Goa to the Rann of Kutch – Story and Images by FLEXCIA D’SOUZA
This ride had been a dream for years, ever since I saw my friend Sarath Shenoy ride to Kutch on his motorcycle. I always wanted to do a long-distance ride, but back then, it felt like just a dream—I never thought I’d be confident enough on a motorcycle. That changed two years ago when I bought mine and spontaneously took off on a trip across Karnataka (Mangalore – Coorg – Mysore – Bangalore – Hubli – and back to Goa). After that, a solo ride to Pune cemented my confidence in long-distance and solo riding.
Since then, I had been meaning to plan a longer ride, but between health issues and work commitments, it never worked out. This February, when I had to be in Lonavala for an event, I realised it was the perfect time to ride into Maharashtra and finally tick the Rann of Kutch off my bucket list—especially since it was the best season to visit. I had no set plan. If my friend Elliot joined, I’d head to Kutch; if not, I’d ride solo towards Mount Abu and Udaipur, with a quick stop to catch up with my friend Bhumik Lalwani in Abu—another place I had been meaning to visit since he’s spoken about it.
I set off from Goa solo, after a quick motorcycle check and some last-minute shopping at Moto Wilder. It was a misty morning, slowing me down until I crossed Amboli Ghat. I stopped for breakfast at McDonald’s in Kolhapur—partly for food, but mainly to cool down in the AC and use the washroom before pushing on. The broken highway section under construction, with all its truck traffic, was exhausting. I reached Panchgani around 4pm and stayed the night. Overdosed on strawberries, spent a beautiful evening at a lovely café called Cacano, and soaked in the pleasant weather and views.
The next morning, I rode to Mumbai—my first-time riding into the city. I just followed Google Maps, taking the longer route through Mahabaleshwar and a wildlife sanctuary, which led me through some stunning jungle roads. Loved that stretch! But as I neared Mumbai via Panvel, the traffic hit hard, and I started panicking. Some words of motivation from my friend Yogi Chhabria got me through, and I made it to his motorcycle restoration workshop in one piece and caught up with him and our other motorcycle buddy, Shail.
Elliot, my friend from Goa with a hippie soul who was already in Mumbai, joined me for the next leg of the ride. He enjoys spontaneous plans too and was keen to explore Gujarat with me. We made a pit stop in Daman—something about its shared colonial history with Goa made us curious enough to explore a bit—before continuing to Surat for the night. The next day, we rode towards Ahmedabad. Somewhere along the busy truck highway, I had a fall. Thankfully, I got away with just a minor ankle injury, but it shook me up. Sarath had to talk me into calling it a day and resting before continuing to Bhuj. That extra day in Ahmedabad turned out to be a blessing in disguise—I got to enjoy the city and its incredible food.
Getting out of Ahmedabad was annoying, with all the traffic, but the moment I hit the Bhuj highway, it was incredible. Wide-open roads, constantly changing landscapes, the dry heat picking up, and this growing excitement of finally getting closer to Kutch. Somewhere along the way, I stopped for my first chilled lassi and some theplas, before reaching Bhuj. Found a place to stay, visited a rooftop café, and ended the day at a sunset spot recommended by Sarath—one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen.
Bhuj was lovely to explore, but the real excitement was in the ride ahead—towards the white salt desert! Sarath helped me figure out a route, and it was the best stretch to ride on. Open desert roads, endless sand and dust, but scenery that kept shifting every few kilometres. We rode to Dholavira via the famous “Road to Heaven,” surrounded by vast white salt flats stretching as far as the eye could see. Crossed the lake, wandered around Dholavira, and struggled to find a place to stay. Just before dusk, we managed to find a homestay, where the host cooked us an amazing local meal.
The next morning, Elliot decided to continue his ride towards Rajasthan, and I set off solo again, aiming for Baroda to meet a friend. Solo rides always keep me on high alert, and I’m extra careful about where I stop. Managed to find some decent (vegetarian) food on the way and reached Baroda by sunset. Spent the evening catching up with my friend and exploring Baroda, and the next day, left for Mumbai. It was an easy, uneventful ride, but the moment I hit Mumbai traffic, I was drained. At this point, exhaustion was kicking in.
For the last leg from Mumbai to Goa, I wasn’t sure if I’d make the entire stretch in one day, so I kept it flexible. By lunchtime, I was in Chiplun, where I treated myself to a local crab thali. That meal and a few electrolytes, lime juice, and a lot of hydration fuelled me up for the final push.
As I rolled into Goa, exhausted but exhilarated, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment. This journey was more than just miles on the road—it was a test of resilience, patience, and trust in my own abilities. From the open highways to the chaotic city streets, from the vast white salt desert to the unexpected detours, every stretch of this ride taught me something. It reminded me that dreams don’t stay dreams when you have the courage to chase them.
Riding long distances once felt impossible, but now, I know I’m capable of so much more. This wasn’t just about reaching Kutch; it was about proving to myself that with the right mindset, preparation, and willingness to embrace the unknown, I can go anywhere. And this is just the beginning!
