Mumbai, as a city attracts tourism from international realm, And to beat its heavily busy scheduling where people do not sleep day and night; Mumbai as a financial capital of India was not an overnight success. People are busy day in and day night, and to relatively tackle this situation. People take the roads, and invite themselves to road trips on weekends. Mumbai highways are one of the part, and an essential item in the lives. Mumbai to Panchgani is the story of 11 people, and 9 United Motors (UM) motorcycles.
Thanks to My Amazing Mama (Maternal Uncle) for inviting me in on his multi-enthused Bike trip. The trip only required your dedication to ride around 500-600 kilometers on a long stretch. What also is required from your side is the zest to see and pass incessant roads, with amazing weather-in rains. Rains were the basic ingredient to our bike trip, for which the trip would not have added spice to. We started from Mumbai, and we were punctual enough to have it start on time. 6 am was the leaving and initial starting point from Mumbai, which we all almost did. Enthusiasm was all along the trip, which got multiplied throughout the journey. Renegade bikes were adding fuel to the fire.
Once we fed ourselves up, our next destination was our ultimate destination: Panchgani. Until this pitstop, we already had covered around 150 kilometers or so. We rode with great effort, maximizing coordination and minimizing time travel. With great valor and enthusiasm, we finally reached the destination. It was beautiful all along, and had its own immense culture of biking. When we were about to reach, we had our own experience of converting from all smooth highways to all obstacle road biking :D
When we reached, we had the lucky hospitality of the order. We were served warm tea, and to our surprise we had one of the inn booked for us. A total of ₹1250 approx per had was levied for booking one inn. We were around 11. One advantage we had for this was the availability of space, the inn was very spacious and each one of us slept in comfort. All in all, this bike ride was memorable in its own uniqueness.
Please do remember, bike trips are meant to be enjoyed, and therefore one should not forget the thrill speed might invite. The thrill may not be thrill along the all highway pass, so passing beyond the speed which may cause your life needs to be taken care of. Panchgani is an amazing beautiful place to pass the over burdened Mumbai life for. We had an amazing weekend getaway biking ride. Also, if you are not sure of the highway, prepare about that in super advance. Google Maps come in handy, but they also invite several worthless turns for which we were a victim of (about 10 kilometers :P). This is worth the try, if you have the young biker in you, and certainly you have the bikes and few crazy friends/relatives, do go to this mystic beauty, meant for Motorcycle-Exclusives.
Overall, this trip was meant to be exactly happening at a certain point of time, and this happened. Till then, I wish you all Happy traveling, and happy riding !
With Love.
Once we started off, there was no looking back. All we had the vision in mind was to reach Panchgani as soon as possible. This did not mean that we were becoming outlaws :D. No we were not. We kept speed on check, and when it comes to Countryside Bikes like UM, speed and gears run parallel. A 6-Box gear would tempt you to go beyond average 120, however that was not the purpose of our bike ride, as we were 9 bikes in all; and coordination was the key thing. My Mamu led the project Panchgani, also allowing me to learn new symbols of Biking codes (These signs are not simple signs at all, they signify biking code of unity on road). Mumbai Biking culture is unique in its own sense, pay respect to fellow riders on road; receive respect from fellow riders on road. We saw lot of other riders all along the beautiful highway, riding on even Truimph and Harley. Basically, the trip had its own diversity of enthusiasm. Since the ride was 250 kilometers on a long stretch, we stopped somewhere at a Dhaba to feed ourselves. We ate Misal Pav (Mine was the first time :O), and they made it really awesome. It also felt awesome, as we were really down on hunger; so had to feed :D.
Once we started off, there was no looking back. All we had the vision in mind was to reach Panchgani as soon as possible. This did not mean that we were becoming outlaws :D. No we were not. We kept speed on check, and when it comes to Countryside Bikes like UM, speed and gears run parallel. A 6-Box gear would tempt you to go beyond average 120, however that was not the purpose of our bike ride, as we were 9 bikes in all; and coordination was the key thing. My Mamu led the project Panchgani, also allowing me to learn new symbols of Biking codes (These signs are not simple signs at all, they signify biking code of unity on road). Mumbai Biking culture is unique in its own sense, pay respect to fellow riders on road; receive respect from fellow riders on road. We saw lot of other riders all along the beautiful highway, riding on even Truimph and Harley. Basically, the trip had its own diversity of enthusiasm. Since the ride was 250 kilometers on a long stretch, we stopped somewhere at a Dhaba to feed ourselves. We ate Misal Pav (Mine was the first time :O), and they made it really awesome. It also felt awesome, as we were really down on hunger; so had to feed :D.