Test of the ability

Badlapur To Anand | 490 km

As all happened sudden I am not prepared to drastic change in plan. I am planning from previously Mumbai to Jammu by train but now I am going to do home to home run which is not easy for me. So for that I decided to do a First day as a test of the ability ride to know my potency as solo rider. so that I can prepare further. My previous longest experience is 350 km in a day even in my village ride I am not ride more than 250 a day but with sightseeing which refresh you to ride but here I want to ride only from start to end in a day to cover maximum distance which is boring & strenuous. So for that making a day easy. I set a day for 500 km & make a hotel booking for day so no last minute rush of searching hotel if I am not able to reach until dark. I am not confident that I can ride 500 km in a day.

Packing in a saddle bag is hectic job because weight want to be same for both side. You don’t believe me but I bought a hand spring scale to compare weight of both sides of saddle bag somehow I pack all the things. double confirm the check list howbeit one thing I miss in this bustle which is not in check list & even not in my mind but very soon its huge toll I want to pay.

set alarm of 4 am & went to bed at 9 pm. but sleep was afraid with me as always. still I close eyes forcefully and laying down. my dad was came from duty at 1 am still I am awake dad ask me

Dad: are you going or not???

Me: I just nodded head yes….

Dad: Still your awake

Me: gave smile & close eye

I don’t know when I am fall a sleep

Alarm rang…… at 4 am. I have a daily habit that I snooze the alarm and doze for a while same today feeling sleepy I don’t want to wake up snooze alarm 2-3 times but suddenly click in mind today is a “D day” for which I was waiting from years and I sat up immediately…….for 30 sec same position in a thoughts then wake up done all morning deeds. last check up of luggage, meanwhile my mom wake up & made some breakfast for me. then gear up & move. my mom-dad, Brother all come up to society gate. Touch their feet & took blessings from them. Later on a completely damp with shower of precautions from those, just shaken head over it & bid them bye about a 5.35 am.

Not cross even a km & phone rang, call from brother that something hanging near rear tyre. I  stop & checked, it was saddle bag strap which i not tie properly, I just tie it  and resume ride.

after an hour of ride, I am out of the messy city roads & come to Ghodbundur road which is total empty. i am Feeling sleepy, taking nap on Ghodbundar road what a start…. 500 km was looking too far now.

before join to NH8 near fountain hotel some riders were pass by me. as I saw any rider I got some energy I don’t know why, I felt comfort that I am not only mad.

Join the NH8, as I don’t  expected NH8 also less traffic & super smooth roads. I never ever caught in traffic even for a minute

I am in my own space singing songs to divert my sleep. Taking many water & photo breaks. enjoying ride. Tank up near Vapi, one curious oldie trucker ask me

Trucker: are your company gave you money to ride???

Me: No!!!! Why

Trucker: No, I have seen couple of people like you.

Me: Some peoples got sponsorship but not everyone.

Trucker: Ok !!!! Ok!!!! good luck

Up to noon I cross Navasari. after Surat stop for a lunch, also called home.  had Dal tadka, roti, Jeera rice & chass the total material of sleep. again on empty highway taking nap…

The day was in favor of me no bad roads, no traffic which is directly increase my speed. just heat was too much, water in bottle are boiling. thank god I have mesh jacket nor I am also in steamer. as surprised I am cross Vadodara around 4.30 pm. which 500 km looking far at starting is now come to end only few km remaining in my first day halt. I am really happy.

Come little ahead miss the cut which I want to take for hotel. Check on map took u turn & came back on right road. Saw a Honda showroom over a turn and suddenly I click  about engine oil & I bought it. from starting I am using Honda engine oil however I decided any mineral oil which is available on route I can use for motorcycle but if getting daily diet then whats bad. I just hang bottle in bungee cord in thought hotel is near but in middle its fall down on busy road I just stop and run for rescue, waving hand to upcoming vehicle to notice the bottle then pick it up and kept in bag now.

Finally hotel appeared I just park motorcycle & unloading luggage. suddenly one waiter came out from restaurant & shout on me park outside of compound wall !!!!

Me: I have booking !!!

Waiter: So what this is not motorcycle parking. Its car parking

Me: (his accent was too rude) now my anger came out & I started argue with him I am not ready to park outside of hotel. because of ample parking space I choose this hotel & he is telling that it is only for cars. Parking is totally empty not even any bicycle there I told them how much space required for motorcycle its fit on any of the corner, still he insist me to park outside. then one security guard come and explained me at night there are huge rush of vehicle so please co-operate with us. If you park here then other also try to park here then it will make headache for us. don’t scare your motorcycle is safe we are here 24 hours, the guard assured me. then I unwillingly park motorcycle out of the compound wall. Hotel reception was on third floor I went there, receptionist guy was lazy man, looking like just wake up from sleep.

Me: I have booking…..

He: (in thoughts, after a pause) actually our internet was not working we don’t have your reservation.

Me : ayyy!!!! What the hell is this, I have 100% confirm booking & I don’t think that Booking.com book hotel room without hotel confirmation. Its confirm means you know, If you still have any reason then I call to customer care.

He: (Not utter any word for a while) have you print ???

I search in sack & showed him. then he allot me room without any comment. Thank god I have print nor he will make more drama. Got keys, first 15 min took house kipping guy to setup toilet. room was good specious but staff behavior was totally pathetic. After all this refreshed with cold shower & relax for a while. Frequently peeping out from window to see motorcycle & really huge rush is below I don’t know this hotel is famous for food or any function in banquet but parking is full. at 7.30pm ordered dinner Hakka noodles & green salad. its took half an hour to come, watch Tv until. after dinner, call home done good acting with them for home my today halt is “Ratnagiri”.

Went early for sleep about 9 pm because want to complete yesterdays sleep quota.

That’s all folks…..