Scorpio at Rajmachi

Finject · 21st April 2010, 19:38

Sourced this from a blog

Good stuff for Mumbai off-roaders, any other routes from the city that you guys can think of?

Having lived in a city the best part of my driving life, the joy of driving had escaped me. Being stuck in traffic every single weekday on my way to work had ensured I hated the sight of the steering wheel on the weekends. Then, I hit upon the great idea of going off roading. This was around July last year.

To off road, I needed to find myself a good trail and a great SUV. I borrowed my friend’s Scorpio for the same, which was recommended by a few off roaders I met at the community meet for an off road forum in Mumbai. For a weekend getaway, they also suggested I hit the Rajmachi stretch, which provides ample opportunity for the kind of off roading I was looking at. The terrain is real challenging when it rains, and as luck would have it, it rained when I drove there!

Getting there:
Mumbai to Rajmachi is 121 km, and the drive from Mumbai to Rajmachi takes about 2 hours by car. Some off road essentials they suggested:

Hitch and Winch
A front-mount and/or rear-mount hitch. Say you or your buddy slide off of the trail and get buried in too much mud for the truck to handle. With your winch and a stable, secure mounting point (like a thick tree trunk or another vehicle) you can quickly and easily pull the truck back to safety

Off Road Recovery Kit
These kits typically contain heavy-duty tow straps, gloves and a spot light to help you get the most out of your winch system.

Tire Gauge and Compressor
To adjust tire pressure, depending on the terrain.
Bull bar / Grille Guard or Light Bar These guards protect your vehicle’s bumper, grille and headlights when you’re tearing through things.

Lights
If you plan on driving after dark, you can get some heavy duty lights.
The Ride: We (me and my girlfriend) set out in the morning around 8 from Bandra in Mumbai to avoid the morning traffic. Reached Rajmachi around 11(we stopped for breakfast). It had been cloudy throughout. Just as we hit the trail, it started to rain. We couldn’t believe our luck!

We decided to give the rain some time to slush up the terrain before we could tear it. We spent an hour by the roadside taking in the greenery. An hour later, the terrain was perfect and looked daunting. Just what we were looking for!
We tore the terrain, as slowly as we could, just to feel those bumps, and take in the sweet smell of slush as it rose from our wheels. That one ride and I fell in love with the wheel all over again.

And The Scorpio handled it like a dream. The suspension is both comfortable and intuitive at the same time, allowing you that satiation every time you negotiate the tricky road, while reassuringly securing you as well. The build of the Scorpio makes you feel like you own the terrain (The car you walk into, not crawl into!). And at the end of the road, it came out a winner.

As for us, the terrain helped us de stress and reconnect with nature, and is an experience I will remember for a while. I strongly recommend it to everyone who’s reading this.

-Varun

motocamp · 21st April 2010, 20:22

Dude sorry to burst you bubble but rajmachi has been done to death by all offroader's from bombay and pune

just do a search and see how many otr have been done in rajmachi!

ladak.imran · 21st April 2010, 22:01

Offroading in a scorpio seems a little shady too. Especially in slush. Without a recovery vehicle, no?

But if he had fun, then purpose solved!

jaysmokesleaves · 21st April 2010, 23:01

Hi Varun. I been offroad to Rajmachi since 1999... Back then you would have to engage 4x4 at the base of the climb, since it was nothing but a trekkers trail. Today you can probably reach the top in a 2wd Sumo or a Qualis during the dry part of the year. Rajmachi is worth doing only in the monsoon.
Do look through this section of the forum for plans to hit that place and other spots around Bombay in the rains.

Cheers,

Jay

rhandle · 24th April 2010, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladak.imran

Offroading in a scorpio seems a little shady too. Especially in slush. Without a recovery vehicle, no?

But if he had fun, then purpose solved!

Well he was there with his gir friend, the weather was good, AND NO Mumbai/Pune/Alibagh OTR being held at that time ... Man sure he must have been in heaven

Purpose Fully Solved.

Now : Would I dare going over there without recovery vehicle : A big no again. Just going up is not off-road. the Last time when we went and did use 4wd in certain stretches. Then half-way up seeing an Innova and SX4 just made me laugh at myself - but then It's always better to be sure footed than be on slippery thing. Safety First.

the VTEC guy · 26th April 2010, 14:30

Rajmachi for off-road activity I would suggest is good for starters. After heavy rain its tough. lot of mud/slush and possibly a river crossing (Ulhas river).
During Summer time you can take a bike if driven carefully. Have taken my Thunderbird with a pillion at night time.

pdev29 · 26th April 2010, 15:03

check out my threads of Season 07/08/09, you will know what exact Rajmachi is.

half of them dont even know the patches what we have tried..

most of us who has posted here has been there together..

21st April 2010, 19:38	#1
Finject BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 99 Thanked: Once	Scorpio at Rajmachi Sourced this from a blog Good stuff for Mumbai off-roaders, any other routes from the city that you guys can think of? Having lived in a city the best part of my driving life, the joy of driving had escaped me. Being stuck in traffic every single weekday on my way to work had ensured I hated the sight of the steering wheel on the weekends. Then, I hit upon the great idea of going off roading. This was around July last year. To off road, I needed to find myself a good trail and a great SUV. I borrowed my friend’s Scorpio for the same, which was recommended by a few off roaders I met at the community meet for an off road forum in Mumbai. For a weekend getaway, they also suggested I hit the Rajmachi stretch, which provides ample opportunity for the kind of off roading I was looking at. The terrain is real challenging when it rains, and as luck would have it, it rained when I drove there! Getting there: Mumbai to Rajmachi is 121 km, and the drive from Mumbai to Rajmachi takes about 2 hours by car. Some off road essentials they suggested: Hitch and Winch A front-mount and/or rear-mount hitch. Say you or your buddy slide off of the trail and get buried in too much mud for the truck to handle. With your winch and a stable, secure mounting point (like a thick tree trunk or another vehicle) you can quickly and easily pull the truck back to safety Off Road Recovery Kit These kits typically contain heavy-duty tow straps, gloves and a spot light to help you get the most out of your winch system. Tire Gauge and Compressor To adjust tire pressure, depending on the terrain. Bull bar / Grille Guard or Light Bar These guards protect your vehicle’s bumper, grille and headlights when you’re tearing through things. Lights If you plan on driving after dark, you can get some heavy duty lights. The Ride: We (me and my girlfriend) set out in the morning around 8 from Bandra in Mumbai to avoid the morning traffic. Reached Rajmachi around 11(we stopped for breakfast). It had been cloudy throughout. Just as we hit the trail, it started to rain. We couldn’t believe our luck! We decided to give the rain some time to slush up the terrain before we could tear it. We spent an hour by the roadside taking in the greenery. An hour later, the terrain was perfect and looked daunting. Just what we were looking for! We tore the terrain, as slowly as we could, just to feel those bumps, and take in the sweet smell of slush as it rose from our wheels. That one ride and I fell in love with the wheel all over again. And The Scorpio handled it like a dream. The suspension is both comfortable and intuitive at the same time, allowing you that satiation every time you negotiate the tricky road, while reassuringly securing you as well. The build of the Scorpio makes you feel like you own the terrain (The car you walk into, not crawl into!). And at the end of the road, it came out a winner. As for us, the terrain helped us de stress and reconnect with nature, and is an experience I will remember for a while. I strongly recommend it to everyone who’s reading this. -Varun
	() Thanks

21st April 2010, 20:22	#2
motocamp BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: pune Posts: 452 Thanked: 102 Times	Dude sorry to burst you bubble but rajmachi has been done to death by all offroader's from bombay and pune just do a search and see how many otr have been done in rajmachi!
	() Thanks

21st April 2010, 22:01	#3
ladak.imran BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 294 Thanked: 6 Times	Offroading in a scorpio seems a little shady too. Especially in slush. Without a recovery vehicle, no? But if he had fun, then purpose solved!
	() Thanks

21st April 2010, 23:01	#4
jaysmokesleaves Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mostly Mumbai Posts: 1,702 Thanked: 1,464 Times	Hi Varun. I been offroad to Rajmachi since 1999... Back then you would have to engage 4x4 at the base of the climb, since it was nothing but a trekkers trail. Today you can probably reach the top in a 2wd Sumo or a Qualis during the dry part of the year. Rajmachi is worth doing only in the monsoon. Do look through this section of the forum for plans to hit that place and other spots around Bombay in the rains. Cheers, Jay
	() Thanks

26th April 2010, 14:30	#6
the VTEC guy BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 564 Thanked: 140 Times View My Garage	Rajmachi for off-road activity I would suggest is good for starters. After heavy rain its tough. lot of mud/slush and possibly a river crossing (Ulhas river). During Summer time you can take a bike if driven carefully. Have taken my Thunderbird with a pillion at night time.
	() Thanks

26th April 2010, 15:03	#7
pdev29 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,039 Thanked: 289 Times View My Garage	check out my threads of Season 07/08/09, you will know what exact Rajmachi is. half of them dont even know the patches what we have tried.. most of us who has posted here has been there together..
	() Thanks