So after covering the Central India route from Bangalore to Delhi via Hyderabad, Nagpur (Read about it Here), I wanted to take the different route on the way back. Decided to take the Western route via Mumbai. Since I don't ride at night, I had only 12 hours of riding time and I had to cover 800 kms each day
Day 1- Delhi to Modasa Gujarat - 811 Kms
Plan was to stick to NH48 all along. Roads were absolutely BRILLIANT all through the day. Only problem is, I couldnt cross 120 because this route has the whole fleet of trucks between Delhi and Mumbai. Good part about this route is you will find ample places to eat, refuel and rest all along the way.
After crossing Jaipur, Ajmer, there is a place called Beawar where there are 2 options to go to Ahmedabad. I took the route via Udaipur as suggested by Google. It had 100 Kms of single road without Divider but post that it was all good.
Rajasthan parts of NH48 till the Gujarat border was fabulous without any potholes. Since plan was to reach Udaipur (which I did by 4pm). The 100 Kms after Udaipur is HANDS DOWN the MOST SCENIC ROADS I have ever ridden. Roads cutting through the Hills and weather adding the icing on the cake
I thought I will push further and extended the day till Modasa Gujarat. I found a very good stay in Modasa called Hotel Sagarinn which had clean and luxury rooms, sanitized for Rs 600 (COVID Special price)
Day 2 - Modasa to Ahmedabad to Panvel (Mumbai) - 633 Kms
I was planning to take from Modasa to Godhara route to Baroda, but couple of my friends insisted on meeting me in Ahmedabad so decided to take a detour which later I realized would cost me 3 hours and 100 more Kilometers.
The road from Modasa to Ahmedabad was PAINFUL single lane, pothole ridden roads that will kill your palms. Constant thoughts in my mind, if the detour to ahmedabad is worth it! After 80 kms of this torture, Out of the two people whom I was supposed to meet, one guy overslept! Anyways, as I carried on, I realized two wheelers are not allowed on the Expressways. The NH from Ahmedabad to Gujarat was not so great either with people driving all over the place. The WORST section of the whole trip was Baroda to Surat with potholes the size of craters and HEAVY tortorous rains making the visibility to almost zero. I could hardly keep safe speeds of 80.
However, roads in maharashtra was comparitively better with lesser potholes. After countless breaks and snail pace, I realized that I wouldnt be able to make it to my target of Satara.
Infact when I entered mumbai, I was stuck in traffic near Thane for almost 1 hour. Decided to call it a day and took halt at Panvel. I spent 1 hour searching for a place in Panvel as all the places I navigate to seemed to be closed. Stay was in Hotel Crown which was the only available option for Rs 2000. But their room and service was good and hygenic.
Day 3 - Panvel (Mumbai) to Bangalore - 958 Kms
I knew today was going to be a long day since I couldnt really cover much yesterday. I needed to plan my breaks effectively to be able to reach Bangalore by atleast Midnight. While heading to Pune, realized two wheelers are not allowed in Express way to Pune! Bummer Again. The normal highway from Mumbai to Pune was not bad however had lots and lots of Speedbreakers. The route was beautiful with waterfalls everywhere in Khandala and Lonavala due to rains.
At the view points, there was so much fog that Visibility was absolute zero! I was absolutely loving the surroundings and momentarily forgot about the huge distance i had to cover.
Once I reached Pune, there was occasional rain every now and then till Kohlapur but the good roads ensured I could maintain 120 throughout.
Once Crossing Karnataka, my body and bike gained some unknown energy. With the brilliant views, TOP NOTCH Roads and sparse traffic, I felt so BLESSED to be living one of the BEST states in India. In the whole of the Trip, I think I would rank roads of Karnataka
1st followed by Telangana and Rajasthan.
From here on, I was pretty familiar with the route having already done Bangalore - Pune - Bangalore earlier in Feb on my bike. My target was to cover the Hubli Chitradurga stretch before dark as there is road widning work in progress. I just managed it as I reached chitradurga by 6.30 pm.
Chitradurga to Bangalore is a bliss to drive and I could cover this easily with adrenaline of going home carrying me through. However dur to my tinted visor and rain, I couldn't go beyond 100. Riding at night is fun and body doesnt get tired as much
I reached home much earlier at 10pm lucky to be greeted by my wife and 3 daughters with wide grin and relief!
All through the trip, I saw different faces of my country and I am just proud of every part of it. I know it is not a very good idea to travel during COVID times, but I never stopped at places for food and rode on Portable / fast food. At night, I would order room service in the hotels. At none of the Borders was I stopped or asked for Pass. I did have my COVID Test done before the trip and had the report ready but nobody asked for that either.
Now, I will observe quarantine for 14 days and get tested after 7 days just to be safe. This was one of the most memorable trips for me especially in these times with all the uncertainties in travel due to Pass and limited stay options but I guess it adds to the planning and preparation. Next up is the eastern route, Bangalore to Delhi via Chennai Kolkata!
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