Killers....Ride to the Kingdom of Sand [Mount Abu - Rajasthan]
Content by:-Ajay V
Hi Killers & all biker bro’s,
to start with I would want to remind all that I have kept my promise after completing my Shirdi-Ahmednagar log that I would be back with a bang with some more amazing experiences of our KOW clan…..
to start with I would want to remind all that I have kept my promise after completing my Shirdi-Ahmednagar log that I would be back with a bang with some more amazing experiences of our KOW clan…..
To make this one an interesting log
I am writing small chapters which would cover the entire sequence….!!!
Introducing the Riders:
Rachit
Ajay
Prasad
I am writing small chapters which would cover the entire sequence….!!!
Introducing the Riders:
Rachit
Ajay
Nitin
Prasad
Chapter I
Friday, 25th December 09]
Fantastic Four hit the highway
“Fantastic Four” is the best term that comes on to my mind to describe the fleet of riders who were “in” to make this ride a success, so the calendar rolled & the clock ticked to D-day when all the men along with their machines were ready to hit the roads…. As a tradition it was me (Ajay), Nitin, Rachit & Prasad (our Ladakhian Lions) who had planned this not so very comfortable stretch of land to be covered…..
It was planned at 4.30 Am IST on 25th
December 09, so after a week of preparation s & purchases with me picking up
a set of Cramster Knee Pad & nitin getting a couple of Balacalavas, a new visor
& some bungee ropes which were the best pick of the lot as it helped us carry
our makeshift homes across the country…
December 09, so after a week of preparation s & purchases with me picking up
a set of Cramster Knee Pad & nitin getting a couple of Balacalavas, a new visor
& some bungee ropes which were the best pick of the lot as it helped us carry
our makeshift homes across the country…
So keeping up the tradition of the family we slept late in the night, thanks to some last minute packing activity & discussions that went till late midnight… (True that excitement hardly allows catching those very necessary forty winks).It was around 5.00 – 5.15 am that all of us met at the regular flag off point (KCC) and with the coconut breaking honors completed we started the journey, the first halt was the shortest of all halts in the mammoth journey. That we had as we halted at Bhandup (W) to fill Prasad’s Bull with some gas coz the rest had already filled the bikes tummy with fuel enough to suffice for the first 400-450 kilometers.
It was biting cold & we were literally shivering as the cold breeze swayed through our bodies with all mostly tight lipped,
with Brain being the only highly functional part of the body continuously thinking about all the experiences not sure whether good or bad that we were to face in the coming few hours. Photography -the new horizon being explored on every ride we clicked a snap to mark the first lap of our ride. After fuelling the Bull we headed towards the highway connecting to Thane – Godhbunder road as we were supposed to hit the Mumbai – Ahmedabad highway. Speed limits were planned on a 60kph for early stages due to the chilly weather as well as lack of day-light & we kept riding to reach the next pit stop !!!! Hotel Fountain…
with Brain being the only highly functional part of the body continuously thinking about all the experiences not sure whether good or bad that we were to face in the coming few hours. Photography -the new horizon being explored on every ride we clicked a snap to mark the first lap of our ride. After fuelling the Bull we headed towards the highway connecting to Thane – Godhbunder road as we were supposed to hit the Mumbai – Ahmedabad highway. Speed limits were planned on a 60kph for early stages due to the chilly weather as well as lack of day-light & we kept riding to reach the next pit stop !!!! Hotel Fountain…
The stretch was the usual as it is in the wee hours of the day with heavy vehicles plying on both the sides entering
& exiting the city limits, we were greeted by the trafficy monsters out of which we were sort of escaping on our timid motored bicycles….After a gruesome battle with the big papas of the road rachit & me halted to catch up with the rest
of the bikes. Post a small breather we once again punched ourselves through the freezing colds towards Ahmedabad highway and rode to reach Manor crossing the Vasai creek. It was time to have a drink and necessarily a hot one and tea was the only available & recommended option for the four of us… and we stopped for one
& exiting the city limits, we were greeted by the trafficy monsters out of which we were sort of escaping on our timid motored bicycles….After a gruesome battle with the big papas of the road rachit & me halted to catch up with the rest
of the bikes. Post a small breather we once again punched ourselves through the freezing colds towards Ahmedabad highway and rode to reach Manor crossing the Vasai creek. It was time to have a drink and necessarily a hot one and tea was the only available & recommended option for the four of us… and we stopped for one
After having one a many cups of tea we hit the road once again to continue the road rash to our dreams. It was a beautiful experience to motor ourselves through the land of Khasakhurd , Talasari & Dadra and enter the busy land of Vapi
We were very much on our planned schedule and decided to cruise in the regular speed as we were confident to meet the decided timelines….we rode ourselves ahead in direction of Ahmedabad with a single objective of covering as much as ground possible……this was the best feeling as we were now very confident of ourselves and were sailing along with the wind. The amazed emotion of riding without a certain deadline & purpose was the loveliest thing to happen.
As what we were up to was just enjoy every inch of the concrete under the sun and we were transforming into hippies every other second burning, behind all tensions, frustration, responsibility and all worldly tasks performed by normal humans. I could see and feel responses of every otherperson on the road whom we used to communicate with other than ourselves but this time it were the eyes used to do all the talking. We were very much into the beautiful state of Gujarat and passing by the province of Valsad
Rachit & I were leading at considerable speeds when he suggested that we should halt at Navsari as it his maternal native place and we mutually agreed to that. Once we reached Navsari we halted along a roadside sugarcane stall to quench our parching throats. It was reasonably sunny but the winds were still cold as its Christmas winter time…
We feasted on some local snacks available and had some tea to warm up our bodies. Then after a short butt break we resumed the journey and decided to have lunch after covering a maximum stretch possible…
We must have rode for another 50-70 kilometers when we came across a very beautiful roadside motel with a very beautiful
name where we stopped by relieve ourselves and we also decided to have early lunch so that we would not be required to halt again for the same reason.
name where we stopped by relieve ourselves and we also decided to have early lunch so that we would not be required to halt again for the same reason.
After taking a short relaxing break we continued the journey………………
This time we were on an aggressive stint of riding as we had vowed not to take any further halts and to cover as much
ground possible and reach one of the most awaited pit stops – Ahmedabad, we were cruising at a speed of 80-90 kilometers as we had to make sure that we meet our decided target, myself & Prasad were on the lead with the rest of the couple
following when I realized that they had stopped for gas refilling but I made up my mind to continue as it was pointless all of us stopping….the roads if to be defined in one word by me would call it as “Sleepy” as it seems to be a never ending stretch.
We were exhausted due to afternoon scorching heat and we could literally feel ourselves exhausted and I could see everybody pulling up their socks to make sure we “reached”. The next few hours were just ride, ride & ride until you drop dead…!!!!!....Hats off to all riders here who literally killed the pain (u know where)!!!!!
ground possible and reach one of the most awaited pit stops – Ahmedabad, we were cruising at a speed of 80-90 kilometers as we had to make sure that we meet our decided target, myself & Prasad were on the lead with the rest of the couple
following when I realized that they had stopped for gas refilling but I made up my mind to continue as it was pointless all of us stopping….the roads if to be defined in one word by me would call it as “Sleepy” as it seems to be a never ending stretch.
We were exhausted due to afternoon scorching heat and we could literally feel ourselves exhausted and I could see everybody pulling up their socks to make sure we “reached”. The next few hours were just ride, ride & ride until you drop dead…!!!!!....Hats off to all riders here who literally killed the pain (u know where)!!!!!
I was riding ahead calculating (honestly subtracting kilometers to Ahmedabad), when I came across a busy junction with all
tourist vehicles parked alongside the road when I decided to halt-----I was 110 Kilometers away from Ahmedabad my eyes stared at the Highway Boards for a minute…
tourist vehicles parked alongside the road when I decided to halt-----I was 110 Kilometers away from Ahmedabad my eyes stared at the Highway Boards for a minute…
Parked my bike I waited for the rest of the gang who joined me in a few minutes for a short break.
Immediately a few locals jumped with their '21 likely question sets' about who we were, what we were up to , where we going…blah blah!!!....but at the same time were kind enough to make us aware not to go straight to the Express way and
instead take a left to Kalol. Mr. Prasad nicknamed (the animal) by me & rachit for reasons which cannot be disclosed to the normal world hooked onto his Blackberry for expert navigation methods which ironically did no good to us…
instead take a left to Kalol. Mr. Prasad nicknamed (the animal) by me & rachit for reasons which cannot be disclosed to the normal world hooked onto his Blackberry for expert navigation methods which ironically did no good to us…
The pistons once again ripped up & down... as we set to our journey towards Rajasthan again in a formation with rachit
& me on front foot…referring the maps had a disturbing effect on our minds with every diversion creating confusions which also led to a wrong turn being taken……….bad turned to worst when we were sort of lost with tired bodies, dizzy brains and sunset on our heads!!!!!!!
& me on front foot…referring the maps had a disturbing effect on our minds with every diversion creating confusions which also led to a wrong turn being taken……….bad turned to worst when we were sort of lost with tired bodies, dizzy brains and sunset on our heads!!!!!!!
After consulting a local truck fellow we ratified the correct road through Kalol – Palanpur which ultimately would lead us to our destination. Riding in the dark we took a straight stretch to Palanpur on the NH8 Ahmedabad – Mehsana track which was supposedly a average 100-150 kilometers from there as per a local, on completing the same I slowed down to ask a fellow
biker about the remaining distance on which he replied that we were still 160 kilometers away from Palanpur which forced us to stop again. Our foresight seemed to have been deceived by destiny once again, but who cared we halted at a Bhurjee stall where we took a snack back…”One for the road”
biker about the remaining distance on which he replied that we were still 160 kilometers away from Palanpur which forced us to stop again. Our foresight seemed to have been deceived by destiny once again, but who cared we halted at a Bhurjee stall where we took a snack back…”One for the road”
HID on Prasads Bullet
All of us ceased once again to finally submit ourselves to Google maps…..the guy was right we were indeed 160 away from
there so we decided to have a small snack break, post which we proceeded in the dark to be met again by the chilling cold …we were freezing every second. After riding for another 3 hours we reached Palanpur around 9.30 PM when we all had our
doubts over the decision to reach Abu. We felt amazed when we were stopping at a railway crossing there was a maruti car in front of us who got down from the car to ask us about the ride and also dropped in their visiting cards and told us to
meet them in case we did not find an accommodation. Our bodies were paining, backbones aching and we were trying to figure out the possibilities to cover our target and after a small chat we decided not to give in and ride further…Prasad and me lead the way making sure the trail followed with me ensuring that I was “2nd in “coz his Bullet had a HID light newly embedded which ensured that we could tear apart the cloud of darkness ahead.. I remember that we were riding in the dark at a speed of 80-90 kilometers which is a tremendous effort in itself, the best part being that we saw that there were reflectors on both the sides of the roads which helped us rip our machines in spite of the pitch darkness.Rachit was almost frightened when he rode over a dead dog (possibly killed by some speeding vehicle) on the way…..
there so we decided to have a small snack break, post which we proceeded in the dark to be met again by the chilling cold …we were freezing every second. After riding for another 3 hours we reached Palanpur around 9.30 PM when we all had our
doubts over the decision to reach Abu. We felt amazed when we were stopping at a railway crossing there was a maruti car in front of us who got down from the car to ask us about the ride and also dropped in their visiting cards and told us to
meet them in case we did not find an accommodation. Our bodies were paining, backbones aching and we were trying to figure out the possibilities to cover our target and after a small chat we decided not to give in and ride further…Prasad and me lead the way making sure the trail followed with me ensuring that I was “2nd in “coz his Bullet had a HID light newly embedded which ensured that we could tear apart the cloud of darkness ahead.. I remember that we were riding in the dark at a speed of 80-90 kilometers which is a tremendous effort in itself, the best part being that we saw that there were reflectors on both the sides of the roads which helped us rip our machines in spite of the pitch darkness.Rachit was almost frightened when he rode over a dead dog (possibly killed by some speeding vehicle) on the way…..
It was 12.30 AM!!! Yes we had entered Rajasthan plying on Abu Road we could figure out the sense of content & satisfaction on all the faces of all……..we had reached. The hunt for accommodation started with us trying our luck to find a decent stay when we met a group of young guys who were excited enough to see us and suggested us a few good places…After some chatting they told us to check the local guest houses and we did so . Rachit & Nitin waited alongside the bikes, where me & Prasad checked out the local motels. We literally had to clime few floors of almost 4-50 hotels which was a big task itself as our bodies had given up and we wanted the best medicine for it….some Booze. The local boys bumped into us once again who helped us in getting the same of it. Prasad & me negotiated the rates but were still not satisfied so we moved on to hit the highway once again on a local’s suggestion and we finally zeroed on a place called Hotel Manalee.
Prasad & Nitin changed their clothes and went out to find food from a local dhaba, which was later wasted due to everyone
being dead tired. The funniest part of the first night was when we had only three blanket amongst us and rachit had to sleep inside the bed itself to save himself from the 6 degree cold winds.At 1.30 AM where we, had our late night dinner and dozed off to Glory..
being dead tired. The funniest part of the first night was when we had only three blanket amongst us and rachit had to sleep inside the bed itself to save himself from the 6 degree cold winds.At 1.30 AM where we, had our late night dinner and dozed off to Glory..
Chapter II
Saturday, 26th December 09]
Rising to the top
Next morning we woke up @ 9.00 AM and after breakfast we headed to Mount Abu
with also a few cars from Maharashtra cheering us with slogans of “Jai Maharashtra” giving us a homely feel.We planned to see Gurushikar first which is approximately 6000 feet giving a complete picturesque view of the Aravalli Mountains.The curvy
& twisty roads are a treat to ride on, in fact rachit also had an experience enroute of someone knocking on his knee pad wondering what it was. The place was filled with Monkeys loitering and literally we had to manage the curves as well as the monkeys.
with also a few cars from Maharashtra cheering us with slogans of “Jai Maharashtra” giving us a homely feel.We planned to see Gurushikar first which is approximately 6000 feet giving a complete picturesque view of the Aravalli Mountains.The curvy
& twisty roads are a treat to ride on, in fact rachit also had an experience enroute of someone knocking on his knee pad wondering what it was. The place was filled with Monkeys loitering and literally we had to manage the curves as well as the monkeys.
Here we met a Young Baba
On the top there is the temple
bell which is a wonder in itself as it does not meet both the sides of the bell
on ringing.
After taking darshan and some killer
photo shoots we headed to wards the most beautiful Dilwara Temples which is 2.5
kilometers from
.
The Jain Dilwara temples of India are located about 2½ kilometers from Mount Abu
These temples dating back from the 11th to the 13th century AD are world famous for their stunning use of marble. The
five legendary marble temples of Dilwara are the sacred pilgrimage of the Jains. They are an overwhelming blend of simple beauty and exquisite elegance. The marble temples have an opulent entranceway. The simplicity in architecture verily reminds one that Jainism as a religion "encouraged honesty and frugality". The temples reside amidst mesmerizing surroundings of mango trees and wooded hills. A high wall, shimmering luminous in the sunlight, shrouds the temple complex.
Although the Jains built some beautiful temples at other places in Rajasthan but none come close to these in terms of architectural perfection. The ornamental detail spread over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels is simply marvelous and has to be seen to be believed.
Unfortunately photography was banned and we could not click any snaps so we roamed around the place. There was this temple pundit who took e’vbody around the place narrating (read yelling) the history of the place. The gold statue of the place is the pick of the place! As soon as we came out of the temple with our baggage we were confronted by a family who resided in Borivili enquiring about us, we chatted for quite some time and parted with a proud feeling ….it was nice to interact with other people apart from ourselves.
We moved on to the next destination Naki lake which is famous for freezing during winters, where we met with a group
of children who were excited and enquired on us. Horse riding was also done by all which pepped up the thrill of visiting the mount. Time to click the fun we had there.
It was almost sun set before we finished our sight seeing and decided to fill our empty stomachs and found a place called
Shere Punjab where we gorged on some delicious food for the first time in our entire trip. We also walked out in the market shopping for close ones back home. Now it was time to return back to our temporary homes and we started the return journey in the dark. Riding at dead slow pace was the only option as downhill was a very curvy twisty route with Prasad & me on the lead and both of us maximum utilization of the “HID”. It was a chilly dark nite, when Rachit & Nitin lost trail and we rode ahead, after completing the ghat I could see Prasad waiting for me.Nitin & Rachit joined us and we could figure out that something had gone wrong….rachit bikes fuse had blown on the way and they had fixed it on nitins bike lights (man it must have been really eerie). As we were discussing the same we could hear a strange noise of firing as we noticed a guy on a bike which lit our eyes …it was a 600CC HONDA CBR, we crossed onto check the machine and also spoke to the guy who owned to it who requested us not to click any pics (may be the Import Duty issue)….
Shere Punjab where we gorged on some delicious food for the first time in our entire trip. We also walked out in the market shopping for close ones back home. Now it was time to return back to our temporary homes and we started the return journey in the dark. Riding at dead slow pace was the only option as downhill was a very curvy twisty route with Prasad & me on the lead and both of us maximum utilization of the “HID”. It was a chilly dark nite, when Rachit & Nitin lost trail and we rode ahead, after completing the ghat I could see Prasad waiting for me.Nitin & Rachit joined us and we could figure out that something had gone wrong….rachit bikes fuse had blown on the way and they had fixed it on nitins bike lights (man it must have been really eerie). As we were discussing the same we could hear a strange noise of firing as we noticed a guy on a bike which lit our eyes …it was a 600CC HONDA CBR, we crossed onto check the machine and also spoke to the guy who owned to it who requested us not to click any pics (may be the Import Duty issue)….
The day was peacefully ended with a good nights sleep and a question in our minds….Next is What…?????
Chapter III
Sunday, 27th December 09]
Another day in Paradise
By afternoon we were around 25-30 kilometers from Gandhinagar when we passed by a beautiful structure named Tri Mandir where rachit and myself stopped to click some snaps, we were automatically joined by the rest within no time and everybody used the cameras to the fullest.
With due consultation with local experts we decided to drop our baggage at some Hotel near Akshardam.On reaching Akshardam we moved into a guest house named Hotel Akshar where the owner cautioned us that we would be require the temple in ½ hours time so that we do not get late …. It was fun as rachit used to communicate in Gujarati with all the locals so much that even we started talking to each other in the same language.
This was the first time in days that we had actually sat down to talk & discussed about how we could have rode further to Udaipur and Jaipur into Rajasthan, but then not everything can be planned on a “Road trip”.
Akshardam has some amazing rides that can relate to the child in every man and that is what exactly happened……the next few hours of our life were spent riding on each and every ride available in fact even repeating the sequences. Our first ride was a “Ranger” where people are spin around 360 degree post which rachit backed out but we convinced him, also the “Dashing Car” was fun…(even a four wheeler experience on a bike trip) After we were totally worn out as we had a blast we decided to do some shopping in the local market and return to our shelter.
On reaching
the Hotel we were amazed to see a person preparing some very home made food which
was like icing on the cake and we immediately sat down to do something that we are
experts at – eating. The person was equally thrilled to serve us food which went
to the extent of serving unlimited food to Prasad (the animal) till he finally surrendered….
The nawabs also had some sweet pan before going to bed………..
Chapter IV
Monday, 28th December 09]
Final Destination
The saddest part to write in the entire journey in which I remember nothing much more than “the feeling of transition back in to the world that we had left far behind….”
After packing our luggage back on our bikes we clicked photos with the MIG Plane replicas standing tall in the junctions of Gandhinagar. It was the same place where Rachit, Prasad & other Ladakh Conquerers had waited for capturing the same glimpse. The garderner,immediately recollected & asked us, if we had come last year too. 
Further we halted again at the Border Security Force with whom we were lucky enough to stand shoulder to shoulder which was a proud feeling that cannot be expressed in words although they were reluctant to, but when they realized that we were riding from Mumbai they obliged.
A misunderstanding also lead us to take a few wrong turns entering Ahmedabad city which was a harrowing experience as we had to fight with the irritating traffic
A rider (who was not an Indian national) along with a Pillion from UP met us , & wished us luck for the rest of the road!!!!
As we had no more places to visit, there were not many halts on the way back journey with all of us riding continuously for 140-150 kilometers at a stretch only waiting for some food and tea breaks… We rode till Navsari where we stopped
at a Dhaba – Hotel Golden Gate to have food where we had a brief rest break…
at a Dhaba – Hotel Golden Gate to have food where we had a brief rest break…
It was 8.30 PM when we touched Charotti exhausted and Mumbai at another 100 kilometers .It was night again and our eyes were paining with mud slicked faces, dying to get a glimpse of Hotel Fountain which was a home away from “Home”. We reached Mumbai around 12.00 in the night…
The thump of our bikes died down once the engine was off, but we were sure that the memories were to live forever…..
Just before I end this, would like to take this opportunity to thank all for their wishes without which this could have not been possible….
“Like all great travelers we have seen more than we remember……..and remember more than we have seen” ------Anonymous
For More pix : Click Here
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| Mumbai - Mt. Abu - Gandhinagar(Gujarat) - Mumbai |
