It had been over three months since I had hit the highway for good. Yes, it had been that long and I could sense my productivity hit an all time low; and I could sense the restlessness every time I kick started Laetitia. She was howling for the highway and it indeed had been a long time. After the solo B’day, riding for a couple of days, I decided to spend the new year riding solo just like last year. The similarity between the two rides was that I was in the coastal belt. But only this time, there were two states I had covered – Maharashtra and Karnataka.

A bit about this ride first. It was totally 2100 kms and I had covered it over 6 days. There were totally four places where I had halted for the nights – Chandoli, Belgaum, Gokarna and Kolhapur. The ride was successful in every possible way, without any breakdowns or untoward incidences. This however is not the longest solo ride I’ve done so far; the one to Hyderabad being a few kilometers more. You might notice a lot of mention about kms; the only reason being I like the fact that I have earned these kilometers and not just done them. They are earned by me, and they are all mine!

Day 1

I started at 445AM on 30th morning; when most people were still asleep. While people were dreaming about things gone by, I was thinking about the times to come. Unlike every time, when I am the only one up; this time since my folks were also in town they saw me off. I could feel a tinge of sadness in their eyes that I wasn’t spending time with them on the New Year’s Eve. But this is something I had to do, I knew I would explode otherwise. Mom put it well in her blog; which I reckon was inspired by my solo ride.

I had decided to avoid Goa with a vengeance and all routes that led to it; so I took the trusty NH4. The thing about riding solo, which I enjoy most is pushing myself to the limits; which I usually can’t do when riding in a pack. So here is what happened; and only serious riders can appreciate this: I covered 413 kms through ghats, jungles, villages and national highway in 6 hours. No I don’t ride fast , not one bit! With a top speed of 80km/hr I had cruised with just one halt at Satara to hit the checkpost at Chandoli at 1145AM !

To hit Chandoli, here is what you need to do: Hit Karad in NH4, and take the SH34 to reach Shergewadi . Go 20 kms further to hit a checkpost. Here is the forest office, and one needs to talk his way around. I was fortunate to find the Man Friday of the village – Sanju. And within 3 hours I was in the comfort of the forest rest house. I was to have earlier stayed in a machan; but there were a few killings nearby and a leopard had attacked a villager in the nearby village. So I quickly unpacked; and guard – Nama at the rest house offered to hold the bike which only fell on him. Laetitia had been loaded to the hilt and she easily weighed over 250 kgs without me on the saddle.

The lunch was at the garderner’s house; where the lady of the house also lovingly called ‘Bhabhi’ had made some really sumptuous lunch consisting of usal, potatoes and sprouts. The same day; I took a ride into the forest after giving a lift to three school children who had to otherwise walk back 10 kms back home.  The ride into the forest, was testing on my back after the non stop ride to Chandoli.

This ride into the forest was uneventful expect the the stray deer or rabbit which only ran away from my girl after hearing her roar. After heading back, I had some egg curry and rotis waiting for me at the room which I polished off with great speed and might I add relish! Bhabhi could really cook some great food!

Day 2

Woke up 8 AM to birds and Nama knocking on my door with some tea. Started the bike into idle and noticed that the silencer was getting lose at one of the bolts so had to tighten it. Vinod, our trusty possessive mechanic had made quite a toolkit. Found the right spanner and it was good to go!

Day 2, was all about exploring the nearby places and the forests. And I went really deep into the forest from the other entry point. I noted why this route was more popular. There were resorts and other touristy hangouts and I thanked my stars for having been at the government rest house. I hit a couple of watering holes; both places where I could see devoured carcasses and let me assure its not a pretty sight. All that was left were bones, and that was reason enough that the predator wouldn’t come back for the kill. So with the military dagger in my hand I proceeded still keeping a lookout just in case. I don’t know what I would’ve done had a tiger or leopard come in front me; but the dagger thanks to Paaji (who had given it to me for the ride) was a comforting weapon of choice.

I spent the new years with the caretaker with night duty, Atugude who was more than happy to share the bit of scotch. The same serenity, and cool breeze were just right for the new years. I thought about the unfortunate people who thought they were having a good time, rubbing sweaty shoulders and drinking away silly. As I sat that day, on a rock looking at the stars watching the water flow in the canal right next to me I realized I was probably the lucky few. While they tried to look good for others in the various parties, I was my own master; my own man. The drinking water, was just a dip away in the canal by the way with a steel tumbler.

Day 3

I left at 8AM from Chandoli to hit Kolhapur thinking I’d hit Gokarna the same day. Paaji told me that the route was via Goa and it was still around 300 odd kms from Belgaum. With my phone dead; with no charge there was no way to check the route as well. For safety reasons I decided to stay put in Belgaum; that day having covered no more than 250 kms. This was probably not the right call considering what happened the next day. So this was an uneventful day, and I checked into Hotel Sai Sangam; a cheap lodge for 800 bucks a night.

Day 4

The route I had to take as per Google Maps, was to hit Hubli and take State Highway 1; and then hit the Hubli Karwar road (NH63) upto Gokarna in Karnataka. This route – NH63 my dear friends is a waste if you are sitting in a cage called a car. Its an utter waste! What a scenic route, and something that could shame NH17 into oblivion. Over 200 kms of forests; riding in the shade of trees surrounding either side of the ride; and curves that I coined a term specially for – the Curves of Lust. They really were lusty, and Laetitia roared as she tamed and hugged each one of them; leaving other SUVs far behind with them trying hard to keep pace with the beauty of a 350cc single cylinder belting out constant 80km/hr on the curves. If there were any curves to die for, these were it.

On NH63

Reaching Gokarna in less than 6 hours was nothing short of jaw dropping, even for me. Over 420 kms covered that day; and there was still more to go! I checked into Namaste Cafe and took a cottage near the beach. Om beach was pretty; and clean and the water unlike any other beach I had seen. But looking at the number of people, I decided it wasn’t the time to hit the beach. Instead I headed to Murdeshwara. I had initially planned for both Murdeshwara and Jog Falls; but thanks to the distance miscalculation on Google Maps, what was supposed to be a 36 km ride became 160 kms. The route was scenic and I took a lot of snaps; but I only regretted the fact that because of that miscalculation I couldn’t go to Jog Falls. I had to turn back the next day, come what may. It was a sad ending to what might have otherwise been an epic ending to Day 4. Murdeshwara, once I entered; I could see the mammoth statue of Lord Shiva. Did he ever look more majestic, I guess not! Overlooking the sea, liked he owned it!

I returned, avoiding Jog Falls which would have been another 60 kms one way detour. It was 4PM; and had I taken that road I would’ve had to ride after dusk something I wanted to avoid. My eyesight and partial night blindness does not endow me great riding skills after 6PM. I headed to the main Gokarna Temple, as promised to Mom to do an abhishegam. With what was perhaps the most elaborate affair I had done so far off my own accord.

I went back to the beach rest house; to take a nice shower. Having covered more than 550 kms today on the highway; through forests, ghats and a little excursion to Murdeshwara I decided to call it a day. At the restaurant I ordered all the seafood I could find on the menu. I headed back to my cottage to finish the last bit of scotch I was carrying with me. Ballantines had been a good friend through the ride.

Day 5

I had in a way been looking forward to the ride back, since I could once again tame NH63. Started at 8 AM after sunrise and a visit to the beach at 7AM. Notice, I hadn’t been to the beach all this while. It was empty as expected; there was me, the ocean and the sun playing hide and seek behind one of the cliffs at a distance. I took a few snaps of the beauty that surrounded me. I was thankful to mother nature that one moment to have given so many pleasures and so many things to look at and admire. I was sitting on the rocks, waiting for the sunrise when it did! A sight I won’t forget for many years to come. If it weren’t for my friends who had insisted on me taking pictures I would’ve very well just sat there enjoying the sunrise. I never really was a photographer and I always thought it takes the fun out of enjoying something, of really being in the moment. Darn the camera!

I headed back to Kolhapur, the stopover for the day. I had reached Kolhapur by 2PM to find a decent lodge and food! I hadn’t eaten since morning like everyday but this particular day was really pushing it! My right shoulder had really decided to give way, and it was huring like there some needles wedged into it. Like a true Bison, I continued pushing myself to the limit when finally I gave up and lay on the highway for around 15 minutes. Those 15 minutes were precious; though it was sunny and hot. Some vehicles stopped; thinking I had passed out; or perhaps even died.

I told the waiter to bring food for two people; and he gave me one of those looks. One full Country Chicken served Kolhapuri style with gravy on the side and plain rice. I finished the meal; and let out a burp loud enough to wake up the dead. After a 3 hour nap; I headed to explore the city on the lookout for someone who could give me a back massage.

I did find someone by the side of the road, and let me tell you the pain was so severe I decided to look no further. He pulled out some of the local concoctions and began the massage. I was sitting topless in the middle of a crowded market at 7PM; and let me assure you it was an embarrassing situation but I couldn’t care less. So people passing by were looking at the rider in pain, getting a massage from someone who looked like a quack at best; with the bull parked one side.

Dinner was two servings of Mutton Malwani with gravy on the side and plain rice.

Day 6

Kolhapur to Pune was a straight stretch and I secretly thanked the quack from the previous day in Kolhapur. Took a small detour before Dehu Road to hit Baner for lunch with Swati. Let me assure you; just her smile wiped all the fatigue from the aching muscles in my body. It had been through a lot over the last 6 days riding each day. I learned a thing or two from her that day; like dal makhani can also be enjoyed like soup.

The ride from Pune was uneventful and much like any of the chai paani rides. I reached home by around 545PM.

Like all good times, this one too came to an end. I regretted that it had come to an end in just 6 days. I had been riding like a man with a mission for 6 days and I had made up for the three months when I had not hit the highway. The baby girl was happy that she finally did get to really tame the highways.

Many people asked me, why I did this. There aren’t any right answers for this; but this is how I am. Surrounded by friends and people around but I would want to take off and be on my own. New years and birthdays are times, I would rather spend with myself; because they are important days in my life for me. I’d like to think about the future and the way ahead. I can do that only when I am alone; but at the same time not lonely!

The new years I spent at Chandoli, looking at the stars, listening to the trees talking and wrapped in a blanket in the cool forest breeze; it taught me something I would never forget my entire life. And that’s not something I can tell you. But that single revelation, changed me for the better and I have two people to thank for that – Laetitia and the rider in me! Happy Riding Year!