It’s been forever since I wrote a blog, but this ride with Heer deserved its own place in words.
There comes a moment in every father’s life when he looks at
his daughter, realises she is no longer the little girl who once held his
finger to cross the street, and his heart gently whispers, she’s growing up. Btw she is 12 so far, thoda emotional hogaya 😊
That moment came to me on a quiet Friday night, October 24, 2025, when Heer and I sat chatting after dinner, laughing at random things, and sharing
stories the way old friends do. And it was in that simple, warm moment that a
sudden thought turned into an adventure, our first long bike trip together.
This wasn’t just any trip. It was the first expedition with
the newest member of our family, the Yezdi Adventure.
Though I had surprised Heer with this bike on her birthday
and we had enjoyed a few short-day rides, this one was going to be our first
overnight trip. A proper father–daughter escape.
Just us, the road, and the Yezdi.
The Plan That Wasn’t Planned
As spontaneous as it could be, the plan was sealed that same
Friday night. No second thoughts, no heavy planning, just the excitement of two
people who love the road and love each other’s company.
And like every biker, I knew what had to be done.
A true rider never sleeps without preparing his gear, something
I learned from the passionate brotherhood of my biking group, The Biker
Brotherhood (TBB), Mumbai.
So out came the riding jacket, gloves, and helmet. A quick
clean-up, a little polish, a check of zippers and visors. In just an hour,
everything was neatly packed into the top box, ready for the adventure that
awaited us.
Morning: The Ride Begins
The alarm rang at 6 AM, but the enthusiasm had already woken
us up. We had planned to leave at 7 AM, but like every Indian knows, we run on Indian
Stretchable Time (IST) 😊
So at 7:45 AM, the
Yezdi Adventure roared to life, and we set off from Vasai.
The morning breeze greeted us as we rode through the unfamiliar
roads, and Heer’s excited laughter from behind the helmet was enough to make
every turn feel special.
Breakfast at Kamath & the Magic of Jawhar
Our first halt came quicker than we planned, breakfast at Kamath
Manor. Hot, soft idlis dipped in flavourful sambar were exactly what we needed
to start the ride right.
By 10 AM, we were back on the road heading towards a place I
consider a parampara for riders in monsoon and winter, Jawhar.
We rode straight to Hanuman Point, where the majestic view
opened up like nature’s own theatre. Hills, clouds drifting lazily, a calm
silence… the kind you can feel in your soul.
Heer stood there soaking it in, and I realised how moments
like these create lifelong memories, simple, pure, and unforgettable.
Trimbakeshwar & Arrival in Nashik
After spending some peaceful time at Jawhar, we continued our
journey towards Trimbakeshwar. The darshan there brought a sense of
calmness, almost like a blessing for our first overnighter.
The route from Jawhar to Trimbakeshwar is a blissful one.
By 3 PM, we rolled into Nashik and checked into Hotel Byke.
Clean rooms, helpful staff - just perfect for a father–daughter stay. Only the
parking was a little tight, but the hotel’s location in the heart of the city
made up for it.
The evening unfolded beautifully with:
- Local
street food (the true flavour of any city!)
- A
peaceful boat ride
- And
the divine experience of the Godavari Aarti
If you ever visit Nashik, I highly recommend attending this
aarti at 6:30 PM. The chant, the lamps, the river… it feels like time pauses
for a moment.
Just as we stepped out after the boat ride, the rain
surprised us and drenched us like kids. Laughing and running, we headed to the
nearest mall for dinner and ended the day with tired, happy faces. By 10 PM,
sleep took over the moment we touched the pillows.
Sunday Morning Bliss
The next morning greeted us with a fresh view from the room
window - green, bright, and full of promise.
After checking out, it was time for the soul of Nashik: Misal
Pav.
We rode straight to Grape Embassy, and oh, it was worth it! A
perfect combination of spice, flavour, and crunch.
And if you ever go, here’s a non-negotiable tip, don’t
miss the jalebi.
Just when we were ready to leave, Heer spotted a reptile
store nearby and insisted on visiting it. The store had a huge collection of
iguanas and other reptiles, an absolute delight for kids. Her excitement was
priceless, and I knew this unplanned stop would become one of her favourite
memories from the trip.
Goodbye Nashik – Off to Igatpuri
With our hearts full and stomachs fuller, we said our
goodbyes to Nashik and rode towards Igatpuri.
We planned to visit the beautiful Myanmar Gate (Vipassana
Centre Pagoda). The structure stands tall with serenity radiating from every
corner.
By 1 PM, we started our final ride back home.
The rain returned, this time not as a surprise but as a
stubborn travel companion. At moments, it felt frustrating, but as we rode
through the misty ghats and lush mountains, the beauty of the journey
overshadowed the discomfort.
The route from Igatpuri to Vasai took around 4.5 hours, and
every kilometre was a reminder of why a bike trip is more about the soul than
the speed.
The Last Mile Home
At 6:30 PM, we finally rolled into our society. The engine went
silent, and all that remained was the warmth of what we had just lived
together.
I turned back and saw Heer lifting her helmet with that
signature smile, the one that has the power to heal every tired bone. And in
that moment, I realised something…
This trip wasn’t just a ride. It wasn’t just about the Yezdi
Adventure.
It wasn't even about the places we visited. It was about us.
A daughter who trusts her father enough to hold him tight on
every turn. Two hearts finding time in a busy world to create memories that
will live forever.
As we walked toward our home, wet and tired, yet glowing with
happiness, I felt something shift inside me. Life moves fast, kids grow faster,
but rides like these slow everything down and remind us what truly matters…
Time spent together. Conversations shared. And memories made
on the open road.
Comments
Post a Comment