Panshet Parikrama

A two day cycling expedition Parikrama (the path surrounding something) around river Panshet;
The event was perfectly planned, flawless execution. [Jan 31st - Feb 1st]
Organized by folks of Pune Running and Gaint Stores, no need to say more I think.
The event was huge success with 100+ participants, with the demand they are organizing another edition soon in Feb-15.

For more information do visit
https://www.facebook.com/PanshetParikrama

Panshet:
Panshet Dam, also called Tanajisagar Dam, is a dam on the mula-mutha river about 50 km southwest of the city of Pune in western India.
The dam was constructed in late 1950s for irrigation and, along with three other dams nearby, Varasgaon, Temghar and Khadakwasla,
it supplies drinking water to Pune.

Panshet is one of the famous picnic spots of Pune and attracts many visitors from Mumbai.
The lake is made because of the backwater from the Panshet Dam; from the dam, tourists can see the Sahyadri mountains.

Schedule

Day 1:
05.30 - 06.00 Assemble at Vishnuji ki rasoi,near Rajaram Bridge, Sinhagad Road
06.00 - Start towards Panshet
07.30 - 08.30 Ride towards Panshet
08.30 - 09.30 Breakfast on route
09.30 - 13.00 - Ride till Island Point
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch at the Island
14.00 - 1600 Ride till Campsite (Day 1 ride ends here)
16.00 - 17.00 Tea & Snacks with free time at Campsite
17.00 - 18.00 Establish Camp (Planning for a tent stay)
Chance to get in water, be very careful No Children in water without adult supervision.
18.00 - 19.00 Timepass Gappa Tappa
19.00 - 20.00 Prepare your own food, Chuliwarchi Khichadi (optional)
20.00 - 21.00 Dinner
21.00 - 22.00 Campfire
22.00 - 05.30 Good Night

Day 2:
06.00 - 07.00 Refreshments
07.00 - 08.00 Tea & Breakfast, Camp wind up
08.00 - 10.00 Start Ride Unexplored routes of Panshet)
10.00 - 11.00 Break
11.00 - 13.00 Ride through Ghat section
13.00 - 14.00 Delicious Lunch at Panshet Boat Club
14.00 - 18.00 Complete Parikrama and reach Pune (Tea break enroute)

Route:
Pune - Sinhagad Road - Donje pata - Vele - Camp (Pole Village) - Panshet Boat Club - Donje Phata -Pune

Route Map

Elevation Profile[from Prashanth Tidke]
https://www.strava.com/activities/248864209

Cycles:
Cycles can be rented if you don't own one.
There are many stores offering on rent around, Gaint, Surender, and Pro Sports are a few.

Saturday:
Gathered at Vishnuji Ki Rasoi, loaded bags into backup vehicle, got cycles checked
Started at 7AM, the weather was pleasant no so cold, proceeded towards donje pata.
It was a nice ride, took short break to catch people at khadakwasla.

Arvind briefing ride details

Whole troop, on the way towards Sinhagad Road

Then rode further, breakfast was arranged at Chimbalkar Resort.
As we are already hungry, had a heavy breakfast there, the surroundings were great, see pics.

At Chimbalkar resort

Pool side breakfast at Chimbalkar resort

After this the route is around the river Panshet, with beautiful scenic places and small villages around.Do stop wherever required, take time for yourself, shoot pics, have fun.

Some random shot.

Another random shoot.

The lunch stop was some 48Kms from Pune, amid rivers and mountains.
Hot parathas, salad, veg biryani and gulab jamun were available
Nice place to have lunch and take a nap, roam around the island.

Descend towards panshet

A colorful bullock cart

Lunch..!!

Lunch point

Panorama from Lunch Point

Started towards camp, was pleasant ride.
The camp is located on river banks, clean and pristine, offering great view of river surrounded my mountains. Volunteered in pitching tents, nice experience. Roamed around and took bath after swimming.

Couple having a good time

Camp - Near Pole Village

Camp-fire, nice songs followed by dinner under moon light and well deserved rest.

Sunday:

Woke up at 5AM, skies were clear took tripod to shot star trails, got few good pics.
By the time we are ready, breakfast is being served.
Boiled eggs, bread, butter, jam and upma was available for breakfast.

As we started, it started to get bit hot.
Do carry enough water, don't hesitate to ask for water any villager.
The ride goes through beautiful back water of Panshet with few climbs.

The lunch for the day is at Panshet Boating Club.

Met a German couple in Panshet , they are living there for quite a time.

They guy does some engineering works, he got full fledged workshop there, the women looks into gardening.And they educate the local people on farm equipment and others.

Checklist, shared by organizers.

• Dish/Plate,
• Glass,
• Spoon,
• Torch with extra battery,
• Bedding (Sleeping Bag+Carry mat the mat below the sleeping bag protects bag and helps with cold),
• Cap,
• Sunglasses,
• Sun screen
• Extra pair of clothes
• Chappal
• 2 water bottles(1 ltr each)
• Personal medicines if any
• Tooth Paste
• Brush
• Hand Sanitizer
• Paper Soap
• Helmet
• Spare Tube for your bicycle
• Reflector Jacket
• Sack for carrying water, tiffin & foodies while riding
• Sack to keep rest of the items in Backup vehicle
• Cycle specific tool kit etc
• Bicycle tight shorts with padding do help with saddle sore issue
• White Petroleum Jelly for saddle sore and other chaffing issues.
• Anything you feel is important and missing here.

Photographers:

Do carry tripod, clear skies, can get to shoot start trails.

The trip was total paisa vasool(value for money), you don't feel that you are at some remote places given the facilities provided.
Overall a nice leisure ride, perfectly organized one.

Note : Events and places are from Panshet Parikrama Cycling Expedition IV Edition - Jan 31st- Feb 1st, might differ from time to time.