and this is yours truly ...
The only thing common between us - we were attempting a 200 km Brevet which is part of a Cycling event called Randoneurring.. This was being held for the first time in India, in Bombay and around 56 people had taken part. Most of us barring Gulab were on Road bikes and MTB's, not to mention the other cool accessories.
Back to Gulab Pandey, I first sighted him somewhere near Santacruz as he feverishly pedaled to keep pace with the others in the group. I took a diversion to climb the fly over, he went under it and was dismissed from my thoughts as another commuter on a Roadster. I enjoyed the coolness of the morning and sights of people going around their morning chores in spite of a Sunday. It was Bombay after all, the city which never sleeps. We had started the event at round 6:15 AM from Worli, passing numerous joggers, walkers and traffic cops as well !! The latter breed is a rarity in Pune even during the day !
My aim was to keep an easy pace and bike the equivalent of LSD so as to finish in good shape. The practice rides during the run up to this event in Pune - two back to back 150 km and a 100 km ride had given me some confidence. It had also showed me that the body needs constant feeding and liquids. After all the engine for the bike was the body. I was carrying four sandwiches, a bottle of my mother's famous lemonande and a litre of water. According to plan, 7:20 am would be my next water break an hour after my start.
On the Andheri flyover, I passed Gulab again and asked him where he was headed. “Tumhere saath he aa raha hoon” was his reply as he patted me on the back. Was he kidding I thought to myself and accelerated ahead stooping low at the descent to simulate a road racer on an MTB :-). Soon after passed Sunita and Roopa (her friend) who were cycling till Dahisar as part of their Enduro practice. (edit : they joined the elite group of "Enduro finishers" the following month, read that here )
Passed Dahisar and then took a break after the toll naka for some water. The road had now turned into a two lane highway with North bound vehicles,heavy trailers and passenger cars zipping past us. The traffic and pollution was relentless as I passed a Road biker who had a flat and Satish was helping him out. Would have stopped but looked like he did not need additional help. Soon came across a pit stop manned by a couple of volunteers with bananas and water. God bless them the bananas looked inviting Took a big break as more riders stopped by.
By now the sun was showing its presence felt, I had almost finished my water and therefore replenished from the pit stop, also wet my towel and wrapped it around the head to keep myself cool. I had planned to do this only post lunch at around noon, seemed like it was going to be a long day. The cyclo comp was showing some erratic reading of 120 odd kms only after 4 hrs, this was impossible and I figured that the setting was screwed up. It would then be only the roadside milestones and signboards for me to space out my endurance.
To cut a long ride story short, reached the Dhaba which was the 108 km point at around 11:20 AM to find some ace riders on their way back after food. After a brief re freshening, decided to have lunch on our way back. Therefore continued to the U-turn point which was 10 kms ahead, therefore a return trip of 20 kms. One of the volunteer was patiently waiting in the hot sun. He had to stamp our Brevet cards at the U-turn, the last Controle point.
Finally back at the Dhaba 12:45 PM had a quick meal of two rotis and dal, tastiest when you have 130 kms under you. Chaas served in beer bottles - Chilled. Utopia. this did not last long hit the road with a wetter towel and a paracetamol in the stomach. Prevention is better than the cure, aint't it ?
The biking pace reduced and the bottled water started warming up. The taste was ugh. Stopped at a roadside hotel and bought some cold water to quench the thirst and the towel.
Met Aman (on the carbon Wiler, drool) and rode along with him till I took another water break (the early morning kind). Resumed with the jettisoned cargo and found Aman and Divya catching their breath inside some concrete pipes. Finally after some rolling terrain and traffic reached the end point after Vasai bridge at around 6:00 PM. Almost 12 hrs since i set out with 10 hrs of ride time on the saddle.
And what about Gulab ? He passed the end point soon after. Did not stop, cycled all the way to the start point at Worli where he stays !! He was a fellow Randonneur after all, I realised. Humbled and the catch phrase "Its not about the bike ..." comes to my mind whenever I remember him.
Waiting for the other Brevets now ... with Gulab as an inspiration and thousands like him who depend on this simple machine for their sustenance - The Bicycle
some more pics below
