26/05/2025
April 13 2025.
The final day. The toughest day of any ride as we head back home, back after the fun and gala of two days together. But still we have always enjoyed our Camaraderie on any day where we get to ride together, and this day was no different.
We were up and running at 5 am after the morning shenanigans and rode through the first Ghats section in pitch darkness. It was a tough test for everyone and each rider did tremendously well, minus a minor hiccup with Yash and Shams.
At 7 am we stopped for a short bike line-up photo-shoot with the rising Sun providing the most beautiful backdrop.
Next stop was another Photo shoot, this time on the gorgeous Gangapur Ghats section which we crossed with aplomb while the groggy villagers ogled at us while rubbing their eyes in shock and awe!
We kept chugging along till we reached NH 48 and then our fast ride began! The sun had started to blaze, so the only option was to ride fast and reach our next rendezvous.
We reached the McDonald's at Kamrej near Surat at 9:30 am. We freshened up and made our orders. The air conditioned restaurant was exactly what we needed and deserved. I gobbled up 3 Burgers (my usual diet during a ride) with utmost pleasure. I have been stopping at this particular outlet each time I cross it during the return leg of any bike ride, enjoying my 3-burgers meal.
After the heavy meal, we just blazed our way through to home on NH 48 overtaking every vehicle on our way through. I absolutely love this part of the ride, with my home being 150 kms on this fabulous stretch of tarmac and the fast riding, especially when I cross the Narmada bridge seeking Maa Narmada's blessings and thanking her for a safe ride.
I reached home at 12:22 PM, before my target time of 1 PM. Enjoyed a light lunch and a long afternoon siesta! Total ride distance for me was 677 kms. Quite a short ride for me.
This was the end of another fantastic OTR Group Ride, this time to a new destination and one I would definitely be repeating during the Monsoons, when that terrain would be lush green and the weather would be much better.
Till we meet again, Cheers to Life.
