MP 07

Oh My God

That last post was in March of this year speaks volumes of non-reporting / non-existent fun rides. Well bygones be bygones - here I am and here is a writeup of a recent fun ride - designed and executed by self from start to finish. Not to say that there has been zero activity ride wise in the duration in between, but yes during summers it was almost zilch - thereafter it was NHR, ABC and then this.

Had purchased tyre replacements for bike almost a year back in advance seeing the crunch faced in supply lines for whatever reasons - figured they aren't getting any newer by the day lying in store as is. So, had both tyres replaced with new ones at odo reading of 36K + change. To see how they handle on the bike, did a long pending ABC (Amritsar - Bathinda - Chandigarh) ride this past weekend - everything was green signal, just a few gear modification needs presented themselves for this winter season. Good to go for Gwalior.

onwards journey

I believe the last time I visited Gwalior was almost 30 years ago, on our family road trip to Nanded - pretty long ago. Google maps showed that one can reach Agra in no time and distance from Chandigarh to Agra stands reduced to some 450K thanks to KMP expressway and further - Yamuna expressway. It had to be longer than that. Had been figuring a new route to (for still under planning) South India ride and Gwalior happens to be the first probable stop enroute - so figured, Gwalior it is and shall also serve as a recce ride.

Room Art

9th December morning was a beautiful one. No fog - no smog - sun all day - what else can a long route rider wish for ! Karnal Neelkanth - the favoured coffee stop and finishing off sandwiches prepped by lovely Lady Gill. Thereafter to Rai - turn to KMP expressway - take exit for Greater Noida - take turn for Yamuna Expressway - move onto Agra Inner Ring Road which finishes in the middle due to ongoing work - divert to a few villages and onto NH44 for the remaining some 120K to Gwalior. Hotel Park Inn was easy to find - staff (guard) was happy to oblige on instructions for bike care - off to room - shower, peg, music, dinner and good night. The last 120k to Gwalior I found to be much trafficked and since it passed through two towns - Dholpur and Morena - that only adds to the grief. Nonetheless, since I had started early there was enough head start to navigate the traffic with ease and reach destination well before sunset. However, did make a mental note to start back even earlier the next day such that Gwalior - Agra stretch is done by daybreak. The same was done and retracted our way home last afternoon.

Return Start

KMP expressway - although inaugurated just a few years back provides with the most bumpy ride through the entire route. Whilst it might seem that it's an expressway and one can relax on road conditions - you cannot and you dare not. Yamuna expressway is far better in comparison and given the fact that it has been operational for almost a decade or more, I'd say it is much more maintained and provides a smooth riding experience. I remember - the last I did Yamuna Expressway was with Sunil (http://hdexploits.blogspot.com/2012/12/taj-expressway.html) in December of 2012 - exactly 10 years ago. Talk about time flying by.

Godspeed

Although I have been active on my personal blog, I think it is time to revvv up on blogposts @hdexploits.blogspot.com - thank you Gwalior for a great experience.

Godspeed