Cycling in Pune : Khadakwasla Lake

Hi,

I am continuing my ride story in Pune, hope you guys would have read my previous story “Cycle Ride in Pune”.

For those who are new for my blog, I would like to give short brief that I went Pune on a business trip there I managed some leisure time for cycling. I found a cycle store “Cymour” who provided me cycle on rent and he also provided me pick and drop facility so it became very easy to ride in Pune.

Cymour provided me best cycle – Schnell with helmet for safety ride. Cymour delivered me cycle last night, I went on a short ride to nearby place but due to heavy traffic and in sufficient light at night I did not made my ride long, but it made me familiar with my new friend (bike) to have a long ride next day.

I was very excited to go for a long ride in Pune, some body suggested me to go to LONAVALA,

which is a hill station, known for natural beauty and cool climate, this place was around 60km (one side) from my hotel, so I dropped this plan. I had to visit a place which I can cover in 3hrs and not more than that because I had to return till 8:30am so that I can reach office on time.

I googled tourist destination detail on internet, found several places but decided to go to Khadakwasla Lake, which was around 50Km (up & down) from my hotel. It was suitable destination for me because of distance and beauty.

Pune

I started my ride at 5:00am, I woke up around 4:30am, got ready and waited for sun light. Outside view was very clear from my hotel so I did not find it difficult to get right time to go out for ride. Hotel staff kept my cycle very safe at night and they warmly wish for ride in the morning.

Pune, Road condition was good

I started google map, set source and destination for route, attached an ear phone to listen the route. I hope without google map I cannot imagine to visit a new place without any prior idea. Outside weather was very fantastic, I think temperature would not be greater than 20degree. Road condition, fantastic weather and good cycle

was making my ride memorable. As it was working day so I found some people were doing jogging, some were running to get bus, some school kids were going tuition/school, saw some cyclist also.

Wall painting in Pune

I found a cyclist who was a young guy his father was escorting him by bike, he was a bit fatty. His father must be trying to put him in shape by giving him company on his bike. Parents put so much efforts to motivate their kids to achieve their goal. I remember my father use to get up early and woke me up for study and all the time he use to check whether I am studying or sleeping. He use to spoil his sleep because of my studies. As soon as he found me sleep, I had to listen all achievements of my neighbors.

I disconnected myself from old memories and focused on ride as I was cycling in a new city, I need to be more attentative while ride. I also meet with two guys (Mahesh & Rajesh), they were also working with an automobile company, and they started cycling recently. They became surprise to listen my source (Viman Nagar) and destination (Khadagwasla). I took confirmation about the route from them. It was around 10km from that place. Their destination was on my route so I thought to go along with them but after riding few kilometers I found they are riding very slow. Time was a constraint so said good bye and started cycling on full speed.

Khadakwasla Lake

After reaching close to my destination, I saw beautiful mountains all around, faced some drastic up and down roads and then I saw a beautiful lake. This was a huge lake. As I have visited two lakes in Delhi NCR, one was Badkal Lake, Faridabad second one was Damdama Lake, both were very small in size in comparison to this lake. This lake was very clean and very big. I found it worth to visit this place.

Khadakwasla Lake

I read somewhere that this place is known as “chowpatti” of Pune and it is popular for road side stalls. I went there in early morning so I could not see that but I enjoyed the atmosphere and the sound of the water. It is also close to several tourist destination like Sinhgad Fort, Khasakwasla falls and etc.

Suresh and Me on Pune Road

There I meet with a cyclist, name Suresh, I came to know that he is riding since last ten years and he ride daily around 10-15 kilometers. He is a professional photographer and running his own studio. He gave me some information about the place. He also helped me to take some beautiful pictures to make my ride memorable. He also offered me to visit Sinhgad Fort but as I was running out of time so after spending some time and having a cup of tea with him I planned to return. Suresh gave me company to return for few kilometer and then he guided me the route. By his advice and google map I reached hotel on time to attend office.

By this way I completed my memorable ride in Pune, I would like to say thanks to the “Cymour” who provided me cycle on my place, without their support it become difficult to ride in Pune. Hope I will get cycle in other cities also and you will be able to read my ride stories from other cities also.

Some where in Pune

My Route to Khadaksala Lake