Pune to Kolhapur cycle ride.

On the way to Kolhapur

From Navratri Runs to the Road to Kolhapur

It all started during the Navratri Run Challenge. I had taken up the challenge to run every day for nine days, and my friends Amol and Dilip joined me too. Each day’s run brought new energy, and together, we made it through all nine days. Once the challenge ended, Dilip and I started talking about doing something more. That’s when the idea of a long cycling ride came up. Since we had just completed the Navratri challenge, we thought why not ride to Kolhapur to seek blessings from Maa Mahalaxmi? Our run challenge ended on 1st October, and luckily, a long weekend was just around the corner starting from the 3rd. Both of us had already taken leave for that Friday, perfect timing.

Before the Ride

On Dasara evening (2nd Oct), all of us friends met and celebrated together. I was standing for around 3–4 hours during the celebration, and my legs started aching badly. They still hadn’t fully recovered from all the running. That night, a thought kept nagging me: “Can I really ride 240 km like this?” I asked Dilip again, “Are we really doing this?” He smiled and said, “Let’s go for it. If we feel tired midway, we’ll stop at Satara and come back.” That settled it. We decided to just go with the flow. That night, we charged our lights and power banks, and packed our riding essentials: puncture kit, nutrition, and other riding gear.

Dasara celebration with friends.

Day 1: Pune to Satara

We woke up around 5 am and left home by 6:30 am. This was the first time we were riding toward the south side of Pune. The morning air was cool, the roads were quiet, and the excitement of the unknown made the start even better. We crossed the Katraj tunnel, climbed the Khambatki Ghat, and stopped for short breaks in between. The climb was tough but manageable. Slowly and steadily, we kept moving. By the time we reached Satara, it was around 4 pm. We were exhausted but happy, half way done! We checked into a hotel, had dinner, and crashed early.

At the start of Katraj Tunnel

Day 2: Satara to Kolhapur

The alarm went off at 3:30 am, and by 4 am, we were back on our cycles. The roads were dark but peaceful, and the air felt fresh. We picked up a good rhythm early on. As the sky turned orange, the view became picture-perfect for riding.

We stopped for breakfast at Karad, took a few short breaks, and kept pushing ahead. Finally, we reached Kolhapur around 2 pm.

After checking into a hotel near the Mahalaxmi Temple, we rested for a while before heading out to explore. We visited the New Shahu Palace, enjoyed some street food, and spent time at Rankala Lake.

After reaching Kolhapur, I had posted an Instagram story, and shortly after, my friend Shubham called. He told me that he had been in Kolhapur earlier that day but had just left. Despite that, he insisted on coming back just to meet us! A few hours later, he drove back and met us at Rankala Lake. It was such a pleasant surprise. We had a great chat, and it felt really good.

Morning view when riding from Satara to Kolhapur

Dilip, Shubham and me at Rankala lake

Day 3: Seeking Blessings and the Journey back Home

The next morning, we woke up early to visit the Mahalaxmi Temple. The calm inside the temple was divine, peaceful and fulfilling. After all the effort we had put in to get there, the darshan felt even more meaningful. I was momentarily frozen on seeing the divine Mahalaxmi Mata murti.

After receiving her blessings, we had breakfast, did a bit of local shopping, and then packed up for our return journey. We took a Shivneri bus from Kolhapur to Pune, keeping our cycles safely in the luggage compartment. The journey back was relaxed, with both of us quietly replaying the memories of the last two days.

We reached Pune around 8:45 pm, took the metro from Swargate to Shivajinagar, and cycled the final few kilometres home.

At Shree Ambabai Mahalaxmi temple.

Looking Back

Somewhere along the way, a thought struck me. In childhood, when I didn’t have a cycle, I used to dream that once I got one, I could go anywhere, to faraway places, without limits. But when I actually got a cycle, I never really went that far.

This ride from Pune to Kolhapur felt like that childhood dream finally coming true. The open road, the fresh air, and the effort all felt like freedom. The little boy in me felt his dream fulfilled.

Though my legs ached at times, not once did the thought of giving up cross my mind. Maybe cycling has changed me somewhere, made me more patient and perseverant.

What started as a simple idea after a run challenge turned into one of the most memorable rides of my life. This trip wasn’t just about covering 240 kilometres. It was about testing limits, trusting your body, and keeping faith. Every kilometre had a story, from the pain in my legs before we started, to the sunrise rides, to the joy of reaching Kolhapur.

It taught me that sometimes, you don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to start, and the road will show you the way. And somewhere along that road, I found not just strength, but a piece of that little boy’s dream who once believed that a cycle could take him anywhere.

In the end, I would simply say, मज्जा आली** !!**