This was a long time pending trip.The moment I heard the news that I am getting my thunderbird, the first trip I planned with my wife was to Ganpatipule.
So it started on the morning of 4th June. Around 6.00 A.M when the alarm rang, we both were up with some elevated level of excitement. The journey and the destination awaited us. All was packed and we were on the road by 7.30 A.M. and were on the road towards GanpatiPule.
We had chosen the Pune - Bhor - Varandha - Mahad - Chiplun - HanthKhamba - Ganpatipule route while starting. First reason for this route was that, i had never travelled on that route before and I had used Tamhini multiple times before. So in the expectation of finding something different we set towards Khed - Shivapur. Within no time we reached Khed-Shivapur, where we needed to leave the Pune - Bangalore highway and head towards Bhor. The road was single lane and a typical village side road. But there is something about the thunderbird and the tar, its more fun on the tar than the concrete. So it was good. All the time, it was raining timidly with some quick pouring showers.All in all, the road till bhor was a good ride. On reaching Bhor, we started towards Varandha Ghat, with the excitement levels increased. The road was getting better and so was the climate. Combine this with the sweet thump of the bird.
The climb up Varandha Ghat was an awesome expereience. Riding into the clouds, cold wind everywhere, the rain was not too less or too much. Every shower brought with it a new fresh layer of mist. The visibility was as less as 6-7 meters. Infact there was this one time, when I saw a state transport bus only due to its headlights. We stopped in the Varandha Ghat to have a sip of tea and bhajji ( Pakoda ).
With this awesome experience of driving in the clouds, we continued ahead towards Mahad. As soon as the varandha ghat was over, the interestingness factor went down exponentially. Firstly because there was no rain and secondly the road was flat. Soon we joined NH17 and were heading towards HathKhamba.
On the way, we saw a diversion towards GanpatiPule and we decided to take it. This was again unexplored territory. The road was in a complete off-road state and a steep climb. It was a new experience for the bird, me and my wife. She was worried as the road was no wider than a couple of meters and completely deserted in the forest. She saw a few monkeys and was worried, but i was totally enjoying the ride. Soon we emerged on top of a mountain flat and then the road went straight towards Ganpatipule.
We had the darshan and checked into our hotel. This was the end of the first day of ride.
Day 1 : Total KM = 360 KM, Total Drive time = 8 hours.
Day 2
The next day started with some nice breakfast. Once done, we were back onto the bull starting back. This time we decided to take a different route. This time it was GanpatiPule - Hathkhamba - Pali - Malkapur - Karad - Satara - Pune
This route was chosen, so that we can ride into the Amba ghat. As expected the ride was simply awesome. Nice wide tar roads, trees making a cave out of which the light beamed through creating an interesting effect. The fresh rains added to the magic. Climbing Amba ghat was again an awesome experience. We could not help but stop where the clouds had decended. We stopped in the clouds for quite some time. What can be more romantic than standing in the clouds with the love of your life ( Am talking about my wife here and not my bike :P ) Starting on, it was pretty much an awesome ride, riding through villages, on top of mountain flat lands, cruising all along on the bird.
We reached Karad and joined the Pune-Bangalore highway again. From here on it was a slow, relaxing ride back home. Once reached home, some tea and some rest. Then a good hour and a half wash to the bird. The chrome had started shining again. This was the real logical end of the drive.
Day 2 : Total KM = 340 KM, Driving time = 6 hours
Total KM = 700 KM , Driving Time : 14 hours.
