Mahad - Pali - Kihim

Last year (2003) I wanted to do something different. I wished I could go on bike for a tour. I was in search of bikers group but so far I couldn't find anyone. So I decided that this year I'd be doing it finally, moving out of Mumbai for a different New Year celebration.

I started collecting maps and information about places near Mumbai. I sent many mails to different webmasters for asking details. None responded.

On 30th Dec, I finally got some detailed maps and place info which I could actually use for the ride. I had clear instructions in my mind. Stick to the plan, don't drive hard, don't drive at night etc. I collected my bags, bike, helmet, papers and camera together. Oil had been changed a week before itself. I filled in 5Litres of petrol and checked pressure levels also before leaving.

I wanted to start early but at the end I left from Bandra at 9.30 in the morning. Within 1.5 hr, I reached at the Navi Mumbai road.

Reaching to Mahad Ganapati (near khopoli) was my first target.

While at the mumbai-goa-pune intersection, I took help of localites and got onto NH4 (Mumbai-Pune). Within an hour almost, I reached to Mahad temple for darshan. It was around 12 in the afternoon and I enjoyed warm food offered as Prasad at the temple, stomochfull and tastier!!

Next on the plan was Pali. From Mahad, there is a state highway 92 connecting NH4 and NH17(Mumbai-Goa) and Pali is a Ganesh temple on the way. This route crossed Mumbai-Pune Express highway. Road is not smooth but has a river running next to it for some time with good curves thrown in along with straight but up-downy stretches too..

After reaching Pali and spending some time there, it was 3o'clock in the noon. This was a time to take a call, either going to a next place or returning back. So far it had been great. But the Kihim beach was looking too far on the map. But as the locals confirmed, it's around 40Kms from the place I was. I still had 3 more hours to sunset so I decided to reach Kihim beach.

Just 8kms from pali you come onto NH17. You have to drive backwards to Mumbai to reach Vadkhal Naka where the road splits to Alibag and Mumbai. Riding NH17 is a great experience. Smooth road, clear traffic, curves and scenes, what else you need. You could just sit on the bike with lighter hold on throttle and complete the whole journey. Road from Vadhkhal Naka to Alibag-Kihim is also good but not as smooth.

I reached Kihim at 5. Sun was still high and I had to start looking for accommodation so as not to miss the sunset.

I reached to first hotel I came across. But unfortunately it was not completely functional. The manager was playing cricket with his workers there. All were surprised to find me solo asking for accommodation. They asked me to look in the kihim village and if I couldn't get any, asked me to return there.

From there Beach was hardly a kilometer away. I first took a look at the beach...it was inviting. I inquired in few places but none had place for a solo rider. So I came back to the first spot. Those people welcomed me in this time as promised.

I was given a room on first floor. This hotel was just to be opened and hence the place was very clean and nice looking too.

I had a quick shower and rushed to the beach. I had reached on time, sun was about to set. I took some snaps and strolled on the beach till the sun set down. After that I reached back to the hotel after riding through the village for some time. It was a small village but shore lined many places for groups to stay over a beach for fun.

Back at the hotel, preparations were on. A big wood log has been set on fire, food was being prepared and the music was just to right for the feet to dance. I had some nice talks with the hotel owners and while that midnight clock struck. They had brought plenty of fireworks with them. After having food I went for a nice sleep.

Morning I got up very early as usual. Went for a walk on beach. It was not much cold and walk on the long beach was a soothing one.

I left Kihim at 10. Now since I knew the road, I reached Vadkhal naka in jiffy. From there the long stretch of NH17 was just waiting. This was the ultimate stretch to ride with wide and smooth roads.

I returned home at 1 on 1st Jan. and the journey spanning across two years, 27 hours, 300kms came to an end. Though memories were many which would certainly be remembered for the lifetime.