To Recap
18th August 2012 – 12:00 Noon – Rising Sun Retreat, Mount Abu (1175 kms)
WOW … we had reached our destination … 1200 kms, 3 states, 7 riders … and we were sitting in Mount Abu. The last 1 month, 16th July – 18th August came in a flash, when Ayush sent the first mail, to reaching where we had to. It was an amazing feeling of satisfaction, pride, happiness and achievement.
Personally for me, it was a huge achievement. Who would have thought 4 years ago, when I was bed ridden due to a severe infection in the back bone, and started walking after 1 month with the help of a walker and a Tripod Stick, that in 4 years’ time I would be riding on a Bike, a Royal Enfield for 1200 kms … I was soo elated and proved to myself that Determination and grit can overcome all obstacles, it re-enforced the feeling, that it is never too late in life and you need to bounce back harder when u reach the bottom fast…. Sorry … enough of Gyan … let’s go back to the ride … enough action still awaiting … and as Shahrukh Khan said … we had just reached, we had to return, … “Picture Abhi Baaki hai mere Dost” aur interval ke baad to real action shuru hoga….!!! Abhi tak to Suraj BArjatiya ki Film Chal rahi thi … all good good … Rohit Shetty ki Film to Ab Shuru Hogi … !!!
me in Rear view mirror
We were Greeted very well in the resort, with the entire staff an guests wanting to have a lok at the 7 Daredevils, who were riding from Pune to the beautiful Mount Abu, 1200 kms. I want to assume daredevils … they might also be thinking as … “what Jokers … they could have taken a train and bus … why ride … “
But we were quite used to the attention now, we were getting the same attention all through … hmmm… yeah yeah … show off, show off …. !!!
The weather at Mount abu was very pleasant, and the Resort was Beautiful … we decided to catch up on a cup of tea and then leave for sight-seeing, as we just have today and we need to leave tomorrow morning, very early. There was a lot of planning and discussion on the return … but let me take you through Mount Abu right now … !!!!
16th August 2012 – 01:30 pm – Mount Abu Sight Seeing
Warm Welcome by Resort Owner in Mount Abu
Welcome in Mount ABu
Sunrise Rtreat – Resort in Mount Abu
Ready to leave for sight seeing in Mount Abu – Our sponsor – Kings Auto
1st Halt – Lunch
Waiting For Lunch in a Dhaba en-route to Gurushikhar – the highest Point of Rajasthan
Lunch on the way to Gurushikhar
Highest Point of rajasthan
Climbing up to Gurushikhar
Bell @ Gurushikhar
Bladerunnerzzzz @ Gurushikhar
Weather Laboratory
R2R in Gurushikhar
Gurushikhar temple
Jain Mandir-Mount Abu
Exploring Market in Mount Abu
mount Abu market
Mount Abu
Nakki Lake – Mount Abu
nakki lake Mount Abu
Boating in Nakki Lake
The Day came to an End at the Mount Abu market … there is something so unique about these markets on Small hill stations … the Pop Corn, the Ice Cream Cone, The Corn … yeah … we loved it. The finally came to a close with everyone shopping, that was also amazing fun … Someone from our group had just changed his facebook status from single to committed … and he had to buy something for his girlfriend … and OH MY GOD … Everyone was giving him suggestions … and it was real fun … Ayush had to buy some gifts for his wife, and me too … after 6 days and 2400 kms, if we reach without a gift .. we will be killed. So we finished our shopping around 9:00 pm and headed back to our hotel … we were all hungry and decided to get some food delivered at our resort … where we had to discuss the plan to go back, which was not same as it was while coming … !!!
We had lots and lots of Dinner … and started the discussion in the Cold Night @ mount Abu … !!! here is where the real fun starts …
We had the following options to return:
Option 1: Mount Abu – Udaipur – Ahmedabad – Baroda – Mumbai – Pune (The same route we had taken to reach) this was 1116 kms.
Option 2: Mount Abu – Palanpur – Patan – Mehsana – Ahmedabad – Baroda – Mumbai – Pune (The same route we had taken to reach) this was 930 kms.
Obviously option 2 won hands down.
Now the challenge and discussion: where to halt for the night.
Mount Abu – Ahmedabad was 240 kms and to Vadodara was 350 kms .. the first group had a view that we should halt at Vadodara since it is the second last day of the ride and we are all tired.
Second view was, that we should halt at Surat – 500 kms, so that the last day we do only 430 kms … since we all need to cross Mumbai, and people who have been on Mumbai roads know how much time it may take to cross the city. So we wanted to cover as much distance we can on day-1 of the return journey… but at Midnight, after a long day it was looking quite impossible that everyone would get up early and start to reach Surat by the end of next day, but we have to cover it if we need to reach Pune on 20th evening. So we decided, after discussions again and again, that we will start asap the next morning and try reaching Surat, but we didn’t know what was in store for us the next day.
Sarthak, you are amazing,man. Hard to believe that you were incapicitated with severe spinal infection just a few years back and today you have motorcycled halfway across the country to the highest point in Rajasthan. Hats off to you. You epitomise the spirit of Ghumakkari. Wishing you many many years of excellent health and great ghumakkari.
Thanks Narayan … it has indeed been a long and difficult journey … and yes it re-enforces the feeling that the harder you fall down, the higher you can bounce back …!!!
we are planning a 6000 kms road trip in June this year – Pune – Ahmedabad – Jaipur – Delhi – Srinagar – Drass – Kargil – leh – Khardugla – Spiti – Rihtang Pass – manali – Chandigarh – new Delhi – jaipur – Surat – Baroda – Mumbai – Pune …
this will also be something special. :)
Thsnks for the encouragement and i’ll try to feed the Ghumakkari spirit continuouslly.
Sarthak ,
Your real attribute has come out when you described that you were bedridden for a whole month and needed a walker tripod stick for walking . Hats off to you and your spirit.
Although you have not described the destinations much your road diary itself is engrossing . I would love to roam like this once at least. Lets see if i get to.
And Thank god I read your all the 4 posts at once. Otherwise it would been like wanting for more and not getting it immediately.
Thanks Vishal … for the encouraging words … the destination was Mount Abu.
and Infact some of myn friends ahve told me that i can publish a book as the read is as interesting as Chetan Bhagat :P
But certainly I love travelling and will treat you guys with many more of scuh trips.
Whenever you’re in Pune … do lemme know and we can plan a trip.
Cheers,
Sarthak
There is a thrill and there is a suspense waiting for everyone…enjoying the ride
Dear Sarthak,
Please accept what DL and Vishal have said from my side also since you have left me speechless. Just amazing, man !
Thanks Sushant … these kind words give me more strength and encouragement to achieve greater feats !!!
Thanks Again … and this is just the starting mate ,… the flood gates are now open.
Cheers,
Sarthak
And we are now eagerly waiting on what happened next ?
Wish you many more travels. When you do 6K and pass via Delhi then I would come for cheering. :-)
Surely … tihs would happen sometime in June … will surely keep everyone posted !!!
Thanks Nandan !!!
Cheers,
Sarthak
The endeavour or let’s say your passion about Ghumakkari is amazing.
The bikers gang is gathering speed…..Expectant about the ‘Rohit Shetty ‘ mode….
Enjoy riding and writing,
Auro.
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fantastic buddy…. for this kind of journey you need lots of mental strength as well as good company…. it is very difficult if you don’t have good accompanies in bike journey…. hope your 6K distance journey will be a great success and lots of photos and notes for Ghumakkar…..
Hi,
I am planning a road trip this weekend to mount abu from ahmedabad.
Can you suggest me some sights to visit en route to abu?
thanks a lot in advance.
Where can I get information regarding road, map of India,on which express / high ways bikes are not allowed, alternative routes. Etc etc… basically I need a paper GPS ??
Thanks in advance brothers.
Any idea about mount Abu weather in August.
I’m planning trip pune to Mount Abu in next month ie august 2016.
Can you please suggest best road.