Round and About

Falling in Love ... Again

2012-02-16T00:05:00.000-08:00

Take a huge scoop of nature garnished with smiling, friendly people, served in a palette of French architecture followed by a dessert of a trail run with massage thrown in for extra measure and Valentine around the corner will make you fall in love with Auroville.

With a trail weaving through the vast green landscape of Auroville giving you glimpses of its way of living, be ready to run for the JOY of RUNNING. Like Fred, the man behind this run, said on the previous day. “Don’t look at the kilometer marker or your watch. Enjoy the run and look around”.

From web

As for me, I was attempting the Auroville marathon with no runs after the Mumbai Full and a cough which had refused to subside for almost two weeks. This had left me skeptical and in doubt of the full marathon that I had registered for. I had contemplated not making the trip at all. Then thought of just cheering others. Doubts and fears engulfed my mind as we reached Chennai at 9:00 AM on a humid day.

Unity Transport Service, the cab service to Pondicherry that I had booked was right on dot. I will recommend anybody planning a trip to use them. We waited for my brother and sister-in-law to arrive at the airport from Mumbai and had our first taste of Dosa and Idli in the land of Dosas at the Sangeeta restaurant near the International Departure outside the airport.

From web

Our destination was Hotel Surguru in Pondicherry (Puducherry now). We decided to take a detour to Mahabalipuram (Mammallapuram now). Lovely stone and temple architecture but recommend that you make this trip either early morning or late afternoon.

From web

Soon we reached Hotel Surguru in time for Lunch. This is again the most reasonable and one of the older Hotels known for its Veg meals as well. Late afternoon we planned to explore the east coast sea front and the old French town and buildings. Finished off the day with a dinner at Hotel Seagull – Dicey, in a dark alley and overlooking the sea at the end of the Promenade. The garlic prawns were fresh but not marinated enough. The rest of the dinner was a bit of a dampener.

From web

Day 2

Next day we planned to reach Auro after lunch to collect the bibs and listen to BFT. I had my cough acting up again and decided to rest in the hotel room in the morning while the others left to explore the Ganesha temple and the Market for antique furniture.

From web

After a special thali at the restaurant for lunch and we set off on our road trip for our first glimpse of Auroville which is around 13 km from where we stayed. The turn to Auroville from the main road is nondescript and can be missed easily. The road goes through some small villages and turns into a sprawling, green area. The devastation meted out by the Cyclone of December is evident by the logs of wood on the road side, coconut trees on the verge of falling down and huge tree branches hacked off. Life is limping back to normal but the green cover that is lost will take ages to replace.

Auroville Marathon is devoid of sponsors or celebrities and the bib collection itself is a low key affair. The organization is impeccable and messages out environmentally conscious way of living in everything that they do. No printouts of Registration confirmation - your email ID is looked up in a list and the bib number handed out. No goody bags with free samples of pills that will invigorate you or lozenges which you may need in a polluted city. No gait analysis and peddling of pronation correct shoes or other running paraphernalia.

The Auroville cafeteria, book stall and boutique were interesting and a dent on the pocket J but with Valentine day near the corner, what the heck !

We saw a 10 minute film on Auroville and the Matri Mandir after which my brother went off to take some pics of the same. I waited in the cafeteria with Siddhant for Barefoot Ted (BFT) talk to start.

BFT came, saw and impressed everybody with his take on Running. Well worth the wait. The talk had to be shifted to the open area after the Auditorium where it was originally planned got choked to the brim with more people waiting outside than inside like a Mumbai suburban train compartment.

From web

The talk got over and we rushed to the cafeteria for the mouthwatering salads and pasta that we had seen on the menu. Alas, the kitchen was busy preparing for the pasta dinner for runners and was not taking any orders. We had to now plan to eat on our way back in Pondicherry as we had not registered for the Runners pasta dinner. And also call a cab to take us to Pondicherry.

We decided to try Le Club on the lane behind the Pondicherry seafront. But this restaurant did not allow kids inside and we had to scout for another one and started a long walk from the sea front to Hotel Promenade which we had seen the other night. As we made our way along the sea front there was a long display of Vintage cars with a huge crowd thronging for a glimpse and pictures. Despite of the marathon next day we were on our feet ogling at these cars as we made slow progress to the Restaurant. Dinner at the Promenade was more style than substance, a salty pasta and an oily Potato preparation made their way into my hungry belly as a pre-marathon dinner. Dessert was a mix of Caramel pudding, soufflé and some fruits. We decided to take a rick to the hotel and negotiated for 80 bucks, four of us and son, me sitting next to the driver. Finally back to the hotel at 9:30 PM to prepare for the next day start of 4:30 reporting time for which I had hired a taxi to pick me, Parag and Umesh up at 4:00 AM.

Race day

The night before an event like a Marathon is always sleep deprived. With me having a coughing bout this was all the more difficult and the icing on the cake was a 1:30 AM SMS from KingFisher airlines announcing that our 9:00 PM return flight to Pune was rescheduled to 11:40 PM. This left me with little or no sleep. I woke up before the alarm went off and started the preparations for the run. Down in the lobby the Taxi driver was already waiting at the reception desk. Parag and Umesh joined me and we were soon on our way. Nitin was going to drive his friend’s car and my brother and sister-in-law were joining him for the half marathon later. Our cheerleaders (our family) were to follow suit at 8:30 AM and I had booked a taxi for them separately.

Barefoot Umesh

Umesh planned to run this barefoot and I marveled at his courage and determination. I am a convert to barefoot running as well, but taking it slow and easy not having run beyond 30 km in barefoot and experimenting with minimalist shoes as well. The fear of the unknown keeps me from plunging head on into barefooting during events like these but Umesh is a different animal altogether. The silent crusader, his actions speak louder than words and he was going to create history today, at least from the Pune gang.

My Race Plan

My plan was to have a 6:00 hour finish, having run Kaveri I knew that trails are more difficult than road runs. The cough had not left me and I had packed the Alex lozenges and kanthil in the waist pouch along with the cereal bar. I was planning to take one loop at a time and evaluate my condition. I would abort if a cough bout started or the run left me panting. Secondly I wanted to enjoy this run and not worry about PR’s.

We reached to see very few people gathered around the bib collection booth. I met Ram and a few Mumbai runners. I have been meeting Ram for all the events ever since we first met in Corbett in April 2011. Looking back I think he is my lucky charm J.

The start was preceded by a warm up session accompanied with music and the atmosphere was electric. The sky was dark with stars and we were in the middle of nature with the music and fluroscent lights lighting the route for not more than a few hundred metres after which it was pitch dark except for moon light or stray light from some dwelling. The thoughtful organisers had given us small LED torches, some of the runners were carrying head torches. We started on time and me, Umesh and Parag were at the back. I met Venkat from Pune / Mumbai, we exchanged a few notes as we made our way along the route, picking up the path in the narrow beam of our torches.

I have always dreaded cycling in the night which is one reason for me not attempting a Brevet beyond 300 km. Now running in the dark was almost giving me the same feeling of disorientation. At least I was not on a saddle but the feel was different to running in daylight or on a lit road. The early birds were calling out and it was both fantastic and eerie at the same time. Parag had gone ahead and Umesh went ahead as well, I was running at 7 – 8 min/km pace looking around at fellow runners passing by. Checking on myself whether I was wheezing, whether I was able to talk to myself watching my step in the torch light and also my head as at some pace the branches were really low. There were some volunteers on Mountain bikes and torches lighting the way and passing us by. A perfect transportation device in this narrow trail. Broad sections had water stations which were well equipped not only with water, lemon, biscuits, bananas, electoral ( no Gatorade !) which was appropriately diluted, salt and most importantly smiling, eager beaver families and kids. The thoughtful volunteers had cut the bananas in pieces, one could just press the end of the piece, pop it in the mouth and throw way the bio degradable peel J. The water / electoral holding volunteers cried out loud to ease the task of fast runner. I was in no hurry and chatted and thanked each one. At one water station made myself a salted lemon juice with the squeezer which the volunteer was holding. It felt like a picnic. And the pace I was running was perfect LSD for me. No sign of cough, no sign of travel fatigue, everything in place for a 6 hr finish. Till I took a wrong turn as I watched the rising sun light up the geodesic dome called Matrimandir on my left. Aprox 800 m down the road and somebody hollered at me from behind. Two more runners had followed me to the wrong path and one of them pointed at the arrow on the road which was pointing in the opposite direction. Well, no harm done, we back tracked and joined the course and got Matrimandir to my right.

From web

Soon after I saw Umesh and caught up with him. I have always noticed him keeping a constant pace and thought of running along with him. There was one more guy running in socks and few others trying barefoot. One runner I met later at the third loop had discarded his shoes at a water station.

The darkness had already made way for the morning light as we finished the first loop and found the 10 km runners joining us, the half marathoners had already been flagged off and they were ahead of us. At no point was the trail crowded as it was a circular loop. I had forgotten to hand over my torch at the water station and gave it to a volunteer on the bike. My hands were now free and I removed my cell click some pics and started a walk – run routine. Umesh’s pace was slightly faster than my walking pace and I was very comfortable enjoying, talking and looking around.

From web

Now we were passing more 10k and half marathoners, one of the stone benches had a runner lying down. I asked him whether he needed help. He was just taking a breather. Soon the sun was getting hotter, Umesh had started doing the walk - run as well, his walk pace was slower because he was barefoot. I told him to run when there was no shade and walk in the shade. We passed Venkat and a fellow runner. And I was wondering whether we would miss Sharat, Sunita and Nitin altogether when Sharat, my brother passed me at the end of the second loop, he was targeting a 2:30 and looked strong. He had a camera and I told him to forget the target time and take our pics J. He obliged but still finished in 2:30. We were now starting the third loop and the trail became sparser as the half marathoners got separated. Our pace was slowing down to 11:00 min a km and I checked on Umesh. Did not want to push him too hard but we were going to miss the 6:00 hr target at this pace. I had started pouring water from a bucket at each water station on my head and shoulders. It was a bucket bath at each water station along with chewing some lemons and eating a banana or biscuit. One of them had kept five star chocolate pieces. Chewed one for a while and spat it out because of the dryness.

Checked on my cell and it appeared switched off. I had forgotten to put the cell in a plastic pouch and now I was not sure whether the cell was drained or the display had conked off because of the water. Borrowed Umesh’s cell and called Sona told her about my expected time of 6 to 6:15 which means 11:00 AM to 11:15 AM. Umesh told me to carry on as he had slowed down considerably and would probably make it by 11:30 or 11:45. I now picked up pace and started my walk run at an average of 8 to 9 min/ km passing a lot of full marathoners. As it was the last loop I thanked all the volunteers and told them it was the last time they will be seeing me until next year. The distance in the Garmin was off by atleast a km because of the wrong turn I had taken early on. And I finished the 42.2 at just past 6:00 hrs. the road marker for the finish came in sight and I picked up pace to sight the finish. There was a girl with medals in her hand cheering me to come fast and Siddhant, Sona and Nitin’s family were at the end cheering my completion.

From web

It was the most wonderful end to a very beautiful course that I had ever run a marathon in. I almost regretted that it had to end and was satisfied with my strong finish. To top it all there was a massage area and because of my late finish not much of a crowd. Had to wait for some time before the volunteer masseur, an Auroville resident, got free and started attending to me. I chatted with her and she said they were here since 8:30 AM. It was a marathon for her as well. Big respect to their selfless service and thoughtfulness. Such a wonderful gesture from the organisers, I was ready for another half marathon after she finished with my calves and feet.

Barefoot Umesh came in around 40 min later. What an effort ! He was his usual cool self and did not show any sign of discomfort. We all posed for a group pic and made our way back to the hotel in an autorickshaw.

From web

It was going to be a perfect end to a small vacation marathon. Little did we know what was in store at the airport for our return. Although the flight was delayed to 11:30 PM we reached Chennai airport at 7:30 as my brother had an earlier flight to Mumbai. We ate outside the airport and entered the airport to catch some sleep before the flight departed. We were shocked when the announcement was made that the flight was further delayed and will take off only at 1:10 AM !! I and Parag took our kids on our laps so that they could catch some sleep as we chatted and swatted some mosquitoes all around.

From web

Finally reached home at 3:45 AM but then probably a marathon teaches you to face all eventualities. And this was just a minor setback to an otherwise perfect weekend of Nature in its bounty, barefooting Ted talks, dosas and iddi appams, Prawns and fish and a perfect trail run inside Auroville.

What more could one ask for to fall in love ? Auroville 2013 ... can't stop falling in love ...

Bombay and Back - 5th Feb 2011

2011-02-11T05:44:00.000-08:00

What goes down must come UP was in my mind as I flew down the Bhor (khandala) ghat at 40+ kmph with an eagle eye on the road ahead , slowing down only at sharp bends.

I knew I would have to pay back the 15 minute descent with a 1 hour climb on my way back. Climbs are fun too, as one hits the sweet spot of the gearing and the legs spin on auto pilot. The beads of perspiration make their way from the forehead and drop on the top tube and the crank as your head bows down in humility and respect to the mountain gods and each switchback makes way for the next. Never look out for how much more of the climb is left. It is a mind game. Keep telling yourself that you have just started from the base. Finally, when you start seeing the sky behind that tar that’s the top of the climb.

Fortunately on the return from Bombay, I had hit Khopoli base at 8:00 AM according to plan.

The sun was not as high and a cool breeze freshened me up. Saw spray painted graffiti “Livestrong” as I climbed on the ghat road. Apparently some cheering for the recently concluded Mumbai-Pune race cheered me as well. A few other graffiti s with rider names were also strewn across. Admiration and “thumbs-up” signs from motor cyclists ensures that you cannot take a break even if you want to ... But seriously the “Masi” climbs well, not sure whether it is the gearing, the weight, the chromoly frame or a combination of all this or the thought that this was my dream bike, I better ride fast and strong with this.

The ride after hitting the top is a nightmare because of the common expressway and the constant rumbling of vehicles zipping past you and the slow trailers and trucks groaning and inching past with their dirty fumes.

Additionally headwinds reduce your pace even for a downhill and the sun starts making its presence felt. Post Lonavala it is peace again and I hit Kamshet and Dehu Road at steady pace. Entering the city I took the middle lane which is a freeway where bicycles are barred but that is the only way to prevent the constant braking that is needed in the outside lane for the sundry traffic and pedestrians. Finally hit home at exactly 1:00 Pm (an 8 hr total time). But not before being bothered by two motor bikers with their pesky curiosity of the bike and my addiction.

Now let me rewind a day before to my journey from Pune to Bombay. I will never forget the surprised look on my Dad’s face when I entered the house with my Masi on the 4^th of Feb. I had decided to surprise my parents on the eve of their wedding anniversary by cycling to Bombay from Pune

During the usual preparations the night before when checking my puncture kit, realized that the rubber adhesive tube had dried up. Needed either some adhesive or spare tubes. Called up Boni, who had some tubes and offered to not only meet me next morning on the way but also ride along with me till Vadgaon Toll Naka about 20km away.

We parted ways at the Toll Naka after some intense riding and I proceeded alone to Talegaon.

I had carried 3 parathas, 2 oranges, some biscuits and dry fruits, a bottle of home made lemonade and 1 litre of water. Started eating the first paratha as I rode Passed Talegaon and reached Karla as the skies lit up in orange and the Sun made its presence felt. 5 kms to Lonavala and started munching on my second Paratha. Reached Ramakrishna hotel at around 7:30 AM and ordered Filter coffee to wash down the Paratha. After this I made my way to Khandala and the exhilarating downhill ride to Khopoli.

Part of the old NH4 connects to the Expressway and a small tunnel after which one is diverted back to NH4 on to Khopoli Village. The road is butter smooth and broad two-lanes with proper dividers. Reached a fork and the right said Panvel by pass and got confused. Was about to take that when a cyclist on a road bike with Aero bars called me from behind. That road connected to the Express way. Thanking him I started riding and chatting with him for a couple of minutes. He was practicing from Kharghar (New Bombay) to Khopoli base and this was his return. I was slowing him down and we parted ways as he powered his way ahead.

After sometime I again missed a turn and found myself on the Road to JNPT, but found a right turn which connected back to NH4 – Kalamboli junction. Reached Kalamboli at 9:20 and stopped to refill water at a roadside shop beside the flyover. The sun was getting hotter and the humidity of Bombay made me sweat more. Ate the last Paratha and made crossed Vashi flyover at 10:45. The next 1 hr was torturous as the paved (interlocking blocks) at Mankhurd Link road slowed me down. I had also decided to take the old Ghatkopar – LBS Road and the traffic there with the pollution made me long for the clean NH4 roads at Khopoli that I had left at dawn.

The final touch down at 12:00 noon at Kalina and the surprise on my Parent’s and niece Trusha’s face was worth the effort.

GARMIN DETAILS

To Bombay

From Bombay

... another one bites the dust.

2011-01-16T21:24:00.000-08:00

The above words in Amit's booming voice rings in my ears as we pass a Kilometer marker. I sing out aloud with him and try to match my pace with the group. The half marathon runners on the other side of the road look at us with envy, then pride as they recognize the "5hr bus" and Amit Sheth the pacer. I am proud to be running with him. The kids on the road side cheer us and call him "Balloon Uncle" for the red balloons tied on his back. I feel as light as these balloons. We smile through the pain. Yes ... to run a marathon you need to smile through the pain as in life.

23 km into the run and we crossed the Mahim lane after Hinduja. "Salaam mallekum" one of the runners greeted the bystanders. Mumbai was running and cheering as one India I thought to myself.

A few minutes past Mahim, Amit boomed again " the marathon is about to start now". I realised why as the shadows disappeared and Bandra came in view. The sun was on us and my pace reduced.
"Turn your caps to the left" - that was to protect the face from the sun coming from the left. That was clever, Amit. I thought to myself as we turned towards Bandra Reclaimation. Sighted my nephew and family friends with bananas and a wet towel. I lost the "bus" as I stopped to eat the banana and tie the wet towel under my cap. I could now see the red balloon going farther and farther, beyond reach. I was feeling tired. The body was getting cold and hot at the same time. Poured more water over the head. The lemon juice had started tasting terrible. Pushed it down the throat. Reached for a piece of jaggery and realised I had dropped it somewhere. Had also carried a pinch of salt, opened the packet and licked some of it. And started to walk and run.

The Garmin showed I was at the 34 k mark in 4 hrs. 8 km to go in 1 hr if I were to do a sub-5. But the legs had sustained a pounding of 7 min/ km and they were not the same. Blisters on my left feet and a weird pain below the shin prevented me from running. Wanted to finish strong and therefore did not push myself. Finishing was all that mattered to be in the elite Marathoner's club.

And 69 minutes later I stepped on the timing mat at 42.175 km. The vision was blurred, was oblivious of the crowd. My mind was blank as my eyes searched for anybody familiar and saw Amit exiting the holding area. I had missed him by a measly 9 minutes. We shook hands as I thanked him for the energy during the first half of the marathon and went across to the Refreshment counter where the medals were being handed over. Found some shade and sat down looking around at elated faces smiling in pain and agony, congratulating one another, taking pics, stretching or calling their family and friends

My thoughts went back to the sacrifices my family had made for me to achieve this. Sona, who took care of my aches and helped me come out of a severe shoulder injury in double quick time with her expert help. My mother who cooks up a meal or a double omlette in a jiffy after my practise runs during the days spent at home in Bombay. My Dad who used to walk to his office, at the TOI building, a few metres from where I was sitting. He helped me stitch the bib to my running shirt because the safety pin might rub the body during the run. Then there were friends and acquaintances who had inspired me with their deeds in other fields or organized runs / trails in Pune to spread the running fever.

This first marathon was for them, they had all crossed the finish line today in Mumbai with me. And this is just the beginning ...

"You don't stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running."
- Christopher McDougall in Born to Run.

My Garmin details

W.E.D Baap

2010-06-07T06:35:00.000-07:00

Saturday, when the whole world in Pune was going huff and puff over W.E.D (World Environment Diwas) I was riding the “Godfather Ghat” in local lingo “Bapdeo Ghat”, which is enroute to a place called Saswad in Pune.

The highlight of the ride was an opportunity to ride along a BZ regular who logs an average of 500 km per week , rides a cross breed MTB with drops and is an inspiration to all the bystanders like me. No prizes for guessing ….

The meeting point was Kondhwa Road where two of my colleagues, who, like me are regular commuters and weekend riders in spurts had already reached. All three of us waited for Boni to come by and he arrived soon enough and after the sundry introductions started our ride.

The whole of Kondhwa, I suppose, is also on a hillock as the inside roads are Rolling as well and the base of Baapdeo ghat is just a few kms away. The June morning is bright even at 6:15 and the early monsoon breeze hit us as well and had me fishing for my glares from the waist pouch. Soon we were riding inline until Parag and Nitin were left behind, Boni was steadily increasing the gap and I could see him on each switchback doing a steady state effort . I had already shifted to the biggest rear and had the granny as a fall back. The wind assisted us at some sections but became a side wind threatening to blow us off not to mention the occasional truck. The roads are fairly good compared to Pune standards, some sections have gravel strewn as the road widening work is in progress. There is a temple at the top and the descent to Saswad starts after that. I reached the temple, without having to resort to the granny in probably 45 minutes and Boni was nowhere in sight, wondered whether he had descended down Saswad to climb from the other side. Then noticed him coming down off road from behind the temple.

Parag and Nitin followed in ten, fifteen minutes. We started the descent soon after a short hydration break and passed a cyclist who just reached the top. The descent was scarier because of the side wind now but managed to come down in one piece hitting a top speed of 52 kmph once. Also I usually lower my seating during any descent and forgot to do it this time. I always have this imagery of me going over the handle bars in a descent with the high seating that I use. Boni stopped at intervals to snap a bird’s view of Pune city whereas the others made good head and reached the meeting point to part ways. Before which we took short trial rides on the now famous drop barred Trek and admired the difference, no wonder he left us all behind during the climb

Later I passed the WED rally, the participants were enroute to a club for a breakfast session, then I passed another rally who had culminated their’s at Empress Garden (a huge Botanical garden – a welcome relic of the Raj days, like most of our relics), thankfully not yet renamed by our sycophant you-know-who.

Reached home before 9 AM, beaming at the wife for having kept my promise, which, is an exception. Next weekend ride seems a good possibility now with the wife in a good mood.

The last I heard Boni repeated the ride next day, Sunday, bettering his previous day PR, while I was lazing. Keep burning those miles, Boni ! Way to go !!

My group riders

The Top

The climb

The fruits of labour

Randonneuring humility

2010-02-04T20:23:00.000-08:00

This is Shri Gulab Pandey

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

Shirval and back - metric century ride

2010-01-09T21:57:00.000-08:00

I was planning the Pune –Lonavala- Pune stretch as a practice ride for the Randonneurs 200km ride, but then a member on cyclist.in posted her ride plan for Pune- Shirval- Pune and I decided to join her

The best part of the ride was a chance to ride with a professional cyclist Kaivalya who had come in the first 15 of the recently concluded Mumbai- Pune race. I was awed by other statistics that he shared with me regarding ghat timings that they achieve. 40 mins for Sinhagad climb and 12 minutes for the Katraj Bhor ghat which they repeat 6 times ! And he rode with us on a single speed 52/16 customised Hero Hawk frame !! On the climbs he would ride on the brake hoods and power his way out of sight while we down shifted and struggled to keep a more than walking pace. His company was inspiring as well as intimidating !

I started my morning journey at 5:00 AM and reached the Katraj bypass meeting point at 5:45 AM which is 18 kms away from home. That puts an average speed of ~25 kmph ! Waited for the other guys till 6:15, nobody turned up, and worst my cell battery conked off. I could not get in touch with Divya who had organized the ride. Borrowed a passerby’s cell and messaged her that I was starting off without them. Dawn was breaking out but the sky was cloudy and therefore still dark. It was a gradual incline uphill till the Katraj bypass tunnel which was around 1.45 km long. With the other vehicles zooming past and lack of breeze inside, I was sweating as the end of the tunnel was in sight. A scary sight was a bearded guy shrouded in a blanket standing in my lane at the end of the tunnel. I made my way past him and it was a beautiful downhill and rolling section till shindewadi. I was humming the 3- Idiots song “ Give me some sunshine, give me some rain. Give me a nother chance … I wanna grow up once again … na na na na, Nanananananananananan … “I was on a roll as I saw a McDonald sign ..12 kms ahead. Probably a recently opened outlet. Was planning to take a break at a Pohe / wada pav stall at Shirval … Took a few stops for snaps and water break as the Sun came out bathing the landscape and bringing out nice hues in the fields. Shirval was 10 kms away and I made it in another 30 minutes reaching Shirwal junction at 8:45 AM. total Bike time was 3.5 hrs excluding the 30 min wait.

Was wondering whether to continue ahead but decided against it as the return trip of another 60 kms was at the back of my mind. Lifted the Trek and went to the other side when I saw a cyclist waving at me, he was part of the group I was waiting for and they had caught up with me, The rest of the group followed and post introductions we decided to cycle till the toll post around 10 kms away (Khandala), this is the base of Khambatki ghats.

Reached the khandala at 9:30 AM and we all crossed over to the other side at a roadside shack for Misal Pav, Wada Pav and Tea. Got to know then that Kaivalya was a pro, not that I did not guess before during our short 10 k ride as he was pedaling at ease his single speed roadie bike which appeared to be a customized Hero Hawk. Some photo-ops and freshening up and we were ready to start our return ordeal as the sun made its presence felt at around 10:30 AM. The return was with more stops as the road was more uphill than down and the last killer was Shindewadi which was a enjoyable downhill some hours back. We also took a Sugarcane juice break, instant sugar energy booster just before the Shindewadi uphill road. Kaiwalya had convinced me to take the old Bhor ghat and we parted ways wth the rest at the junction. I prepared myself for the climb which was a short 1.5 km ghat which I climbed on 39/19 I think. Saw the descent just round a corner and braced myself, shifted to 42 and powered ahead on Kaivalya’s trail as we sped past motorcycles and trucks with my heart in my mouth. This is the only time I was keeping pace with him, well sort of, as he quickly steered to the right of a truck and sped past it leaving me behind the truck. Soon we finished the descent and the rest of the road till Bibewadi was a downhill as well but the traffic did not allow us to take advantage and speed up. The sun was up maybe 1:30 PM and I was feeling a slight nausea and headache as Kaiwalya pointed the diversion I needed to take as he stayed nearby. Another 10 odd kms for me to ride and I was exhausted, not in the legs, but the head. Stopped at a shady tree spot, washed my face, poured water on the head, wrapped it in a towel and started the last lap slightly refreshed.

The last lap would not have been an ordeal but for the sun and the headache which came back. Overall the first metric century ride was very satisfying and on a road bike probably an hour faster. Reached home at 2:45 PM in the afternoon.

The map till Panchagani is below via old Bhor ghat.

Some pics

Pune Marathon 2009 - 10 km

2009-12-05T21:49:00.000-08:00

Prologue - Dec 2009 Pune

Finally the day was on me … was going to take part in this for the second time. Last year I had taken to running LSD (Long slow distance) to take part in this event. I had discovered that running was not so hard if done the right way, which is keeping a slow steady rhythm and not sprinting. The magic is to run to compete against oneself and not race, improving your own timings slowly and steadily.

Therefore taking part in such events serves as a goal towards which one practices some days in the week months before the event. In the absence of such events or goals, the practice sessions are aimless and not inspiring enough.
The event itself is not much to write home about with less said the better about the organization and the problems faced during registration which is all manual. Thankfully this year the forms were available online and Pravin Joshi, my friend and colleague opted to take all our forms and do the registration, collection of bib numbers, etc. Three cheers to him and Umesh.

During the run, the inspiration and additional adrenalin rushes come when you see the roads lined up with spectators waving at you, young children with their gleaming eyes watching the spectacle returning your smile and reaching out their hands to touch yours. Flags and music at certain road intersections make up for the registration nightmare.

Finally I finished the 10 km mark in 55:20:18 per my stop watch but continued ahead confused with another music band playing near the North road corner at Koregaon Park. Came back and waited for some our colleagues who had started later. Did a Photo session and returned back home by 10:00 AM for hot idlis as usual 

Am tempted to try for the elite Marathoner’s club for next year, but that means a full year of serious training and I am sure will be an addiction for years to come after that … like Einstein said “Insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results each time “

Epilogue - Jan 2010 Mumbai

Completed the Mumbai Half Marathon (21km) with a PR of 2:20:41
Ran under the psuedonym :-) of Vikas Nair who graciously offered his Registraton as he was planning to skip the run.

my pics - Bib 11233 are here

road bike the eternal search

2009-12-01T04:46:00.000-08:00

Numerous forums, research, email queries and am still undecided on which Roadbike to buy.

the last two months on the borrowed hero hawk was an eye opener as i became more and more informed about tyre sizes, frame geometry, cadence et al. Half of me wants to go to the Phadke Haud dealer and settle for a Hero Hawk and the other half tells me to wait and check out the guys in Bombay.

the only downside to not having a road bike yet, is less practice rides over the weekend and i dread to try the long rides on the Firefox. It has become all the more unreliable because of the wobbly rear tyres last week and the discovery that the Hub had worn out. Can one believe a less than one year old bike having the hub worn out !!

And i have enrolled for the randonneurs event on cyclist.in. Watch this space on how my participation plan turns out ...

Pirangut and Paud

2009-11-22T02:47:00.000-08:00

One more weekend long ride and this time with the PCP group. Wanted to do this ride as my first ride with the PCP early this year was only one way, during which I did not conquer Pirangut, opting for the Support Vehicle on the way back then. Therefore, was determined to cross over and come back even though the Hero Hawk did not have the third crank wheel.
This borrowed cycle tyre’s are starting to split and I was fearing the worst on this ride, but thankfully nothing of that sort happened. The ride started from Chandni Chowk which might be around 20 km from my place and I had to start at 5:30 AM in the morning. The Paud Village is at a distance of 20 Km from Chandni chowk and the Deshpnade farms were we were planning to end around 4 kms further up the Paud road.
The uphill road before Chandni chowk had me panting while another guy passed me effortlessly. Need to improve my climbs, or maybe it is the third gear that I am missing … It was around 6:20 Am when I reached the meeting point from where we started at around 6:45 AM. The rest of the ride was cool as the Pirangut ghat is not much of a climb while going, infact, after a short climb it is one long descent with me hurtling down at 60+ kmph the brakes are not too good on this bike and I had to really be on the alert for obstacles during the thrilling downhill road. This road takes one to Paud village and there is a short uphill here as well. Nobody was ahead of me and for a moment I was sure I had missed a turn but was relieved on asking somebody that was not the case … I could see the Tamhini ghats ahead of me which takes one to Mulshi … (one more destination for a century ride ).
Soon the road turned bad and I slowed down wary of my old tyres. Now a guy passed me, but I kept pace with him and soon another group of three riders pulled along and passed me as well. I set my pace behind this group but suddenly they veered to the right and I noticed that we had reached our destination. Phew … 7 :20 AM or so … we had reached fast.
There was no breakfast awaiting us as the guys were just preparing it, I chose to wait while some of them started back. Some stretching and conversations with other riders, ogling at the Treks and Meridas coming in and the other accessories alongside, it was almost 8: 15 AM. Finally breakfast was served, Pohe and tea. And I started back at around 9:00 AM, soon hit Pirangut ghat as two riders on their MTB passed me. This was my litmus test but the legs were feeling strong and I was doing good pace and trailing the wheels of the two MTB ers, theirs being a lighter bike were making good pace. Some buses and trucks trudged by as I continued grinding the crank, standing now and then to relieve the butt. Two more MTBer’s effortlessly cruised past me, one of them is the last year’s Enduro winner, I consoled myself ;-) . The end of the ghat was nowhere in sight and the sun was out, I almost wanted to take a water break, but decided against it. And carried on, perspiring with beads of sweat falling on the water bottle, till I saw the top of the climb as one of the MTBer disappeared downhill, this egged me on and 500 mtrs more and I had conquered Pirangut .
The rest of the ride was easy paced till I took a water break at Chandni chowk at the same meeting point from where we had started in the morning, the time was 10:15 AM. I had an average of 20+ kmph which a good pace but needs to be stretched on for longer rides as well. Carried on amidst the Kothrud traffic, pedestrians crossing, two wheelers and cars causing chaos, reduced my overall pace but reached home at 11 :15 AM. No pics this time though … everything in the mind ... except for the elevation pic below .. (the climbs in order are chandni chowk, pirangut and paud )

Click on the image for a complete map till Mulshi dam

Dehu road solo

2009-11-15T21:48:00.000-08:00

Wanted to check the old Bombay Pune route .... a prelude to the Goal - Pune Bombay before 2009 ends :-) ... Decided to have circa route to Dehu road by old highway and turn into the Bypass highway and come back from Aundh. Overshot the left for the bypass and reached the Toll naka 5 kms from Talegaon ... not bad the time was 7:00 AM ... approx 1 hr 45 min from the time I started from home. Took a water break and returned ... The bypass was a bit strenous at places maybe I don't like straight highways as I had the same feeling when I went Panchgani using this highway ...
Some youngsters on their high end bikes were speeding at 100 + kmph on the other side getting their kick :-) like me as I made my way past the Indira college and then Wakad flyover at Hingewadi... Took a break and some pics and hit the Aundh road back home. Passed the Golf course nearer home and was tempted to get some pics as the sun shining on the green lawns looked heavenly. Passed a guy (knife sharpener) on his cycle riding with the contraption in front of him ... I should be documenting different uses of a Cycle by the junta (coming soon )

Some pics here

Sinhagad Solo

2009-11-15T21:12:00.000-08:00

Well, it turned out to be a solo ride after the plan to ride to Shirval on Bangalore highway got dropped out. The other guys were to start late at 6:00 AM and I wanted to be back before 10 if it was Sinhagad.
The Hero Hawk is taking me places and I have fallen in love with it ... Will get a new one and swap the crank set and seat. The ride took me 2hrs to reach base and 1.5 hrs to return with a 30 min. poha and chai break. The rain had made the weather cool and cloudy but left the roads in a bad shape which did affect the overall speed but 70 km in 3.5 hrs is not bad and I had the legs to attempt the climb but decided against it. Did not want to strain my ITB again especially on a bigger gear which the Hawk has. Maybe next time :-). Met a guy Prashant Tilwe (?) who introduced himself as I stick out like a sore thumb when I enter the chai joint at base sweating with helmet and the Hero Hawk. There was this group of school boys on trekking trip checking out the gears et al on the Hawk too. Wonder what a Scott or Kona would do

The return was spectacular as always and at one point of time must have been on 50 kmph. Should get that cyclocomp soon ... so many things to lust after

till then here are the pics

First day

2009-10-26T00:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was eventful for me and Siddhant. I rode 94 kms (Panshet and back) after a long hiatus from "long distance" cycling because of my knee problem. And the knee seemed back in business. Therefore a "Fisrt day" for me.

More importantly Siddhant cycled in the evening without Support wheels on the side. His first day on the bike without Support.

Am waiting for the day when he accompanies me for a good bike ride early in the morning :-)

Tale of 2 punctures and 2.5 ghats

2009-06-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

Cycling to Panchagani a distance of around 110 + km from my place, three ghats Katraj, Khambatki and Pasarni was the goal for Sunday 14th June as part of the Ladakh practise session. Although I am not part of the Ladakh tour, decided to join in and check out my personal endurance. My goal was to reach till Wai which is Panchgani base and decide whether to take up the last ghat.

Started early morning 4:00 AM to reach Rajaram bridge at 4:45. Here the other members started trickling in till around 5:00 AM. Katraj was a breeze as I was fresh and the dawn air did not make you feel tired. The Katraj tunnel was like a wind tunnel with Trucks racing past you making a jet like sound. The tail lamp and head lamp from Amazon cam in pretty handy during the ride in the dark.

Crossing the tunnel and making my way for Shirval at a good pace, was feeing pretty confident till two girls raced past me. Most of the others had probably already crossed past me. And suddenly I felt the cycle bumping and glanced down. My rear tyre had given way.

The cycle repair workshop came in handy as I dismantled my rear wheel. and removed the tube. I had carried an extra tube with me and i place the same into the tyre. In my hurry I forgot to find the source of the Puncture and started filling in the air. The Blackburn pump from Amazon came in handy this time. Paisa vasool for all the things Parag had carried from Needham for me. :-). By this time several other cyclist passed me and offered help but I refused as I was doing well and did not want to break their rythm. Another one informed me that a Support vehicle was on the way.

Soon enough the Support vehicle came by as I started assembling the rear tyre and found that the spanner which I carried fouled with the other partd and i needed a box spanner which would tighten the wheel fully.

Sanad, from the Support vehicle suggested putting the cycle in the Support vehicle and stop at Shirwal. We reached Shirwal a few kms ahead where most of the Cyclist had a pit top for Wada pav and Kande pohe at a road side eatery. But nobody had a box spanner and I started to tighten somehow both the nuts firmly. Another guy Pushkar had two gaping hole punctures which some of us tried mending but to no avail.
I had some Kande pohe and tea and proceeded as the last of the cyclists (a couple of senior citizens) arrived. I took the Support vehicle guy's cell number as I was now not too confident of my tyres as well as the repair job that I had done. About a 5 to 8 kms away from Khambatki and no man's land, the same tyre gave way. Punture no. 2. Got down cursing fate, I was not complete even Khambtaki and starte pumping air to check whether it was only the lack of it which had caused the flat. now I could here air leaking from some where else. I had no energy to dismantle the wheel and check the source of puncture and called the Support Vehicle. I was feeling reassured as I knew he was still at the road side eatery. he picked up the phone and tells me that he is started climbing Khambtki ghat and he passed me long back. And he could not take a U-turn as the road was one way.

He told me to flag any passing truck or small carrier and reach him as he parked his vehicle for me. There I was in the middle of the highway without help in sight. I waited for around 10 minutes trying to ask for a lift wit no avail. Finally started walking towards Khambhatki ghat but still on the look out for a lift. 10 minutes of walking and finally an empty mini carrier stopped by me, I hauled my cycle behind and got on board behind to hold the cycle. This driver stopped again to take a couple of vegetable vendors at a small village called Khandala. I helped those vendors load their gunny bag. The vehicle passed the defunct toll naka and started it way up for Khambatki and I sighted our Support Vehicle parked under a tree, the driver Santosh was sleeping soundly beside the vehicle and continued doing so as I loaded my cycle into the support vehicle and sat next to him waiting for him to finish his nap. I was dejected as there was no way I was to complete today's ride.

When I saw the last of the cyclist, a senior rider, making his way up the ghat start.
Tiredness and exhaustion was visible on his face and he stopped near our resting point. He mentioned that his gears were making a clicking noise which was very demotivating for him. he wanted me to check those as he had bought this Trek 4300 just last week. I checked briefly with my limited knowledge of gears and could not spot the issue. he told me to ride his bicycle over Khambtki to see if I experience the same problem ! Man, providence had come to my rescue with Trek 4300 and for completion of my goal. I adjusted the seat for my height and started the Khambatki climb. Two punctures, two cycles and two ghats so far ... The Trek was a cool machine and i regret not buying it instead of my Firefox. I was in high spirits now and passed two cyclists making their way up. This boosted my confidence, passed one more and was not sure whether it was my renewed energy or the Trek which was making a difference. Some children in their cars passed me by and atarted waving or smiling at me. I reached the top and started the descent. For any ghat the feeling of descent as you race at almost 40 km/ hr is a most thrilling experience worth the effort of going up at 5 km/hr. I raced past a fourth cyclist as Wai / Surur phata came into sight. I called up the Trek owner to ask him whether he wanted the Cycle back to continue his ride. He told me to carry on till Wai as he was now comfortably seated in the Support vehicle which was following the last of the riders.

The rode to Wai was a breeze, except for some Tar patching and gravel strewn for some distance, thrown up all over because of the speeding vahicles on the narrow rode. One needed to be extra cautious as overtaking vehicles from the opposite side came in front frequently. And i sighted Panchgani table land and the Pasarni ghat. I was feeling a little exhausted now and the time was around 10 :30 AM. Six and a half hours and I had finished my 1.5 litres of water, two bananas and biscuits. Took a halt mid way to Wai and finished some dry fruits as well and remembered the cereal bar. Took a bite but stopped short as there was no water with me to wash it down.

Started again and sighted Wai base. The support vehicle had passed me long back and the trek owner along with many other cyclists who had decided to end their cycling were waiting there. Was in tow minds whether to follow this buys and call it a day or continue as there were around 10 cycles whose owners had stopped and therefore no dearth of Cycles to conquer Pasarni. the Trek owner told me that I could continue on the his cycle as well. The time was round 11:15. I reloaded a litre of water from a restaurant nearby and another senior cyclist encouraged me to take up the ride as he followed me. he suggested that we could always turn back if we wanted to. This gave me more hope and I embarked on the last and the worst of the ghats.

Pasarni like it name is a long stretch winding up to Panchgani and the worst part is you can see the table land far ahead of you beckoning and at the same time threatening. Which is the reason you need to bow down and ride, joked the senior guy as we made slow pace amidst a trail of vehicles and trucks. .The sun was beating down mercilessly with no sign of monsoon clouds anywhere. I took two breaks and finished up the one litre water. The early riders who had made to the top were descending and wheezing past us waving as they went ahead. Man, I needed to go a long way. I must have cycled for around an hour or more now and was past the midway but the confidence had gone. I found myself getting down and pushing the bike more than riding it and taking frequent breaks under the sparse shadows of trees.

No cyclists going on top were in sight as I saw two more guys giving up and racing past. I had reached and surpassed my endurance limit, It was around 12:45 PM and I decided to turn back. Five minutes downhill, I stopped as I saw the senior guy, who had started with me, taking a sound nap under a tree with his cycle parked. I stopped by him and woke him up to see whether he was alright. He sure was and was relieved that I had woken him up and we started the descent together.

Back to the base a sumptuous meal was awaiting us organized by Ulhas Joshi in the restaurant. Ulhas had reached the top at 10:30 AM and descended long back.

Our way back was on the foot board of an S.T bus with cheerful conversation with the bus conductor who was curious about the journey and amused that we did not go to "enjoy" Panchagni and Mahableshwar points but started immediately for home.

Reached home at 5:30 PM where a hot bath and Idli Sambar awaited me with Sona and Siddhant :-)

Route Map

Sea of blue - 50 weeks

2009-03-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

An unprecedented response to the 50th No Vehicle day week call.
And the T-shirts that we managed to get in the nick of time.

People, as individuals, make a conscious effort when they see a group following a valid cause. The cause has to be convincing and close to their heart. And practical.

Is commuting without your own personal vehicles practical ?
Say only the sceptics ... The group pics and people not in the picture are proof enough.

But we don't need to prove anything to anybody. Follow your conviction and do it for your satisfaction. And it results in an NVD movement followed by our colleagues and friends.

Cheers

to v or not to v

2008-06-16T03:03:00.000-07:00

in case you haven't guessed what "v" stood for, it is "vehicle" ... yes, the word which we take for granted when we step out of the house for the office or any other daily grind which require travelling.

the personal vehicle, has got so much ingrained in us especially in Pune that we have forgotten the walk and the ubiquitous bicycle for short distance commuting. This and the PMC comissioner's one day a week "No Vehicle day" missive to his team in the Corporation prompted us in PTC to message out a similar weekly Wednesday "No vehicle" day.

the gauntlet was picked by many and people from as far as Kothrud and Sinhagad road tried coming by bicycle or on the much maligned PMT bus to the office at Kalyani Nagar and Weikfield.

... and it is 11 weeks since that first attempt, some have got new bicycles and discovered the joy of beating the four wheelers not to mention the "feel good" factor at having saved on fuel and burnt a few calories as well. some have found new routes to their houses, discovered shops they never thought existed, and found scenery which was usually a blur in their motorised vehicles.

we have also got ourselves a t-shirt with the "No Vehicle Day" printed across ...

the monsoon has brought in some pessimism but the weather is more beautiful than ever to commute without a vehicle.

hope this lasts a lifetime ...

whose fathers what goes

2007-05-08T01:46:00.000-07:00

"kiske baap ka kya jaata hai" for the uninitiated. just got this phrase in an email and wondered whether we have any more such cuties ...

The Lightness of Being

2007-02-22T20:12:00.000-08:00

Ever since my cycling stints to office and back in Pune, used to wonder about long Cycling treks.

Atul came to know of Enduro3, an adventure race, around three weeks before the event and toyed with the idea of participating. I was initially apprehensive but was encouraged by Sona to go ahead and take part.

I managed to rope in Parag as my team member as this is a 3 member team event. We emailed around the office for a third colleague. We got Vrashab, who had to drop out before the forms were submitted, as he had to go for official work. And we had just 24 hours to convince a third guy to join the team. Sudhakar, another colleague was convinced for the same. Eventually he ended up in another team (Sameer and Akshat) and Atul joined our team.

That done, we had 4 teams of three each. Me and Atul went to Parvati the NEF organization’s office to submit the forms. They found our forms incomplete as they wanted a Parent / Gaurdian form to be filled up as well, although we were either at the prime of our youth or past it.

Having committed to the event, the preparation for the event started with more time devoted to aerobic cycling in the gym. Managed to do 10 km set of gym cycling. But then cycling in rugged terrain is a different ballgame as I realized later. But the goal of participating in Enduro made my gym sessions more meaningful

The twelve of us also decided on Cycling and trekking to Sinhagad trip as a warm up with just a week left for the event. That trip would be another blog as it was eventful too.

We made a list of food and drink items to take, which turned out to be a blunder eventually.

The Event

The 10th of February dawned upon us and started with my new trekking haversack filled with stuff we would hardly ever use and Water bottles of Electrolytes.

The rick I took for Symbiosis NCC grounds broke down at Bundgarden. “A nice start”, I thought to myself as I scouted around for another one.

I finally reached NCC grounds with Parag already there. The time was 8: 00 AM. Atul joined us later and so did the rest of our colleagues. The teams started trickling in and sun got harsher as the time ticked by.

The rear tyre of my bike looked flat, but I remembered having filled it up the day before.

I looked around for a conventional Cycle pump (as we were carrying a lightweight handpump) and started filling air. I was now apprehensive of this tyre, it had given way even before the race started, I wondered to myself. We decided that we’d keep checking and filling air with Atul’s hand pump at frequent intervals. We did not have any choice. An hour passed and I rechecked my rear tyre, there, it was feeling flat again ! Why should this happen to me ? Atul removed his hand pump this time and started filling air again. Keeping our fingers crossed, we were flagged off, eventually at around 10 :00 AM for NDA gate via Chandni chowk.

1^st lap – Symbiosis – Nalstop – Chandani Chowk – NDA gate

The initial half of this lap was mostly dodging the Karve road traffic as we proceeded to the Paud flyover. We were given curious looks by the pedestrians and questions asked by others about our destination/ A sardar participant ahead of me took support of a moving rick to tow him, I shouted “ disqualified, disqualified” and he let go of the rick in fear without looking back.

I got down from my bike on the upslope of Paud flyover to conserve energy and then it was smooth sailing till we reached Chandani chowk and a uphill road started again but this time devoid of much traffic as we got down and pushed our cycles with us. The sun was hot now and we needed sips of water already. Atul’s chain slipped and locked between the gears on the downhill route but we managed to loosen it. Thereafter it was a great pollution free ride till NDA’s Pashan gate.

Within NDA - trekking

There we were, finally, within the hallowed precincts of the armed forces , the training grounds of the cream of our defence, the National Defence Academy, NDA. Part of my reason for participating in Enduro3 was a chance to experience the NDA surroundings which otherwise is a No Entry zone for the general populace.

We were told to stop and park our bikes for the trekking to start and this section had a time control (TC). From now on our laps would be timed and we would be needed to go through Passage Control (PC) points too. This was to ensure that participants did not cut short the laid down route by NEF. I checked my rear tyre, wow the pressure was intact. Seemed to be a air leak from the loose valve. Kept my fingers crossed.

We started this at 12:00 noon. Looking back, I wish we had eaten something solid at this point before the trekking started. There was a dry stream which we were supposed to follow till we got a open polo ground after which had to up hill to a PC on the hill top. We got misguided as we followed other misguided participants a couple of times.

There were two splendid horses with their mounts following the trekking route and making sure everything was in order.

We reached the boundary wall of NDA atop the hill with the Khadakvasla lake to our backs and trudged along. By this time we had finished our electrolyte water supply. We saw a villager, his daughter and wife, whose house touched the NDA fence, replenishing the participants ahead of us. We restocked our water supply, poured water over our heads and damped the towel wrapped around over necks. Atul remembered the dry fruits and we thought it was a good ides to try the dates. I and Parag could hardly eat a handful. Atul ate a few more than us and we found PC 2 and soon after PC 3. The marshal at PC 3 encouraged us “only 800 metres, come one”. And we hit a tar road and got diverted from the end point TC by 500 metres. We got a TC of 2:30 PM. We had been walking for two and a half hours in the noon sun.

Atul proceeded for Rifles shooting as he was the Team leader and we stretched our tired limbs.

We did not realize that as soon as the team leader finishes his rifle shooting the Time starts for the next leg which was Cycling within NDA.

We whiled our time here and after realizing the above fact, quickly mixed a meal supplement for each other and one for Atul who was in the hot sun waiting for his turn to shoot.

The others joined this break point as we told them about the procedure. There were plastic water tanks, the contents of which most of the participants had already started using. A "firang" team dipped their water bottles from the top of this tank and smelled the water. They did not have any choice … no coke around or mineral water.

Atul came back from the shooting stint and after he drank his meal supplement we proceeded for the cycling section within NDA.

Cycling Route

We fetched our parked cycles and saw a pile of rotis nearby. Some team either spilled them or seemed to have dumped their solid food, to make their bags lighter.

I rechecked my rear tyre, this time it was confirmed, no leak, tyre was as firm as a rock and we were all relieved.

The cycling trail was a tar road, but the luxury soon ended as we hit a dirt track with stones. This trail had one Passage Control, after which there was steep climb. We had no choice but to get down and haul ourselves with the bike uphill. We were drained and took a brief stop under a tree shade. Parag cut two lemons and we squeezed them into the bottle which was being filled clumsily with electrolyte powder for want of a proper funnel. We chewed on the lemon rind which was quite refreshing. After which we resumed cycling. Cautiously we made our way as we did not want to lose our way again and then hit a sand track which made cycling an ordeal. To top this it was down hill and the sand track was wide enough for only one cycle. We had to brake to reduce momentum and avoid the bike from skidding. Now we could see the air strip of NDA and the we had to reach the NDA boundary wall and it was a tar road at last till we hit Sudan block (why is it named Sudan, I wondered ) from Raj marg (this name seemed reasonable) and the great domed main building of NDA. We were heading towards Peacock bay where the rafting session was to take place. This stretch of cycling took us through the civilized portions of NDA, the staff quarters, bungalows and the lush green football grounds. We passed two groups of cadets jogging with Rifles in hand. These guys really need to slog compared to the life that we lead.

By this time, I had begun to feel the strain and could not wait for the boating section to start. And we also had to then exit NDA and make our way to Panshet over the neelkanteshwar phata. The time must have been past 6:00 as the sun began to set.

Peacock bay – boating

We parked our cycles at the Bay, it was lined up with boats and the marshals were handing life jackets to the teams who wanted to go ahead and complete this section. I was tired but knew we had to cycle in the dark to reach the end of our cycling route. Atul was pushing me and he was right. The sooner we started the cycling route the better. And so far we had not touched any of our solid food except for the dates during our NDA trek !!

I opted to handle the rudder while Parag and Atul took car of the oars. I had the luxury of taking snaps as we made our way across the float markers. This was easy (as I was not the one rowing:-)) and we returned and docked the boat with level of expertise which made me not want to leave this section.

The boat ride, in some way, rejuvenated all of us. We found a water cooler in the NDA shed nearby and filled our bottles with water and topped it with all the electrolyte powders that we had. Another mistake, as by this time the taste of electrolyte was becoming a wee bit nauseating and we would soon yearn for the taste of plain cold water.

Panshet water sports centre - the giveup point.

Its too soon to call this the give up point without the details which preceded it. Since you've read till here I guess you are finding this interesting.

We exited NDA and proceeded for the longest cycling lap over the hills to reach TC6.

I had decided to get down and walk any uphill that we would meet. We passed a village and a small cricket session. I wished I was amongst them.

We passed farms and small shanties and Atul surged ahead of us. Parag and me were close as a buffalo and her calf, a few yards ahead of us, surprised at these helmeted aliens broke into a trot. A stray dog sensing something amiss, barked after the poor calf who broke into a gallop. The buffalo with all her motherly instincts to protect her baby galloped after the dog and her calf, while a the same time swaying her head to the left and right to keep an eye on us, the aliens after her. We were unsure whether to peddle faster than she could run and overtake her, but we needed space to go past her. Fortunately a fork on the road saved us from this predicament, as the calf took the other road and we were rid of the animal safari. I am sure the buffalo must have been glad, too, to get rid of us.

Darkness was setting in as the road made its way uphill and downhill. Potholed roads on the downhill stretch made our bottoms sore as we stood on the pedals to avoid the same. Any stray vehicle coming from the other side at such a stretch made it all the more difficult as visibility reduced and we needed to brake and lose the momentum of the downhill stretch. An ST bus or two passed us leaving behind a trail of dust and smoke which we had left behind at Karve Road in the morning.

I took a stop for a breather and some electrolyte. The taste of electrolyte was starting to nauseate and I asked Parag for a Lemon slice. I also removed the toy spectacle torch which Manoj had thoughtfully brought for the team a week back. This came very handy as I put it on the Handle bar of the cycle. Visibility improved and we moved on.

Atul got some cramps and we stopped again at a blind turn. I was getting tired too, and a little giddy. A patrolling ambulance stopped by asking whether Atul needed any assistance. No, we did not and they moved on. It was pitch dark except for the zillions of stars above and the occasional hutment or two from between the trees lining the hilly road. Some bird cries, but definitely not wild animals, joined us as Atul got up from his breather. We resumed and I kept a Lemon slice inside my pocket to suck as we cycled on.

Parag was making headway without any lights and I was lagging behind now. Atul seemed to have recovered from the cramps as we hit a Passage Control point at NeelKanteshwar phata. This was the back waters of Panshet and the phata was a bridge with water gushin from both sides. We crossed this and took another left, Parag was way ahead and I saw the Panshet water coming out from a Irrigation pipe. Atul stopped with me and we soaked our heads, splashed our faces and quenched our thirst with the cool water. I tried filling a bottle with this but the force was too much.

Even after this rejuvenating stop I was feeling giddy. We kept asking some villagers now and then about Panshet water Stadium and “3 Km” was the common answer even after 15 minutes of cycling.

At this point all of us used to get down whenever we hit a uphill road. I lost my footing and went off the road during one such stop. Parag pulled me back on the road and we took a breather. At this point I was ready to give up, Atul consoled me that we could sleep after reaching PWS and we carried on.

Vomit zone ;-)

We reached an intersection where we could see the Panshet dam lights and almost lost the way when a Jeep (hired by Enduro) with only the drivers inside came by and stopped. They were supposed to direct the participants to the right way. This was the start of another uphill route. I asked the other to take a break as this was treacherously uphill. And moreover the nausea had increased and I felt like throwing up. Atul removed two theplas from his bag and gulped it down.I could not dream of eating anything at this point, and decided to stimulate the vomit by fingering the back of my tongue. This worked like a charm and out came all the sour bile, I felt better. Atul followed suit and out came his theplas. A team passed by and enquired whether this was Passage control. “No, this is Vomit zone”, I remarked.

The guys in the Jeep had just visited some bar in Panshet town and were a little tipsy. They suggested an ambulance but we were feeling better and declined.

Give Up Point

It was 9:30 and we had been cycling for three hours in the dark. This last stretch was a hairpin U turn uphill and to the right and finally the last Time Control of the Cycling stretch was in sight.

We parked our cycles here and Atul decided to carry on as it was 10:00 PM in the night and the trekking lap across the Panshet dam wall to the other side needed to be finished by 6:00 AM next day. (Atul reached that point next day at 8:00AM )

Parag had saddle sores and could walk with great difficulty. I needed to rest as the vomit made be hungry as well as sleepy. I knew we had reached far beyond our Endurance limit. Almost 60 km of Cycling and 15 km of trekking was enough for the day.

“I am Chetan “

Both of us with Samir from the first team made ourselves comfortable under a Shed near the Time Control zone. The teams lagging behind kept coming in till 1:00 PM and we could barely sleep with all the voices of the Marshalls and the team members. I drifted in and out of consiousness and suddenly found the body next to me presumably Parag’s shivering. Did he have fever ? “Are you OK”, I asked him. He replied that he was feeing cold and wanted a bed sheet. I half opened my eyes and saw two guys to my right. I lifted the bedsheet of the guy on the extreme right. This was Parag.

“Who are you”, I asked this guy between me and Parag. “I am Chetan “, he replied. Another giveup guy had cosied between my sleeping bag and Parag when we were sleeping and tried to make himself comfortable only to find that it was cold and miserable.

I put my leg within the sleeping bag over him and this guy started feeling more comfortable and snored away to glory. I lost my sleep for the rest of the night.

Back Home

Daylight broke and we could see our surroundings more clearly now. This was the Panshet Boating point with the Dam to the left and the stretch of Panshet Lake to the right.

We had some food in the restaurant nearby, where other give up contestants had also camped. We broke Atul’s bicycle chain with which he had locked all our cycles the night before and decided to reach Panshet bus stand and look for alternatives to take us and the bicycles back to Pune.

Eight of us with our bicycles arranged for a tempo and we returned from our tryst with “Endurance” with a mixed feeling of regret of not completing the race but at the same time satisfied that we managed to complete almost 75 % of the route without any major misgivings.

Next year we will be there … Amen

Click here for more pics

From Enduro3

23 May 2005

2005-05-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

Completed reading "Delhi" by Khushwant Singh on the bus somewhere near Khadkee.
It rekindled (or is it "kindled") an interest in history for me. This is the way they should be teaching us history in school.
The book is about "Delhi" narrated in first person by many people throughout the ages starting from Timur, it gets autobiographical in patches and goes back and forth from the past to the present without a break in the narrative.
How I wish I had spent my two months in Delhi better than running around trying to correct components of home appliances during my stint at CG appliances. Someday I will go back to Delhi and see it through the eyes of Meer Taqi Meer or Nadir Shah or Bhagmati from Lal Kuan. To say that I was very little away from visiting Lal Quila or the Qutub Minar or Jama Masjid and not seen any of them is a pity.
Coming back to the present ... should be getting back to reading

Maha_weekend

2005-03-23T02:05:00.000-08:00

Finally we are going on a short outing ... to Mahableshwar.
Will blog with pics after our return.

Hope everything turns out well !

2005-03-22T23:42:00.000-08:00

Made by Priyanka Nayak ... Kalina@2004

2005-03-22T23:37:00.000-08:00

Diwali2004, Priyanka had made a nice Rangoli outside and I shot the same. Thi too was looking good lit up only with the oil lamps ...

I am not so sure

2005-02-02T21:30:00.000-08:00

Well, This is a new thing ... i did jot down when I was in College, but that was a long time ago.
i came across this site as well as Blogs when I loaded Picasa2 from the Google site. This utility and the ease of use offered by Picasa2 was great.

More later as I am at work and need to get back to it :-)