Arbit Raj

This blog entry comes in after quite some time. My new workplace is not too liberal with net access, explaining the delay.

2 weeks back, I went to a place called Kamshet, which is around 15 kms before Lonavala when you approach it from Pune. I had an opportunity to take my new bike out for the first long ride.

The destination was a quaint place 12 kms off the NH-4 (old Mumbai-Pune highway) near Vadivali Lake, Kamshet. I had gone to meet a very interesting acquaintance who has set up his farmhouse on a huge plot quite close to the lake. With promises of misty hills, lush greenery and rains I was already enthusiastic as I set off. I had packed my bag with water, some rainwear (which I didn't hope to use) and some sausages which were to be delivered to my host for the day at Kamshet (they have severe load shedding which means that stored meat often goes bad).

Since the bike run-in of 2000 kms hadn't been completed I couldn't raise the speed too much. This meant that the 60 km trip to Kamshet was going to take more time than usual. At first this irked me, but as I started off from Aundh, Pune I wondered what the hurry was all about anyway? I had plenty of time to kill.

First, I entered Khadki and hit the NH-4. This stretch of the NH-4 till Pimpri-Chinchwad has a fair amount of traffic and the ubiquitous junctions with the red signals (Murphy's law at it again). But once I cleared this stretch it was smooth sailing all the way. The NH-4 used to be in pretty bad shape a few years back but this time was a pleasant surprise. There just were smooth tar roads with no signs of potholes.

There was little traffic in the morning. The azure skies above raised my spirit. There were hints of dark clouds gathering but it never rained more than a slight drizzle for most of the way. Periodically sunlight would burst through and leave me enthralled. I had read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" and had always wondered what kind of an experience it must be to ride for miles and miles and take in the elements. I got close to my own Zen experience! I hardly had to bother about changing gear or braking. With minimal intervention, I soon succumbed to the hypnotic beat of the engine and entered a different state of mind. If someone would have seen me it would surely have been a funny sight. Here I was grinning ear to ear, for no apparent reason on my bike and chugging away peacefully at a speed of not more than 50 kmph. And I swear it felt blissful. There was nothing on my mind except pure, unadulterated, enjoyment. For those who haven't experienced this, it might feel like an over-glorified account. My suggestion would be simply to try it out for yourself!!!

After an hour and fifteen minutes, I reached Kamshet junction. There's a famous landmark. Ask anybody for Hotel Rangoli. From here, I turned right and went towards Vadivali Lake. This final 10 km stretch has got bad roads and it was a test in patience. There were sugarcane plantations on either side. I also saw farmers wading in calf deep water and planting paddy in their fields. I stopped by to take a look at a way of life quite different from what we normally see. People were actually doing hard, physical work, using their body like the way it is meant to be. Made me ponder - all the backaches and sprains that we complain about are a function of the laziness we are getting used to in our sedentary lives.

After around half an hour I reached up a slope (for landmarks ask for Raikar Farm) and then the Vadivali lake came into view. It was a beautiful sight that left me spellbound. Again stopped for the umpteenth time to soak it in. By now I'd got used to leaving the bike in neutral on the stand and getting off, instead of stopping it and starting it up again.


The greenery was overpowering. Towards the far side of the hillock which overlooks the lake there was one of the most wonderful sights I have ever seen. I visited a friend of my host. Was it a house with a view?? A panoramic visual of an unbroken hill running across an arc in the distance. There were easily more than 15 waterfalls gushing down at various points, each emerging somewhere from the clouded hilltop.

I had a nice day in these pleasant environs with my host who showed me around the place. In the afternoon I had a simple lunch of pulses and chapati. Mazaa kuch aur hi tha! Spent the rest of the day discussing some plans he has in mind for developing the place. We had long walks around the area. Then around 4:30 I departed for Aundh. Overall it was an awesome day, one I will remember for a long time!

Statutory warning: Long bike rides to places like Kamshet are highly addictive and are recommended for better physical and mental wellbeing :-)

What are you waiting for? Go hit the road!