The decision was made Monday night itself - if I reach home without much of fuss, I am coming to office tomorrow and cycling! We traveled back leisurely last evening, so it was imminent.
A senior from office, who travels in a chauffeur driven SUV to work daily from Thane called up in morning, asked about my travel plans and also offered a lift. Having decided previously, I declined and set off after passing some three hours watching the latest developments in the motormen saga.
The newest accessory - a bottle holder - had to added and the creaking sound of the mudguard on the rear wheel had to be fixed before I embarked on the long ride. Till the way to cyclewallaaah, a screw of the mudguard came off and that chap didn't have the screw. But the irritating sound had stopped after the disappearance of the screw. Tightening the screw of the bottle holder took me to a motorcycle mechanic and I was finally on the road, at 1420 hours to be precise, equipped with nothing more than 1.2 litres of water.
Soon after leaving Navghar signal on the Eastern Express highway, I experienced headwind of the worst kinds. This was something I'd never experienced till now in such a bad way. It was seeming like riding uphill even after lowering the gears and I had no option but to take it as it is.
Making matters worse was the random change of directions. Gusts from sideways were the most dangerous as it changed my track by a couple of feet everytime. But thankfully, the roads were empty.
The pangas with winds continued till around the JVLR junction after which it was a pleasurable ride. This is where I realised the power of the heat. Though the front side of my body (facing the wind) was fine, a simple scrub on the back - between the backpack and shirt - made my hand wet...I was perspiring too much. Stopped at Ghatkopar, the first hydration break.
An old woman (seemed destitute) was resting in the shadow of the lone tree but couldn't quite comprehend things. A fool stopped in front of her on a cycle in this scorching heat, drank some water and went away (cant call it "sped-off) in a nonchalant way. I was not sure whether to offer her some water, as there was hardly any communication between us. Just one person observing the other.
The flight of fancy continued fantastically - heat and headwind being the only irritants - till Suman Nagar. This is the great Sangam of Mumbai - where the E E Way meets the Sion Trombay road. Traffic increased and one more woe was added. I say proudly that every square-inch of space, extending beyond the road onto the footpath, was utilised till about Dadar after which it became peaceful.
Cycling a couple of days after the Maharashtra Day in a Marathi-dominated locality like Parel has its own advantages. It felt like you are entering Ayodhya after the arrival of Ram, the only difference being that the brothers Ram and Lakhsman have started bickering. Dotting the road on dividers, atop buildings and even under construction flyovers are flags of Shiv Sena and MNS. On one particular, the local cadre, who randomly make a switch (issue-based) between the Senas, seemed to have arrived at a consensus. On this divider near KEM, they had alternatively arranged the flags. First the saffron of Sena, then the multiple hues of the MNS to project more inclusive, Sena again. All the flags were of the same height, very neat job.
Safely negotiated the (erstwhile) mill area and got exposed to the cacophony of Mohammed Ali Road. Only word that comes to mind is :chaos! Its a great equalizer in a way : a haatgaadiwalla, biker like me, a motorbiker, activa rider (yes, its a separate category here) and of course the one Yamaha RX-100 (again a distinct clique, found in abundance here) are all at the same level. All depends on how fast you can accelerate which explains why it was frustrating for me. You achieve certain speed and just as the breath is normalising, some dude walks-in on the (arterial) road.
Reached office and parked the bike outside the Press Club. Started the return journey at quarter to eight in evening.
Evening time and Mohd Ali Road was at its best (or worse, depends how you take). Babasaheb Ambedkar Road was no better and the fun of negotiating heavy traffic continued till well past Suman Nagar. Mr Anil Kakodkar and me started from the Club together for the same place (he is the other intelligent resident of Thane). And courtesy the traffic, we had each others' company till Ramabai Amedkar Nagar, after which I never saw his car or the police protection jeep following him.
Normal cycling with a constant respiration was simply not possible as I was riding on the narrow space between a 4/6 wheel vehicle and the footpath skirting which is unofficially reserved for the mo-bikers. Was sweating a lot, but didn't wish like loosing the tempo. So kept cycling and ultimately post Swastik Park, legs began giving the signal. Amar Mahal junction was safely negotiated and I took the much needed hydration break at Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar. Saw a jalebi walla there, immediately ordered for 100 grams which was followed by saunf.
Post water, jalebis and saunf, the ride till Thane was fun. Good breathing, no headwind, well-patched road with decent lighting and moto-vehicles that seldom trespassed (!) into the lane I was riding : it was fun. Of course, there was no need for a halt and I cruised into Thane comfortably.
It had taken me two hours and 15 minutes to return. A shower was most essential.
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