Mornings in Pune are always beautiful but I would rather let others decide that and accept that without questions. Nevertheless, I force myself to wake up early on weekends since that is the only time of the week I can play tennis. So, no matter how much I hate to admit, I can say I have witnessed many Pune Mornings. This time it was for a Biking trip to Panchganni-Mahabaleshwar.
It was not that difficult after all for me to get up at 6. My friend Bhanu was, however, not that kind on me and I almost had to drag him out of the bed. Third one, Banku was expectedly wide awake when I called him. So, after a double dose of Chai-Poha under the Warje flyover, we managed to hit the roads by 7:30.
I was mildly enjoying the Birdie-ride for first few kilometers. Speedometer needle occasionally crossing 80, a relaxed traffic on Pune Bangalore highway, a soothing breeze making inroads to hit my face from under the Halmet wisor, thoughts following the sight or sometimes the other way round, I was trying to live those unique biking moments. Riding a two wheeler on highways is a bliss and when the highway is Pune-bangalore and the bike is a Royal Enfield Thunderbird, you don't ask for more. You savor it. Wouldn't call myself an experienced biker on Highways, might have clocked barely 500 kilometers or so but what does it take to hit the highway anyway. I guess, just do it.
Gradually, the momentum was rising and so was the adrenalin. Roads were getting better and wider, the view around was becoming more and more eyecatching and then we entered a marvelous tunnel. A few Kilometers ahead of Katraj probably.
Nothing feels like speeding the bike beyond 100 kmph in a 3 kilometer long 6 lane tunnel which is well lit from inside and is just Huge. Absolute power of a 350 cc engine cranking beneath you, roaring aloud and producing a music you dont just stand and listen, you gotta own it, ride it and then dance to it. Ripping through the envelop of cool, soothing Puneri wind of early march, a full throttle thunderbird engine and its echoing thumps all around in the tunnel and believe me, you can count every one of these thumps. Ask me, how many they were.....?? I have counted till infinite...!!
Mountains, roads and the mighty bumps
All bask in the music of Infinite thumps...
