[SafaRoy]

Is there a route? Is there a route which connects tamhini (which is on the Goa side of Pune) and aamby valley (which is on Mumbai side of Pune)?

We finally figured out. This Saturday was spent with biker friends exploring this route which starts ahead of mulshi just after crossing small roadside village of tamhini and takes a sharp right towards lonavala that is 52 kms away.

Let the pictures tell their story then I ll begin.

[SafaRoy]

There is a small lake enroute

[SafaRoy]

Beside the road and lake

[SafaRoy]

Here we are, finding new trails

[SafaRoy]

And here is the route map.

[SafaRoy]

It was only a fortnight since my all new RE Thunderbird 350 was added to already bulging stable of vehicles and having been off bike since past four years (When i let go my beloved companion of 7 years, the CBZ* and moved on to the M800 unique) I was rearing to go biking again.

Off late it had become a routine to go overnight camping around Pune in our SUV's but i wanted to give it a miss this time. We were evaluating option of driving down to Raigad in konkan region, staying overnight and returning the next day. However, since we had only one day of weekend available it would have been a hectic affair.

Then i almost sold this idea of doing a biking trip from Tamhini to Lonavla to my group members and they merrily agreed. I had been to Goa through mulshi and had only seen a board to lonavala en route. Had also done a small trip in that direction in rainy season upto waterfall point which is 5-6 kms away.

So it was decided that we shall reach mulshi and inquire about the route and go ahead if its safe to ride. It was imperial to start early as everyone wanted to be back by end of the day so the start time was fixed to 5.30 AM.

Thursday, Two days before trip day:

When started, we were only three riders and couple of pillions going on the trip which had turned to seven riders and four pillions by this time. We had also discovered that the route transverses from the region where lies Kundalika river raftinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kundalika_River and Telbaila rock formation http://wikimapia.org/8677058/Telbaila-rock-formation. We were certainly going to witness some serene landscapes! All were excited!!



Friday, Lets get ready:

Safety First. Wearing helmets is mandatory. Anyone wanted to add to the armor was encouraged. A Whatsapp group is formed and all are discussing who is picking up whom, where are we meeting etc. Electric atmosphere. One friend bought a leather Jacket and gloves just for the ride.


By 9:00 pm the same day:

Folks started dropping out. Someone had to attend an urgent wedding
and someone had relatives visiting. So we were now six riders and two pillions. Enough to keep rolling.


Trip Day:

Scheduled start was 5.30 AM but everyone was up by 4 already. We grouped up at Hinjewadi Signal at 5:15 but one guy was missing. Calls were made and he told his RE Chrome 500 was refusing to wake up! What now?? Asked him to keep trying and had a brief chit-chat. A call from him confirmed his bike wanted to rest and he would not join. So we were back to five riders and two pillions. So we rode off at 5.30. The cold was bone chilling. In the hazy blue morning light an exiting ride had begun.

[SafaRoy]

We took our first tea break at ghotawade phata, pirangut at 6:15 am. After two shots of chai our near frozen limbs felt a bit flexible. Then we moved on towards Mulshi with a rising sun at our back. The aroma of moist grass had filled the air around us.

By the time we reached Mulshi all were very Hungry but most of the hotels were yet to open. We finally found one snack shop ready to serve and settled there for breakfast. Food was satisfying. We spent about an hour there relaxing and taking photographs and started riding again at around quarter to 8:00 am


Just 10 mins into the ride and the first rider pulled over and parked his bike aside the road. one by one we all stopped. It was just that the location was perfect for a group shot. There was a nice backdrop of Mulshi backwater and rising sun. Soon after it became a regular affair to stop for pics every 15-20 mins. At about 8:30 we left the Mulshi - Mangaon road and started on the Lonavla route.

The Route is full of foliage so dense that the sunlight would barely reach the ground. Its a single lane all tar road with some bad patches. Human settlement around this area is limited to couple of small villages and rest of the area is otherwise barren. There are many water crossings which were dried but would be flowing across the road during rains.

We took our next pitstop next to talibela rock formation as we spotted a small lake formed due to excavation. This would make a perfect site for camping with its proximity to road and encompassing mountains with dry grassland. Panoramic images above is a tiny attempt to show vastness of the area.

This point is not very far from aamby valley and korigad fort so we spent good two hours there relaxing and sunbathing.
At around noon time we were at tiger point in lonavala where we spent some more time gazing at the sahyadri ranges. The ride had been flawless and we were enjoying the calm yet strong winds of the hilltop. Much against our will it was time to bid adieu to the mountain. Lunch was at Kumar resort. A friend drove in his safari from chinchwad to join us for the lunch along with his family.

An awesome trail had concluded beckoning many more.

[Rudra Sen]

Mod note: Thread moved from Assembly Line to Travelogues. Thanks for sharing.

[Dodge_Viper]

Looks like an interesting offbeat route. I see some offroad sections, are these part of route or just for photo purposes? How much time it took for the entire route?

[SafaRoy]

There are many offroading detours however the main road is complete tar with some bad patches. It was will be more interesting route in rains though.
We took about 6 hours to complete the route with lots of chilling around and photo stops.

[ishotmydog]

Thanks for sharing, looks like a good one day trip from Pune. Is this route Doable in a car?

[SafaRoy]

Yes. The road is wide enough for car. I am planning to do it again with mine during rainy season this year.