2025 - India, Mumbai to Goa: Day 7: Tue 11 Nov

Fine & Sunny 18 to 30deg C

Ride: 60km; total: 156km

Kolad to Taloshi. We head deeper into the backcountry of Maharashtra through paddy fields and rustic countryside, climbing into the foothills of the Western Ghats. After a short, guided tour of the majestic 11th Century Raigad Fort, we descend to our rural retreat in the secluded valley at Taloshi. Distance: 80km | Ride Time: 6 hours | Overnight: Taloshi

Not such an early start this morning, but I was still up before the sparrows. Had to have our bags at reception by 0630h for breakfast and then ride away at 0730h. The 18deg felt much cooler and so I put the spray jacket on to keep the cold air out. However, it was not too long before I was peeling it off.

The rice crops are being harvested at the moment and it’s interesting to see that they are still doing it by hand. Even the thrashing is still being done manually. When you consider that even Vietnam is machine harvesting now, India has a long way to go. Bit of a paradox that India is a nuclear power but are so far behind in other areas. Maybe some areas we haven’t been to before are doing it mechanically.

Just after 1200h we parked the bikes at a restaurant and jumped into the buses for a much welcome ride up to the chairlift for Fort Raigad. After an interesting, guided tour we caught the chairlift back down. Most of us were relieved to get off this fairly archaic contraption, which takes you to over 1,300m above sea level.

After lunch we headed, mostly downhill, to our overnight stay at Taloshi. It ended being up a pretty tough day in the saddle with lots of hills, many well over 10%, a few were up around 17! However, we all survived. The downhills were magnificent on mostly smooth roads. I needed a LLD after I was checked in and it didn’t take me long to fall asleep. I may have pushed myself just a little bit beyond what my heart should endure. We live and learn, albeit some slower than others.