Tour de Yercaud – A Climb, A Comeback, A Celebration – Dream, Believe and Make it happen

There are some rides you do for fitness.
There are some rides you do for timing.
And then there are rides you do for the soul.

The first edition of Tour de Yercaud, organized by Just Buy Cycles (JBC), was one of those soul rides.

Sixty cyclists.
Two days.
One iconic climb.
Countless memories.

And for me — it was more than just another hill ride. It was a comeback.

The Beginning – Friday Night Energy at Chennai

The adventure began on a Friday night as we boarded the train from Chennai to Salem Junction. There’s something magical about night train journeys before a cycling event. The mix of nervousness and excitement. The sound of laughter echoing through compartments. The constant “Did you pack your helmet?” checks.

Some riders were climbing Yercaud for the first time.
Some had heard horror stories about the 20 hairpins.
Some were strong climbers pretending to be nervous.

I sat quietly for a while, reflecting.

I had climbed Yercaud twice before — in February 2023 and January 2024 — both times on my road bike. This time was different.

This time:

I was riding a hybrid.
I was coming back after hip surgery.
I had taken nearly two years away from serious climbing.

It wasn’t about speed anymore. It was about proving to myself that I could still climb.

Saturday Morning – Salem Junction to the Hills

We reached Salem early in the morning. Freshening up at the station waiting room felt like a mini base camp ritual. Cyclists brushing teeth with helmets hanging on hooks. Shoes laid out. Jerseys being adjusted. Energy bars appearing from nowhere.

JBC had arranged breakfast at the station — simple, efficient, and exactly what we needed. Hydration bottles filled. Tyres checked. Strava ready.

Rental cycles were provided by JBC. The logistics were smooth, especially for a group of 60 riders — no small task. This was their first edition of Tour de Yercaud, and the coordination was impressive.

After a short briefing and group photo, we rolled out from Salem Junction toward the base of Yercaud.

Strava Activity:
Railway station to hill climb and reaching resort
https://www.strava.com/activities/17468091099

The Climb Begins – Hairpins, Sweat & Self-Talk

The Yercaud climb is not just a climb. It’s a test of pacing and patience.

Twenty hairpins.
Gradual start.
Then relentless elevation.

I remember my 2023 climb clearly. On my road bike, I finished in 1 hour 44 minutes. I was lighter. Faster. Stronger.

This time?
I took 2 hours 30 minutes.

And I’m proud of that.

Because this climb wasn’t against others. It was against my past self.

The hybrid bike felt heavier on the gradient. The geometry was different. The posture was more upright. Every pedal stroke required focus. My hip — though healed — reminded me occasionally that recovery is a journey, not a switch.

At one point, I stopped comparing.

Instead of asking,
“Why am I slower?”

I asked,
“How grateful am I to be climbing again?”

Somewhere between hairpin 8 and 12, the pain turned into rhythm. The forest canopy thickened. The air cooled. The sounds of traffic faded. It was just me, the bike, and the mountain.

And then — refreshment break.

Watermelon slices. Ice cream.

Yes. Ice cream during a hill climb.

Only cyclists understand how heavenly that tastes.

Reaching the Top – Relief & Celebration

Rolling into Mount Coco Resort after the climb felt like a small victory parade. One by one, riders arrived. Some collapsed on chairs. Some lay flat on the ground. Some checked Strava immediately.

The smiles said everything.

Swimming pool time followed. There’s no better recovery than jumping into cool water after a hill climb. Laughter echoed. Someone tried diving. Someone floated silently staring at the sky.

Lunch was simple and satisfying:

Chicken curry
White rice

After 2.5 hours of climbing, it tasted like a five-star buffet.

Evening Ride – Pagoda Point

After some rest, we geared up for the evening ride to Pagoda Point.

Strava Activity:
https://www.strava.com/activities/17472102512

This ride was different from the morning’s suffering. It was relaxed. Scenic. Golden-hour magic.

Pagoda Point offers a panoramic view of Salem city below. As the sun dipped, the sky turned orange and pink. Cyclists lined up for photos. Silhouettes against the sunset.

Moments like these are why we ride.

Evening tea was served after we returned. Conversations grew deeper. People started sharing their stories — weight loss journeys, first 100 km rides, crash recoveries, life transitions.

Cycling bonds strangers quickly.

Dinner:

Chapati
Vegetable rice
Veg kuruma

We stayed in batches at Ozone Resorts and Mount Coco Resort. The rooms were comfortable, and the tiredness ensured deep sleep.

Sunday – Sunrise & Scenic Loops

The second morning began early.

We rode toward Manjakuttai for the sunrise point.

Strava Activity:
https://www.strava.com/activities/17479063089

The climb to Manjakuttai View Point is short but rewarding. The sky slowly brightened. The valley below was covered in mist. Silence wrapped around us.

No one spoke much.

Sunrises on hills teach humility.

From there, we continued on the Yercaud loop road — arguably one of the most scenic stretches in Tamil Nadu. Rolling terrain. Dense trees. Cool breeze. Minimal traffic.

For a moment, I forgot about pace, injury, timing.

I was just riding.

Breakfast after the ride:

Tea
Idly
Pongal

Simple South Indian food hits differently after a morning ride.

Lunch & The Descent

Before beginning the descent, we had lunch:

Rice
Chicken curry
Murukku

Carbs for courage.

The descent from Yercaud to Salem is thrilling. Smooth stretches mixed with technical turns. You need focus, good braking control, and respect for speed.

Strava Activity:
https://www.strava.com/activities/17481497238

Wind in the face. Continuous hairpins. Occasional honking buses. The smell of eucalyptus.

Descending reminds you that every climb has a reward.

Soon, we were back at Salem Junction.

Two days felt like two weeks of experiences.

The Medal & The Memory

At the end of the ride, JBC presented medals to all participants.

Holding that medal felt different from my previous climbs.

In 2023, I chased timing.
In 2024, I chased consistency.
In 2026 (post injury), I chased resilience.

This medal symbolized comeback.

We were also given a beautiful leather keychain sponsored by Sansri (www.sansri.shop). Small token. Big memory.

Comparing My Three Yercaud Climbs

February 2023

Road bike
Time: 1:44 hours
Strong legs
No injuries
Competitive mindset

January 2024

Road bike
Maintained good pace
More controlled effort

This Edition – Hybrid Bike, Post Hip Surgery

Time: 2:30 hours
Heavier bike
Different geometry
Post-surgery body
Mental transformation

Was I slower? Yes.
Was I weaker? Not really.
Was I wiser? Absolutely.

Sometimes slowing down is growth.

Riding After Hip Surgery – The Emotional Layer

Coming back after hip injury is not just physical recovery. It’s psychological.

You question:

Can I climb?
Will pain return?
Am I pushing too much?
Should I even attempt this?

During this climb, I listened to my body carefully. I didn’t surge. I didn’t chase stronger riders. I kept a steady cadence.

The biggest victory wasn’t reaching the top.

It was reaching the top without fear.

The Power of Group Rides

Sixty cyclists participated in this first edition of Tour de Yercaud.

Different ages.
Different fitness levels.
Different stories.

But one common thread — love for cycling.

Group rides remove loneliness from endurance sports. When you see someone ahead struggling but continuing, you find strength. When someone overtakes you and says “You’re doing great,” it matters.

JBC managed logistics smoothly: