In April-2017 we two college buddies (Amit Wadhwani & Ashish Jagwani) re-united for a holy ride of 828.5 KM on my new Royal Enfield Himalayan. Being a rider I have done many rides, but this one being quite challenging but at the end awesome. From our so called busy office schedule, we have only got two days to complete this adventurous trip.
We have got all kinds of roads on this complete trip some were awesome but few of them were real test of my soul mate Himalayan which she easily passed.
We started our journey with a heavy breakfast in Airoli, Navi Mumbai. Always check for Tyre pressure in first few KMs of ride, also avoid the same afterwards.
Our complete road trip comprises of five destinations with one night halt in Shirdi. That make 402.3 & 426.1 KM respectively for two days.
We started our trip at 8 AM on Saturday morning. Our first target was to move out of the crowded city. After just one hour of continuous ride on MH SH 80 we finally crossed Ambernath and taste highway.
Our first stop (obviously unplanned), has been at Barvi Dam. View is awesome from the road, must be like heaven in rain,environment tend to getting cold and it feel so soothing been there. I have already added this route in my rainy wishlist. Roads near this place are all surrounded by awesome trees with added flavor of curvy roads.
Two lane SH without divider give you enough challenge at the starting. Maharashtra state bus transport is very closely connected, you will find state bus on this as well. Very less crowded, but awesome roads. Post 10-15 mins halt we started riding again, soon we got on to NH 61, comparatively more crowded but with same two lanes without divider hence more challenging. We had already took more time with few unplanned stops hence started riding continuously until view as below. As we were heading towards Malsej Ghat we started encountering many mountainous valley with the great view. Roads are not very good but view worth riding.
We took stop of over 5 minutes for clicking some of our future DP. Roads were under maintenance. At some point its dangerous as well, but for any bike lover curvy roads are like dream come true. As the name suggest "Ghat" better get buckled up for some cool yet skilled stuff.
Everywhere at Malsej Ghat there is a warning of riding for only skilled people better follow the same as its required lots of quick decisions.
Malsej Ghat is known for awesome Views along with water falls especially in rainy season. Everybody must plan a visit in rainy season.View is all time great but in summer its exhaustive.
There are few points at Malsej Ghat for awesome viewing experience, that I wants to cover in this upcoming rainy season.
As we have covered nearly 110 KM with minimal halts hence time is for big halt i.e. Lunch. Its very difficult to find good restaurants but the one we stopped have been decent enough. Its just 5-6 KM from Malsej with few restaurants in line, stop anywhere for decent meal.You will amaze to see the price, everything is so cheap and that is at this height is really impressive.
We started again for post lunch ride to Bhimashankar, Reference from Wikipedia "Bhimashankar Temple is a Jyotirlinga shrine located 50 km northwest of Khed (alias Rajguru Nagar), near Pune, in India. It is located 127 km from Shivaji Nagar (in Pune) in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri hills. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna river near Raichur. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Trimbakeshwara near Nashik and Grishneshwar near Aurangabad".
Roads which we took are not that good but its awesome for any explorer, as we tend to cover many state highways which is quite challenging by its own. We have now started riding at SH 111 and SH 112 which is very narrow and its really scary to ride on, but Himalayan keeps its magic on and make that ride a comfortable one. Roads were unpredictable, sometimes its good and at next second its worst. Post SH 112 here come mountainous SH 54 the only one way to Bhimashankar, awesome curvy road with expert difficulty level. We (I along with my Himalayan) always are ready for any challenge hence the same for this one as well. After continuous ride of about 100 KM we finally reached our second destination i.e. Bhimashankar.
Bhimashankar is also known for dense wild life reserve, that can be seen at multiple hoarding as well. We rushed towards temple as Shivling darshan is only open till 3 PM only.
You will find many stair which needs to be climb down for reaching in temple which seems so exciting at start but very exhaustive while coming back. There are so many monkeys present near main temple which entertain visitors standing in queue.There are few more small temples in main premises as well.
We have completed nearly 220 KM till yet, now we started heading towards Shirdi our final destination for the day. There were less petrol pumps in the whole way hence try to fill enough once you find one.
At 4:30 PM and we need to cover another 190 KM for closing our first day of adventure. As sunset was at about 6:45 PM hence our first target was to get on to NH 60 before sun set i.e. 50 KM on state highway 112.
Riding down from the mountain is always tougher as compared as it require much precise gear-brake control. I had hard time at couple of moments but reached safely at NH 60 in next one and half an hour. We stopped at starting of NH 60 for tea break and charged our mobiles again.
Post half an hour halt we started again for covering next 120 KM. 90 out of remaining 120 was very soothing as NH 60 is awesomely marked highway but with few diversions due to new bridge construction was going on. I have covered next 90 KM in less than one and half an hour, with very safe ride altogether. This road have already been marked into my awesome road list.
We need to complete another 40-45 KM before reaching Shirdi, that road is not good at all and riding in night is very much harder. We reached at 9 PM and directly hit prasadalaya for some food. Post heavy meal we reached to our hotel where we have done online pre-booking. There are many different hotels available along with Saibaba trust's accommodations. Prior booking must be preffered as after more than 400 KM ride we don't prefer searching for accommodation.
Post check-in I had awesome shower along with good night sleep.
Day-2
All new day, with the plan of another 420 KM ride. Post standing in long queues for darshan in Shirdi temple, finally we had satisfactory one. Our plan for the day was to visit Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga which is about 110 KM and come back to Shirdi, drop Ashish and then solo ride from Shirdi to Mumbai.
I always start my ride day with checking Tyre pressure, bike was running smooth and finally we buckled up for next 110 KM to Grishneshwar (Aurangabad). Roads were not that good, two lanes all the time with many dumps. Real test of Himalayan's off road riding.With over 2 hours of continuous ride we reached our destination.
I wanted to cover as fast as possible as I had to have alone ride to Mumbai from Shirdi without navigation support. I also do not prefer night ride, hence I wanted it as short as possible. We reached Shirdi at about 4 PM, minimum one hour late as planned. We just had small snacks break in Shirdi, before final see off.
More than 220 KM to cover for my way back to home in Mumbai. I wanted to be at NH3 before sunset. Roads really help me out. Shirdi to Mumbai is awesome newly created road. Enjoyed soothing ride with lots of windmills & mountainous road. 120 KM needs to be covered before sunset, hence I took pretty less stops on the way till NH3 junction. In two hours only I reached at the same.
As I reached NH3 before time, hence thought of covering Kasara Ghat as well before significant halt. Enjoyed two and a half hours of continuous ride and reached Kasara.
As picture is saying everything, awesome environment, really good to be there. I had took over half an hour halt at restaurant for tea and snacks.
I had to ride another 80 KMs but in dark. In night ride I tend to follow the car with near same as my speed, this can substantially help us with clearer vision of roads.
On the way back, just before 40 KMs I had seen one bike-car accident with the bike broke down into two parts. Luckily both guys survived but with minor injuries. Its really a worst feeling to see bike accident.
One picture equal thousand words, at 8:44 PM on Sunday evening, I completed 828.5 KM ride. This ride has been a special one for me as it comprises everything. Hope to have many more in future, will keep you posted.
 |
| Amit (Red Jacket) & Ashish (Yellow T Shirt) |
We have got all kinds of roads on this complete trip some were awesome but few of them were real test of my soul mate Himalayan which she easily passed.
We started our journey with a heavy breakfast in Airoli, Navi Mumbai. Always check for Tyre pressure in first few KMs of ride, also avoid the same afterwards.
Our complete road trip comprises of five destinations with one night halt in Shirdi. That make 402.3 & 426.1 KM respectively for two days.
 |
| Ride Plan |
We started our trip at 8 AM on Saturday morning. Our first target was to move out of the crowded city. After just one hour of continuous ride on MH SH 80 we finally crossed Ambernath and taste highway.
 |
| Map View |
Our first stop (obviously unplanned), has been at Barvi Dam. View is awesome from the road, must be like heaven in rain,environment tend to getting cold and it feel so soothing been there. I have already added this route in my rainy wishlist. Roads near this place are all surrounded by awesome trees with added flavor of curvy roads.
 |
| Road near Barvi Dam |
 |
| View near Malsej Ghat |
Everywhere at Malsej Ghat there is a warning of riding for only skilled people better follow the same as its required lots of quick decisions.
 |
| Malsej Ghat |
Malsej Ghat is known for awesome Views along with water falls especially in rainy season. Everybody must plan a visit in rainy season.View is all time great but in summer its exhaustive.
There are few points at Malsej Ghat for awesome viewing experience, that I wants to cover in this upcoming rainy season.
As we have covered nearly 110 KM with minimal halts hence time is for big halt i.e. Lunch. Its very difficult to find good restaurants but the one we stopped have been decent enough. Its just 5-6 KM from Malsej with few restaurants in line, stop anywhere for decent meal.You will amaze to see the price, everything is so cheap and that is at this height is really impressive.
We started again for post lunch ride to Bhimashankar, Reference from Wikipedia "Bhimashankar Temple is a Jyotirlinga shrine located 50 km northwest of Khed (alias Rajguru Nagar), near Pune, in India. It is located 127 km from Shivaji Nagar (in Pune) in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri hills. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna river near Raichur. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Trimbakeshwara near Nashik and Grishneshwar near Aurangabad".
Roads which we took are not that good but its awesome for any explorer, as we tend to cover many state highways which is quite challenging by its own. We have now started riding at SH 111 and SH 112 which is very narrow and its really scary to ride on, but Himalayan keeps its magic on and make that ride a comfortable one. Roads were unpredictable, sometimes its good and at next second its worst. Post SH 112 here come mountainous SH 54 the only one way to Bhimashankar, awesome curvy road with expert difficulty level. We (I along with my Himalayan) always are ready for any challenge hence the same for this one as well. After continuous ride of about 100 KM we finally reached our second destination i.e. Bhimashankar.
 |
| Milestone |
You will find many stair which needs to be climb down for reaching in temple which seems so exciting at start but very exhaustive while coming back. There are so many monkeys present near main temple which entertain visitors standing in queue.There are few more small temples in main premises as well.
We have completed nearly 220 KM till yet, now we started heading towards Shirdi our final destination for the day. There were less petrol pumps in the whole way hence try to fill enough once you find one.
At 4:30 PM and we need to cover another 190 KM for closing our first day of adventure. As sunset was at about 6:45 PM hence our first target was to get on to NH 60 before sun set i.e. 50 KM on state highway 112.
 |
| Main gate Bhimashankar Temple |
Riding down from the mountain is always tougher as compared as it require much precise gear-brake control. I had hard time at couple of moments but reached safely at NH 60 in next one and half an hour. We stopped at starting of NH 60 for tea break and charged our mobiles again.
Post half an hour halt we started again for covering next 120 KM. 90 out of remaining 120 was very soothing as NH 60 is awesomely marked highway but with few diversions due to new bridge construction was going on. I have covered next 90 KM in less than one and half an hour, with very safe ride altogether. This road have already been marked into my awesome road list.
We need to complete another 40-45 KM before reaching Shirdi, that road is not good at all and riding in night is very much harder. We reached at 9 PM and directly hit prasadalaya for some food. Post heavy meal we reached to our hotel where we have done online pre-booking. There are many different hotels available along with Saibaba trust's accommodations. Prior booking must be preffered as after more than 400 KM ride we don't prefer searching for accommodation.
Post check-in I had awesome shower along with good night sleep.
Day-2
All new day, with the plan of another 420 KM ride. Post standing in long queues for darshan in Shirdi temple, finally we had satisfactory one. Our plan for the day was to visit Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga which is about 110 KM and come back to Shirdi, drop Ashish and then solo ride from Shirdi to Mumbai.
I always start my ride day with checking Tyre pressure, bike was running smooth and finally we buckled up for next 110 KM to Grishneshwar (Aurangabad). Roads were not that good, two lanes all the time with many dumps. Real test of Himalayan's off road riding.With over 2 hours of continuous ride we reached our destination.
 |
| At Grishneshwar |
More than 220 KM to cover for my way back to home in Mumbai. I wanted to be at NH3 before sunset. Roads really help me out. Shirdi to Mumbai is awesome newly created road. Enjoyed soothing ride with lots of windmills & mountainous road. 120 KM needs to be covered before sunset, hence I took pretty less stops on the way till NH3 junction. In two hours only I reached at the same.
As I reached NH3 before time, hence thought of covering Kasara Ghat as well before significant halt. Enjoyed two and a half hours of continuous ride and reached Kasara.
 |
| Post Kasara Ghat |
As picture is saying everything, awesome environment, really good to be there. I had took over half an hour halt at restaurant for tea and snacks.
I had to ride another 80 KMs but in dark. In night ride I tend to follow the car with near same as my speed, this can substantially help us with clearer vision of roads.
On the way back, just before 40 KMs I had seen one bike-car accident with the bike broke down into two parts. Luckily both guys survived but with minor injuries. Its really a worst feeling to see bike accident.
 |
| Finally Completed |
Ride Safe.
Be Happy.
