Bike trip

I went on a bike trip with my colleagues last saturday. The trip also marked the completion of 2000 Kms on my unicorn. We went for a drive from Pune to Karla caves and then to Lonavla and then to Bedse caves on the way back to Pune. A trip of about 180 kms. Karla caves are on the way to Lonavla. After you take a turn to the right on the highway near Lonavla it was a 10 minute ride to the ghat road. The ghat road was steep. The climb up the hill on steps was even steeper. There was a temple atop the hill adjacent to the caves. I was panting and fuming all through the climb - signs that I am getting unfit. But once on the top all the exhasution was forgotten courtesy of the beautiful view from the hill top. Afterspending some time there, taking a few snaps and wandering around on the hill we started our walk down.

Getting back on to our bikes we stopped at a resort enroute to Lonavla for "Go-karting". Wandered around in Lonavla and went up the hills towards INS shivaji and then came back to the town to have lunch. It rained while we were having lunch only to stop raining when we finished! Then we started our journey back to Pune.

On the way we took a right on the highway in search of Bedse caves. These caves are not so popular with the tourists and it was strictly advised we visit it in the morning. Why it was so, We were about to get our answers in a few minutes after we took that right turn. While Karla was enjoying tourist patronage Bedse was like an orphaned child. True, there was no proper road. The only road that was available was just enough for a bike. we had to park the bikes about a kilometer away in a small hamlet and then proceed on foot. The walk brought to the steps leading to the cave on the hill top. It was about 3 PM and the sun was hot. Our water reserves have run out and there was no place where we could buy some. After a small argument whether or not to climb the hill, we finally decided to go for it. So started my arduous climb to the top. About 500 steps in all. I had to take rest twice before I finally made it to the top. I thought for certain that I was going to get a heart attack! When we were climbing, I observed the silence all around me and then it stuck me that there was not another soul apart from our chattering bunch! I read it was not so famous but we being the only visitors was surprising! At the top I was out of breath, thirsty and sweating all over. As I climbing the final few steps I remarked to a colleague of mine: "If only somebody would be selling water up there, I would buy it even if it 100 bucks a litre". There was little boy, from the village perhaps who was there at the top. We asked him if water was available. He said there was water aplenty. I was surprised. He opened a hatch and dropped in a bucket to retrieve pure water. I was indeed dumbfounded to find such hatches all around the cave water running inside! I thought the water would be dirty but on the contrary it was pure and clean. we drank to our hearts fill. It left me amazed that in those ancient ages they had a technology to harness water at the hill top and it works even to this day! After taking rest and capturing the view inside our apertures we started our climb down. All my exhaustion was gone. Now I want more of the excitement of exploration as well as that of a bike ride.