Driving Without Destination....

23-24th May, 2009... Solo Ride... No Destination... Total Trip Duration 19.5 hrs... Total Miles Driven 1061 miles (1697.6 kms!!!!!) What a drive it was... A dream come true :) :)

A normal Saturday afternoon. I am getting bored. Have a lot of work to do but don't feel like working at all. Finally around 4 in the afternoon I decide to go for a long drive, but not sure where to go. I will decide when I am on the road. I get ready by 5, and load the car with the basic stuff. I am ready to leave when Nitesh calls. I tell him that I am going on a drive, but he sounds excited and tells me don't go, I am coming to your place in 10 mins. And guess what, he comes home in a brand new Mercedes C300 Sports!!!! Wow :) Really a reason to be excited. And this calls for a party. So we have a little celebration at Nitesh's house but I am not drinking!!!!! The drive is still on my mind!!!!

At 11.00 PM, I leave his place still thinking about where to go. Finally I decide to go up North and decide to take I5 North :) I keep on moving north and have traveled around 350 odd miles. It is around 5 in the morning and I am a little tired and a little sleepy. So I decide to call it a ride and turn back to get home. But at that very point of time I enter Oregon and man what a sight it was. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Its 5 in the morning, I am surrounded by green trees and I can see mountains ahead of me which are shining like silver. I just wish I had stopped somewhere and clicked some pics of this beautiful scenery. I was so mesmerized by the beauty of my surroundings, that I forgot to take the U-turn. I was neither sleepy nor tired anymore! I just kept on driving and driving, when around 8 in the morning I realized that I have come more than 500 miles!!!!!!! Although I would have loved to go further North, but I had to be at work first thing in the morning the next day, so I decided to take a U-Turn and head back home.

On the journey back I took a couple of detours on the historic highway 99. Around 10 it became warm enough to put the top down and enjoy the sun. Driving on the highway 99, with the top town and sun shining in, narrow 2 lane roads, passing through the country side was an awesome experience. When on the highway, driving at 80-90 miles an hour, with the top down, the wind beating my face and the sun shining on the head, with a lot of 'Coming Back to Lifes' and 'Highway to Hells' and 'Kandisas' on full blast, I was surely in heaven.

After having consumed almost 4 tank fulls of gas, i reached back home at 6.30 in the evening. I know people think most of my trips are crazy, but this one was crazy even by my own standards. I had driven 1700 kms in 19.5 hrs, all alone and that too without any destination!!!!!! However insane it may sound, but this was one of the best trips of my life. It was a dream come true and I wish I get to do many more such trips in life.....

Delhi to Bangalore... Just me and my bike! :)

26th Feb - 9th Mar, 2010.... 12 days.... 3912 kms!!!!

The experience and the feeling can never be jotted down on paper, but as they say, something is better than nothing. So here I go with my first Blog entry. :)

Since the day I had come back to India I wanted to do a long long bike trip.... I was trying to look for some company for the trip, but fortunately or unfortunately I was the only one unemployed!!!!! So the choice: Chuck the plan or do it SOLO!!! I am happy to have chosen the later one :)

Some Facts about the Bike: A 6 year old Pulsar (not used in the last 2 years!!), a dead battery, which also means no horn and a head light which is dimmer than a torch!!!! But when you are in the mood for adventure, you are in the mood and you just dont give a damm to anything else!!!

Day 0: Party at Teji's Place

Me, Teji, Mukul and a 1 Lt Bottle of Black Label!!!!!! The clock keeps on ticking and the drinks keep on pouring!!! Somewhere between, Priyanka and Veenu ask me, "where are you going???" Me: "I have no idea!!! Jahan mann kiya wahan chala jaunga!!!" At the end, the bottle is finished and we go to bed.

Day 1: Gurgaon to Pushkar

Woke up at 6.30, got ready by 7.30 and was ready to leave when Veenu made garma garam Aalu ke parathe :) Had a few of them and then I was all set to start my journey :) It was cold but nice at that time in the morning. The ride was a smooth one and with 1 tea break I reached Pushkar around 4 in the evening. A evening spent nicely meeting people from other countries who knew much more about India than I know!!! A lady and lil daughter from New Zealand and a guy from Italy. Had a nice conversation with those people over dinner. At this time I was already loving the idea of going solo or else I would not have got an opportunity to talk to those people.

Day 2: Pushkar to Bikaner

An easy and probably the shortest ride of the trip.

Started early in the morning and reached Bikaner in the afternoon. Checked in the hotel and started the sight seeing. The Junagarh Fort Tour was nice but the more interesting thing was the Camel Farm. There I had the most amazing Kulfi, Kufli made of Camel milk!! A nice, rich and spicy dinner in a nice setting just opposite the fort and then another interesting thing of Bikaner. A Deep Frozen Pan!! It was awesome :)

A reality Check: I have fever by this time and tomorrow is gonna be a tough ride!!! (Just took some medicine and slept.)

Day 3: Bikaner to Jaisalmer
Dry, Hot, Deserted and Strong Winds, it was kind of a tough ride!!

Started a lil late and as soon I started got caught up in a traffic blockage as some VVIP was visiting the place!!! What a beginning!!! Once I was finally out of the city after a couple of hours, it was pretty much straight roads. All you had to do was keep going and beating the winds. The only other traffic on the road was trucks, no private vehicles at all!!! And I remember every time I was overtaking a truck, the wind pressure was so strong, it was really hard to control the bike!!! But once in the city it was a totally different experience. Straight into the fort, all tired with the ride, carrying my backpack and climbing those steep steps of the guest houses inside the fort to look for a room with a good view, I was so so tired! But once settled, I just started loving the place. The fort had an aura of its own. So colourful the place was. I just loved it! Well as I had reached late in the evening and the next day being a public holiday for Holi, I was not able to go and check out the local attractions. But it didn't really mattered to me as I was right in the center of the biggest attraction: The Living Fort. Booked a safari and was all set to leave for the 2 day safari early next morning, but travelling alone has its own drawbacks. :( Late in the night my agent told me that thing didn't work out and he will book me on a 1.5 day safari which leaves in the afternoon!!!

(Sometime in today's drive I had completed the first 1000 kms of my Trip:) Felt Satisfied.)

Day 4: Jaisalmer to Barmer to Sanchor
Sometimes things are not meant to go the way you want them to!!

I am all exited about the Desert Safari in the afternoon, people including a lot of 'firangs' are playing Holi in the narrow lanes of the Fort and I am sitting on the terrace, having cups of tea and reading a book :) I was excited that after a few hours I will be going for a Safari. I was just loving it. But then, at 2.30 my agent comes and tell me that the safari has been canceled, I can book you on a safari for tomorrow morning!!!! I am like WTF!!!! Faced with a tough decision of weather to wait one more day and do the safari or to just continue with the Bike Trip, I finally decided to leave the safari for next time and continue the Bike Trip. But Jaisalmer, I love you and will be there for the safari very soon, may be in November.

At 3.00 PM I left the fort and headed towards Barmer around 160 kms far. Reached Barmer at 6.00 PM but was disappointed to find out that there is nothing at all to be done in Barmer. Not sure what I was thinking, but I decided to leave for Mount Abu which is another 260 odd kms, after a tea at Barmer. I had covered around 90 kms from Barmer, and it got dark!!!! Passing through a jungle, a lot of insects and cattle crossing the road like they are grazing in the farm and a head light which is incapable of showing me anything, it was getting really hard to drive!! I was getting really desperate to reach a town to stay for the night, but nothing in sight :( Finally reached a town called Sanchor around 9.30 and found a hotel to spend the night. But it being Holi, restaurants were closed so no food, no tea, just had a couple of biscuits and went to bed!!!

Day 5: Sanchor to Mount Abu
Started my drive to Mount Abu and I realized that the road now is not a Highway! At some places the road didn't even exist!! At that time I was so relieved that I had stopped last night at Sanchor!! In the final leg of journey that day, met a French couple who were also on a Bike Trip covering the whole of Rajasthan. The wheel of their bike was jammed and we were trying to fix that. Spent a nice half an hour talking to them.

The day in Mount Abu was spent quite well. Covered most of the attractions there and the sunset point was just amazing. :) I guess there were at least a few thousand people at the sun set point!!!



Day 6: Mount Abu to Daman
The endurance test!!!! 646 kms!!!!! A still can't believe a did it, that too after having driven ~1550 kms in the last 5 days!

I decided to start early but was still not sure where to go!!! Should I go to Jodhpur, complete the Rajasthan trip and go back to Delhi or should I make it more exciting and head South!!! The Biker in me wanted more!!! and I decided to head towards Mumbai, still not sure of todays destination... may be Ahmadabad, may be Vadodra, may be Surat... not able to pick a destination I left the decision on run time. Started around 8.00, I clocked good time and had my first break 240 km away in Ahmadabad around 12 in the noon. After a short break decided to head towards Vadodara and it was the first time I hated being on a bike!!! There is a sexy Expressway between Ahmadabad and Vadodara, but 2 wheelers are not allowed!!! WTF!!!! Had to take the poorly maintained old highway going right through the center of various cities!! Reached Vadodara, still have a lot of time, lets go to Surat!!! 30 kms from Surat: I will have to take a 20 km diversion for Surat, Daman is ~ 120 kms away.... what to do!!! I think I can make it!!! Surat Cancel!!! Daman is the destination of the day :D 40-50 kms from the destination, it is already dark, but luckily this time I am on a busy highway not passing through a jungle all alone, so I will be able to make it!!
Reached Daman around 8.30, all tired, looking for a hotel to rest my ass, but the next thing I get to hear is: "Sir you are travelling alone and it is against the law here to give room to people travelling alone!!!!" Are you kidding me~!!!!! Went back to the city from the beach area and checked into a shady types hotel, ordered some biryani and a beer. My first sip of alcohol since I had started the trip!! And I guess a well deserved one. By the time the beer was over I had already crashed!!! What a looonnggg looonnnggg day!!! Also the 2000 km milestone had been achieved during the days ride. Bike readings at the start and end of the day!! Had driven 645 kms in the last 12.5 hrs!!



Day 7: Daman to Mumbai
The easy Ride.

Started the day with site seeing in Moti Daman and Nani Daman. Kinda disappointed with the beaches, but driving through the old city was a good experience. Also the place had a couple of nice 17th century churches. Also the breakfast on road side shacks was yummy. On my way to Mumbai :) Time to meet folks after so many days of travelling alone. Reached Mumbai. Met Joy (I guess after 3 years!). He loves travelling and is so excited as well as jealous after hearing about my trip. Killed some time in a a nearby book shop while he wrapped up his work for the day. Reached home. Now time to party. :) Tomorrow is the first 'rest' day so we can drink like anything. Beer, Beer and more Beer flowing, with good music and good food and a lot of discussion about the current trip and previous trips!! An evening very well spent. Happy and High :D

Day 8: Rest Day!
The one and only rest day of the trip.

Finally a relaxed day. :) Spent the whole day sitting at home chatting with family and cousins and planning for the next day. The lunatic in me was still not satisfied and wanted more!!! I wanted to go to Goa and even Joy wanted to join. After a lot of discussion around the time constraints and all we settled down for 'Murud', an unexplored coastal town around 200 kms south of Mumbai. This decision proved to be a real good one over the next 2 days :)

Day 9: Mumbai to Murud
Once out of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, the ride was mostly a scenic coastal drive. :) Stopping at Alibagh for a lil while, we reached Murud around 3 in the afternoon. After taking a room right across the beach, we headed for lunch and it turned out to be one of the best coastal meals I have ever had. Time to hit the beach and have some beers :D Beer in one hand and shoes in the other, we started from one end of the beach and walked in the water, finished the beer till we reached the other end, then back to the wine shop and another round of beer!! This process repeated n number of times!! after 8 beers, 4 each all of different brands, and a bottle of red wine, we have no idea when we crashed in our room!!! A day very well spent. A good drive along the coast, good food, lots of beer and a nice beach, we couldn't have asked for more. :)



Day 10: Murud to Mumbai
The first thing in the morning was to go to the Zanzira Fort. It is huge 15th century fort 3kms into the sea. We went to Rajpuri and took a boat to the fort from there. The boat ride was nice and the fort tour was interesting but it gets super super hot!!! Back to the hotel, took a bath and started the journey back to Mumbai. Stopping at Kashid beach, we had really yum Maggi at one of the shacks on the beach.



Day 11: Mumbai to Hubli
Another Marathon Ride.

2800 kms had not satisfied me!!! I wanted more!! So I decided to head towards Bangalore, a lil over 1000 kms from Mumbai. Started early in the morning, and had my breakfast at Lonavala. While entering Pune, missed a turn and got on the wrong side of Pune!!!!! Had to go through the busiest parts of Pune to get back on track! From Pune the ride towards Satara, crossing the western ghats was a nice one.


Mumbai-Lonavala - Pune - Stara - Kholapur - Belgaum, cities came and cities went, but I just kept on riding and riding and finally settled at Hubli. Again I had driven 638 kms!!! Had food and crashed!! 3000 kms milestone also completed today.


Day 12: Hubli to Bangaluru
The Final Day

Just 450 odd kms left to reach the destination. I had thought that this one should be an easy ride. But I guess I was wrong!!! Very soon the roads turned really bad!! The worst of the trip was saved for the last!!! Since the last so many days the bike engine had been running at 6000 rpm for hours at stretch without a break and I had not bothered to check the engine oil! So there was no oil in the bike and the engine started to seize. The engine went dead a couple of times at places where there was nothing around for miles!! I was both tired and scared at that point of time. But the engine started and I had to drive rest of the way keeping in mind not to push the engine at all. A lot of jams before entering Bangalore and after entering Bangalore. Finally reached Manas' office at 7.30, took the keys from him and went to his home!!! By this time I had done 3912.5 kms in 12 days!!!!!

This is how I patched up with my bike after 2 years of break up!!!! :)