It was just yesterday I met one of my very old friend in Matunga after long long time. It was dinner time and I was hungry so went to Ramashray which was close by. Ordered South Indian Thali. Check the below picture of my thali.
While having food he told me about he and his friends going for a ride next day early morning. And those friends were my Childhood School Friends and also same Colony friends. Twist above it was they both were riding on an EV, yes e-bike. So for me was a new experience to have company of e-bike riders. He told me what their challenges will be on the way, and their speed of bikes, charging, etc. And I was definitely ready to take up as challenge and Ride with them maintaining their speed. The destination was Titwala Ganesh Mandir, a very famous and ancient.
After having food and some chit chat with my friend, I left towards my home. By the excitement in mind, I slept and woke up at around 4:30 am. My friend was cordinating with my on WhatsApp with their timings, our meeting was set in Thane at their first halt at Ather Charging Station. One bike was Ather, other was Ola S1, and me on Bajaj Avenger Cruise 220 - running on petrol. They did the charging of their bikes for about 80% capacity and it was time to roll.
We took a route which goes from above Pisa Dam. Pisa dam is a very important Dam for Mumbai and Thane built on Bhatsa River. This Dam water is shared between BMC and TMC both same like Bhatsa Dam Reservoir if you visit near Kasara. Bhatsa River then meets Ulhas River in Kalyan and Ulhas River becomes Vasai Creek, Thane Creek, Vashi and Airoli Creek.
On the dam Road we couldn't stop for photography as it was very narrow and both sides were pipelines which were hiding the view of waterbody. Little ahead we took view selfies, after a 5 minute halt we started again and reached Ganesh Mandir parking.
Our main task here was that to find a charging point if any restaurant and shopkeeper would allow my friends Ola scooter to charge. By Gods grace, a local person nearby allowed my friend to charge his scooter at his house without asking much questions.
We went inside the temple, it was around 8am and there was no rush till we reached. We quickly did prayer and worshipped Ganpati Bappa and came out. By the time we came out, devotees rush had increased. Just opposite to temple, there is a restaurant where had breakfast. We ordered Vada Usal Pav, Vada Pav and ended with hot Tea.
My friend took his bike from the house where he kept for charging. The owner refused to take any money. This is very rare in Maharashtra and that too in not so ruler area. We left quickly towards Thane. This time we took Kalyan route. The Titwala Kalyan route via Shahad is worst of the worst. We somehow reached Thane. My friends who were Ather and Ola went to charge their respective bikes at their respective brand outlet charging station. Both were nearby in same block. Till the scooters charged, we wanted to charge ourselves. So from the nearby Shop we had some cold drinks. Just next to the shop, I found this school, Cambridge school in Thane. Quickly I took the selfie to post it on social media.
After some time, their scooters were charged and it was time to disburse the ride and I ride on my own towards my home and they on their way. On the way I also wanted to fuel up my bike so I left towards Kanjurmarg via LBS Marg and they via Eastern Express Highway.
This short ride with my childhood friends was like a reunion as I was meeting them after many years. And again on this day a memory was created to remember for a life time.
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