An Encounter With The Handsome Beast

I am hooked to mountain biking! In the past year I have discovered some nice trails in the hills around my hometown Ponda (Goa). The Bondla sanctuary which is 18Kms and Mollem National park which is 30 Kms from Ponda are fantastic places to explore on your mountain bike. However it's not practical to ride to the sanctuaries every now and then. The trails in the surrounding hills is where I ride every alternate evening.

Now, am addicted to riding my mountain bike on the trail that I discovered recently. The trail passes through a thickly wooded valley and is approximately 5 to 6 Kms in length.

The forest here is rich in wildlife and the evidence in the form of droppings is ample along the trail. On this very trail I had two thrilling wild encounters.

Wild Encounter Episode 1
A week ago I started from home at 4.30pm and reached the trail entrance after riding 6kms on the tar road. The trail starts off perpendicular to the road at the top of a hill and then rolls down through the valley. After climbing a short but steep incline on the trail I stopped for a drink, as I put the water bottle to my mouth I saw a movement in the woods and heard heavy rustling of dried leaves, before I realized what was happening two huge Gaur (Indian Bison) Bulls jumped on the trail just 10meters away from where I was standing. I dropped the water bottle, laid the cycle on the ground and dropped myself to crouching position (I do not know why I did this). The bulls were really huge with heavy, fantastic curvy muscles that would put any Mr. universe to shame. The bulls stared intently for few seconds and then disappeared into the woods on the other side of the trail. As soon as the bulls disappeared a calf and a female jumped on the trail and without looking in either direction followed the bulls into the woods. I stayed in my position expecting more members of the herd to follow. But none came. After waiting for 3 to 4 minutes I got up and continued on the trail. I rode along gently and cautiously.

This Where I Almost Bumped In To The Beast

Wild Encounter Episode 2
With great expectations I returned to the trail everyday, but I encountered only Grey Hare and Grey Jungle Fowl. I concluded that the Gaurs had trailed off from the Mollem Sanctuary (since the jungle in this area is connected with the sanctuary), and would never show up again. However, today I was in for a shock! As usual after doing the initial climb I started rolling down the trail, as the bike picked up the speed I concentrated on the surface a little ahead on the trail, a little ahead there is bend in the trail which I enjoy maneuvering as Just round the bend I almost bumped yessss…. bumped into a massive Gaur bull. The bull gave a loud, sharp hissing call and disappeared into the woods. In a fraction of second I had lifted the bike done 180 degrees about turn and ran up for my life. After running for about 20 meters I stopped and looked back, there was no sign of the bull. Leaving the bike behind I retraced the steps back to the spot and scanned the area where the bull had disappeared, there, deeper inside he was standing and staring at me, I tried capturing him on my mobile phone camera, but the woods here are thick and the handsome beast was perfectly camouflaged and too far way for the phone camera. I just stood there watching for a while, then the bull moved gently and disappeared in the forest.

In future I have to be really careful riding this trail! and also I have to take care that I do not interfere their transit across the trail. Now I know the approximate time when this herd passes by and will avoid being too close!

Cycling through swamps in south Goa

The flatter surface in the west of Goa breaks into hills and then into mountains towards the East. On the western stretch is Sun, Sand, Surf, Fun and Feni and on eastern stretch is Slopes, Climbs, Forests and of course Sun, Fun and Feni.

Much of my cycling is done in the Mountains surrounding my town Ponda. Recently I started venturing towards the south west where the topography is flatter.

For most parts the roads connecting Ponda to Panaji, Margao, Curtorim, Verna and Vasco pass through Khazan land – in short, Khazan land is a swamp land created by flooding waters from the estuaries, Zuari in the south and Mandovi in the north. The water on these lands periodically rise and ebb with the tides.

The locals make a very good use of this rising and ebbing. They have constructed bunds cris - crossing the Khazans. The sluice gates installed at certain points control the flooding of the area. Local people catch prawns, crabs and other sea food here and also grow paddy.

This month I did a number of ride circuits, Ponda – Verna – Ponda and Ponda - Curtorim – Ponda in South Goa, averaging to 40Kms per ride. Flatter landscape means less climbs and hence longer distances covered with ease.

On Ponda - Verna - Ponda circuit I did a couple of rides on the bunds near Lotoulim village. It’s a unique experience to ride on the narrow bunds cutting through the swamps. At high tides the water rises almost to the bund height. On the northern edge of the swamps the bund runs parallel to Zuari River and is lined with Mangroves. One can constantly hear the popping of Mangrove pods. On the ride I spotted a nest of Black kite high up on the massive electric tower erected in the middle of the swamp. I also managed to startle a Couple of Purple Herons, Lone Grey Heron, Small Blue Kingfisher, White Breasted Kingfisher, and Common Sand piper who least expected me while patiently waiting to catch tiny creatures swarming in the shallow waters.

There are less of swamps on Ponda – Curtorim – Ponda route. The road passes through open country side dotted with ponds and lakes. Numbers of white washed chapels sit in the midst of paddy fields. The tiny water canals from Zuari River feed water to these lakes and ponds. Many migratory and resident birds can be seen feeding on the Curtorim Lake.

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After exhausting but thrilling mountain rides, these rides proved delightful. There are similar rides awaiting in North goa.