Cycle Mania: RIDE TO MUTHA PASS TOP

After last week’s trip to Dapodi , Pashan , NDA and back I passed a week of inactivity, which jolted me awake on Friday. I decided to cycle on the weekend so fixed up with Yogesh for the next day. Saturday morning Yogesh and I took off early and did a short round of Law College Road, Pashan and back. I told him that the next day we should go to Pirangut and back, which meant going down the Pirangut ghat and later cycling up ! He agreed.

Come Sunday morning and I meet Yogesh and Sriram near the parking. Sriram is not too happy with the idea of going up and down the ghat, anyway I force my way and we take off at 0605hrs. We are overtaken by a group of middle aged cyclist including 2 ladies, before Chandani Chowk. I asked them their route, which turned out that they were going to Mutha khind(Pass) – of which I had no idea. While they took a break at Chandani Chowk we went ahead. At Manas resort (the 10km mark) Yogesh and Sriram decided to halt, Yogesh said he would catch up in Pirangut. I labored on(it was an uphill section), till Pirangut ghat top where I again met the other group. They suggested that I should take their route to Mutha khind as it had minimal traffic and the condition of the road was good. Not expecting Yogesh to move from Manas, I decided to join this group as going in a group was definitely better than going alone, also I would be exploring new territory.

The group (n’ me) turned left at the temple located at the top of Pirangut ghat. The road had a gradual slope down and there was hardly any traffic. After a few kilometers we all stopped next to a meadow to click snaps. (On the left)

Mahesh Zurale, Sunil Ranade , Prashant Shintre , Rupali Zurale, Mrudula Gore, Kedar Pitre , Kiran Garge

There were lot of queries about Dahon bike with the common question being whether it took extra effort to cycle with such small wheels. And I was having a field day expounding the benefits and smoothness of my BMW! (right)

Puffing up Lavasa road to Mutha Khind top

We continued and hit the Lavasa road after a few km. I was continuously keeping a watch on the odometer , calculating the time I would take to reach back home as I had to be in office at 1030hrs. I almost turned back from Lavasa road junction, but was egged on by the group. Here on the road was smooth and uphill and the going slow.

Taking a break at Mutha khind top

A few km on the road and we reached the top of the pass. The time was 0805hrs. we had come 23 km and I had an hour and half to get back! Considering we had taken more than 90 min to reach the ghat top, it was not going to be easygoing up the Pirangut ghat and Chandani Chowk. After a short break at the top of the pass we headed back. The going was surprisingly easy and we reached Pirangut top in 40 min. I then managed to touch home by 0915hrs and headed to office(Ouch!!)

The sudden change of plans had made my trip more exciting with new vistas explored and new friends! The greenery was lovely - but can't say for how long with the approaching construction activity around! :( The weather had been a gentleman though there was a forecast of rain. The above snaps have been clicked by Sunil Ranade and have been picked up from his Facebook account. I am looking forward to going on another trip with this group who also are Kothrud residents. The lovely countryside was another plus. Some snaps below to substantiate that