Just Desserts - A rejuvenating ride on the Honda BigWing CB350 to the Rann of Kutch

Work. Work is fun, but it can get cumbersome at times. After long weeks of deadlines and meetings on end, I suddenly felt an urgent need to escape it all â€" just me, my thoughts, and the open road. I'd come across a social media post of one of my biker friends, Dr. Aparna Bandodkar, who visited the magical Rann of Kutch. The thought of riding there with a biker buddy sounded like a great plan. It would be the perfect breakaway. At this time of the year, Kutch plays home to some vibrant cultural activities and the famous Rann Utsav festivities. And of course, on this journey, my trusted companion would be the Honda CB350.

A quick chat with Aparna and she tells me that she would shuffle her schedule around to make it happen, which in turn would make this ride to the Rann of Kutch one to remember. She asks about the bike that I'll be riding, because she recently had gotten herself a Honda CB350. When I told her that I would be riding a CB350 as well, I could picture her smiling through the phone as she blurted out, "Oh! The best in the business, I see!"

Work can always be rescheduled and once that's done, we plot out a route and make a plan to catch up on the highway.

A ride like this comes with a different sense of freedom. Right from the beginning, when I first twisted the throttle of the CB350 at the Honda BigWing showroom and the engine sprang to life, I fell in love with its powerful 348cc engine. This time around too, as I cranked the bike up, I was instantly engulfed by a wave of joy with the thought of this reinvigorating journey. Like always, Honda motorcycles are known to be downright reliable, and on a trip like this, heading out onto the open road with a sense of adventure on a machine you can rely on is a great feeling.

The CB350s performance is unmatched; allowing us to slice through any traffic we encountered with ease, this was a shot of adrenaline I so desired. It looks big and imposing, but swing a leg over and it's amazing how light it feels when you set off. The nimble chassis and light clutch action making all on-road situations ever so manageable and easy to deal with. This Honda isn't just a motorcycle; the CB350 was my method of escape. My route to rejuvenation. My way to unwind. And what a brilliant way to go about it.

Not only does the CB350 ride exceptionally well, but one of the main reasons I chose this bike was because of the way it looks. Its classic design continues to draw admiring glances everywhere I go. Now, I'd previously known of this motorcycle to be a dashing and quick means to get about town. But today, as the journey unfolded, the CB350 revealed to me another of its charms. It showed me the true meaning of comfort and of how a motorcycle that is built-to-last should feel like. A quality that is given when you choose Honda. With plush seating and a relaxed riding posture, I could ride for hours on end without any discomfort. The wind rushing past felt liberating as we left the urban clamour behind. The CB 350 also comes with Honda's Smartphone Voice Control system (HSVCS) which recognises voice commands directly from my smartphone allowing me to manage phone calls, messaging, music, navigation, safely and without a fuss while on the go.

Weaving through the scenic beauty of Gujarat, the ride wasn't just about reaching the destination; it was a symphony of sights and sounds. The thump of the Honda CB350 allows Aparna and me to settle into a harmonious rhythm, and with both bikes riding alongside, it felt calming and peaceful. The bike even boasts impressive fuel efficiency, making it perfect for long rides like this one. With every litre, I was getting closer to the Rann, savouring every moment. There were even some battered stretches of road leading to the Rann. Here's, the durability of the CB350 truly shone. Its robust build handled the twists and turns with finesse. Regardless of the terrain, it felt unshakeable beneath meâ€"a motorcycle built for the sheer thrill of adventure.

As we reached the Tent City at Dhordo, a kaleidoscope of culture unfolded before me. The Rann Utsav was alive with music, dance, and craftsmanship. Immersing ourselves in the traditional folklore of Gujarat through the local art, traditions and of course, cuisine was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience. It was a stark contrast to the stress of our daily routines.

No road trip is ever complete without some epic photographs. And that's where the 'Road to Heaven' comes in. Running from Khavda to Dholavira, there's a single road that travels through the heart of the white desert, near the Rann of Kutch Lake. And at sunset, the sky is painted with dramatic hues that look simply spectacular. The serenity of the vast salt plain on the road to heaven at sundown was simply unmatched. This was the break that I felt was well-deserved.

Having a fellow rider to chat with about the day's ride might not seem like much, but this helps you take a step back and enjoy the simple, finer joys in life. Like riding your trusty motorcycle in an epic location like this. Another awesome bit about the CB350 is that it doesn't compromise on safety. It gets dual-channel ABS which is great for tricky braking situations, as well as switchable traction control is a huge plus point as it provides the rider with a safety net while on the road and you can even switch it off when you are brimming with confidence and ready to have some fun like we did out in the White Rann.

I found the Honda CB350 not to be just a motorcycle, but a perfect partner for a journey like this. I'm talking about a rewarding ride to self-rediscovery, besides the obvious awesome physical location. It's a motorcycle that embodies performance, comfort, efficiency, and durability â€" everything that you want and expect from a motorcycle. It was the perfect way to take a step back from the pressures of daily life and experience the simple joys in life that many of us tends to oversee. Every ride with it becomes a story, a story that leads you to experiences that will forever change you. Once you ride a Honda CB350, you will see that the journey is in fact just as beautiful as the destination itself!

Words Christopher Chaves

Photography Arjun Dhavale