THE RIDE FROM PUNE TO GANAPATIFULE

27 January 2006: The plan to ride to Ganapatifule finally fell through thanks to repeated posts on Bikenomads.

Biswa Bandyopadhyay, Avanish, me and my wife Medini decided to ride out early morning 27th Jan. We met at Chandani Chowk at about 0800 hrs.

Navendu Singh (the living legend of Bikenomads?) and his riding partner Arpan met us briefly before peeling off to the Pune Kolhapur highway. Arpan is a wiz kid with anything on wheels. Our group of three Riders proceeded to Mulshi.

Chandani Chowk to Mulshi

The ride from Chandani Chowk to Mulshi was pretty bumpy a distance of some 25 kms. The road is under repairs and should be a dream to ride on, a few months from now. Stopped for breakfast halt at Mulshi, overlooking the great lake.

Tamhini Ghat

This section of some 35 odd kms is a Riders dream. The surrounding areas are breathtaking and very popular with Pune riders. Biswa and Avnish went ga ga over this stretch. The road to Mahad is pretty fine though one may take a longer route via Kolad to NH 17.

NH 17: Mahad to Ratnagiri

NH 17 continues to improve with time. This is one highway, bikers never tire to repeat, thanks to continuous ghat like roads and breath taking view of mountains, rivers, dams and forests all along the route to perhaps Goa and beyond. We took plenty of pit stops, for photography and butt-blood recirculation. The Avenger is a great bike but they damn cared bout pillion riders.

Short of Ratnagiri at Sangameshwar, there is a turn off to Ganapatifule. This 20 kms road stretch is beautiful to ride on. Just short of the town is a breataking view of the sea from atop a cliff. I missed taking snaps here.

Arrival Ganapatifule

We arrived same day, Friday evening at about 1900 hrs. The odo read 333 kms from Pune to Ganapatifule.

MTDC RESORT

The MTDC resort is very fairly priced but was overbooked. A tent costs just Rs 400/- and a cottage about Rs 1,000/- per night. The resort is a class act!

We had to make do at a small neat and clean hotel, where rooms were available for Rs 400/- per day. It will be wise to book in advance at MTDC, especially during the winter season, November to January. The weather at the seaside resort was great. Cool breeze throughout the day and chilly early morning and evening breeze.

The resort has a nice restaurant open to air and the sea, moderately priced. The bar serves only beer, no hard liquor.

The Beach

The highlight of Ganapatifule is the lovely stretch of beach some 5 kms long. A small part of the beach has a Juhu Beach sort of contaminated look, with Camel rides, Nariyal Pani walas around. Most of the beach stretch is pristine white and a swimmers delight.

The Temple

Ganapati temple is well maintained and a must see for darshan.

Private Beach

A few kms near the town is a motor able road leading to a private resort where tariffs start at Rs 1900/- per night. The beach here is along stretch and the view from the cliff is breathtaking.

Food

Check out the Malvani food joints for some great seafood. We had a great time eating out in these small homely joints.

In and around Ganapatifule

Should you have a day in hand it is worth visiting some points in and around Ratnagiri some 40 to 60 kms from Ganapatifule. Forts, bridges, hill side rides may well make your day.

We had a great time the evening of 27 Jan, and the entire day of 28 Jan at Ganapatifule.

The Return Journey

Navendu and Arpan joined us on 28th Nov at Ganapatifule. We started back to Pune
29 January. This time we decided to take the route via Varunda ghat to Bhor and Pune.
The Varunda Ghat: A Killer Application for Riders

The road to the top of the mountain from Mahad is pretty fine for rides. The Ghat section is very steep and challenging and at times crazy. The S bends are a continuous affair. Arpan had a great time scraping his knees against the road while banking. Navendu flies off at the speed of light on his Bullet, no matter what the road conditions.

Atop the highest point at Varunda, the scenery is akin to the Grand Canyon. To enjoy the sheer majesty of the Sahyadris, the ride up the Varunda Ghat is a MUST MUST for all riders.

Downhill to Bhor, the road steadily deteriorates. We stopped by the Dam to take in the sheer delights of the surrounding hills, lakes and rivers. Just see the pictures of Biswa against the backdrop of the Sahyadris.

Road conditions notwithstanding, do the Varunda Ghat. This stretch is a good practice ride for riders wanting to do Leh-Ladakh.

Bhor to Pune: The Katraj Ghat traffic and road conditions are the pits of the earth. The turn off to NH4 to Pune was a relief. We arrived Pune safe and sound after some 12 hrs of riding.

Acknowledgements

Bikes: Avenger, Pulsar 150, Bullet Electra.

Medini and I are new to the sport of Highway riding and age wise pretty much over the hill. Thanks to Bikenomads, Bajaj-Kawasaki-Avenger Group, Cramster Club and the Bajaj Pulsar Group, we have been able to kick start our highway rides.

Our special thanks to: Biswa, Avnish, Navendu and Arpan who took great care of our needs during this ride.