Breakfast with the Italians

We ride down from Pune to the hillside retreat of Lonavala for quick bite alongside the members of the Pune chapter of the Desmo Owners Club. Here is our experience of this short road trip

We join Ducati’s Desmo Owners Club in Pune for a breakfast ride

AS THE THUNDER clouds rumble and gather on the horizon and the air is rent with the sharp stabs of lightning, I expect my phone to ring with a message saying something along the lines of ‘tomorrow’s ride has been called off.’ Turns out there were at least a few other riders in the Pune chapter of the Desmo Owners Club’s Pune chapter who thought the way I do: a ride in the wet is better than no ride at all. As we assembled, suitably drenched at the Ducati showroom at 6am the following morning, I was glad to see a couple of Monster 821s, a Scrambler, a Multistrada and a Hypermotard 939 coming onto the lot in quick succession. There was also an xDiavel waiting – my ride for the day.

As we set off for Lonavala on this balmy Sunday morning, the roads were relatively empty, which allowed us to gather some pace before pulling over for a spot of chai at the Varsoli toll. While there, the group let me know that, to them, Lonavala meant going all the way up to Aamby Valley, because you can’t have a breakfast ride without some twisties. I couldn’t agree more. I could see they knew their way around corners too – after much flicking, leaning and cornering hard, we had made it to the top. It was a lot of fun riding with people who showed so much passion for their steeds and were so enthusiastic throughout the ride.

A quick trip back down the hill and we pulled over at the German Bakery for a spot of breakfast. Conversation didn’t stray far from all things two-wheels throughout the meal, and I’m glad to see that the Ducatisti I encountered on this ride celebrate the spirit of biking with such vigour. Long may it, and the efforts put in by the Bavaria Motors dealership in planning and executing such rides, continue.