Friday, September 24, 2010

Beating Boredom : Mumbai - Solapur - Mumbai

Disclaimer : Please don't expect much from this travelogue.. Just some pix of nature, none of mine as it was a solo-ride.. Its been quite a while I created a thread in Tourer hence doing one now

Ride dated : 11th-Sept to 12th Sept 2010
800kms, Riding Solo..!! Nothing much

Trip Log:
A weekend was nearing & it was three days off(Friday-Sat-Sun) including the Ramzan id leave. So wanted to go somewhere for a ride, explore the nature, satisfy the long gap of some good long ride. Plans where cooking up in my head. I specially wanted to do a solo ride to experience the feeling of riding alone with the nature.
Friday almost came closer but didn't had anything in my head yet
My crazy brain thought, let the Friday come then will think in the morning & leave. Set the alarm, woke up by 5am. I still didn't had any plan, was getting frustrated, what to do where to go. Was standing near the window for almost half an hour like an idiot owl but couldn't make my mind. Parents where wondering if am fine. Finally, gave up & went back to bed. First holiday wasted.
The same lazy brain thought the same thing to be done on Saturday morning.. i.e. To think after waking up on Saturday. And the same thing, Woke up on saturday at 5am, couldnt think anything finally went back to bed. So wheres the trip..???? Hold on.! Day aint over yet.
I was darn frustrated on myself & was angry on my indecisive lazy brain. I remembered a office colleague & a good friend who had recently went to his native for Ganapati festival. He had even asked 'casually' me to come, but I didn't go with him that time. So the lazy brain got cruel & thought of jumping over at his place at Solapur... Even my parents got irritated on me & insisted me to go somewhere take a ride & riding at my friends place seemed perfect for them too. I gave a bang to my head & made up my mind for this. It will be a nice 800kms (Mumbai-Solapur=400kms) round trip ride. But have to come back on Sunday anyhow for office on Monday. So got ready, geared up & left home at 12pm noon. Yeah.. that late..!! Remember.. The lazy brain
Fueled up the bike, took out my map on the phone & headed towards Pune first. I haven't informed my friend yet, that am coming to his place .
Crossed pune, reached maggarpatta & called up my friend to give him a shocking surprise that I have left & am on my way to his house & should reach by night. While calling him, I was praying to the mobile service, please connect me to him & don't throw a network error message.
The climate was superb & just perfect so far,. Not hot even in the middle of afternoon. After Pune, I was on NH9, Mumbai-Solapur highway. 70% bad road with potholes. 4-Laning work was under-construction, hence I was one of those lucky ones to ride over the lovely laid potholes.

Now, enough of the blah-blah.. Some pix to roll.. Clicked from my mobile.






The mouth-watering solapur highway












vow. what a road.. felt am riding a drill machine




hot



Faced a heavy rainfall suddenly on the way. It being a small lovely butter smooth road, as the on-coming trucks passed me. They showered me with the wonderful muddy tasty water.
I was looking so cute, clean & lovely in Brown! :) Finally, struggling, hoping over the potholes, shaking my lower part of the body made it safely at his place at around 9pm. Had to ride in pitch dark for around 110kms facing the flashing disco lights of trucks which they love keeping on high beams.

My friend, Amit had come to pick me up & see my dusty face ;) His house was really lovely, parents where super cool.!! Had a most needed hot-water bath.. Felt so heavenly.. Body was aching a bit but loved that.. The ache after serious riding is priceless.!! :D
His mom made superb food.. Felt like am in heaven. Thanks aunty.!! And called off for the day with a sweet paan :) I was sleepy as a doper..



Next morning I had to leave early, but my friend insisted & took me to some nice nearby temples. Went to a lovely 'Shankar Bhagwan' mandir - Sidheswar















So was all set not to bid them bye.!! All geared up & ready to roll.. I again left late, it was 12' noon.. But who cares I was going home.!!

On the way rain tried scaring me.. But I didnt give up.. Tried escaping & hardly waited for 10-15 min pass every 100-150kms



Ready to get on the Lonavala Ghat.. the climate was so awesome.!! it started drizzling, terrificly chilling, Day was turning dark.. Was loving it.! No body to be seen, all alone.. Me with my faithful buddy.. My Bike..!! Love you darling :)

The last set of pix..!! Was riding alone, so dont have much pic.. Just treasured the awesome experience.. Try it to fill it..!!



pic from the lonavala

waiting for another such short ride.. Love to ride shortly far..!! :)

Keep riding & Ride Safe..!!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Lost my buddy forever

Its painful to share this news with you guys. My dog, my buddy.. ChiChi..!! Gave Up on Wednesday, 10th March 2010
How it happened :
Since Monday it was unwell. We called up our regular doctor to come & give a visit for check-up. He was at his native & promised to come on Tuesday morning. He didnt come on Tuesday morning as he claimed to be in damn meeting & then promised to come in the same evening. But that too he couldnt as he got too late. Finally he showed up on Wednesday morning where my chichi's health was really worst. He couldnt even stand on his legs. Doc asked us to go to 'Bail-Ghoda' Hospital at Parel immediately. We took him there. Which I got down from the vehicle & was walking towards the hospital, he got fits. After reaching inside, the doctor asked me to keep my dog on the table. While the bloody doctor was having a chat with his colleagues, my dog got really bad fits. He was stretching his entire body straight. I shouted the doctor to come & check it immediately. He then came & saw. Gave him an injection. He was pumping his heart with his hands & was telling me that it happens normally after, the fit will subside in couple of seconds & he should be back in normal. But my poor chap gave up. The doctor tried some last moment steps & he answered me "He collapsed". He had some loss of blood in his rear part of the body, had heart enlargement, which caused blood blockage. I was begging to doc to please do something at any cost. It just cannot happen. Was not ready to believe it. My mom & dad where crying like anything, pampering him, kissing him. Am crying painfully while writting this. Am still in my worst night mares.
The previous night I took him besides me & was trying to make him sleep pampering me. He licked me, as if saying "Thanks for everything"
We did the last rituals at the hospital itself. I just couldnt see him go. Even at the time of cremation, the respective employees where in some strike related meeting. I was hunting for them like a mad guy, while my mom dad where sitting aside holding my chichi's body.
My idiot regular doc, never even touched the dog due to fear. Hence he never discovered of this problems which he faced. My poor dog, he never gave us any problems throughout his life till his last time. Please guys never rely on any doctors visit, periodically take your dog to a clinic for regular check-ups.
My sis was in shock when we returned home without him. She was searching for our dog like mad. We, entire family is under terrible shock. Still feels his existence in our house. Dont feel like stepping out, eating, drinking, doing anything. Any place I see in the house, feel his existence. With him alone, my house was never empty. Now inspite of entire family, without him.. The house is empty. He was there with us for 11 years. There are tons of moments we had with him. Each minute I remember his particular moments. On last Jan, we celebrated his 11th Birthday & distributed chocalates in entire society, which we did for every year.

A valuable family member of ours left us. You will always live in our hearts darling. Sorry, we couldnt save you. Wherever you are... Take care of yourself & May your soul Rest In Peace. We all love you & will miss you always honey
...... Date : Jan 1999 - March 2010

My buddy's pix : http://picasaweb.google.com/rachitkohli/ChiChi#