Photo Credit: © RAJDIP.IN | Photograph taken by the author.
The crisp morning air at Dakshineswar set the perfect stage for what was to be an unforgettable weekend. It was 6:00 AM, and the engines of the Vagabond Riders 2020 were already humming, ready to devour the asphalt. Ahead of us lay a 600-kilometer round trip to the serene landscapes of Baranti, Purulia.
The initial stretch was a rider's dream. Polished, smooth tarmac stretched out before us as we cruised out of the city. We made our first pit stop at a toll plaza near Shaktigarh, kicking back with hot tea, biscuits, and cakes. There’s something special about those early morning highway tea breaks—the laughter, the anticipation, and the shared bond among friends before the sun even fully rises.
With our spirits high, we fired up the bikes and pointed our front wheels toward Durgapur to visit the home of our captain, Sudip da. The ride was mostly flawless, save for a rugged, under-construction patch right before his house. We tackled the 400-meter off-road stretch with ease, our tires kicking up a bit of dust as a rite of passage before breakfast. At Sudip da’s place, a feast awaited: hot Kochuri with dal, eggs, and endless cups of tea. We spent the time chatting and unwinding until our four-wheeler crew finally rolled in, completing our convoy.
With everyone fed and fueled, the real push to Baranti began. We bypassed the busy routes, opting for a road that took us past a beautifully calm lake between Durgapur and Baranti. The roads here were blissfully empty. We encountered the occasional herd of goats and wandering cows, but navigating around them was second nature.
This is where the true spirit of the Vagabond Riders 2020 shines: discipline. We rode in perfect synchronization—a single, disciplined line maintaining strict distances from one another. No reckless overtaking, just the rhythmic, rolling thunder of our convoy cutting through the landscape.
By 2:00 PM, we pulled into the Palash Queen Resort in Baranti. The 300-kilometer ride had taken its toll, and our tired muscles demanded rest. After a refreshing bath, we hit the dining area for a much-needed lunch. Plates piled high with authentic fish thalis—and egg thalis for the non-fish eaters—disappeared quickly. As one of the younger riders in the group, I spent the afternoon soaking in the atmosphere, listening to the veteran riders share their stories from the first leg of the trip before we all caught some well-deserved sleep.
As evening approached, we mounted our bikes again, this time following a local rider who offered to guide us to the Shunuri Waterfall. Hidden away just a few kilometers from the resort, the waterfall was a spectacular sight. We sat by the cascading water, watching a magnificent sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and purple. On the ride back in the dark, we stopped at a local stall for some freshly fried vadas, pakoras, and tea. The tea was an experience in itself—so loaded with sugar it tasted more like hot, sweet juice! We drank it anyway, laughing off the sugar rush in the cool night air.
Back at the resort by 7:00 PM, the night truly came alive. Sudip da had arranged wooden logs for a bonfire, and we had lugged 10 kilos of chicken all the way from Durgapur for a massive barbecue. With music playing in the background, the smell of roasted chicken filling the air, and the warmth of the fire pushing back the night chill, the evening was perfect. We sang, joked, and shared tales of past rides and distant locations. The exchange of experiences under the stars was the highlight of the trip for me. We wrapped up the night with a hearty dinner of chicken curry and chapatis before crashing into our beds.
The next morning started early. At 6:00 AM, a few of us took a peaceful walk down to the misty Baranti Lake, while Sudip da grabbed his gear and went fishing.
By 7:30 AM, we were back at the resort, ready for a quick dose of history. We rode out to Garh Panchakot to explore the ruins built by the Panchakot royal dynasty in the 17th century. Wandering among the old brick structures and the depleted terracotta artwork on the arches, you could almost feel the echoes of the 18th-century Maratha invasions that left the fort abandoned. We also climbed up to a viewpoint inside the Charulata Resort, which rewarded us with a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire valley.
After heading back for breakfast and a final bath, it was time to pack up. Our planned 11:00 AM departure was inevitably delayed—as group departures often are—but soon enough, we were back on the road.
This time, we took a different route home, avoiding Durgapur. The tarmac was a mixed bag. We found ourselves cruising carefully at 60 km/h over broken, damaged patches, but whenever the road opened up into fabulous, smooth stretches, we eagerly twisted the throttles. By 2:00 PM, hunger struck again, and we pulled into the popular Banalata Resort & Restaurant near Joypur, Jangalmahal, for a fantastic lunch.
The final leg of the journey took us through Dankuni. As we hit the crossing, our unified convoy finally began to split. With our teammates hailing from different parts of Kolkata, we exchanged our final waves and honks, peeling off onto our respective routes home.
Between 8:00 PM and 9:30 PM, all of us reached our doorsteps safely, concluding a spectacular 600-kilometer adventure. For me, riding alongside the seasoned veterans of the Vagabond Riders 2020 wasn't just a trip; it was a masterclass in touring, brotherhood, and the joy of the open road. I brought home a wealth of experience, and I am already counting down the days until the next ride.