WeChat in 55

Got an offer to review the WeChat app for Product Reviewsprogram at Blogadda. Unfortunately all my contacts have and use Whatsapp. Hence am unable to actually test it out to give my honest opinion about it. Its USP of Video/Audio calling and voice messaging not exciting enough. Maybe am tech challenged. Or am I?

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Born again bikers

Rode a bike through my teenage years and into marriage till we had children. Had to change over to a car to accomodate the children in our travels. Been 25 years now. The children having grown up, busied with their lives, given us the option to being bikers yet again! We are born again bikers.

Check out my maiden ride at http://instantwords.blogspot.in/2012/10/my-maiden-ride.html

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My maiden ride

My maiden ride with the Bisons was a great learning experience. I learnt what they mean when they say Ride Hard! This motorcycling club dares to be unique in all their activities. For example the ride that I went on is originally known as Ashtavinayak (8 Ganesha temples) but Bisons RideHard are different. Their ride is ‘Dashavinayak’ a ride to10 Ganesha temples, including the original Ashtavinayak in Maharashtra, in a period  of 4 days covering a distance of around 1300kms.

Membership is not easy to come by. It has to be earned by riding with them for 5 of their consecutive rides. Once you are a member you get a unique email id as also Tees with the club logo and dog tags with your name and blood goup inscribed. All members bond very well with each other though they come from varying backgrounds but with a common streak of riding passion on their Royal Enfields.

On a wet Saturday morning we met up at the Siddhivinayak temple in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, the 1^st of the 10 Ganesha temples in the Dashavinayak ride.

After a darshan and praying for a successful Dashavinayak trip we all gathered for a hot cuppa chai from the local tapri where we were briefed of our riding positions. Yes, as part of the disciplined riding, each rider is given a postion to ride which has to be maintained for safety and well being of the team. The team captain for the ride was ‘Signals’ who decided who will ride where and the speed to be maintained throughout the ride. All members have a call sign.

And off we rode into the rains onto the highway in our predetermined positions. The next stop after riding for an hour was to regroup with another couple who though members were joining us by car as they would be with us only for a couple of days. Everyone took this opportunity to tea up too!

And back on the road again. It was heavenly! The constant throb of seven Royal Enfields blending with the patter of the rains and the whoosh of the wind! Hypnotically I rode for the next couple of hours till our next stop at Mahad and then on to Pali where we had our heavy brunch of Vadapavs and Bhajjia followed by hot chai! Now it was time for the long ride sector all the way to Ganapatipule. The rains had abated and the weather was pleasant, cloudy and cool. Perfect for the ride. Near Sangameshwar, ‘Sri Vinayak Rath’ blew a headlight and we stopped to get it rectified (again an opportunity utilised for a hot cuppa too by others) but 

were unable to do so. ‘Sri Vinayak Rath’ who was rearing (pun intended) us all this while was brought forward to ride so that his road could be illuminated by another rider riding close behind.

Checked into a lodge, had dinner and crashed out after a real long ride. My butt was showing signs of tenderness as was riding after almost 25years!

Next morning after a quick darshan of the Ganapati at Ganapatipule temple we set out for the ride to Morgaon via Kumbharli. We had our lunch at Kumbharli in a very scenic locale. The ride through the 

Kumbharli ghat was invigorative and refreshed us all!

Checked in at Maheshwari Nivas in Morgaon, had a peaceful darshan of Lord Mayureshwar, a sumptuous dinner and then we sat chatting for quite a while during which we, the newbies, had to introduce ourselves.

Next morning we set out for Siddhatek and then on to Theur where we had the spiciest meal of the journey.  Post lunch we rode on to Ranjangaon where a couple of bikes were attended to for minor problems like bulb replacements and then checked into Jai Ganesh Lodge where we were the only occupants hence was like our own property for the night! The ambiance was lovely. After paying respects to the respective dieties we had dinner at the Ranjangaon temple as ‘prasad’

Next morning we had an early start as we wanted to ensure that we dont get stuck in the Mumbai traffic on the home run. We rode onto Ozar and then to Lenyadri and back to Mumbai via Malshej.

The riding was constant and my butt was protesting at the stress but there was nothing that I could do as it was part of Riding Hard!

 This was all about riding hence have not given any details of our destinations and since was forewarned that photography would have to take a back seat, had not taken my camera (I missed it tremendously). So whatever pictures that I have are using my phonecam and while we took those rare breaks in the journey.

A superbly spiritual ride!

Thank you Bisons for making it so memorable.

Review of 'Black Dog' whisky

Received a bottle of Black Dog scotch whisky for review and what better time to open it but after a lovely long alcohol free ride of Ashtavinayak!

Had a couple of friends over for the ‘tasting’ and general celebration of my acquiring the ‘Desert Storm’ Royal Enfield motorcycle!

The Black Dog, incidentally, has an interesting history.  Apparently, Walter Millard, a Scot in British India, travelled to Scotland in 1883 in search of an impeccable whisky. His search ended in a blend created by James Mackinlay, of the second generation of the Leith Scotch Whisky blending family. Being a keen angler himself, Walter Millard named the whisky ‘Black Dog’ in honour of his favourite salmon fishing fly used in the Spey and Tay rivers of Scotland since the early 19^th century. Thus was born the ‘Black Dog’ whisky!

Now a whisky that old and so carefully blended needs a lot of respect and cannot be diluted with soda or cola but has to be had neat on ice if need be. The label on the cover of the bottle states that this whisky is a blend of fine whiskies from all the regions of Scotland – Speyside, Islay, Highlands and Lowlands, each matured for a minimum period of 12 years creating a bouquet that captures all the flavours of Scotland, giving Black Dog its very distinctive flavour and taste.

The bottle is opened and the golden liquid carefully poured on ice in the glass for the tasting. Here I would 

like to mention what the Tasting Notes are as per the makers of this whisky, followed by my observations.

Colour : Amber, with Golden highlights.

Yes – agreed

Aroma : Robust malty, mellow woody, complex yet delicate aroma of sherry and vanillic sweetness with whispers of soft peatiness in the background.

Could definitely get the woody aroma. It was heady.

Palate : Beautifully rounded, heavy body, pronounced malty, mellow woody, fruity sweetness with teasing light warm peat.

A heavy body with the soft peatiness of a good scotch lingered as I sipped it, to my delight.

A whisky that can help you warm up with someone or maybe just chill with friends.

Overall a fine whisky to sip on, whenever you feel the need to unwind after a stressful day or to share with friends to celebrate something special!

Cheers!

The MRP in Mumbai for a 750ml Black Dog DeLuxe aged 12 years whisky bottle is Rs.2200/- as listed.

Cheers!