I felt like going for breakfast to Sinhgad fort top, and I put it up in the Bikers’ Creed India, asking for anyone who may want to ride with me. Turned out that 5 (Siddharth Deogaonkar, Sahil Mhaskar, Tushar Patil, Nihal Singh, and Upendra Phadke) volunteered, but Sid dropped out last moment (he met us later on the way back).
So, there were two Interceptor 650s (Tushar’s and mine), a Yezdi Adventure (Upendra’s), a Kawasaki Ninja 1000 (Sahil’s), and a Husqvarna (Nihal’s). And off we went, touching the parking lot at the top of the fort at just past seven, only to discover that the encroachment department of the local authority seems to have uprooted all the shacks there and moved them inside the fort.
Sahil, who was in his racing gear (and looking quite like a spaceman), tried heroically to climb in his extremely stiff and uncomfortable boots (those racing boots are the safest ever, but aren’t really made for walking, leave alone climbing), and gave up about halfway, turned around and went back.
We continued gamely, saw the place, had a sumptuous breakfast, and descended by tenish to the parking, geared up, got astride, and rode down the ghats to have a cup of chai with Sid in a nice tapri opposite Abhiruchi Mall.
A good time was had by all. Except for one hitch. We had a Flag Holder and a co-founder (Sahil) of the club, we had five riders (including myself), and we were wearing proper gear and following all protocols. Ideally, this should have been declared an official ride and added to our tally. But alas, Sahil said he couldn’t do that post ipso facto and that we’d need to plan better the next time.
At any rate, an excellent way to spend the morning and have a high-altitude breakfast!
The BCI gang atop the Sinhgad fort.
BattleCat, the sun, and I.
Sahil looks like The Martian.
The starters – Bhaji, thecha, chutney, dahi, and chai.
The main course – Bhakri, vaanga, pithla, matki, dahi.
Posers!
‘Ledies’ beware.
