By Mukund Sathe

Diary of a cyclist – a summary of mini Ashtvinayak solo cycling expedition.

Day 1: 23^rd December, 2023 Saturday (142 KM) – 

A year passed by post my angioplasty. After 3 months of recovery period, I had joined a nutrition programme by Mr. Vishwa Shah, who advised me on nutrition and exercises. With the strict diet and regular exercises, I started with short distance cycling rides and gradually reached upto 75km ride last month, when I decided to take the next leap. With winter set-in combined with the long Christmas weekend, I planned to ride to Lenyadri and Bhimashankar.

As I had planned a solo ride, decided to take my car and driver Vijay for support system. Informed Vijay to pickup my breakfast and lunch from home and catch me on the way. I hit the pedal at 5AM on my Grandurance 6 bike and left from Vashi towards Kalyan. Struggled through bad roads in Kalyan, crossed Ulhas river and captured a beautiful sunrise.

By 10 AM, a blazing sun was up and I entered Malshej region. A couple of years back, I had climbed Malshej ghat on bike with friends Sandeep and Mandar. But back then we had come by car upto Vaishakhare, parked the car and cycled up the ghat on bikes. This time the climb after riding for 100+ kilometers was a challenge. I crossed 100 kilometers by 12PM when Vijay caught up with me by car, and finally I had a breakfast :-). It took another 2 hours and a lot of sweat in the ghat with occasional push of 1-1 gear combination to reach the Malshej tunnel.

Entered Pune district with a view of Pimpalgaon dam water on the left side. the road had many patches where concreting work was in progress. Had lunch on the way and reached Sitewadi. The road branches here with one going to Lenyadri through Ganesh ghat and other one, comparatively a flat road going around the hill with an additional distance of 10km. I chose Ganesh Ghat. With a couple of breaks in the ghat, successfully reached the top by 5PM.

And the fun element began. A full downslope road towards Junnar until Lenyadri phata. At the Lenyadri phata, noticed a signboard showing Ozar Ganapati at a distance of 16 KM. Decided to visit Ozar in the morning before going to Bhimashankar. Another few kilometers and I was at Lenyadri Ganesha road entrance. Strava showed elevation gain of 2,026M. It was a huge achievement.

It was 6:15PM when I parked the cycle. As the temple was about to close and it was getting dark, rushed through the temple gate. It was a climb of 300+ steps to reach ancient Buddhist caves having the Girijatmaja Ganesha temple. Had a peaceful darshan of Girijatmaja and a view of Shivneri fort from the top.

Checked in at Hotel Anand at Junnar. My college friend Mohan Rasne stays in Junnar. Met him over dinner and recalled the good times we had in the college days at Pravaranagar, where my cycling craze began. Also met another batchmate Mokashi.

Day 2: 24^th December, 2023 Sunday (82 KM) – 

It was a chilly December morning. Started the journey to Ozar in the darkness, bit scared of stray dogs in an unknown place. By sunrise, my hands were almost frozen with hardly any sensation while holding the cycle handle grips. On the way I noticed a milestone mentioning Ranjangaon around 55KM. I did some mental calculations and decided to move to Ranjangaon instead of Bhimashmankar. After two Ashtvinayakas, third Ganapati was a logical thing than visiting his father :-). When you are a solo traveller, you are the boss 🙂

The entire belt from Lenyadri to Theur is a sugarcane producing land. Saw lovely lush green fields everywhere during most of the journey.

Reached Ozar temple situated on the bank of the Kukadi river. As I had reached by 7:30AM, the temple was not much crowded. Prayed to Lord Vighnahar Ganesh and began my journey to Ranjangaon.

Reached Narayangaon and had breakfast at Pune-Nashik highway crossing. That’s a point where Ashtvinatak highway begins. It’s a 2 by 2 lane highway upto Ranjangaon, a good infrastructure development to connect Ashtvinayakas. However, there are zero trees on the either side of the road on the entire highway, similar to most of the highways. Lot of greenery around but not a single tree along the road to give a little shade to a weary traveller.

Reached Ranjangaon at 2PM. The temple is on the busy Pune – Nagar road having a very heavy traffic density. Due to heavy rush, entered through a special darshan line, prayed to Mahaganapati and went around the temple surroundings. Had lunch at Vijay’s relative’s home and stayed overnight at Hotel Shivalin near the temple.

Day 3: 25^th December, 2023 Monday (42 KM) – 

It was the last day of my expedition. I checked the map and selected the 4th Ganesh at the shortest distance, that was Theur. Began morning journey at 6:30AM. Majority of the travel was on Pune – Nagar highway. After two days of country side ride, it was more of a city ride with buildings on either side of the roads. Captured sunrise on the Bhima river. On all the three mornings, got to see the beautiful sunrise in natural environments.

At Lonikand, left the Nagar highway and took Theur Kesnand road. Reached Sati Ramabai sthan on the banks of Mula Mutha river. Ramabai was wife of Shrimant Thorale Madhavrao Peshve.

I was at Chintamani Ganesh temple by 9AM. The temple mandap has photos of Ashtvinayakas, four of them on one wall and four on the other. I noticed that in the last three days I had visited all the four Ganeshas depicted on one of the walls :-). Prayed to Lord Chintamani and concluded the expedition. Returned to Mumbai by car.

About 265Km of solo cycling including two ghats in 3 days. A great feeling of back on the saddle.

Ganapati Bappa Moraya !!!