City of Dreams Never Sleep and We too…

Unplanned cycle ride always creates an immense pleasure for me. Mumbai never sleeps neither its stop working on its dreams and we also opted the same Funda. “Mumbai’s Night Ride on Cycle 2019”, isn’t it sounds great??

Ride on the seat and paddle on the way…. The temporary outlined route was covering 75km. If you look at the map of Mumbai, this route was a loop over the city covering almost all and many places of tourist interest. We decided to start this ride on Friday night, so that the density of traffic may be decreased by the time.

We started from Oberoi Mall Goregaon at 11.30pm (Prashant and Me). One of our friend (Anubhav) was going to join us at Dadar. He was coming from Ghatkopar. We started from Goregaon by Western Express Highway. Lots of vehicles were there on the road, we were chasing street lights one by one. It was out of universe feeling, to ride on cycle wearing helmet, gloves and making our way.

While we were outside of Domestic Airport, a plane landed off and it feel so close. Ohh! What is the average speed of an aeroplane per hour? We reached Bandra at 12.10am and leaving Western Express Highway, we entered in Dharavi: Asia’s Largest Slum Area. In Dharavi there are thousands of small-scale businesses on which the City of Dreams: Mumbai is breathing.

Then by crossing Sion Hospital, we get on to the Dr B. Ambedkar Marg. Following the road we reached Dadar at 12.30am. 21km ride was completed and Anubhav joined us. He ridded 14km to reach Dadar from Ghatkopar. As Dadar is somewhat called central junction of Mumbai, it was so called crowded at midnight.

Crossing Parel, we reached Lalbaugh. The place which is famous for “Lalbaugh cha Raja Ganpati” and its often packed with people during Ganeshostav Festival. We continued on Dr B. Ambedkar road and crossed Byculla, “Rani chi Baug: Zoo” and reached Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai mostly called CST and initially known as Victoria Terminus (VT).

We parked our cycles, the grand view of Victoria Terminus and Headquarters of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) was amazing. The 30km ride was completed and 45km was remaining. As in the midnight, its not allowed to enter at Gate Way of India; we skipped that place.

Finally, we were in South Mumbai by ridding 30km from North-West Mumbai Region. We reached Marine Drive at 2.00am and relaxed for 20mins and took chai from a vendor. The place was too crowdy at that time and city never sleeps has been proven. Experiencing the true love of Mumbai, we were glad to have this ride successfully started and completed the half target route. The Mumbai’s Necklace was shining at midnight. We followed the marine drive to reach Girgaum Chowpatty.

From Wilson College, we get on to the Tardeo Area. We crossed from the home of India’s Most Richest Businessman: Ambani. The tall skyscraper was looking magnanimous at the night. We reached to Haji Ali at 3.30am. The Haji Ali dargah is in the sea on its small island. We were visiting all the beauties of Mumbai. We started riding towards Worli. From Worli Koliwada, We reached Worli Sea Face.

The view of “Bandra-Worli Sea Link" was truly mind-blowing. After watching the great example of architecture. We reached “Siddhivinayak Temple, Dadar” at 4.00am. Then we rushed to Dadar chowpatty to see the view of Sea-Link from another perception. By crossing Matunga, Mahim and Bandra Creek, we entered on S.V. Road, Bandra. From Hill Road, after riding the cycle at inclination of 600m, we reached “Mount Mary Church, Bandra” at 5.00am.

After a short break, we again started riding. And now it was morning time, the roads were filling fast as few people were running, walking and jogging on the roads. We reached “Juhu Beach” at 6.00am it was a great achievement for us to complete 63km ride. We breathed long and started heading towards Andheri Station. Anubhav left us at Andheri and he gone to Ghatkopar from Andheri East.

Prashant and Me followed the S.V. Road from west. And we messaged each other as we reached home. The “Mumbai’s Night Ride on Cycle 2019” was crisp experience. The potential was unleashed correctly, stamina supported truly. The long ride was successful. Cycle was none other than our one of the body part by the time…

That’s it…

Sarthak Niwate

info.sarthakfeeds@gmail.com