With a series of adventures on soil, water and air under its belt, the Toyota Liva goes mountain biking to sum up its thrilling journey so far
After tramping in the wilderness of those rocky trails the last time, i mend my ways a little.
i mean i sure did go back to the rocks, but with the company of wheels this time and not just four, but two and four.
With another lazy weekend at my disposal and an obedient car to take my command, i set out to do something that makes for another fine story to tell. living by the side of a river, they say, you can never sleep thirsty. likewise puneites can ever run out of open spaces, irrespective of their terrain and inclination. one step out of home and you find yourself in mother nature’s lap. so, as a valediction to the liva and a judicious use of a rightfully earned weekend, we set out to do some riding in the wild – some mountain biking.
Thus, making the most of the flat-seat storage that the liva has on offer, i loaded my bike into the car and off we went looking for a suitable trail for a little off-road riding.
I left the city in the wee hours, before the city got back to its hustle and bustle, and made my way to Bhor, a small town situated amongst the higher peaks of the western ghats. Crossing the Bhatghar dam, i carried on further, crossing small villages and valleys on the way. a rather deceptive left turn from the main road took me on to a trail adorned by trees on both sides, whose climbers reached the ground, as if welcoming you with a bow. after following the trail for some time, i reached an open space which matched the kind of place i had in mind for this weekend’s adventure. Backwaters of the dam with rocks by the side. the pattern in which gravel was laid around the rocks gave an indication that most of that area goes under water when the dam’s sluice-gates are opened. otherwise, the place serves as a good weekend getaway for people. with dips and flats, the place was good for some downhill riding for me and i decided to pitch under a big rock. i looked at the sun, which hadn’t come out completely yet. about an hour of riding before it starts getting really warm, i said to myself.
It was time to get started. i opened the boot-lid and rolled up my sleeves for some serious pedalling. taking the bike out of the car was a child’s play, as it lay flat at the back and the boot-lid was wide enough for me to load and then unload it alone. strapping the helmet on, off i went for a dose of adrenaline rush. Just the way as it should be, i took it slow to start with, noticed the trail and saved my energy to climb up to the top. once at the top, the ride became a little restricted to riding about in circles and getting a hang of the surface and, after a while, the ride down began.
If wheel was the most significant invention by man, then cycling has to be the best known recreational sport. After developing a liking for cycling, the rider can later chose between various types
Some things to be kept in mind while riding on an uneven terrain are that, first and foremost, keep a track of your speed, especially on a new trail. Fast riding will demand a very quick reaction in case of an obstruction, which may sometimes not be possible. One should always obey one’s instincts. Everyone has his or her limit and stretching it further is definitely not a good idea. One must also ensure the optimum air pressure in the tyres before hitting such a surface.
After some pedalling about, the sun shone on top and it started getting very warm, a signal to me bring my cycling adventure to and end. Nevertheless, a much deserved respite followed as I rested my bike on a side and sat with my feet dipped in cold water. I could feel all the fatigue and stress dissolve into the cold water of the lake. A man must always take some time out to just stare at his feet, they say, and I did a little more than that. Making a lot many promises to myself, asking questions and finding answers to them, I thanked the water and made my way back to the car.
The Liva appeared forgiving too, as it wiped away droplets of sweat from my forehead and blew a cool breeze to brush off the heat. The terrain wasn’t even, the surface wasn’t smooth, but nothing stopped the Liva and its roaring engine from making it back to the road. What followed next was a quiet journey back home, but with a smile on my face. I had my answers and the Liva had a long list of adventures to swear by.
Story: Gasha Alawani
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
