The Saturn-V rocket that launched me into the cycling scene was the Brevet 600km in April 2011 and there has been no turning back since. I yearned to complete the rest of the Brevet series 300 and 400 to obtain the bragging rights of a "Super Randonneur' but I was only able to complete the Brevet 200. Time has come with the new season of Brevets 2011-2012.
25th Nov 2011 -- Status update, Rainy evening and chilly night in Bangalore. I for one was busy taking headcount of the representation from Cleated Warriors. I'm not a consistent cyclist who churns out a huge mileage everyday. Though there was hardly any preparation for this ride, the spirits were high for finishing under 8 hours. Helios, Zeus and Aeolus had planned otherwise.
26th Nov 2011 -- I get a message from Mitsunaga (Which I got to know later as I hadn't saved his number earlier) asking if I'll be riding as it was raining. Was I going to miss this opportunity? Certainly not !! Informed Mitsunaga of my departure to the rendezvous at Gymkhana grounds near IISc. Put on the rain jacket and all the necessary equipment for one of the epic rides yet. The brevet cards were already filled in and were put in a plastic cover to keep it safe from the rains. Kudos to the efforts of the Brevet organizing team.The morning drizzle forming a superfine spray ever so gentle was so soothing that I felt teleported to the start point. There were already a few riders who got the Brevet card stamped as this was the first control and the first batch started by about 6:15 and about 20 minutes later I left with the second batch and assumed the role of navigator. I held Mitsunaga's Brevet card and mine in a pouch and kept the cue sheet it in the other.
This certainly was an exploratory ride as the only direction that I haven't used as an exit from Bangalore is the Magadi stretch. The roads certainly were good for most of the trip except for some stretches (~15kms) where the roads didn't exist. Met the CAM buddy Kishan who was on MTB. Hats off to all those riders who attempted the brevet on an MTB. Certainly is a tough one I did find the route a challenging one on a road-bike. The near-empty roads, far from the bustling city traffic the roads became quieter and more enjoyable. First target was the control at Magadi fort where we had Alex waiting to mark our Brevet cards. Next stop Tiffany's Maddur. We kept overtaking folks on our roadbikes and not slowing down as we were confident that they will beat us on the trails which is their home turf and the Road bike begging for mercy!! I must admit the Kenda's plus the Mr.Tuffy liners did make a difference in rolling (slower) but they certainly were victorious over the bad roads.
The challenging terrain was worth every bit and soon enough we crossed Huliyurdurga and proceeded towards Koppa and passing by NSL sugar factory quite a nice aroma to some extents and a km later the stench of rotting sugarcane waste hits you right on your face to return to reality :-P .
Roads got road-bikeable and we soon reached the Chandrappa circle after the small climb at manchinabele. Got the brevet cards stamped. Some bananas and a cup of tea later we left for the 3rd control which was Maddur Tiffany's. We maintained good speeds till we reached Tiffany's as it was the point where we stopped for lunch. Downed a couple of plate of idlies. Just as we were about to start for Bangalore, Tiffany's started filling up as riders slowly trickled in and settled down for a luncheon. Surya stayed till Mahalakshmi layout and then lost him amidst the heavy traffic. It was pretty much Mitsunaga , the cue sheet and I to figure out the best route to the finish point. With the help of Mitsunaga soon we reached the yeshwantpur metro and then it was a smooth ride till the finish at IISc gate. Second rider to reach the point at 6:10pm. First rider to finish was Vishal who reached at 5pm.
Randonneuring isn't for all. Its for the brave hearted and a die hard attitude to not give up until the last of the efforts to finish have been exhausted. Three more rides keep me from the Super-Randonneur for the year 2012. Hope all goes well... Until then. Adios..!!!
Surya Prakash with his Orbea, Mitsunaga by his Bianchi and my Rubie KHS Flite stands 'unsupported'.
25th Nov 2011 -- Status update, Rainy evening and chilly night in Bangalore. I for one was busy taking headcount of the representation from Cleated Warriors. I'm not a consistent cyclist who churns out a huge mileage everyday. Though there was hardly any preparation for this ride, the spirits were high for finishing under 8 hours. Helios, Zeus and Aeolus had planned otherwise.
26th Nov 2011 -- I get a message from Mitsunaga (Which I got to know later as I hadn't saved his number earlier) asking if I'll be riding as it was raining. Was I going to miss this opportunity? Certainly not !! Informed Mitsunaga of my departure to the rendezvous at Gymkhana grounds near IISc. Put on the rain jacket and all the necessary equipment for one of the epic rides yet. The brevet cards were already filled in and were put in a plastic cover to keep it safe from the rains. Kudos to the efforts of the Brevet organizing team.The morning drizzle forming a superfine spray ever so gentle was so soothing that I felt teleported to the start point. There were already a few riders who got the Brevet card stamped as this was the first control and the first batch started by about 6:15 and about 20 minutes later I left with the second batch and assumed the role of navigator. I held Mitsunaga's Brevet card and mine in a pouch and kept the cue sheet it in the other.
This certainly was an exploratory ride as the only direction that I haven't used as an exit from Bangalore is the Magadi stretch. The roads certainly were good for most of the trip except for some stretches (~15kms) where the roads didn't exist. Met the CAM buddy Kishan who was on MTB. Hats off to all those riders who attempted the brevet on an MTB. Certainly is a tough one I did find the route a challenging one on a road-bike. The near-empty roads, far from the bustling city traffic the roads became quieter and more enjoyable. First target was the control at Magadi fort where we had Alex waiting to mark our Brevet cards. Next stop Tiffany's Maddur. We kept overtaking folks on our roadbikes and not slowing down as we were confident that they will beat us on the trails which is their home turf and the Road bike begging for mercy!! I must admit the Kenda's plus the Mr.Tuffy liners did make a difference in rolling (slower) but they certainly were victorious over the bad roads.
The challenging terrain was worth every bit and soon enough we crossed Huliyurdurga and proceeded towards Koppa and passing by NSL sugar factory quite a nice aroma to some extents and a km later the stench of rotting sugarcane waste hits you right on your face to return to reality :-P .
Roads got road-bikeable and we soon reached the Chandrappa circle after the small climb at manchinabele. Got the brevet cards stamped. Some bananas and a cup of tea later we left for the 3rd control which was Maddur Tiffany's. We maintained good speeds till we reached Tiffany's as it was the point where we stopped for lunch. Downed a couple of plate of idlies. Just as we were about to start for Bangalore, Tiffany's started filling up as riders slowly trickled in and settled down for a luncheon. Surya stayed till Mahalakshmi layout and then lost him amidst the heavy traffic. It was pretty much Mitsunaga , the cue sheet and I to figure out the best route to the finish point. With the help of Mitsunaga soon we reached the yeshwantpur metro and then it was a smooth ride till the finish at IISc gate. Second rider to reach the point at 6:10pm. First rider to finish was Vishal who reached at 5pm.
Randonneuring isn't for all. Its for the brave hearted and a die hard attitude to not give up until the last of the efforts to finish have been exhausted. Three more rides keep me from the Super-Randonneur for the year 2012. Hope all goes well... Until then. Adios..!!!
Surya Prakash and I against the backdrop of Manchinabele dam.
Good one Ganzy boy! Congrats on the completion. It wasn't certainly ideal day in terms of overnight rain and wet roads. Good that you guys still did very well.
ReplyDelete..And yeah.. I see the stone that was 'unsupporting'Rubie. ;)
Good stuff man.. Congrats on the finish!
ReplyDeleteHehe.. Keen eye. Thanks Venky. Loved every bit of it experienced all almost all weather conditions except snow and hail. ;-)
ReplyDelete@ Shankar thanks bud.. How is the guitar play going ? Have you tried Andy Mckee numbers like Rylynn, Africa, Art of motion etc..? I've stopped for a while but will soon start. (Procrastination at its best but a part of new yrs resolution ;-) )
ReplyDelete