Chasing city lights to beach vibes - Solo ride, Mumbai to Goa on the Kawasaki Ninja 1000
Am a late 80s kid and am sure people born in the 90s will not disagree with this; we all have a special space for "Dil Chahta Hai" in our hearts. As soon you hear the movie's name, you start nodding your head to the mad beats, and am sure from the blog title you have already realized where am getting at.
Yes, you made a good guess - It's about the Mumbai to Goa road trip. But it has a few twists on the way (pun intended). If you are a biker and enjoy flying solo. You should totally do this ride. This route takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, with a mix of history, culture, and natural beauty along the way. And, once you reach Goa, it's always rewarding!
Mumbai is my home for a decade now and I have been to Goa more times than I can remember but never quite had the time to take my bike. So, last weekend’s ride was a bit special. I took this route Mumbai - Panvel - Lonavala - Pune - Satara - Kholapur - Nipani - Amboli - Goa. It's around 610 kms from my home in Andheri East to South Goa where I planned to catch up with my friends. I wanted to enjoy the ride so I split it across two days.
Day 1: Mumbai to Satara ~ 255 kms
Starting from Mumbai, you'll be fighting the traffic till Panvel. It depends on how early in the day or late in the night you are leaving the city. I left after work, around 6 in the evening, and all I can say till Pune it was painfully slow. After Pune, had my dinner and I could start twisting the throttle and in no time reached Satara. I was looking for a place to crash and found a cheap roadside motel. All I needed was a shower and I fell asleep immediately afterwards.
Day 2: Satara to South Goa ~ 355 kms
Had a good sleep and woke up around 5:30 am by 6 I was on the road. It was time to rip the 1,000 cc engine. Satara to Kholapur offers a lovely stretch and I could consistently do 150+ kmph. Kolhapur is known for its spices and its cuisine, rich history, and cultural heritage. But some humble "poha" and "chai" were enough for my breakfast. From there, I was headed towards Nipani, a small town located in the Belgaum district of Karnataka. Then took the diversion on the right to hit the single-lane highway. Lot of construction work in this stretch and the ghats of Amboli can get slow due to large vehicles on the slopes. But it's surely the highlight of this whole road trip - a journey through the forests of Amboli. I hit North Goa around 11 am and by 12:30, I was in a shack in Benolim sipping a chilled beer!
Day 3: Eat, Drink & Sleep. Repeat!
It was as lazy as Goa weekends can get. Hardly drank any water throughout the day. The summer heat was the perfect excuse for liters and liters of chilled beer! I really enjoyed our stay and the places we ate. Leaving some links here.
Stay: Benaulim beach cottage - O Plamar, basic accomodation and ammenties to chill for a weekend
Food: Beach shack - Little Tiger, great food, cheap beer
Anyway, it was supposed to be a riding blog. Now, let's get back to the Goa-Mumbai route.
Day 4 - South Goa to Kolhapur ~ 260 km
I started post-lunch, around 5ish from Goa. Wanted to ride through Amboli Ghat in the evening and catch the sunset. It was calm and the sunset from the top looked breathtaking. Made some stops at some of the hairpin bends, took some quick photos and passed the beautiful waterfall, and kept riding till the forests were dark. This single-lane highway till Nipani is NOT recommended after dark. Bad roads and both-way traffic make it quite challenging even for a seasoned rider. But I must say, I had a lot of fun negotiating this bit and reached Kholapur safely, where I called it a night.
Day 5 - Kholapur to Mumbai ~ 375 kms
It was becoming a bit of a routine now. I started early and reached Pune without any hassle. Hit some insane speeds and enjoyed myself thoroughly till the start started beating down. Had a proper breakfast at Lonavala and pushed for Mumbai. While coming back, especially if it's from a long ride, the last few miles can test your true character. The city traffic can be irritating and the summer heat got me. By the time I reached Mumbai, I was pretty exhausted. But I had to go to the office. So, went home, had a quick shower, home-cooked lunch, and got back to work!
Later that day, I realized what a machine Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX is! It's monstrously powerful on the highways and almost feels like you are on a 32-bit video game yet versatile enough to manage any terrain and winding roads. Its comfortable seating position and adjustable windscreen also made it ideal for long rides. Overall, it was a perfect choice for a solo rider. I wasn't that tired! Here are some tips that will come in handy for anyone planning a long bike ride, especially for solo travelers.
Plan your route and have a backup plan: Before embarking on your journey, make sure you have a clear idea of the route you'll be taking. Research the road conditions, weather forecast, and make sure you have an alternate route in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Safety first: Always wear your helmet and other protective gear while riding. Avoid riding at night or in bad weather conditions.
Pack light: You don't need all that stuff. Pack only the essentials, such as a phone, charger, change of clothes, toiletries, a first-aid kit, and some protein bars
Stay hydrated: Riding for long hours can be exhausting. Water, sugarcane juice, and coconut water would be easily available through the route
Take breaks: I usually like to take a break every 60-80 mins of riding. 5 - 7 minutes of quick rest. To take a leak, stretch my legs and back. Drink some water and get back on the saddle. This is also a great opportunity to explore the local sights and take photos.
Carry cash: You will mostly get internet through this route. And ATMs are also present across bigger towns. But keeping some cash is always a good idea.
A good playlist and stay connected: Solo rides are perfect to lose yourself in the music you love. Make a few playlists, also it's better to keep someone posted about your pit stops
Remember, a long bike ride requires a bit of planning and prep work. I still get a little anxious after all these years of riding as there is a sense of adventure to it. Keep it simple, enjoy the ride, and be safe!
Like in the movie, they say:
@the.photoguy
Rajarshi Mitra
