I had planned to ride on Friday but somehow was convinced by Amit Shinde to ride on Saturday, with a promise that he’d organise a ride. He didn’t, and so I found myself asking for partners to ride to Veer dam with me. Jayendra Patel volunteered to join me on his Bajaj Dominar 400, and off we went.
About halfway along the route, Jay suggested we veer off Veer and go see the Garade dam, which had some off-roading that we could do. I was game. But it turned out that because we lost our way twice, the off-road that was supposed to be 4-5km stretched to over 10km. As everyone knows, I hate off-roads and am mortally scared of slipping. But, when faced with one, I enjoy it. Indeed, the feeling of relief when it is over is only matched by the adrenalin rush when I am trying to balance myself on the BattleCat precariously trying my best to focus on the slidey-slippery non-road under me.
Later, we stopped off at Oscarwadi to enjoy their famous misal. All in all, a great start to a beautiful monsoon morning.
From the top of Bopdev Ghat.
An unexpected off-road with tractor tyres showing the way through wet mud.
At the backwaters of the Garade Dam.
The beautiful BattleCat III in the wild.
At the Garade Dam, channeling my inner SRK.
With my ride partner Jayendra Patel (who came on his Bajaj Dominar 400).
A candid click by Jay at Garade Dam.
Surrounded by thick fog at the ghat junction at Thapewadi.
Muddy boots make happy riders.
Misal at Oscarwadi to end a great monsoon morning ride.
