Across the Countryside on two wheels

People in Mumbai avoid cycling to avoid the traffic and human rush. But have you thought of escaping into the countryside with your cycle? Not too far just about 80 kms away from busy Mumbai. Believe me it's not a bad idea at all. Its fun though of a different sort- like sweating like a pig in the hot sun, gasping for breath, cramps and pains midway. But it also means clear blue skies, verdant mountains, friendly village folks, lush paddy fields, lots of goodness and a tremendous sense of achievement at the end of it all.
In the outskirts of Mumbai cycling can take you past some of the most beautiful locations and above all it's a great way to de-stress for all the Mumbaikars. I also think it is a great way to explore the local areas which otherwise most city dwellers never get a chance. Cycling through those little villages, lush green paddy fields surrounded on all sides by mountains and at times riding through the busy village markets and bus stands is a great way to know the place. Cycling gives you a different thrill as opposed to driving and is definitely is a refreshing change for one day from the mundane city life.
Last Sunday I went cycling in the Karjat region of the Sahyadri ranges. I was part of the Odati team which was conducting the cycling trip for Mojo Eye-Wear promoted by Yogi (Yogesh) Shah of the Backpackers Co. fame. I call it the Mojo Bike ride. There were in all 25 participants. Our ride was to start at Hal Junction and end at Tata Power's hydro-electricity generator plant situated near Bhivpuri dam.
After our breakfast at the famous Shree Dutt we drove 25kms aead of Panvel to Hal Junction. After a short briefing session by Jayesh we began the ride at around 9 am from Hal Junction on NH4.
Karjat is an extended suburb of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. It is located on Bhor Ghat, Sahyadri Western Ghats as well as at the end of coastal plains of Konkan region near Deccan and lies on the banks of the Ulhas river. Bhor Ghat was an ancient trade route connecting the ports at Choul, Revdanda, Panvel, etc. on the Konkan coast and the hinterland on the Deccan plateau.
As we rode from Hal junction we passed through Palasdari village and lake, heading straight to Karjat. On the way we passed through model and actor Perizad Zorabia's famed Zorabian Chick farms and also many farm houses. Few years back the place had a couple of farm houses and today there are lot many. More and more people are buying plots in this part to build their weekend homes. I was told that Karjat has got one of the largest chain of Farm Houses in Asia. Now that's interesting to note.
Another point to be note is the number of new hotels that have sprung up in the last two or three years. I remember when we used to come trekking to Karjat some years back there used to be two or three dhabbas where you had to make do with chai and biscuits and vada pavs. But Karjat has flourished now with lot more hotels and many of whom have put up boards to start their operations soon. Karjat also has an advanced bio-tech institute which has been developing patented hybrid varieties of rice of international repute, apart from other crops and techniques. As you go into the interior you come across paddy fields. Another landmark of Karjat is art director Nitin Desai's "ND Studio". This studio has become a tourist attraction. Currently, Raja Chattrapati Shivaji is being shot here for Star Pravah.
It was a beautiful ride from Palasdari to Karjat (approximately 15 km) but slowly the heat was getting on to us. Nevertheless we continued passing through some busy and some quaint villages like Dahivili, Vinegaon, Vadap and Jhambivili. The most beautiful aspect of the ride was the long stretch of ride from Dahivili to the final destination Tata Power station. The roads were beautiful without any bumps or pot holes and completely clear of traffic. As we rode along we cut an unusual sight. But the response from the locals was always warm.People were so welcoming.They would see us on the cylce and inform us of how far we are from our final destination or if we stopped and asked for water they would immediately get water for us. Kids were excited to see us on cycles and some even asked us for a ride which we did not mind. Many would look at us astonishingly and ask us where are you coming from? and when we would say we are from Mumbai they would raise their eyebrows and give this look of why on earth would you want to cycle all the way from Mumbai to Karjat and probably think we are mad cycling in the hot sun.
If not for the heat the ride would have been much pleasant I thought. Throughout the ride we experienced extreme heat. The only consolation was the breeze was cool. Constantly sipping water while taking on the blazing heat most of us had finished water in our hydrapacks and bottles half way through.
Due to the heat some gave up the ride at Dahivili just after Karjat and decided to follow some of us who were keen on riding in the Qualis. The total ride one way was about 35km. We halted at the Tata Power station along the banks of a river and had some local lunch that we had ordered from a nearby village. This is something most city dwellers miss… the local food –Zunka Bhakri along with some rice, dal , sabzi..and sheera....
After an experience of this sort many were sad that teh day was coming to an end and that we had to head back to the mundane city and the busy life again.
Many decided to head back home right after lunch and few crazy decided to cycle back to Hal Junction. Given a choice I would never want to get off my cycle…..

Picture courtesy: Google Images