A long pending dream of short offroad rides in the Koyna region since almmost 11 years, which got triggered due to my earlier ride there in 2010 Nov when I could not reach Ghonaspur due to unseasonal rains and the dirt road getting super slippery due to it, and another was to Wadi Beldar village off Khed, where I had trekked in 2016 and saw that a dirt road is being constructed. Both these villages offer amazing isolation and views and on top of it, short treks to the forts of Mahipatgad (from Wadi Beldar) and Makrandgad (from Ghonaspur), this being a blessing since after my knee surgery in 2019 I had to stop doing difficult long ascents and descents.
Also during my first solo ride/ trek in this region I had met Tanaji Jadhav at Valvan village. He had taken good care of me like a big brother would do. So meeting him one more time was well overdue.
Took 5 days off and found company of Param (my riding partner from 60kph), met up at Mangaon on Goa highway and we proceeded to Wadi Beldar. The 5 km of off road to Wadi Beldar was an adventure in the hot afternoon sun and steep inclines and rocks and gravel on the road.
Finally we reached the village at 2 PM and after some rest and tea and some repacking at Seetaram Jadhav's place we started our trek to Mahipatgad for night stay at the Shiva temple on top. Spending time at a villagers place in such remote villages is the most scerene and peaceful experience, and even with the limited resources they offer such great hospitality and great local food.
Reaching the temple at 630 PM just before sunset, we setup camp and prepped for tea and dinner. Param even had a bath with the chilled water from the well.
The night star gazing was an amazing experince in chilling cold. It was a super clear night and we could get the stars in the photo even with the cell phone.
Next day we descended to Wadi Beldar, had light lunch of Zunkha Bhakar and Palak, and started the descent to Wadi Jetapur. Param had a fall from the bike twice on the steep descent and lost his confidence. We still moved on to Valvan after the ascent of Raghuveer ghat. The road condition was very good compared to 2010.
We reached Valvan after some amount of gravel ride post Raghuveer ghat top. It was so good to see Tanaji Jadhav and his wife after good 11 years. All memories of the earlier ride flooded my thoughts.
Evening was spent walking around the village, chatting with Tanaji having some Old Monk with the most amazing Gaothi Chicken made by his wife. Dinner was equally amazing with the same chicken in gravy with rice.
Next day we started off for Ghonaspur via a 100 km circuitious route between the mountains circuiting along the Koyna Lake backwaters. Fortunately most of the off road I had done in 2010 was tarred now so we had it relatively easy till the Ghonaspur junction.
I was getting an uneasy feeling about Ghonaspur since I knew the ride is steep and dangerous and the failure of 2010 was ever lurking on my mind. Anyways the initial part of around 1 km was easy. Then I saw a red Ford EcoSport car and Param was discussing with one person before a very steep and slippery dangerous hairpin bend.
Amol Deshpande from Pune, had just come for a one day hike to Makrandgad unprepared for the bad road so finally after lot of discussion he decided to park his car there and walk up to Ghonaspur. Param backed off completely and decided to ride back to Pune.
I was in no mood to back off now. Come what may I had to complete what I could not in 2010. With Param and Amol for support, I tackled the steep hairpin without much trouble. Then while riding up further towards Ghonaspur it struck me that I can take Amol pillion till my bike can take it, so did a you turn, picked him up and the 390 Adv had no trouble on the steep and gravel inclines and hairpins even with a pilliion.
Reaching Ghonaspur, we felt at home at Vitthal Jangam's home, where we had light lunch, rested for a while and started our 45 min hike to Makrandgad fort in hopes of getting an amazing sunset view. And we did get it, orange and pink sky, super clear visibility till our eyes can see, Koyna Lake, Parbat mountain, Mahableshwar, Koleshwar etc.
Once back at the village at 8 PM, I dropped Amol to a point on the dirt road from where he would walk back to his car and drive to Pune. Back at Vitthal Jagnams house, I had dinner and settled for the night, sleeping outside at his large verandah.
I had 2 days for this ride still remaining before I needed to reach Mumbai. The talks of clean air of this village high up at 3700 feet, the amazing views all around and the health of the people staying there, and also the philosophy of 60kkph to enjoy the stillness while you travel, made me stay at Ghonaspur for one full day, enjoying the slow pace life in a small village, doing Yoga early morning, taking walks around and just soaking in the sun and chatting with the villagers.
Finally it was time to ride back to Mumbai. The dirt road itself and the steep hairpin was hardly a challenge since I switched off the bike and rode down in first gear controlling with the clutch on very steep and risky downhills. The most bothersome was the 500 meters section of the road where the labourers had laid sharp stones to tar the road. This section also had some steep downhills and hairpins. This alone took me around 30 mins and completely drained me out. Once out of this mess, I rested for a while before starting my lone ride back to Mumbai.
Enjoy the ride with the Photographs.
