The usual saga of restless night, multiple alarms and the adrenaline rush got us up early by 4. Soon my brother and I were on the saddle after packing a meagre nutripack. (3 Horlicks nutribar and two bottles of water). This being Ramesh's (my younger brother) first ride I was a little skeptical doing the distance. Nevertheless, the sight of the sheer number of cyclists enroute Nandi hills should've proven an engery booster. But this time around there were very less to be seen and that was a disappointment. When I did the BRM600 (Bangalore Brevet 600km) my brother was very disappointed that he couldn't ride along, to also become the proud owner of this baby....(http://www.rusa.org/medals/medalimage31.html). But now he did realize what each km meant on the saddle. I happened to make this trip solely to time my climb at Nandi. So left my brother waiting at the base, started the stop watch and off I went from the base. All was well till the hairpin bends started. Some of the curves before the hairpins I had to switch to the smaller chainring on the front and back. Continued in this gear for maybe a minute to regain the energy and then switched to a higher gear 2x3..2x4. Once the hairpin bends started, I was almost out of juice at the second one considering that I rode all the way from home and didn't take much rest at the base. Another 2 minute sipper stop and the routine started again. Just before the penultimate corner I thought maybe its not a good idea and i should just head back down where Ramesh was waiting. Then just as I held my head up to relax my neck what did I see ??? Yes.. the fort.. the entrance to the Nandi..Thats it powered my way through in less than 30 seconds I was clicking away with my Rubie alongside the entrance and also a proof of timing with the stop watch. :-). It was worth all the effort and I pushed the bike just a little more to reach the ticket counter. Yeah you're thinking that I entered to have a view of the mountain to relax mind and body... Heck no... I just wanted to conquer nandi and enjoy the beauty of the climb and that was more than enough. Time to head back to the base and averaging speeds of 47 I was able to overtake most of the bikes on straights and a Scorpio, gleefully smiling and the stop watch showed 11:30 at touchdown. A surprise trip were a barrage of Bullets...Lol. Nope not in the warzone but Royal Enfield ~ 30 of them thumpers. Imagine them all at once, the sounds were just scintillating and rejuvenating. Always an Enfield enthusiast. If it hadn't been for the cyling bug, there would've been a Bull in my stable now. Another surprise was as I reached the base my brother and I were contemplating whether to have breakfast ther at the hotel but then decided against and stop before the railway track. I remember stopping there last time for idlis and that was the decided pitstop. As I relaxed for about 20 mins. There were two bikers and their bikes ?? A Suzuki Intruder and I think a black GS1000R. They seem to be very interested in our bikes and had the usual questions(Weight/Price). Bike or Motorbike its the passion that holds man and machine together. The intruder simply had an awesome road presence and so did my KHS Flite. Trip complete as we reached Jayanagar and muscles tired as we reached home by about 12:30pm.
Trip Stats ::
Total Distance from Jayanagar 5th block to Nandi Hills :: 137kms.
Cycle computer start reading :: 787
End reading ::920
Fuel spent :: 3 Nutribars, 4 tender coconuts, 2 Cane juice, 6 Idlis.
Pics at :: Nandi Ride Pics
