The Avenger Rides to Karwar. Review on Karwar

ROUTE LOG PUNE TO KARWAR

Sorry Mouthshut missed the CNBC show because I was riding on my byke to Karwar. Have read some reviews though.

29th Oct

Started to ride from Pune in company of Pravin (Infosys, Pune) who expertly guided me to Mulshi Lake up and down the Tamhani Ghat some 100 kms. He returned to Pune with his partner. Pravin did some great photography.

Continued solo to Ratnagiri. Logged some 315 kms. NH 17 is awesome for scenic beauty and the road is first class. Night halt at Ratnagiri.

30th Oct

Started early morning for Vasco. It may be worth halting at Sawantvadi. The town has a scenic lake and the food here is fab, if you love eating eating fish.

Reached Vasco evening and chilled out two nights at INAS Hansa. Three riders from Mumbai, Dean the leader of this ride, Jonathan and Jude, all from Passage Enclaves Mumbai. caught up with me at Vasco 31 Oct. Dean and Jude are into riding bykes last 5 years. They have over the years collected some terrific equipment for rides and adventure tourism. Both are about 30 yrs in age and very very professional. I have so much to learn from these young adventure specialists. That I had the enthu and screwed up elsewhere is another story. Read on.

01 Nov

Arrived Karwar and started to look for Islands. Found a few and booked to live at Kurungod Island. Took a boat and reached the island lunchtime. Very picturesque Island. Pitched tents on a cliff. Fished in the rocks. Dean got 3 and John got 1. Roamed the island and departed next afternoon.

02 – 03 Nov

Arrived at the Katgao Wildlife sanctuary. Dense forests. Pitched tents for two nights. Did some great swims and treks in the forest. Did not sight any wild animals. Was careless with my Sony handy cam. It got entangled in the rear wheel and destroyed beyond redemption. Jude extracted the handy cam and declared it dead. Have salvaged the cassette. Jude has some great pics of the totally busted handy cam. Rs 23 k gone down the Avengers back side.

04 Nov

Departed Katgao for Kolhapur on NH 17. Reached Kankavli and took a turn to the right for Kolhapur. The winding ghat road is terrific. On top of the ghat there is a forest reserve. The Warden said there are plenty of Panthers and deers around the forest. Down the slopes, encountered a lake that looks like the sea! Great place for camping. Reached Kolhapur evening. Stopped for night halt.

05 Nov

Took the Banglore Pune highway. 4 laner good roads. But traffic discipline here is bad. You have to be very cautious while riding. 30 kms short of Pune the road is terrible. Arrived Pune afternoon.

IMPRESSIONS

Tamhani Ghat and Mulshi lake: Very picturesque area, densely forested, good roads. Plenty of places to camp and stop for photography. Mulshi is some 35 kms from Pune.

NH 17is a dream highway. Great for riders. Plenty to see and do especially if you have camping gear.

Panjim and Goa: Paradise on earth.

INAS Hansa at Vasco: See the Naval Air Museum open to public.

Island trips at Karwar: Many tour operators. Day trips around Islands. Should you wish to live on an Island visit https://thegreatoutdoors.com. Costs Rs 1400/- per person per day inclusive of all meals and boat charges. Other facilities include kayaking, snorkeling and much else. If you camp in your own tents you get Rs 400/- off per person.

Ghat section of Kolhapur off Kankavli: Paradise on earth. Worth a visit.

Lessons Learnt

Humbling experience and at times humiliating experience. Learnt my limitationsas opposed to capabilities.

Tent camping is a tough ask for city bred laid back lifestylers like me Trekking is not so easy.

Riding 300 plus kms per day was a physically draining. Experienced riders do Mumbai Goa 600 plus kms in 12 hrs flat.

Camping sounds nice but beware….are you ready for it? I was not.

Team Man: When riding in groups it is important to be a team man.

Good long rides coupled with camping require high levels of physical and mental fitness. Make no mistakes on this count.

Never mix liquor with rides in groups if it is your first time.

Adois.

Keep riding

Nandu Chitnis

Acknowledgements

Dean Gonzalves of Passageenclaves

Jude Diwecha of Passageenclaves

Karthik of Bikenomads and Bajaj Avenger group

Pravin of Infosys and Biklenomads