A date with Rain : The sweet suffering of 400 kms

It is very confusing to choose a beginning this time, as I have experienced too many things in a short span of 60hours, but for the story to unfold I have to begin somewhere and here it goes....

Mumbaiii :

Initially, my plan was to ride in Delhi on 25 th of this month. In Delhi there is a guaranteed accommodation for me and also I have little knowledge of the place. The riders there didn't show much enthusiasm in registration and I didn't want to take any chance about the SR ride, so I have chosen Mumbai for riding the 400.

Going to Mumbai is always an exciting thought. I only saw it in movies, (especially mani ratnam and Rgv) and being the economic capital of India, I wanted to visit it at least once and it is really surprising that it happened this way.

I was excited about lot of things before going. It was the SR ride, accommodation? How to relax after the event? What if something happens to derailleur during transport? too many what if's and how’s?

I have posted about stay in facebook, after speaking with Anil Uchil ( Ride coordinator ).He then connected me with Ammar Miyyaji from Nashik, who is also coming for the same event. It was a great relief, as Ammar took all the pain to look for an accommodation.

After being relieved with the stay problem, the next concern is packing bike for the flight. To get it box packed? Or to dismantle and bubble wrap it? Being concerned about weight, I avoided box packing. I have dismantled bike, covered all edges and important parts with foam sheet, (I got from bicycle shop) and then covered whole set up with bubble wrap. Boy, it was a tough job.

I have packed everything that is necessary on Thursday and was all set to go.

To Airport and beyond :

Left office early on friday. I was very skeptical about the way I have packed, as I faced problems last time, when I carried bike to spiti in the flight. To my surprise, within 20 minutes, I have checked in and even the security check is completed. Killing three hours of time is not an easy task!

The aeroplane flew through the clouds making it the most beautiful flight for me till date and landed in Mumbai very soon.

Ammar has sent me the hotel address and I have reached there sooner than expected. Ammar was also accompanied by Yamini, a national level cyclist from Nashik, Maharashtra. I was very happy to know about female participation in racing arena. After fixing bikes, we three set out for a small ride , as they both need to get some essentials for the ride. I was shocked to see that Ammar is riding a MTB with 2.35” tires. A rare sight in a 400 brevet. I may never dare to do so.

Mumbai welcomed me with a small and continuous drizzle, a trailer of a full length movie later. Since it was the first day after Ganesh Chaturdhi, all the roads were being echoed with the sounds of drums, cheers and dances of people. In a way, festive season is the best time to get flavour of any place. I enjoyed the chaos completely.

We had dinner as soon we came back. Myself and Ammar have different views on randonnuering and we debated about them during dinner and also about many other things. It was great to meet cyclists from different parts of the country and know their perspectives.

We managed to get only 3-4 hours of sleep. It had a very bad effect on me during the ride. We got ready on time as planned, but nature has other plans to delay us. The drizzle during night has turned into a big rain. We waited for few minutes to see, if it reduces but it only increased minute by minute.  The clock went past the start time 6am, and after twenty minutes we set out in the pouring rain.

The ride :

After finishing the formalities at start point, it is a 30-35 minutes delayed start for three of us, Being a average paced rider, I was little worried about the delay. Since the brevet has more to do with mind than physical strength, I tried to maintain a positive attitude and rode ahead.

After 8Kms, we three had tea and from then things started to change. Ammar disappeared right away. Being rolling terrain, I managed catch some speed in down hills to make up the lost time. I removed mudguards long ago, and for saving weight I even removed my rear rack, so all mud was being thrown on my back. There were dogs at many places and some even chased. I was more worried about them in return leg as it will be darker at that time.

Soon, I crossed some riders and was relieved that I was maintaining a good pace. As soon we crossed city, it was all hills, rivers, villages and flyovers. I was surrounded by lush green all around. If it is not a rainy day, I would have maintained the slowest possible pace to enjoy the scenery, sad that it is all invisible, due to rain.

 I was having toffees, homemade sweets and bananas on the way. Usually, without breakfast or food I will not be able to ride beyond 70 kms. I wanted to break that in this ride and pushed myself till the 101.5 km mark, the first control point after crossing Charoti. It took 4.5 hours for me to reach there and was my fastest hundred till date. It is five hours officially, though. Ammar was already leaving by the time, I arrived at the control.

I had curd rice, got some packed and went ahead. I rode with a good pace from here. As my speed increased rain also choose to increase and it rained Godzillas and dinosaurs from now.

Crossing borders on bicycle is always fun. I used to be amazed when I used to cross district borders in Tamilnadu, but crossing state borders on a national highway is a different fun altogether, that too amongst heavy trucks and large tolls. At Bhilad,I entered into Gujrat. I had mixed feelings again, happy that I was in a new state on my bicycle and sad that i couldn’t even enjoy the food there.

The suffering :

After 160kms, I started to feel the fatigue, sleeplessness and my stops became more frequent. At a point where I couldn’t ride any further, I stopped at a small food joint. The pav(bread) there is very soft and I had some plain ,then with tea and finally few vadapav.I started after a power nap and went ahead. Now I started seeing many riders coming back. I wondered that even though I’m maintaining a pace above my average, what speeds they would have been maintaining to come back already !

I crossed many good restaurants, subways and even a MC’d and thought, if I could maintain the same speed, I can have a lavish lunch while returning. I reached Chikli around 4.30pm. Again this is my fastest two hundred till date being completed in 10 hours (10.5 officially). Stopping at food joint is a mistake I made, as I couldn’t have a proper lunch and now I’m half hungry. I have decided to ride in a hope to eat at any restaurant on the way.

Life suddenly became upside down now. As soon as I have taken U trun, and when godzillas and dinosaurs are continuing to fall, the cruel head winds added up! They were so heavy that pedalling became very tough and maintaining average speed became a dream! I became very restless and sleepy within 10kms of ride. I stopped at the first dhaba I saw, ordered a dahi and chawal (curd rice ). Slept for a while, refreshed, stretched and was back on saddle again.

I didn’t have a good experience riding longer distances with sandals, so I have chosen to ride with shoes. With the rain never stopping, I have tried all the experiments I can to prevent water from making my socks wet, but all in vain. In the dhaba, I wore a new pair of socks, covered them each one with polythene and wrapped it tightly with tape.

More suffering :

I used to stop for every two, three kilometres. Ride became very tough, and when a uphill shows up, I was more pissed off than ever. I wondered, why am I riding in such worst conditions when I could have been happily laying down on my bed ! I lost motivation, I lost interest and I thought of quitting. Since I began the ride, I hardly saw any passenger vehicle movement, which means going back is a tough job. Damn!!

I’m losing all the time I have saved. I rode for few more kilometres till I have 178 kilometres to be covered in 13.5 hours. 13,5 hours is the time required to complete a 200 Brevet and I have a gain of 22 kms. A psychological advantage! I rode for few more kilometres with happiness. Anil Uchil used to cheer up in the middle, calling my name. It was an encouraging gesture.

The frequent stops continued to grow more and more. The heavy rain is having zero effect on my sleeplessness. The average is falling below than it is necessary and I have no other option only to ride. Whenever I felt sleepier, I used to stop at any shop that had cement flooring and used to lie down for five minutes. All the while, I thought I was completely left behind, but in some places where I’m taking rest children or people used to shout that cyclists are passing by. I used to get relieved that I can catch someone.

While coming towards Chikli, the flyovers were fun and means for gaining lost speed. In the return all the happiness was sucked away by the headwinds and flyovers turned out to be big hurdles. Taking service roads below the flyovers meant, bad roads, dogs and dark paths, which left no way to escape the pain.

I came across Bhilad once again, but this time I was completely sad and despair in hope to reach the finish point somehow. Sleeplessness grew worse and I used to stand aside on the road and sleep on bike itself under the merciless showers! At Bhilad, check post when I was stand sleeping, a guard came near me, to check if I was alright. He told me that he saw a few cyclists in a restaurant few metres ahead. My joy was uncontrollable and I raced there. The blinking rear red rights are a welcoming sign and I was greatly relieved to find a shelter and even see some fellow riders.

I had a long break there sleeping, stretching, and then eating. I set out after feeling comfortable. It was around 40 odd kilometres to Charoti from here, where organisers have taken a hotel for riders to rest and around 140 Kms to finish. The gradient of the road in return is somehow very different. It appears flat or steep and yet we have to pedal strongly. I got more tired.

At Charoti, there was some downhill section and due to speed, I couldn’t see the resting point. I realised that I have missed the resting point after riding 10kms or so! Water in my sipper and bottle were almost emptied. At a point where I couldn’t ride any further, I saw a hotel and stopped there. It was around 2 am then. Saddle sore began to show up here, adding more to my miseries. I have changed to fresh clothes there. I have removed the polythene, I tied around my legs at Dhaba to see my feet were completely beyond recognition! I had the curd rice I got packed in morning and slept for 15-20 minutes.

Suffering continues :

When I started back, I had to cover 80kms in 5.5 hours. It seemed reasonable, yet undoable because of headwind and rain. I thought I was refreshed but, few minutes onto the saddle it was very tiring again. I had to stop at many places, stand sleep and even wash my face in middle of pouring rain .When the sleep is uncontrollable; I had tea from a road side shop after which, I have vomited! I could take only water. Even dry fruits appeared heavy to eat.

It dawned soon and I even saw another rider fighting the odds, We followed each other. I was still feeling sleepy and rain is falling continuously. My front derailleur stopped functioning properly, and I couldn’t shift to granny wheel (smallest chain ring, which makes climbs easier). At a section, where road was climbing, we both had to get down and walk!

The rain and time never became restless and they were constantly running with great enthusiasm, unlike us who are wearing down, every moment! The final one hour is a thriller with exactly 22kms to reach the finish point. A 18 year old young randonnuer, joined with me now. When we were 10 kms and 35 minutes away from finish, he got a flat in front wheel! I couldn’t help him much in that condition and I rode ahead. Even the city roads were not flat and we had to struggle for reaching the end point.

Finally, we reached the end point at Oberoi mall, where Anil Uchil welcomed us with a big smile on his face. We handed over ATM slips and brevt cards to him. The young rider who got flat made it in time, on his road bike. Even many other riders made it in nick of time.

I removed shoes, all rain protection and sat on steps of a flag post and looked at sky! The rain drops falling on my cheeks and lips were so smooth now. It was an endless romance. My mind was absolutely silent and relaxed amidst the chaos of Mumbai. I was in a deep thought, not sure about what I’m thinking but, I was happy, very happy. I have then realized that the ride is finished and I became a super randonnuer. At that moment, I forgot everything that happened and the pain I had to go through.

It was an immense pleasure. A lazy bum like me, riding 1800 kms in heat, cold, rain, dust is something uncommon and I wondered what a sport can make!

Post suffering :

It was sad to know that Yamini had to quit at 360kms and happy to know that Ammar finished within 25 hours. I caught up some rest/sleep in Ammar’s car. We soon went to pick up Yamini and then I departed to airport.

I couldn’t wear shoes and I’m walking barefoot. Rain stopped for a while now. I have packed my bicycle under a tree at parking area. When I was about to finish things properly, it showered again and I had to run for a shade, which is airport !

I couldn’t help noticing too many stares at a barefooted guy, wearing track pant and tshirt with a bicycle on his trolley. Even though it is too early, the airlines, did allow me to check in looking at my condition. It was shower of stares inside, as I was carrying my shoes in hand. It was a weird experience bidding adieu to Mumbai.

I slept as soon as, the flight took off and when I woke up suddenly in the middle, water is flowing on the windows. I was shocked and asked the passenger beside me, if it was a emergency landing? He said we are in Chennai.

Rain followed me all the way to Chennai !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day-10:Tabo-Kaza : 06-July : My cycling trip to Himalayas

Day-10:Tabo-Kaza
Distance : 47 Kms
Undulating stretch with gradual climbs in between.Desert riding conditions.

I felt very tired and didn't feel like waking up,but Kaza is calling me. So I got up ,refreshed and started to pedal.

 I only had a sandwich , packed one and started the ride. Shabu and team just left. I'm not feeling so energetic like I feel everyday. Just after 7-8 kms I ate the sandwich I brought and took Avomine, as I thought the height is beginning to have its take on me. 

While taking rest, two random cars stopped by and both of them said they are watching me from few days and expressed their surprise that I made it so far. Avomine and these comments helped a little and I started pedalling again. I didn't dare to climb Dhankar owing to the the height and skipped it. 

There were not many villages in between and no food options either. So I had to move ahead bearing the heat. I came across Shabu and team in between who were on their way back from Dhankar. 

In Schiling I had couple of cups tea. It filled some energy in me. Enjoying the company of Spiti river, I slowly headed towards Kaza. The landscape is amusing .The sand structures are another wonder in this beautiful Spiti. They were present till Kaza. The views of snow hills just before entering the town is beautiful. Being head quarters of Spiti, I thought Kaza will be bigger, like Recong peo, but is also a small town. but Kaza is really the gateway to beauties of spiti.

I went inside the town, took a room as soon as possible and collapsed on bed for an hour. I could barely move my body. I some how gathered energy and refreshed and went out to have some food. I had snacks in a punjabi sweet stall. 

I have asked mobile of a person and called Mahesh. He told they are waiting for me and asked me to come near petrol bunk. I was so thankful to Mahesh, Sarath and his wife for providing me this memorable ride. It was such a bliss to be go to Hikkim and Komic.

My Father works in postal department, which lured me to definitely visit Hikkim. The ride is so nice and smooth in Scorpio. I enjoyed that luxury thoroughly after cycling for ten days ! 

We saw herds of sheep en route Hikkim. In Hikkim we posted letters to ourselves and friends. We went to Komic later. My language and words are not enough to describe that beautiful landscape.
A series of snow capped mountains lined up in perfect order ahead. A grass land of lush green behind ! I was so overjoyed looking at the beauty nature has provided.

We started back early as it is getting dark. We spotted a Spitian fox on the way, which is too shy and ran away very quickly. 

After coming down,I had food. Brought fruits, dry fruits and carrots for next day. After coming to room I went to sleep instantly with the lush greenlands of komic rolling in front of my eyes.

Day-9: Nako-Tabo : 05- July- My cycling trip in Himalays

Day-9: Nako-Tabo

Distance : 62 Kms

Climb to Malling ascent : 5 Kms
Steep Descent to Chango : 17 kms.
Chango to Sumdo Undulating, 13 kms
Sumdo to Tabo is Undulating, 27 kms ( last 5kms is a gradual climb through Lari village)

I tried tungtuk ( a soupy pasta dish) previous night and my stomach was little upset because of that. I over came that with eagerness of entering Spiti that day . Initially it is a tough climb till malling and again a nerve breaking super sloped downhill till Chango. I could notice the desert conditions begin now. 

Downhill to Chango

I'm nearly at same level as the river. 9 or 10 kms ahead of Sumdo, I nearly fainted because of heat and had a nap under one of the closed shops. I overheard a conversation that being sunday no balstings are going on . I wondered how days were being passed and I'm in ninth day of my touring ,I even forgot that it is Sunday. 

The road condition is very worse from here. I'm riding on a loose gravel surface engraved with sharp stones ! 

As I'm getting closer to Sumdo, my heart is filling with joy. Spiti ! The driving force for my whole trip, the mysterious land hiding many beauties and the board finally came. It is the first achievement in my life that made me feel very proud The snow capped hills and beauty of the valleys I crossed just gave me happiness but this small board, covered with dust and surrounded by stones gave me a feeling beyond the words can express. 

As soon as I crossed the board, I saw the sumdo bridge. I have noticed the group of bikers I saw in Chitkul, standing there. As I'm entering the bridge all of them stood up and clapped as I'm passing over. My joy was escalated further by this ovation I received from them. Many of them took pictures of me. A moment of pride :)



Mahesh crossed me in between, I guess they were coming from Geyu. I thought of having some food in Sumdo,but there is nothing available there. I went ahead and temperature also increased further. It is indeed a magical land in every aspect. The road appears flat but it will be elevating ! I slowly pushed my self.

The village Lari before Tabo is enchanting. It has an agricultural research center and it appears like an Oasis in this cold desert. At any point in the village one will be surrounded by the mighty mountains on all sides under the blue sky! A great sight and a wonderful feelinv to be in such a place. I took rest under tree shade at one of the entrance gates, while chatting with the security guard.

A little further, I couldn't push my self at all and a person passing by suggested me to rest under a tree. I sat there and the air from that tree is so refreshing. This person who stopped me identified himself as ex-MLA of that place. While speaking with him, I also saw a support vehicle carrying few bicycles passing through and later a cyclist.



I gathered some energy and somehow pushed myself. In between I passed through villages with population below 100. After sometime, I finally entered Tabo bearing the unbearable heat.

I saw the cyclist who passed by while I'm taking rest. It is such a delight to meet a fellow cyclist, Shabu. He has taken me to their stay. I was surprised to see Mahesh waiting there. Shabu and Mahesh introduced me to rest of the group. Shabu looking at my condition offered me tea and bread immediately from their camp. They were tour operators from Manali providing adventure holidays under the name Magic Mountains. 

They suggested me to enquire in Monastery if I can get any room as it is cheaper there. I enquired and got a room in monastery. 

After getting refreshed, I went in and around the monastery. Even here the Monk didn't explain much about Buddhism. I was surprised to see a Ganesh statute inside. Monk told that one sect of Buddhism follows some of hindu gods ! This increased my confusion further. Being closing time, I couldn't get much explanations about paintings also. I clicked few pictures of the monastery and came out.

I went to meet Shabu again. He helped me swap front and rear tires, replaced my worn out breaks with the spares I'm/carrying. It was just a group chat from then with every one. Raju Sharma is the onwer of Magic Mountains. He told me about his participation in MTB Himalayas and further experiences in hills. Mahesh told about his experiences being struck in sand storm and 25 days in Mudh village. It was scary and thrilling to listen such experiences. It also gave me insight about safety measures one should ensure, before entering Himalayas.

They were kind enough to provide me with food also..The very hot dal chawal is so yummy and refreshing after a long stinct of chowmein and momos. 

I came to my room after dinner. That monastery room is completely made of wood. Even walking on that floor is different. After gazing at stars for sometime, I went to bed and ended one more beautiful day.

Into the hell : Story of my 600 km brevet

Route :

Hyderabad-Nirmal-Jannaram-Dullapally-Jagityal-Vemulawada-Siddipeta-Ramayampeta-Medak-Narsapur-Hyderabad

Distance : 602 Km,

Gayam aina hai anukunte ,samaram aina sarada ra.

The line from a telugu movie song ,which loosely translates as - war will be fun ,if you feel better even when you are wounded.

After riding 400 kms, my body nearly gave away as that is the maximum distance I rode. Five people are riding as group that time, and we took a very short break in which I turned on music for a while and I heard this song. It's a different me from that time and thirteen hours later , I showed up at Finishing point....

46 hours earlier.....

I was full of enthusiasm and excitement as I boarded in the train to Hyderabad. I was also accompanied by shoulder pain as I carried bicycle bag till the coach.

I wondered how days passed quickly from the disastrous 400 km ride.After being unable to finish 400kms, I was not so sad but learnt about ways to avoid puncture. Added tire liners and tire sealant, with suggestion of a friend. Adding tire liners will increase weight, so I had to ride more to get accustomed. A to and fro ride of 400kms in two days to Chidambaram ,ensured that I was good to go with the new weight added.

I had sound sleep in train and woke up only in Hyderabad. I hired coolie this time to carry the bicycle bag,went to relatives home and assembled the bike quickly. I have then packed the usual must haves for a brevet like dry fruits, chocolates, puncture kit etc. This time I also got curd rice and dibba rotti ( A kind of 10 X thick dosa made with same flour, people in olden times generally used to carry that during long journeys) packed. My uncle there was excited that the bicycle which went to Himalayas is in his home now. After having lunch , I headed for the challenge.

Hyderabad randonnuers were very friendly and are always in contact. I came to know many people even before I reached there. They also helped me to get a ride till start point which is 25 kms from where I stay.

The D-Day : 

I was lost in thoughts again as we were headed to start point. A week before the event, while riding in a beautiful country road, a person tried to cross the road suddenly and to avoid hitting him, I had to apply brakes very hard due to which my bicycle was lifted in air and fell on right side. The rear derailleur bracket was broken, derailleur was struck in spokes and chain got tangled. Derailluer is responsible for shifting gears and without it, ride is nearly impossible. I was shocked for a moment and felt that I may not be able to attempt 600. Luck favoured me and the bike shop made the repair just in time, that I was able to travel all the way to Hyderabad.

We reached start point very early. The start point is an engineering college. It has a very positive atmosphere. I received the brevet card and got it signed, stamped as soon as I reached, even bike was also inspected.. Looking at fellow randonnuers is always a joy and meeting experienced people is a pride. One can learn a lot from the fellow riders about light packing, managing sleep etc. I had few bananas and had lots of water.

To CP1 at Kamareddy :

At 4 pm on Saturday the 5th of September, 28 riders headed to face the challenge among the support and cheers of families, friends and college staff.

The riders like always, started with a slow pace. Few riders came to Chennai for 400brm and I started to ride with them.

NH7 is a beautiful stretch. It is a rolling terrain, mostly headed downwards. We were accompanied by beautiful fields as soon as we left the city. Flocks of birds, cattle ,green fields on both sides of the beautiful pitch black highway is a feast for eyes. 

We stopped at a punjabi dhaba for having tea, I missed the group here and rode alone and with other group for a while.It soon got darker and we came to the place marked for dinner.After dinner, I joined again with the group I rode in previous stretch.It is a whole new brevet from here.

They were all very good riders and two of them attempting for double and triple super randonnuer. I always stick to my slow riding style and sprinting occasionally as I fear that I will lose energy, but the person attempting for triple SR (Prasad) is faster than others.Since I wanted to learn sprinting in longer distances ,I rode along with him and soon we both were flying. I enjoyed that ride completely.

We reached 1st control point at Kamareddy, around 9 pm with lot of time to spare. We didn't waste much time there and were back on saddle soon. We stopped wherever necessary from here and went in a decent speed.

To CP 2 at Nirmal :

After some time we lost the group and only we both were riding. We sprinted at many places, took rest whenever necessary and slept wherever possible for minute or two.

Sleeping and resting points

The food that I packed in home helped us survive when we were very hungry in middle of no where.. After sometime rest of the guys in group joined us, and we were sad to know a person has quit due to muscle pains.

Around 2 am , I got to witness moon rise. It is just magic of colours for a while. I couldn't take my eyes from moon in between the twinkling stars for a long time. Also it is a half moon in waning phase. He is much beautiful in his half form. At some points the lights in some sections of highways were like garlands placed around the moon.

The traffic is also very less in that route and I enjoyed the calmness thoroughly. I wondered when this is the night life that is really meant to be,why the time spent in cities under neon lights, with chaos all around is always termed as night life.

At 4.30 am we reached first manual check point at 210kms, 10kms after Nirmal town. We were cheered by the volunteers. After getting brevet card signed and stamped, we went to dhaba and had food. Sadly I couldn't catch up sleep here, which affected my sleep pattern through the rest of ride and made me suffer a bit.

To CP3 at Thakkalapally village : 

We started at 5.30 am to reach next control point at Thakkalapally village which is 140kms from here,with almost 10 hours in hand. On a normal day and flat road it is a 7 hour deal (being from 

Chennai, I think in terms of flat always ) but it is completely different terrain here and our sweet suffering started.

Before I was born, my father used to work in Adilabad district and I have no idea about the place.I always imagined Telangana as dry area, but was completely shocked to see so many green fields and forests. I was even surprised to know that we are riding through a tiger reserve zone !! Only because I know the fact that tiger population is very less,I pedalled ahead with the group feeling safe.

A very beautiful sunrise, gave a much needed refreshment to my exhausted mind. Witnessing such a sunrise in monsoon is really a luck , as sun will be hiding shyly between clouds in this season. I saw such sunrise in Kanyakumari and again here. Being completely surrounded by nature is a bliss.I tagged along with Prasad and after some sprinting, we took rest on huge rocks,while waiting for group to join.

At Kadam we stopped for breakfast. Even it is a surprising moment for me as I ate eight Idlies ,which I did never before in my life ! We felt refreshed after breakfast, but the energy we gained by eating was quickly exhausted by the growing heat. Our breaks frequency is also increased.

Some of the climbs were too steep , with down hills not being so steep, to make up the lost time !Also as heat started to grow, our pace got slow and breaks got many. We even slept on roads at times. At some place when I laid down for a while, a monkey came and took away banana beside me ! A scary moment.

Some of the landscapes were very beautiful, if not in group I would have stopped every where to click pictures.

We reached Jannaram around 11 o clock and pedalled towards Jaityal . As usual ,villagers were very curious about our whereabouts. The temperature increased even further from here and took its toll on us. Due to heat I rode with only base layer.

I looked around for coconut all the time but we are blessed with them only at Lakshettipet. Each of us had two coconuts and pedalled towards CP around 30kms ahead.

While typing now I'm wondering how a lot of time is lost! slowly we crossed Dharma puri. Dharmapuri has a temple of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. The landscape changed dramatically from here with hills being added to existing route. For a while, I wondered If I'm in sets of Pirates of Caribbean. It is lush green all around. I even got to witness farmers ploughing the fields with ox tied to them and even small bullock carts.

After many breaks we reached Thakalapally village, finally around 2.30 pm, the third contol point at 350kms.

It is a much needed place to rest. Organizers arranged lunch for us there. I had a quick shower, changed clothes and had food.It feels very fresh after getting rid of 350 kilometres stink. I noticed the saddle sore beginning and applied anti fungal powder. After a very quick nap of 10/15 minutes we started at 3.40 pm for next cp. It was sad to know that many riders quit here due to unbearable heat.

To CP4 at Siddipet :

Mentally it is just 250kms from here and around 16 hours in hand. A very decent amount of time to head in average speed. I felt refreshed for only a kilometre and realised my body is beginning to exhaust. I need more food, but I didn't feel like stopping the pace at which group is going. There are many downhill stretches after Jagityal towards Vemulawada. We caught up some speed there headed towards Siddipet , the next auto control point. I turned on music for a while here, in which I got inspired by a song lyrics.

It got darker now and we had a small snack. After that the group of five, got separated accidentally. I found myself alone fighting the cruel headwinds. They were really strong and I could barely pedal.

I very luckily got company of a rider, who works in Afghanistan and rides in brevets here during holidays. We both realised that we have 22 kms to cover in 1.5 hours to reach the control point. It is the turning point and I even feel now, I would have definitely quit if I didn't get company at that time. We motivated each other for riding towards the destination.

Soon the thunders started and very soon it began to rain cats and dogs. It is a very heavy rain with very less visibility. The pothole filled roads and oncoming heavy vehicle traffic made the conditions very terrible. I cursed the team that did recce for selecting this route. I was also worried about the rider along with me as he is riding a carbon frame bicycle which are very weak in such sections.

We shouted in joy at downhill and rode with excitement, encouraged each other to push at uphills. Bearing the torrential rain, we finally reached Siddipet with minutes to spare. We took a selfie as soon as we reached there as a proof of time. It is a also a moment of pride for me as that is the longest distance I rode till date.450 Kms.

We came to know that lead rider (Prasad) in our group has also just reached there. Sad that his stem went inside due to one of the big pot hole and height of his handle bar is decreased. He is brave to ride with the same bike after that till the finish point.

We three had dinner there and headed towards next control point at Medak. I changed jersey here and put on windcheater for warmth. We are 150 kms away from finish with 10 hours in hand.

To CP5 at Medak :

I lost more stamina and felt very sleepy. At times I feared that I may fall from bike due to sleep. I requested group to stop for a while and we slept in a bus shelter for five minutes and moved again.The route is mostly uphill and The climbs were very steep.

During this ride,I have learnt a lot about maintaining constant cadence before the climbs. Also with the slick tires it is completely new experience for me to ride to ride on uphill. I was very comfortable on climbs in higher gear ,at places. Unlearning the gearing experience I had on 2" tires and learning it again during mid night in a forest is a wholly new experience and only fun at that moment.

This is a forest stretch and only riding in group will be safe. We even met two other riders and five of us headed forward.One of the rider rode quickly and went ahead and we four reached Ramayampet village from which our next control point is 22 kms away and we had only around an hour in hand.

Water with me got finished and I got it refilled in a milk booth. Everyone among us put maximum effort to reach the control point.

At a point the bungee cord got loose due to many pot holes and my bag fell from rear rack and got struck in rear wheel. Luckily it came very easily and I tied it back, but I missed the group and I was all alone in middle of now where,but as per cyclometer I was only 7/8 kms from the CP with20/25 minutes.

Whenever I used to push my muscles used to cry in pain and made me reduce my speed .I was not comfortable on saddle due to the soreness and when more potholes showed up I was more pissed off. I shouted in pain and agony with only rising moon on my left side to listen. I somehow managed to catch the group who already reached Medak and were waiting for me.

Volunteers were also waiting for us few meters ahead. All the pain got instantly vanished when they cheered and pampered us. I had many bananans, a redbull ,refilled my water bottle then had a minute nap and we all started again.

To CP5 at Narsapur :

The climb is much tougher now and the roads were terrible. We are had very minimum time to spend for rest or take a break. We stopped where it is only absolutely necessary. The lead rider went ahead and we were  three left now. My self, rider who rode with me till CP4 and a rider on MTB. We encouraged each other to go ahead.The struggle to push at that stretch is inexplicable. We gained speed and time in downhill and rode as hard as we can in up hills. Due to my low speed, I missed group again.Enduring all the pain and suffering, I reached the control point with few minutes to spare. We were treated with a fruit Salad and a redbull again. I got a nice massage to legs from a volunteer there.Again it is only due to their pampering the energy refill is instant.

To the glory :

Now it is only 35 kms to glory and around two hours in hand. Decent target even for very slow rider. As soon I headed back to the road, I couldn't control tears of joy flowing out of my eyes. I cried for a long time .

A volunteer passing to endpoint offered me a small cup of juice. It helped me refill carbs for a little while. Even it is nearing the end, the route didn't stop climbing up and this is also a forest stretch with hundreds of monkeys lining up both ways of road.I even got chased by few of them.

The rider on MTB was ahead and I caught up myself with the carbon frame rider. We both pushed and pushed cursing the uphills. 

As we are nearing the end, he pushed and went ahead while I continued in the slowest speed possible. At last with 20 minutes to spare I reached the end point of 600 kilometres.

The claps while I'm reching there made me forget all the pain. Organisers immediately gave lots of fruit juice, water bananas, chips..what not.They treated the riders how they deserved to be. It was all cheers around. Every one congratulating each other ,describing their experiences and it is a perfect ending to a dreadful suffering. After many clicks and selfies people started to disperse one by one and I was so thankful that I got a ride till home in one of the organizers car.

12 out of 28 finished and I'm happy that I'm one of them.


Post ride, body is fine ,but numbness/cramps persisted in right hand and near groin.Hope it will fade away soon.

Reaching the end

Signing at the last control point

Celebrating Success

And that's how it happened and ended.

Fully signed and stamped Brevet card

The finishers

To my left is Prasad , the sprinter attempting third SR on his Btwin Rock irder

next to him is Nirmal Beura , who rode with me in rain .He became SR with this ride and person who rode trek carbon frame bicycle.

Next to him is Mohan Subramanyam, a brave heart to do double SR on his MTB, Trek 1,7.
Next to him is Satish, the rider who went past us after siddipet, became SR with this ride.

To my right is Chairman of the college, next to him is a veteran cyclist, Mr. Krishna Mandava, next to him Sai Harsha, Guy in bule jersey is Hemanth, a teenager, 400 km short of SR,and next to him is a Happy Randonnuer PV Shivaram.