Hello All

Pyro · Aug 28th, 2009, 10:04

Well, how to start off? Same as most me thinks. Great forum youv got here, wish id come accross it in 2005 before my first trip to rajistan. I have been lurking in the background for about six weeks doing some research for my upcoming trip at the end of september, its been too long.
A brief history; I landed in Delhi in October 05 and bought a bullet bike, I then set off to agra jaipur pushka jodhpur jaisalmere, back to pushka then to mt abu and then to goa for a couple of weeks before going home. All up i was in the country for about nine weeks. On this trip i travelled alone and flew blind as i had done no research. The adventure was amazing as a result, i slept at truck stops and the side of the road a couple of times and broke down in some very inconvenient places, it was great.
My most recent trip however must be a bit different as the wife is coming this time. We are both 31 years of age and both plan to ride. This trip will be to the south starting at mumbai.

So thank you for reading. Now i do have a question.
We are planning on riding from mumbai to pune, no problem. Then we plan on riding from pune to bijapur, preferably cross country in a south east direction, is this achievable in one day? it looks to be about 400km, a long hall i know. does anyone know if there is anywhere to stay for the night if we miss the mark by a few, or more hours? Any help would be greatly appreciated as i dont want the wife to get stranded in the boondocks in her first week in country

.
Thanks for your time,
regards sam

capt_mahajan · Aug 29th, 2009, 09:09

Sam, welcome.

Pune to Bijapur, you can stop at Sholapur, 100 km from Bijapur. There are many hotels of varying budgets not too far off the highway.

Roads are normally very good (national highway) but be prepared for some bad stretches after the monsoon.

PS: Pune/Bijapur is closer to 350km than 400, I think. Pune/Sholapur will be about 250.

Pyro · Aug 29th, 2009, 13:53

Thank you very much for the reply. I have been scanning maps and studdying back roads and alternative routes, but there is nothing like on the ground information. I am getting realy excited, the missus is excited but a bit nervous too. I just bought a compass as i regereted not having one last time, better than asking a local who has never been to where your going i reckon.

I once asked a gentleman "how far to pushka?" he said "500km." i said "Idont think its that far" he said "250 then."
Thanks again, sam

Pintz · Aug 29th, 2009, 16:00

Hi Pyro,

Mumbai - Bijapur is a very good road (NH4-NH9-NH13)(NH stands for National Highway)though after the monsoons, you may encounter a few rough patches. Mumbai-Pune-Sholapur-Bijapur is around 501 kms and takes approximately 8 hrs of flat driving, without a stopover - depending on what time you leave Bombay

We left at 3:30 am

In case you leave a little later in the morning, you may encounter heavy traffic while crossing Pune City from NH4 to NH9 at Hadapsar Signal, otherwise, the road is pretty ok till Sholapur - via Bigwan and Indapur. Usually there's heavy traffic on these roads - mainly trucks so one has to be careful while driving. Take your time or better still, leave Bombay as early as 3:00 am to avoid the traffic snarls both in Bombay as well as Pune!

You may also note that at some places on this route the petrol is cheaper and it wouldn't be a bad idea to fill up your tank.

At Sholapur, you can stay at the Surya International Hotel which is reasonably priced at Rs 1k/night. It's clean and the food is good.

While in Bijapur if you are visiting Gol Gumaz (Which is a MUST), see if you can get Mr. Ramesh Chauhan as your guide. He is really good and takes time to explain everything in detail. We were lucky to have had him take us around. You may also see Jod Gumat with its fabulous glass work on the ceilings! By the way, Bijapur is said to be a city of domes - 1325 in all!! Ibrahim Roza and the amazing Whispering Hall(I liked it better than the Gol Gumaz!).

Other places of interest are Jammia Masjid, Gagan Mahal - set in a beautiful park but most of the structure is in ruins now, Sat Manzil - not much to see except old ruins if you are interested in it, Jala Manzil, Mehtar Mahal - an exquisite structure with extremely ornate balconies and trelliswork, Malik-e-maidan with it's huge cannon, Ashar Mahal, the Bijapur Castle (right next to it is a wildlife sanctuary), and while you are at the castle, you may want to take off to see the neighbouring villages with thier unique customs and cultures - you can see tribal villages of Bhils/Gadia Lohars/Kalbeliyas (snake charmers) and the Banjara Gypsies dressed in their colourful attires studded with beads and vibrant smiles! The Pangarh fort and the lotus lake are worth a visit where the fisherfolk use traditional methods of fishing using harpoons. It is interesting to watch them fish.

Wishing you a Happy Journey.

Pyro · Aug 29th, 2009, 18:40

Thank you very much for the detailed reply pintz. I realy apreciate all the info, particularly on bijapur where we plan to spend a couple of days (or more perhaps). At this point in time I think we will leave mumbai around 5am ish and aim for pune where we will stop for the night. This will be plenty for the wifes first day. From there i will try and work out a route to bijapur "cross country" through the villages to try and cut down on traffic and see more of the country side. The maps i have show this is possible but i will have to decide upon seeing the land. Thanks again, Pyro

Pintz · Aug 30th, 2009, 02:30

The Cross country is a very good idea. Better be equipped with a proper map and enough drinking water.

By the way, The Bijapur Castle is now a heritage hotel and you may like to spend a night there. It's a very good place simply because you get to see the wildlife sanctuary and the surrounding villages.

Wishing you a GREAT journey. Enjoy

JamesW · Aug 31st, 2009, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyro

I just bought a compass as i regereted not having one last time, better than asking a local who has never been to where your going i reckon.

I once asked a gentleman "how far to pushka?" he said "500km." i said "Idont think its that far" he said "250 then."
Thanks again, sam

I've found GPS really useful for finding my way around Maharashtra. When you come up to an unexpected, and typically un-signposted fork in the road it's nice to get a quick confirmation of the correct route. Occasionally the map and reality disagree, so it's not foolproof!

Pyro · Aug 31st, 2009, 14:15

Thanks for your reply james, I have considered a gps but on the other hand getting lost can be a bit exciting..... when you look back on it

. By the way have you had any dealings with premjis tyre wallah in mumbai? Im having trouble with there email.
thanks again pyro.

patilsushant001 · Aug 31st, 2009, 16:39

Hi Pyro,

Pune - Solapur road is not a wide one. So, it will take quite some time to drive till Solapur. The distance is around 250 Kms and traffic is also pretty heavy especially the big trucks.
I guess, it should take around 6-7 hours including small breaks.

By the way, I live nearby Pune-Solapur road after Hadapsar.
Do let me know if you face any problem?

Sushant.

Pyro · Aug 31st, 2009, 16:56

Sushant, thank you for your response, the time frame you give sounds very familiar to me from my expieriances in Rajistan. It may well pay for me to aim for sholapur for day two and then bijapur for day three. thank you for the offer of help and I will definately let you know when I will be in the area.
Keep well, Pyro.

patilsushant001 · Aug 31st, 2009, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyro

Sushant, thank you for your response, the time frame you give sounds very familiar to me from my expieriances in Rajistan. It may well pay for me to aim for sholapur for day two and then bijapur for day three. thank you for the offer of help and I will definately let you know when I will be in the area.
Keep well, Pyro.

Right, it would a good idea to take rest at Solapur and then move ahead for Bijapur.
Best luck for your journey!!

patilsushant001 · Yesterday, 12:06

Hey Pyro,

Did you finally make it?

Aug 28th, 2009, 10:04	#1
Pyro Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 10	Hello All Well, how to start off? Same as most me thinks. Great forum youv got here, wish id come accross it in 2005 before my first trip to rajistan. I have been lurking in the background for about six weeks doing some research for my upcoming trip at the end of september, its been too long. A brief history; I landed in Delhi in October 05 and bought a bullet bike, I then set off to agra jaipur pushka jodhpur jaisalmere, back to pushka then to mt abu and then to goa for a couple of weeks before going home. All up i was in the country for about nine weeks. On this trip i travelled alone and flew blind as i had done no research. The adventure was amazing as a result, i slept at truck stops and the side of the road a couple of times and broke down in some very inconvenient places, it was great. My most recent trip however must be a bit different as the wife is coming this time. We are both 31 years of age and both plan to ride. This trip will be to the south starting at mumbai. So thank you for reading. Now i do have a question. We are planning on riding from mumbai to pune, no problem. Then we plan on riding from pune to bijapur, preferably cross country in a south east direction, is this achievable in one day? it looks to be about 400km, a long hall i know. does anyone know if there is anywhere to stay for the night if we miss the mark by a few, or more hours? Any help would be greatly appreciated as i dont want the wife to get stranded in the boondocks in her first week in country . Thanks for your time, regards sam

Aug 29th, 2009, 09:09	#2
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,601	Sam, welcome. Pune to Bijapur, you can stop at Sholapur, 100 km from Bijapur. There are many hotels of varying budgets not too far off the highway. Roads are normally very good (national highway) but be prepared for some bad stretches after the monsoon. PS: Pune/Bijapur is closer to 350km than 400, I think. Pune/Sholapur will be about 250. __________________ . Outside the machine

Aug 29th, 2009, 13:53	#3
Pyro Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 10	Thank you Thank you very much for the reply. I have been scanning maps and studdying back roads and alternative routes, but there is nothing like on the ground information. I am getting realy excited, the missus is excited but a bit nervous too. I just bought a compass as i regereted not having one last time, better than asking a local who has never been to where your going i reckon. I once asked a gentleman "how far to pushka?" he said "500km." i said "Idont think its that far" he said "250 then." Thanks again, sam

Aug 29th, 2009, 18:40	#5
Pyro Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 10	Thanks Thank you very much for the detailed reply pintz. I realy apreciate all the info, particularly on bijapur where we plan to spend a couple of days (or more perhaps). At this point in time I think we will leave mumbai around 5am ish and aim for pune where we will stop for the night. This will be plenty for the wifes first day. From there i will try and work out a route to bijapur "cross country" through the villages to try and cut down on traffic and see more of the country side. The maps i have show this is possible but i will have to decide upon seeing the land. Thanks again, Pyro

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Aug 29th, 2009, 16:00	#4
Pintz Midnight Gypsy Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gujarat Posts: 257	Hi Pyro, Mumbai - Bijapur is a very good road (NH4-NH9-NH13)(NH stands for National Highway)though after the monsoons, you may encounter a few rough patches. Mumbai-Pune-Sholapur-Bijapur is around 501 kms and takes approximately 8 hrs of flat driving, without a stopover - depending on what time you leave Bombay We left at 3:30 am In case you leave a little later in the morning, you may encounter heavy traffic while crossing Pune City from NH4 to NH9 at Hadapsar Signal, otherwise, the road is pretty ok till Sholapur - via Bigwan and Indapur. Usually there's heavy traffic on these roads - mainly trucks so one has to be careful while driving. Take your time or better still, leave Bombay as early as 3:00 am to avoid the traffic snarls both in Bombay as well as Pune! You may also note that at some places on this route the petrol is cheaper and it wouldn't be a bad idea to fill up your tank. At Sholapur, you can stay at the Surya International Hotel which is reasonably priced at Rs 1k/night. It's clean and the food is good. While in Bijapur if you are visiting Gol Gumaz (Which is a MUST), see if you can get Mr. Ramesh Chauhan as your guide. He is really good and takes time to explain everything in detail. We were lucky to have had him take us around. You may also see Jod Gumat with its fabulous glass work on the ceilings! By the way, Bijapur is said to be a city of domes - 1325 in all!! Ibrahim Roza and the amazing Whispering Hall(I liked it better than the Gol Gumaz!). Other places of interest are Jammia Masjid, Gagan Mahal - set in a beautiful park but most of the structure is in ruins now, Sat Manzil - not much to see except old ruins if you are interested in it, Jala Manzil, Mehtar Mahal - an exquisite structure with extremely ornate balconies and trelliswork, Malik-e-maidan with it's huge cannon, Ashar Mahal, the Bijapur Castle (right next to it is a wildlife sanctuary), and while you are at the castle, you may want to take off to see the neighbouring villages with thier unique customs and cultures - you can see tribal villages of Bhils/Gadia Lohars/Kalbeliyas (snake charmers) and the Banjara Gypsies dressed in their colourful attires studded with beads and vibrant smiles! The Pangarh fort and the lotus lake are worth a visit where the fisherfolk use traditional methods of fishing using harpoons. It is interesting to watch them fish. Wishing you a Happy Journey.

Aug 30th, 2009, 02:30	#6
Pintz Midnight Gypsy Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gujarat Posts: 257	The Cross country is a very good idea. Better be equipped with a proper map and enough drinking water. By the way, The Bijapur Castle is now a heritage hotel and you may like to spend a night there. It's a very good place simply because you get to see the wildlife sanctuary and the surrounding villages. Wishing you a GREAT journey. Enjoy

Aug 31st, 2009, 14:15	#8
Pyro Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 10	Thanks for your reply james, I have considered a gps but on the other hand getting lost can be a bit exciting..... when you look back on it . By the way have you had any dealings with premjis tyre wallah in mumbai? Im having trouble with there email. thanks again pyro.

Aug 31st, 2009, 16:39	#9
patilsushant001 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 218	Hi Pyro, Pune - Solapur road is not a wide one. So, it will take quite some time to drive till Solapur. The distance is around 250 Kms and traffic is also pretty heavy especially the big trucks. I guess, it should take around 6-7 hours including small breaks. By the way, I live nearby Pune-Solapur road after Hadapsar. Do let me know if you face any problem? Sushant.

Aug 31st, 2009, 16:56	#10
Pyro Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 10	Sushant, thank you for your response, the time frame you give sounds very familiar to me from my expieriances in Rajistan. It may well pay for me to aim for sholapur for day two and then bijapur for day three. thank you for the offer of help and I will definately let you know when I will be in the area. Keep well, Pyro.

Yesterday, 12:06	#12
patilsushant001 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 218	Hey Pyro, Did you finally make it?