo.

Soup was served at 6;30pm and dinner at 8:00pm.

This was our last camp and tomorrow we will be heading to base camp in Panji.

59. Ready to move for  last camp site Bondla

60. Nitesh near stream at Tambdi Surla Temple

61. Food stall near Tambdi Surla temple

62. Tambldi Surla Temple

63. Aditya in angry mood: "Photo nikal warna kaat dunga"

64. Shiv ling of Tambldi Surla

65. Taking nap at entrance of Bondla sanctuary

66. Moving through Bondla forest

67. Bondla forest

Day 7. 3rd Jan 2015: Bondla to Base camp Panji. 45KM

At 8:15am we started and stopped at Bondla forest office to enter our names. After that it was only descend for 3-4km. It was fruit of yesterday's climb. Today all decided to wait before the base camp and to move in the camp site all together.

AT 1:20pm I reached near the base camp where Dakshay-Deep- Hitesh-kalpesh and Siddharth was waitng. Later Sudhir, Aditya,Pruthvin, Purushottam came. Finaly Nitesh came with Pankaj.

Then we informed camp that we are entering so they arranged two rows of camp members to welcome us and we received very warm welcome at 2;00pm. Every one congratulated us for successfully completing the expedition.

We submitted the cycle , helmet to office and got refund of our deposit Rs. 3000 paid on reporting day. Then all collected our luggage and submitted the rucksack and inner sheet.

My return reservation was tomorrow evening. Initially we planned to stay in Youth hostel but Puru decided to left to Madgao for family function. So I checked the reservation for today evening and it was available so I went to Panji and booked seat of Bus scheduled at 9;00pm.

Pankaj and Sudhir bought bikes on rent and booked hotel near the base camp. Nitesh, Aditya and I decided to check out the camp as they have train early next morning. We three went to nearby Hotel and enjoyed some drink and celebrated birthday of Nitesh in advance.

At 8:30pm we went to panji bus stand. Nitesh and Aditya went to madgao and I boarded the bus to Pune.

68. Bondla camp site

69. Ready to move for base camp Panji

70. With Nitesh (left) & Purushottam (extreme right)

71. Waiting for boat to take us other side

72. Relaxing on the banks of Mandovi rive on the way to Panji

73. Waiting outside the base camp for remaining group members

Thank you,

See you in June 2015 for blog of YHAI Himalayan trekking expedition 2015 SAR PASS.

Till then bye bye...

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