That’s what GameSpy is suggesting with this awesome graphic:

Personally, I never played or cared for the series — skateboarding was never my thing. Still, I can appreciate the chart.

Wow!  Hoo-wee!  Hubba-hubba!  Hubba-LOO!

We were tearing up the driveway!  Forward - reverse, forward - reverse, forward – reverse. 

By no stretch of the imagination were we road legal so, we respected the road laws and tested the breaks as we neared the public roadway.  It was sixty feet of driveway for us thrill seeking conservatives.

I’d normally attach a picture, but I was too busy having fun.  Besides, what kind of a picture would it have been?  You’d only see our driveway over the dash.  You’d get no sense of speed, no rush of wind in your hair, no throbbing wugga-wugga-wugga with the engine, just a static over-exposed dark nothingness.

The test run the day before had revealed an odd squeak in the transmission, which Car-Man instantly diagnosed as grease in the wrong place – I thought the entire engine from front to back was packed in grease, but nope – only certain parts and areas – it’s complicated.  This grease was in the wrong place and needed evicting; his hands were too big.  

Did I say it was terrifying to lay under a five hundred pound engine, lifted on two puny little jacks, all rusted out?  I should have. 

It got worse when I slipped my favorite fingers into the hand-shredding-possessed-by-evil void.  I was sweating when Car-Man asked if it was OK to turn the engine a quarter turn (so I could degrease more of the clutch finger-thingies).  I pulled my hand out, he visually checked I was clear, then cranked the engine with a metal lever.  We repeated this process until the cloth came out grease free.  All I can say is those hot-flashes prepared me well for working under duress; thundering heart and sweaty palms – I swooned but held on until the job was done. 

So perhaps that second ride was a lot more exhilarating for me because I’d returned from the brink of fear, a lot more sweaty and a wee bit greasier than before but hooting and hollering as we sped forward – reverse, forward – reverse, forward …

The Yeti Shrine to the mythical creature with Expedition EVEREST mountain in the background at Disney’s Animal Kingdom themepark.

Night photo of the Yeti Shrine in Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

I used off-camera flash via Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS) with light, a Nikon SB-600 Speedlight, held at camera left set at -1 power and 14mm spread.  Camera flash set to rear sync flash.  Camera on tripod.

The latest in the ‘A Day With‘ series follows London natives Ben Green and Dan Boiski around the city on a typical rain dodging winter Saturday – they avoided it for most of the day but it finally caught up with them in the end!

Click here to watch video

This is my wife’s car. I will (try) to give you a fair review of this car.

Looks

It’s a matter of taste, it’s not quite as sexy as the alfa 147 and nowhere near as cool as the mini, but imho it’s the best looking german premium hatchback (the bmw 1 series looks pretty much like a shoe (as Clarckson said) and the Mercedes B-class is… eerrrm… well… boring to say the least).

Even if the hatchback-station wagon mix is not a heart-stopper the 17″ inch rims (standard on Ambition) and open sky panoramic roof (optional extra) make it stand out from the crowd.

Audi A3 sportback

Interior

The interior is the best part of this car, and it was the main argument for buying this, instead of it’s cheaper sisters – the golf/leon and octavia. Even though this is a compact you get interior trims better than in most mid-sized sedans.  If something in the interior of an A3 looks like aluminium or wood, than it’s actually made out of those materials (I really hate alu and carbon-fiber painted plastic bits in a car… it’s lame, it’s not a shame to use plastic, just don’t pretend it’s something else).
The steering wheel is one of the best I’ve ever tried: it’s small and meaty, it actually makes you feel like you’re in sports car (even if you’re actually in a diesel powered hatchback). Better yet as far as I know all trim levels (there are 3 of them) come with this lovely steering wheel, so you won’t find any plastic steering wheels on a A3.

Since I mentioned trim-levels there are 3 of them: Attraction (entry level), Ambition (the sporty one) and Ambiente (the “luxury” one). Unlike most German premium cars where everything except the steering wheel is an optional extra, the A3 came very well equipped (though pricey). Even the entry level A3 came with 16″ alloy wheels, leather steering wheel and climate control while the Ambition added 17″ alloys, sport suspension (not present on my wife’s car), and other gizmos.

Audi A3 sportback interior

Ride & comfort

Since it’s a compact you shouldn’t expect much more than you get from this class. The front seats are incredibly comfortable while giving you plenty of lateral support. The suspension (even the standard one) is rather “sporty” and while it gives you an almost go-kart like feeling do not expect it to smoothly glide over bumps.

It’s also not the roomiest car in the class (though I think it’s marginally larger than the golf V), front seats are OK and actually you have plenty of legroom in the back too but the rear seats are quite uncomfortable and the low roof can literally cause headaches to taller passengers.

Dynamics

“Power is nothing without control” but this car has too much control and not so much power. I’m pretty sure this car was developed with the 2.0 TFSI in mind rather than this lazy oilburning TDI engine. Stability is way over the standard of it’s class. With 105 hp it’s almost impossible to spin it or take it off course, at this small amount of power even understeer is very well controlled.

It’s quite frustrating that such a great combination of chassis, suspension and gearbox (excellent gearbox btw) is powered by such a lazy engine. So if you really want to take advantage of the cars “sporting” credentials you should go for the 1.8 TSI or 2.0 TFSI turbocharged petrol engines.

It might not be as good as the 1 series on the track (I’m quite sure it’s nowhere near as good on the track) but it can certainly put a smile on your face on a twisty road.

Audi A3 Sportback Ambition

Reliability

We had this car for 4 years, the problems so far where:

• the armrest got stuck in a weird position (fixed under warranty)
• the sunroof roll-shutter broke (fixed under warranty)

Pros:

+ Very nice interior and premium interior trim
+ Great stability – can deliver sporty performance if powered by proper engines
+ Feels very solid and reliable

Cons:

- Price ! It’s highly overpriced.
- A bmw 1 series will be faster on a track.

Specifications:
Carfolio.com
Fastestlaps.com

Drove up to Avoriaz today to hike to the top before the lifts open next weekend! Harder to get to the top but then fresh tracks on the way down as there weren’t many people around.

Some of the lower piste was bashed making it a bit easier but the top was all fresh snow, fortunately we had borrowed some snow shoes from All Mountain Rental to make the going a bit easier while the skiers skinned up.

On the way down from Avoriaz

Looking back to Les Haute Fortes

From Avoriaz centre

Catered and Self Catered Mountain Holidays
Ski and Backcountry Hire in Morzine

Mountain Spaces
Catered and Self Catered Mountain Holidays

I’ve just got in my my bicycle commute home and I wanted to share my thoughts.

It felt like the most surreal ‘rain’ ever. I actually feel like I’m in the Truman Show. The rain wasn’t like “normal” rain. It was coming down like an actual shower and it wasn’t cold?! SO so weird!! ALSO, the whole of Great Eastern Street was completely water-logged and apart from a few dents in the road, it doesn’t normally even have puddles when it rains! Very strange!

Your thoughts?

Cx

Last night was a beautiful full moon and beckoned for a night ride.  After finishing off the last of the turkey leftovers, I checked the temperature on Weather.com and expected to be riding around 42F or so.  When I got out on the street, however, my thermometer was showing 33F.  Fortunately, I had put on a heavier merino wool sweater, one of the barely used ones I picked up on Ebay last year.

I was chilly for the first ten minutes or so until the blood got to flowing, then I was quite comfortable with a little sweat around the collar.  I could feel a slight chill on my skin, but my core was warm.  The sweater was covered with a lightweight Illuminite jacket; and my lower half was a pair of lycra shorts covered with a pair of Cannondale winter tights.  Even though they are lycra, I like these tights because they have a thin fleece underneath on the front side, but only the shell on the back, which seems to cool things better.  I realized at the end of the ride that I forgot to zip up the legs.

Other wool bits were a pair of hunting socks, gloves, and a wool beanie.  Once it gets below 50F, I usually leave the helmet and opt for the wool beanie, pulling it down over my forehead and ears.  I imagine I look pretty goofy, but hey! it works.  I have myself convinced that the cap will provide sufficient padding, but I suppose I should look for some sort of winter helmet system.

It was another great ride.  I think the cold weather somehow raises the adrenalin, as I found myself pushing up hills in higher gears than I typically do, and I felt like I could have kept on going.  Every so often I’d hit a stretch with no traffic and no noise, other than the sound of my breathing and the almost silent whirring of the chain circling the gears.  And there is nothing better than a swigg of near ice-cold water after pushing up a hill.

As the ride progressed, I saw that the temps had dropped to freezing, so I reminded myself to be on the lookout for any black ice.  It hadn’t rained all day, but there was still a chance.

Eventually I had to go home, but I’d chalk this ride, although short, as one of those that remind you what a joy cycling can be.

Distance: 18.5 miles  2009: 1131

Tonight was my last night here in Orlando for a few weeks. I am headed back to Tulsa, Oklahoma to spend time with family and friends as the holidays approach. I am looking forward to this trip and am surprised at myself to see how ready I am for this trip. It isn’t like I haven’t been home in awhile, but for some reason I feel the need to be there and relax.These past few days have been splendid. Staying ahead in my online classes, riding bikes, hanging out with friends, and more recently doing fire pits in friends backyards. I am sad that all of it has to come to a stop for a few weeks, but I will be back and things will be normal and great like always.

Church on Sunday was really awesome. We went out as a church body into downtown and prayed over certain areas of our city; the people, the city, the business’, and the other churches. It was a great time to pray for something that I take part in each day while living down here. This shot was at the end when we all met at the top of the parking garage and sang some tunes together.

First fire pit of the season and it was a great experience. Jorge taught his 101 on fire building and the different kind of wood structure you can make. He was filled to the max with knowledge and shared it with all of us. In the middle of enjoying the fire, the sprinklers slowly popped up from the ground and started spraying awful smelling water. The fire went on and so did we, even if I got sprayed on my back. It was a great moment that might have had to been experience first hand to fully appreciate.

I went with Ben to get their house a christmas tree. I talked the guy down from $25.00 to $20.00, but Ben still gave him $25.00. If it makes a difference, he didn’t have to pay tax. Boyd walked across the street for a photo opportunity, as shown here. Their first and last christmas tree together; such an adorable moment. Aaron was still in California.

One of my many bike rides this week, this time with Kathleen. We took Cady Way Trail to Baldwin Park and circled that once or twice. It was a nice ride with a nice chat. I find riding next to vehicles on busy roads quite enjoyable and very freeing. I’d have to put the bicycle purchase in my top 10 investments of my life, if not top 5.

There was a leak in some pipes or what have you in my house last month and we just got the bill a few days ago. I know it’s hard to read, but the number on the usage is 76,500. That is 76,500 gallons of water that was used/leaked in 1 month. The bill turned out to be $377.00, which is about $350.00 more than our average price for the water bill.

Lastly, I end with tonight. Tonight was a Tuesday night, which means great time with friends and food. I ate a delicious grilled cheese made by none other than Rads and it was good. The homemade ice cream was good, but I was getting the very bottom. Josh here had a sweater that matched the blanket that is covering up his lower portion. These nights are always great and filled with awesome people. The following pictures are taken with my actual DSLR. Overall, a splendid last night before I head back home. I will be stoked to return when the time comes.

From my tipster Ericthefez, with this note: “Sorry the photo is such poor quality.  I found this ‘ride concept’ at San Jose’s Christmas in the Park kind of creepy.  I let <my only daughter, name redacted> go on the swings, but you better believe I kept a close eye on her.”

In related Xmas news, I heard my first “Last Christmas” song over the weekend, so yes, holiday madness is upon Japan. Fortunately, what Japan lacks in memory-crushing medicinal meds, they make up for in memory-suppressing booze, love for drinking, and end of year “forgetting” parties (bounenkai, perfect for work or friends).

BTW, which do you find more insipid, the George Michael’s original 1980s version of “Last Christmas” or Exile’s more recent cover? What would the Japanese royal family prefer? Please feel free to comment (without defaming our majesties).

Google Wave is an open source client that connects social networks, applications, and protocols. It combines instant messengers, blogs, and other communication outlets into one user interface. This application makes the Internet a hyper-personal productivity machine, interweaving all networks and applications into one hub.

In 2007 at the Seoul Digital Forum, Google C.E.O. Eric Schmidt defined web 3.0 as customizable applications that piece together data and are distributed by social networks. Two years later, Australian brothers Jens and Lars Rasmussen, creators of Google Maps, give us their latest cloud application.

Australia, a country surrounded by water, where the development team is headquartered, must have been inspiration for the term wave. Where the Internet is an ocean of media, a wave becomes the filter. You and your friends surf these waves by joining in relevant conversation around articles of information.

Instead of emailing a photograph of your weekend trip, you can add it to a wave. Invite your friends to add commentary to the photograph. As each friend comes into the wave or conversation, they can add their own picture, video, or even an article about the location.

Developers have been on edge since the preview earlier this year. They’ve been inside Wave Sandbox developing tools that integrate with Google’s API. This preview is still only open to developers.

While you wait, sign up for an invitation. You may be chosen to become an early adopter. Since you’re more likely to wait, join me on a tour of the most anticipated social network release of the year.

Between rain showers yesterday I took a short, leisurely ride around the town.

Distance: 7.5 miles  2009: 1112.5

Hey everyone, Bernard here. Starting my new project to turn my aluminium bike into a fully carbon framed one. On its own, it doesn’t sound like much, but there’s abit of history to this particular undertaking, so indulge me a little while…

This merida that I’m going to upgrade is actually my 3rd bike. The 1st being a monstrous 16kg road/cyclocross (it even had disc brakes) bike I bought new for about SGD240 on eBay during my days in australia.

Needless to say, I suffered alot while cutting my teeth on this one. Its colossal 16kgs in weight was actually the least of its problems. The disc brakes on this ones were the cheap non-hydraulic types (which carry their own set of problems) and never stayed true… Even with continual adjustments, I was constantly grinding my brakes while pedaling.  Love-HATE relationship with this 1st one (I think everyone loves their 1st bike the most… something like all your 1st gfs/bfs.. I just hated this one the most as well). Needless to say, I wanted a new one, fast… so I started on my 2nd bike after just half a year.

My 2nd bike I made from scratch. I bought the parts individually online (yeah, I STILL have not learnt my lesson about online bikes). Decided to up the ante on this one as I would work on it as a project over a planned 3 months, which allowed me a better budget. Put together Mavic Aksiums  (new), full Ultegra grouppo (2nd hand), Trek madone frame (2nd hand 90s model, full carbon, took 3 months to arrive from Europe. 3 months.), Look carbon fork (2nd hand), Selle SMP saddle (new and oh-so-comfortable). Spent SGD 1300 for this one. Worth every penny spent. Just riding it over my 1st bike allowed me to pull for the whole ride at a faster than usual speed instead of constantly being pulled by my cycle buddies in Australia. Sweet ride. Fell in love with this one and dumped the previous bike… It was painful, but the relationship had to end…

Now, my 3rd bike, the one I’m currently looking to upgrade. Got it because I was trying to get my woman (CY) interested in road cycling. Obviously, I needed an extra bike to ride with her so I passed my 2nd (read: most beloved built-from-scratch full carbon bike) to her as she was just about as tall as me, and the bike would fit her somewhat well. So I bought the Merida from a cycling buddy who was converting back to MTBs (why would anyone even do that? :P ) after coming back to Singapore. Merida S3 entry level alu. Tiagra grouppo, upgraded with carbon fork. Got it at 300 bucks which was a steal considering that the bike was only about 1 year old, and hadn’t done many miles.

Now, why the upgrade? Cause CY crashed during a group ride when the newbie in front of her jammed his brakes with her riding 2 inches behind him. She escaped with only minor bruises, which I’m truly thankful for, but the dropout on the carbon trek got bent… Sent it to the bike shop, and was told that there was also a hairline fracture and that they’d be nervous about bending the dropout straight again… Personally, I’m okay with riding with a restraightened dropout with a hairline fracture (esp since this particular frame was my carbon frame that I waited 3 months for and fell in love with after…), but I wouldn’t let her do it as she was much less of a “bike whisperer”… So she bought herself a new carbon Wilier Montirolo (which is another story in itself) at a discount from the same bike shop that was nervous about straightening the dropouts (hmm….). So now I have a slightly defective carbon frame and fork sitting around my house. While the idea of riding with a dropout that has a hairline fracture may border on downright dangerous, I think I have found a way round it. I’ll get the fracture welded shut. I’ve been riding it with a hairline fracture for the longest of time with no problems in australia anyway, and while the recent crash may have excerbated (it grew SLIGHTY longer I think), I think its pretty safe to say that the dropout won’t fall apart. To further ensure this, I’m going to get the fracture welded shut (I know an aluminum worker). What do you think? Maybe you think I’m crazy, but I can’t bear to throw my carbon frame that’s otherwise perfect away… So I think I’m gonna do it!!

I’ll be updating you on my progress with before-during-after pictures and periodic updates… So stay tuned!!!

It’s finally time for another WDW Central poll! Let’s talk about the stuff that happens in the parks that we don’t particularly like or enjoy. Not so much what Disney does, but perhaps what the guests do.I experienced every one of these during my last trip to the World, which prompted me to create this poll: what’s the most irritating thing that has happened to you in the Parks?

Feel free to vote and also comment to discuss your answers!

In no way do i support sidehack riding but this setup is pretty rad, I mean come on just look at it….and im sure there are a bag load of puns for side hackness. Bike check here.

Please click through, theres some really good insight into what actually goes on in prototype and development of products.  And the new Tony Hawk RIDE controller was sure no easy task.

Trackballs, arcade pushbuttons, Wii remote-sized holes: Robomodo reveals how it designed a deck

“We have, like, a graveyard of skateboard prototypes here,” says Robomodo’s Patrick Dwyer in a half-joking sort of way.

via In Pictures: How the RIDE team built a board | Game Development | News by Develop.

La mort n‘est qu’un enfant unique
Engendrée par accident
Mais nul n’est plus triste
Car elle seule est immortelle
Sache que vin, chants et musique
Sont un bon commencement
À la petite ride qui façonne ton sourire

Chorus
You want to be the passenger ride (passenger ride)
Want to ride with me all night (all night)
Want to be free and feel good like me
You want to be my passenger ride

Hook
Uh,oh oh,oh you wanna be my passenger ride
Uh oh, oh, oh my passenger ride

Verse1
I am the type you want 2 be riding on
Hold on I’m a top you can ride this
Oh yeah I be crazy when you do ya thing
Go ahead tell the world who you messed with

It’s cool as long as you be mine all night
My car ain’t afraid when I get inside you
Hell yeah I’ma beast with I’m ready for you
Say what just go ahead Skittloz will sing this song

Prechorus
He saying “baby let me be your passenger ride
I’ll ride that big and all night
Let me feel good as you do
Cum on and be my only boo”

Chorus
You want to be the passenger ride (passenger ride)
Want to ride with me all night (all night)
Want to be free and feel good like me
You want to be my passenger ride

Hook
Uh,oh oh,oh you wanna be my passenger ride
Uh oh, oh, oh my passenger ride

Verse2
Crazy how guys just want this
Don’t know who I am they just wana ride this
Want to feel good cause they heard bout this
I’m no hoe I love my babe

I break rule cause I’m a bad ass
I cracked open just to sing this song
Hell yeah I have ma baby sing my song
In fact he being loving it all night

Prechorus
He saying “baby let me be your passenger ride
I’ll ride that big and all night
Let me feel good as you do
Cum on and be my only boo”

Chorus
You want to be the passenger ride (passenger ride)
Want to ride with me all night (all night)
Want to be free and feel good like me
You want to be my passenger ride

Hook
Uh,oh oh,oh you wanna be my passenger ride
Uh oh, oh, oh my passenger ride
Sing it Skittloz

Verse3
You want to be the passenger rider
Baby please me every way you want
Just remember I’m no bottom I’m a top
I rock your world better then anyone

Prechorus
He saying “baby let me be your passenger ride
I’ll ride that big and all night
Let me feel good as you do
Cum on and be my only boo”

Chorus
You want to be the passenger ride (passenger ride)
Want to ride with me all night (all night)
Want to be free and feel good like me
You want to be my passenger ride

Hook
Uh,oh oh,oh you wanna be my passenger ride
Uh oh, oh, oh my passenger ride
Uh,oh oh,oh you wanna be my passenger ride
Uh oh, oh, oh my passenger ride

I was able to complete most of my pre-Thanksgiving house cleaining assignments the night before, so that left a few hours to get in a ride on Turkey Day.  Cool and overcast, but very comfortable and virtually traffic-free – certainly something to be thankful for.

Returned to manage the finishing touches before the crowds of in-law types arrived.  The smell of the upcoming feast was cause for motivation and excitement.

Red outdid herself this year.  The bar is set high, and now I shall never be content to go to one of these “family style” restaurants again and have to tolerate dry bird and anemic bread stuffing smothered in clear paste gravy.

Turkey now must be soaked in fruit and basil brine for a day, stuffed with smoked sausage and vidalia onions, and basted in a loving manner.  I won’t get into the vegetables, other than to say that brussel sprouts can rock.

I hope all had a great day, and your ride was a pleasant one.

Misc. miles: 1.6

Distance: 18.5 miles  2009: 1105.0

Day 2: 03rd Oct 2009

After finishing the work at mathh, we left at around 11.30am to catch the ferry from Bagmandla. The road is the same one that goes to Harihareshwar, except at one intersection, one has to take left, rather than to take right and end up in Harihareshwar. This left road is small, but very beautiful. While riding, a small but loooong mongoose crossed the road checking us out!

The ferry’s timings were not clear to us, as some told us that they were 30 mins apart, one hour apart and someone even told that they go when the boat is full! Anyway, we were there in time to catch the 12.30pm ferry. Cost was 3rs per person and 15/20rs for bike (forgot the last part).

Getting on the ferry

View from ferry

It lasts only for some 10-15 mins, but saves a great amount of road travel. After alighting on the other side, we headed left, and too a very small right turn that comes up after about 10-12 kms, just after the MSEB work sight. This turn is very easy to miss. This small scenic road takes us to Kelshi.

Kelshi is a small Konkani village nested away in farming. Never before have I seen (in Maharashtra) so much kheti of rice, and such beautifully placed houses right in the fields to keep watch. Riding to Kelshi is a very peaceful and enlightening experience every biker should have!

We reached Kelshi, and after asking for directions, went to Mahalaxmi temple there. Nice temple, but no photography allowed. We later headed to a Darga there, where Shivaji Maharaj had also visited. The road to Darga is steep and in poor condition.

The masjeed at Darga

The Darga, which had a great view of sea

Word of advise for Konkan riders. Even if you see that gates of a temple/darga are closed, don’t worry, it will usually be without locks. You are supposed to open the doors yourself, take darshan, and close the door on your way out. The system operates on trust!

While in Kelshi, we didn’t see the sand dunes formed by some ancient tsunami, because we didn’t know what to ask for directions. Later I found out it is called ‘VaaLucha Dongar’. So anyone planning to visit can go there.

After the Darga, we headed to Asud bridge. Now the small birds and animals in our stomaches were beginning to rise and ask for food. But there was no hotel in sight. Rains started to catch up with us near Asud bridge, so we geared up for rain, and marched ahead.

Crossing Asud bridge

View from bridge

We headed to Dapoli through Harnai. The road is a seaside one, and is very good for lazy cruising. Even the sea side road from Dive agar to Shrivardhan doesn’t come close to this one in terms of beauty.

While we were still riding through Asud, we found a left turn “Kadyavarcha Ganpati” meaning Ganesh on a cliff. Knowing it was a very old temple, we headed there. The road slowly went from slightly slanted to steep to holy cow steep. I think the last few turns were 45 degrees!

My GS has a habbit of inserting a neutral gear between 2nd and 1st. This hasn’t bothered me at all, as this just means one more slap of the toe to the gear lever. But near Kadyavarcha Ganpati, this could prove fatal. While negotiating the last 45 degree steep road, I put the gear from 2nd to first, it fell as neutral. The bike stopped then and there, and started rolling backwards With bike’s 150kg + 15L fuel + 2 riders + luggage, the front brake was not able to stop the rolling 300kg weight. I couldnt’ engage the rear brake, as was putting both the feet on ground to be uprignt. Suddenly while rolling backwards, i spotted the gear indicator that showed ‘1′, and noted I had the clutch pressed. Released the clutch and gave good accelerator, the bike vrooomed and came to a stop, and then slowly came up to level ground! That was the scariest experience of this ride.

There is a good amount of parking at Kadyavarcha Ganpati temple, with small shops selling puja thalis and refreshments.

There is even a small footprint of Ganpati, just 2-3 mins of walk ahead!

View from Ganpati footprint

I could spot a durg from there, maybe Suvarnadurga.

Overall the place was calm and quite. Good to visit.

Again came down to main road, and headed to Harnai, with both eyes open for hotel. We passed through a Koliwada, and a market place. Later we came to know one could buy very good quality of fish here, at good rates. Just ahead of Harnai, we finally spotted a hotel named ‘Sagar Kinara’. Had our lunch with kingfish at 4.30pm!

While having lunch, we enquired whether there was any beach at Dapoli. After realizing Dapoli is just a commercial town, we though it would be better to stay in Harnai only, as Dapoli is just 10 kms ahead. Started searching for a budget hotel, and finally settled in ‘Ruchi Sanskriti’, a hotel with great service. The lady there was so nice, I was feeling as if I am staying at my sister’s house, and not just in any hotel.

Just as we checked in, rain gods showed up, and washed up Vesta and other things thoroughly. After the rain subsided a bit, we visited the Harnai beach, which was fully deserted at around 6.30pm

Had Pompret and mandeli gravy for dinner, and crashed in early. This was Kojagiri night, and we planned to be awake. But we were tired as hell, and monsoon was so much that even the other clubs who had dance programs etc had to shut down! In fact at around 4am, I woke up by the heaviest sound of rain I ever heard in life, and was thoroughly scared thinking how would I ride back home if this rain continues!

to be continued….

Thanks to Gandhijee, we had a long weekend last week. So planned a tour with wifey and Vesta (my Orange GS150), and rolled on at 2nd Oct 09. Total ride of the trip was 605kms on Sunday at 9pm, when we reached home back. The ride consisted of good roads, bad roads, imaginary roads and what not. Rains regularly washed us in the evenings, and many times we had to ride for quite a few kms just to find out whether we were on right track or not!

Day 1: 2nd Oct 09.

The plan was to reach Harihareshwar mathh in evening, visiting Khed Shivapur, Bhatghar Dam and Shivtar ghal on way. We left at 8.45, bit late because we didn’t want us to be first visitors to the Darga at Khed Shivapur. This darga is famous for its stone, which is impossible to lift by single person, but 11 people with just their one figer touched to the rock can easily lift it. That’s why we left late.

We took the Katraj ghat route while going. This ghat is very scenic, with flowers all around. I spotted some lodges just at the enterance of the ghaat. Still wonder who will go to stay there, except maybe goondas n lover couples!

We were soon riding on the golden quadrilateral. After around 50 kms riding, I started getting hungry, and curious where Khed Shivapur was, as it was supposed to be at around 22 kms only. Had breakfast at Amruta garden hotel, just earlier to Bhor turn. There we realized we have come far, and missed Khed Shivapur behind! Damn!

We continued to Bhor, took a small U turn for Bhatghar dam. But could view it only from far. We were not permitted on the wall

The Bhor ghat is an absolute beauty. Never have I enjoyed so much riding on ghaats. This may surpass the beauty of even Mahabaleshwar poladpur ghaat (tamhini ghaat doesn’t even come close to this).

Whole road is scenic. the road is passed through 5 hills, and the 3 middle ones are used only for connection, with no village on them! Overall a good experience.

After crossing the ghaat, we saw the sign welcoming us to Shivthar ghar to the right. The road started to get bad. Few mins ahead, got to a fork, one going to ‘Sunebhau’ and other to ‘Shivthar Ghal’. That road to Shivthar ghal is recommended only if you are damn sure about your and your bike’s health. Steep decline, with only stones as roads, made me start wondering whether I am on right way or not, as I clearly remembered there was some good way to the ghal. After about 2-4 kms of such decline, we finally joined the road which went to Shivthar!

One thing to keep in mind for travellers, don’t take the first right where it is written ‘Welcome to Shivtharghal’ etc, when the ghat just ends and bad roads start. Don’t even think of taking that road. Ride bit ahead, you will get a proper right turn with good roads for going there. KMs may increase, but the road condition is not worth saving those few kms.

At Shivthar Ghal

The waterfall was small now. The idols of Ramadas Swami and Kalyan

Had lunch ‘zunka bhakri’ at the hotel in front of the gate. Saw rain clouds gathering at Konkan, so geared up, and started riding towards the mathh at 4.15.

Soon the rains catched us. Unfortunately, I forgot my jacket waterproof liner at home, so I was wet to the bones. It was scary riding at speed in the falling rain, but I had decided to reach before sundown. After some spirited riding for continuous 2 hours, we finally reached mathh, and after just 5 mins, the rains started falling in full glory, thoroughly scaring the pants off everyone.

The day ended at mathh, where we were stationed for a religious function. Tomorrow we were to leave for Kelshi, and seeing the places enroute, stay at Dapoli. But that was not to happen…..