Category: experience

Cycling, experience, travel

CHALUKYAS 1200 – My first ultra randonneuring experience – Part II

vidyasagar

Warning: Long post as well as late post.

Ride story:

Breakfast at 4:00 am

Got up at 3:00 am on the ride day and had breakfast by 4:00 am and checked out of the hotel by 4:30 and reached the venue by 5:00. It was raining not so heavily. Wearing our rain coats and waiting in the rain opposite kanteerva stadium.

Kanteerva stadium to VRL refreshments (86 kms)

After collecting the name card and got the bike check done and greeting each other in the rainy day, had a good start.

early morning rains near kanteerava stadium, bangalore, 14-0ct-2021

At the sixth kilometer my co-riders Hub got jammed and could not be rectified. Asking for help from passers by for cycle mechanics number, few passing cyclists stood by and helped us only to find it could not be rectified. Finally two riders who started late gave contact of nearby cycle shop and also spoke to him. The cycle shop was around 1 km from the point of breakdown.  Soon we went there and identified the most suitable cycle. The owner Sachin came to the spot and helped us and we could not rectify the issue then and there. Alternate cycle was suggested. Only M size cyle was available which is the closest possible thing. We know we were running out of time for our first control point. After dismantling and fixing the handlebar extender, water bottle cage, spare tyre and seat, we have lost a good two hours. Resumed our journey with great spirit. Our consistent practice helped a lot. We need to reach VRL refreshments by 11:40 while we started at 8:30. Managed to cover 80 km in three hours in the traffic and elevations.

Some tense moments handled wisely

VRL refreshments to Hotel Anand Vihar

After having breakfast at VRL refreshments and started, we were the last of riders. Saw one rider quitting due to back pain at the same location. After a ride of two hours, had to fix puncture for fellow rider and used the chance to fill up water bottle. Felt a good relief after seeing few riders on the way. Talking to them was such a big relief. They all had lunch break and riding fast. Soon we were slowing down and decided to have lunch. Had lunch at around 4:00 PM in the evening and again started riding. It was a very long ride through chitradurga. Rode through wind tunnels, where our average speed dropped to 12 kmph. At around 200 kms we had to take a deviation from pune highway towards hosapete. Finally reached check point at 8:20 PM in the night. Covered 160 kms in 8 hours with a lunch break and puncture break. Looks good on paper but not sufficient for long rides with good elevation en route. Most of the star riders have already left the CP by the time we arrived. The few who were there greeted us. A Great dinner had been arranged by BR. Tried to have a power nap but couldn’t. After a gap of one hour, resumed our journey.

Hotel Anand Vihar to Hotel Nandagokula – Night ride (138 kms)

Before starting from CP we were advised to carry food for the night ride. Fortunately numerous coffee shops were available till mid night post which climate took control. Temperature started dropping and had to take many coffee/Tea breaks. In the land of coffee only tea was available at most places. Took pics inside a wind tunnel and headed to nearest petrol bunk for sleep. I slept for a good 45 minutes while others were chatting. After waking up from sleep, had a warm up run for half a km and then resumed the rides. Rode 64 kms in the next three hours to reach the CP with 1.5 hours buffer. Reached around 6:45: 386 kms in 24 hours seemed too slow but for the elevations. Since its early morning decided to have breakfast later.

Touring around Pattadakkal, Aihole and Badami and reaching Pakwan hotel

Group of monuments at pattadakkal
Aihole

We were made to take pictures at the three UNESCO heritage sites. Thanks to the organisers for routing through these beautiful heritage sites and making it a mandatory selfie point. Rolling terrains, Good roads, bad roads, village roads, gravel roads, mud roads, concrete roads, Tar roads. This is just preparing us for the deadly 100 km ride from 523 km to 623 km till gokak.

Badami cave temple

Hot sun greeted us all the way. No clouds. No use of carrying rain coat. Literally dehydrating ride since we were riding at noon. Finally reached pakwan hotel around 3:30 in the evening. With 1.5 hours to closing and tiredness forced us to take lunch here. Almost full of cyclists here felt happy again. By the time we reached everyone were leaving. It was Day 2 evening and we have not yet slept after riding for 36 hours with only breaks for eating and resting. A good one hour break left us with only half an hour of buffer time and we have to start hoping we get to sleep in the 623 km CP at Gokak.

Started like this and then…
sunflower fields on way to pakwan hotel

Pakwan hotel to Gokak (Deadly 96 kms)

While starting from pakwan hotel we had seven hours and 15 minutes to ride 115 km. This time includes sleeping time for whole second day night and continuing for the third day. Even imagining seemed difficult. We could see many riders  in this stretch. Endless amount of village people stopped by and enquired us. We got bored answering the same question time and again. We joined HariRaju and Lokesh. Four of us took turns to the enquiry. Finally decided to act dumb. Still motor bike riders came in front of us and kept asking the same questions. And the roads were bad roads combined with rolling terrains with no lights except our bicycle lights. As usual one of my water bottle flew away when I left my cycle in one of the ditches in the middle of the road. Waited and looked around and could not locate it. Continued the ride. Now came endless amount of tractors with baggase loaded and we could see few fellow riders fixing punctures enroute at many places. We were quite lucky not to have any puncture or may be I finished all my quota of punctures earlier this year in February. Then came good roads. Picked up speed and reached Landmark hotel to see 60 cycles parked there.

Gokak to vidhaan soudha

Spent 5 hours at this spot but slept only for 2 hours. Half an hour for dinner, 20 minutes for toilet and bath and changing clothes, 10 minutes for water filling , getting signed in brevet card, collecting drop bag, putting your phone, bike computer and battery bank for charging. Packaging was right except I carried way too much protein bars. I consumed 6 protein bars for 1200 kms. However I carried 24 nos which is excess.

Had a sumptuous meal at landmark hotel, gokak arranged by BR and a good 2 hour sleep after 40 hours only to start again. Started at early morning 3:30 in the dark, reached Reliance petrol pump, which was a selfie point. Had a tea break. It was 5:30 in the morning. Henceforth only good roads. Increased pace and caught up with other riders on the way near vidhaan soudha. Missed home made sweets by Belgavi cycling club by reaching late by 5 minutes. However it was not a CP.

Vidhaan soudha to Sugar N Spice

Saw Rudhra from WCCG tambaram chapter during the 1200 km ride only once. He iss a super fast rider. Had breakfast there in a small hotel and then crossed two ghat sections. My road bike crossed 60 kmph mark for more than 5 minutes. I was very much worried about the sudden speed anxiously holding the brakes despite which my bike moving at 50- 60 kmph. Riding in hot sun is better for me than in the cold lightless night. Reached Sugar N Spice and welcomed by Huballi cycling club members. They filled our water bottles while we had our lunch. It was day three evening and I was sleeping in hot sun in the verandah of the hotel only to be interrupted by the alarm set for 30 minutes.

Sugar N Spice to DVG socials

My corider Naazia started hallucinating during the ride. Despite covering 120 kms in 6 hours, the balance 16 kms took 3 hours to complete due to severe hallucination for her. The mistake on our part is not sleeping on the way and relying on facilities provided at CP. Instead of sleeping at CP, had we slept on the way at some petrol bunk , could have completed the ride much earlier. It costed us too much. Had good food arranged by BR and a very sound sleep for a couple of hours.

DVG socials to Kamat Upchaar

Woke up at 3:30 am and got ready for the final day ride. It was a great and fresh morning ride. After an hours ride, we reached our first 1000 km mark riding bicycle. I took a screenshot of it and shared in social media. At 6:30 we stopped for breakfast at the top of a hill in a small road side shop. Had idli and vadai with sambar and chutney and resumed our journey for final 200 km.  I was sleeping on the roadside in broad daylight due to lack of sleep. Reached Kamat upchaar at 1:30 PM in the afternoon.

Kamat Upchaar to Finish point

Started after an hour and half break, Heard lot of stories from fellow riders regarding their hallucinating experience and some were still hallucinating in broad day light and still riding at good pace. It started raining 60 kms before we reached the CP. My rear derailleur got jammed. Rode without shifting gears and completed. The last sixty kms in rain and traffic was very tough for riding as well as navigating.

CHALUKYAS 1200 -My first ultra randonneuring experience – Part I
Cycling, experience, travel

CHALUKYAS 1200 -My first ultra randonneuring experience – Part I

vidyasagar

Having completed an SR series in august 2021, wanted to taste ultra randonneuring experience. Registered for the event 45 days prior with bangalore randonneurs(BR). So had 45 days in hand for planning and practicing. Two zoom sessions were organised by BR in which an idea about the route, things to carry etc., were briefed by experienced randonneurs. We were also provided with food information, like shop names at particular km. So we know in advance where food will be available and where there is likely not available so that we can stock up.

S NODescriptionHandle bar bagFront top bagSaddle bagAttached to cycleDrop bag
1Jersey    2
2Padded shorts1   2
3Rain coat1    
4Bandana1   2 nos
5Gloves1   2 sets
6Socks1   2 sets
7Power bank1    
8Snacks1    
9T shirt1    
10Phone 1   
11Puncture kit 1 set   
12Multi tool kit 1   
13Dry lube 1   
14Charging cables- phone and bike computer 1 each   
15Spare batteries  1 set each   
16Wet lube  1  
17Chain tool  1  
18Spoke tool  1  
19Spare tubes  2  
20Bottom bracket  1  
21Spare tyre (Ralson 700 x 25 C)   11
22Portable air pump   1 
23Water bottle   2 
24Front light   1 
25Rear light   1 
26Protein bars 2 nos 3 nos10 nos
27Electral 5   5

Since the event was in bangalore, we have to transport our cycles. Neither of us owned a car. So we decided to use a cycle carry bag and go in train. We have to dismantle both the wheels and put the rest of the cycle as it is inside the bag. We had to take an auto from home to central station and then put the bags below the seat. We had to book second AC in train for this reason. The third AC and sleeper classes cannot accommodate two cycles plus luggage and it will be difficult for other passengers. And also we cannot keep the cycles at different seats since we have to keep an eye on it or otherwise Somebody put the leg on the shifters or luggage on the spokes or derailleur it will become a disaster. After reaching bangalore, Carrying the cycles and luggage was very difficult. Porters also charge very heftily seeing the oversized dimension. It is better to put cycles in luggage compartment or otherwise by car.

We reached one day prior and had sufficient time to assemble the cycles and fit with all accessories in respective bags. We handed over the drop bags and AIR waiver form to the organisers and also met couple of people who are also participating with us in the ride.

Accommodation

We have to be careful in choosing accommodation. Should be close to the start point. Should be flexible with 1 or 2 hours delayed checkout. Most of the hotels have check out time at 12:00 pm, However the ride may start at evening 4:00 PM. We have to inform the staff well in advance that we will be checking out late and not to make any calls on the day of the ride. Do sleep as much as possible during the day before start of ride.

The ride is for more than 3 days and immiediately after returning( either completing or quitting) we would like to sleep at the earliest. Our luggage should be at the place where we would like to return, since we may be too tired or even hallucinating. Some hotels may not have luggage storing facility and we should consider this before booking.

Note of Caution: It is better to finish late than to quit at LRMs since transportation from the place of quitting to start point may not be easy most of the times.

CHALUKYAS 1200 – My first ultra randonneuring experience – Part II
Cycling, experience

ROADHAMMER-600 BRM   My first Super Randonneur title 

vidyasagar

Exactly two years ago on this day I completed my first 200 k brevet with my WCCG madipakkam chapter friends. Missed 300 k due to my cousin brothers death and completed 300 K at Pondicherry. Completed 400 k with our team again. My first attempt at 600 k ended in me and my friend quitting at 520 k unable to control sleep despite having sufficient time. After quitting from my maiden attempt at VPV-600 in mar-2020, within a week whole country was under lockdown due to covid-19 and all our practice came to halt including daily rides. My cycle was lying idle for six months time. Initially I dusted every week. Later spiders occupied and then for drying clothes etc., There was no lime light when brevet activities would resume and our fitness levels started dropping despite working out at home daily. I started gaining weight again. Looked out to others and started running inside home. My weight increased despite running 1000 kms in two months during jun-july. Even that too came to a halt during august. Hopes of completing SR within the year too kept distancing. However kept talking to SR aspirants and kept the hopes alive. For we would not repeat the mistake of quitting again. We endured the long wait during the covid-19 lockdown at its peak till august. Conducting brevet rides in india resumed from mid-september. By now we all are carrying extra packages around our waist. Trichy randonneurs  announced Auroville-600. However subsequently Madras Randonneurs announced Roadhammer-600, saving us from transportation and journey. 

Practice rides 

Started riding at the beginning of sep-2020 after a gap of six months. We assessed our fitness and found we can pull this off. Coupled with non-stop daily rides -thanks to WCCG madipakkam chapter friends for giving company in all daily rides. Completed 3000 k in sep-oct and slowly returning to normal rhythm. Did my first 100k in last week of sep-20 and one more 100 next week followed by 200k next week. 

Previous day Preparation 

We started hydrating one day prior to the ride start which helped a lot. Charged all our batteries, battery bank, packed all things required for the next day ride. A good night sleep followed by afternoon nap on ride day helped a lot during night ride on day-1. 

Ride experience 

Day-1 (4:30 PM to mid night) 

At start point, Just buy cycles

Seven riders commenced the ride from JBC Velachery at 4:30 pm on 30th oct. Four time SR Sudhakar sir sir took lead and I followed him leaving others behind. We stopped at 85 km for a small bite. Control point was only five km away. Rudhra caught up with us there and flying ahead of us. Again we overtook him and clocked 65 kms in next two hours. A coffee break at 140 km to refuel made me feel better. Sudhakar sir sir was carrying rice and having few spoons every half an hour. I haven’t planned that much for nutrition. A lesson I must take from this experience.  Speed increases once we fuel us with right food at right time.  

Sudhakar sir , me and the biriyani cover

Day-2 (midnight to next day midnight)- day of surprises 

 Reached second CP at 1:00 am exactly. We took photo and posted in the group. Soon the organisers responded- We are at CP-2 and where are you. It was a manned CP. Luckily we just read the message and went to A2B ullundurpet on the opposite side of road. Mr Prasanna was waiting fr us there. Had a delicious coffee again with some sweet bun. Refilled water. Took half an hour break. No one has joined us. So me and Sudhakar sir sir proceeded expecting to reach u-turn point by 6:00 am in the morning.  

We rode another 40 km. It was 4:20 in the morning. Had a meal top up and a coffee to keep awake and rested for a while. We were actually choreographing photograph of nap to post in group. Once done two of us started again. Hardly we could pedal. I know its not because of tiredness but due to the rising elevation after the perambalur. A consolidated 1000 m elevation is awaiting us in the next 60 km. Since it is about to dawn we were not feeling sleep also. Reached U-turn point at 7:30 am in the morning . A solid 6:30 hours for the third 100 k. There were no shops open even to refill water. However due to constant food recharge at night, helped in combating elevation without break. It was a rolling terrain , so the same climbs have to be done on return also.   

A small nap for 30 minutes, bath, breakfast(idli vadai), and then resumed the ride by 9:30 am. Just after two km saw rudhra toward check point. Told him over phone that u-turn is near and went ahead. No trees on the way even for a shade and a very hot day. Only sun god was testing us. Wind god didn’t help us nor test us. By 11:30 am we were at 355 km. Had an egg omlette, refilled water and proceeded again in the impartial hot sun right at 12:00 mid noon. Rode for another 1:30 hours. Found a hotel near ullundurpet. Had vegetarian meals instead of usual biriyani. 

My co-riders tube got punctured. Fixed it and then within 15 minutes tyre got burst. Replaced the tyre. The reason was liner had a twist and so we had to remove the liner. All memories of puncture did not haunt me. Quickly on to the wheels, we reached 400km at 4:42 pm. Had a quick food recharge at A2B ullundurpet . The break was for more than 30 minutes. Since we had sufficient time at our belt we could afford.  Another coffee break after vikravandi  toll at 7:30 helped in recharging a lot. By now karthos got fired up and moving steadily still 70 km behind us. At 10:15 had dinner at vasantha bhavan at 470 km. When we came out saw rudhra having juice. Three of us rode together to the next check point at Only coffee, silavattam.  

Day-3 

Around 12:45 we reached the CP. Still 80 km to go in 8 hours ,we decided to take a nap. A two hour sleep helped a lot. Started at 3:10 am in the morning, saddle soreness inflicted me. Took a coffee break near chengalpet and then slow ride since we have to see map and enquire at each turn, verify again. The route via kayar was very sceneic in the morning with mist, mountains and forest. Finally reached JBC-velacherry around 8:10 am in the morning with just a 20 minute gap and greeted by karuna , waiting for me at JBC. karthos reached by 8:30 with no spare time. No words to appreciate karthos who rode without sleep and alone for 500 km. A man of great mental strength and will power. Me karthos and rudhra got our first super randonneur . Sudhakar sir completed his fifth title. The moment we waited for eight months had finally come to fruition. 

Karthos

Lesson to learn – Under estimation of the route (elevation) 

Comparing the route with VPV-600 we assumed it is simpler. No loops. No headwinds. No bad roads. But still in for a surprise elevation twist. However much better than the ullundurpet stretch or the vandavasi stretch. The elevation at the last 60 kms was very deceptive and tricky. Literally no water for the last 30 odd kms. The route starts from JBC-velacherry and the through kayar leads to GST at Chengalpattu. From there straight to samayapuram toll at Trichy and return is same all the way. There were two CP on the way and two on return. Except the under-estimated elevation at the last 60 km everything was easy. 

Vidyasagar (myself)

Riding stats 

Distance: 616 km 

Elevation gain: 1904 m 

Moving time: 27:34 hours

Elapsed time: 39:40 hours

Avg speed: 22.3 kmph 

Max elevation: 143 m 

The finishers of 600 BRM

Thanks to organisers, madras randonneurs  for conducting  the event and helping us complete the SR. Thanks to coriders . A big thanks to WCCG madipakkam chapter friends and Vinoth, arun and Vignesh, Karthik seenu for constantly following up with us. Thanks all for the motivation and support. 

Its a late post just by two years. hahaha.

experience, running

My first ultra running experience

vidyasagar

I have been longing to do an ultra run since a decade but did not find enough time to practice. Fortunately now I can afford that time for running. I registered for one of the toughest events namely ‘THE HEL RACE’ in December-2021 and the event was supposed to happen in mid April of 2022 and suddenly there was lockdown in January-2022. I had planned for a cycling brevet in jan first week and then give full attention to running till mid April. Both the events got postponed and worse I ended up relaxing instead of training. I knew the organisers may announce anytime the cancellation or may also conduct immediately after the reopening after lockdown in which case I may have to do without much practice with likely weight gain also. The cycling brevet was announced on mid feb and I participated in the event with late finish tag. The hell race was postponed to may first week due to the maintenance work in runway in the nearest airport. In between I participated in one more LRM in April which also ended up DNF. After 2021 lockdown I have gained 20 percent weight and could not bring it down. The weight gain has affected my running speed though not my endurance. I was in dilemma whether to participate or not. However six days before the event I booked my flights and prepared myself mentally for the event.

Mandatory gear

The organisers have made the following mandatory for all runners from their past experience and it was really must based on my experience too.

  1. Trail running shoes – I bought new trail running shoes after running to various places. Every one sells hiking shoes, running shoes but not trail running shoes. Finally I bought Saucony canyon TR and took it to race without a single practice run with new shoes. The cushioning was very good and so does traction. The seller told it was only water resistant and yes it worked fine in rain. Overall it was very comfortable.
  2. Hydration pouch – during my practice runs I used my cycling hydration pouch along with cycling back bag which caused some back pain and irritation and discomfort during runs. So purchased a new running bag with hydration pouch and tried it during the race only. It was very comfortable. Thumbs up.
  3. Whistle
  4. Lighter
  5. Mobile phone
  6. Wind jacket

Event description – 65 km trail run with 3300+ metres elevation gain. The starting point is at Rimbick.

Nearest airport is at Bagdogra(Sikkim) – 122 km

Nearest railway station – Siliguri – 65 km

I have been to Darjeeling 14 years back and it was one my first road trips.

A 2.5 hours flight journey from Chennai landed me in bagdogra. Enroute I met few fellow runners. Two of whom where 60+ year olds and are going to run with me the 65km trail run and out of that one person is from my own home town and came there in the same flight as me. Five of us started the journey from airport to rimbick. We started at 4:00 in the evening and reached at 11:00 in the night. All of us were staying at different places but close by. I stayed at Hotel sukhim, another best decision of me to stay there. Got to meet some excellent people. Next year when I go there, I am sure will stay here only.

Pre race day: I tried my new running shoes and ran a 12 km distance up to the first aid station point and back to room using the gpx map. Felt confident after the run. Went to the bib collection spot and showed the mandatory gear for inspection. Post lunch there was a briefing session and some insights which will be useful for newbies like me.  Had five meals during the day which I felt is not sufficient. I ate momos, rice and dhal, chapatis , potatoes, chicken. Went to sleep early. The very first mistake is I did not organise my things properly and straightaway went to sleep.

Race day: We are supposed to be at start point half an hour before the race. The start point is only 500 metres away from where I was staying. I woke up at 3:00 am in the morning. It took 35 minutes for me to get ready and had to miss my breakfast. I carried bread and peanut butter and bananas, which were not sufficient for such a long run. Ideally I should have got at 2:30 am to prepare myself better, i.e. atleast 1.5 hours before the start of race.

Brief routing of race: THE BUDDHA TRAILS

Rimbick – Srikhola bridge – Gurdum – Forest hut – Sandakphu – Thukum – Sabargram – Phalut – Samanden – Ramam – Srikhola bridge – Rimbick

Rimbick to Srikhola bridge – 6 KM – Elevation gain – 37m

The initial excitement was high and I ran along with other runners. The elevation gain was mentioned as 37 m which is tricky. Inactual we had to climb 118 m(65 m climb, 24 m climb  and 29 m climb) followed by a total descend of 87 m(32 m descend, 31m descend, 24 m descend). Within a 6 km distance we climbed 3 times and descended 3 times. Drank some electrol and water and had a banana after reaching the aid station and proceeded after a very short break of 2 minutes.

Srikhola bridge

Srikhola bridge to Gurdum – 3.5 KM – Elevation gain – 378 m

There was no descent in the entire stretch. Since everyone were with me I did not lose hope. The climbs were very much steeper and I hadn’t encountered anything like this before. With four climbs (168m, 54m , 16m, 144m) I reached gurdum.

Gurdum to forest hut – 4 KM – Elevation gain – 715 m

The organisers have told during the briefing not much resources will be available at this point. It is quite understandable. Even water can have to carried manually. There is not motorable access to this place. There was no descent in the entire stretch. With three climbs(243 m, 245 m , 225 mi reached the forest hut. Met some nice fellow runners on the way. Couldn’t cope up with them though.

Forest hut to Sandakphu – 4.5 KM – Elevation gain – 636 m – cutoff 6 hrs

With six climbs (70m, 115m, 155m , 134m , 101m , 9m) I reached sandakphu, just 40 mins away from cutoff-time. Five hours and 20 minutes for 18 km stretch with a 1750 m elevation gain. Filled my hydration pouch, ate some protein bars, bananas and then proceeded towards next aid station.

Sandakphu to Thukum – 7 KM – Elevation loss – 279 m

For the first we felt relief since it was a descending trail. However I was about to go in wrong route when a fellow runner guided me to the correct one. I was tired and hungry and already looking for the next aid station where rice will be provided.

Thukum to Sabargram – 7 KM – Elevation gain – 156 m – cutoff 9 hrs

Sabargram marks the halfway distance. And clearly it appeared I wouldn’t reach this place on time and had to discontinue the race. However some fellow runners rushed past me and also motivated me. I was very desperate for a break but couldn’t afford.  There were five climbs ( 42m, 14m, 69m , 88m, 100m) and it appears we are forever climbing. With five minutes away from cutoff time, I reached sabargram. A cloud surrounded me and I started shivering after I stopped running. Had an half an hour break which proved very costly for me. I wore wind jacket to avoid shivering.

Sabargram to phalut – 7 KM – Elevation loss – 77 m 

I was running alone the entire stretch. Not able to give my best after having stomach full. Later I learnt from other finishers that you are supposed to carry sufficient sandwiches to eat on the way and not to take full lunch as I do in cycling. By the time I reached phalut it started raining. I still have to run 28 km in 6 hours with mot much elevation but descent. However things changed due to hailstorm and rain.

Phalut to samanden – 10.5 KM – Elevation loss – 1115m

It took 3 hours to complete this stretch as I had stopped twice because a yak was standing on the way and I was alone and waited for the yak to leave way or some fellow runners join me. Only the former happened. I was alone for half the stretch and finally joined with 4 others. Once we reached the aid station at samanden, we are asked to forece quit for safety reasons and also by then I have lost hope to complete on time.

We ate noodles and 6 six of us were sharing our experiences and waiting for rescue. There was lot of discussion with the organisers and they were asking us to stay there itself since we are in wildlife territory, bears might attack and not letting us to go the nearest spot from where vehicles can be arranged. Some of us have booked flight the next day at bagdogra and so we resisted. Finally with the support of local guides we managed to reached ramam, from where vehicle was arranged and dropped at out respective hotels. Meanwhile we became DNF celebrities in whatsapp group and everyone was worried about our safety. Finally i reached my hotel at 2:00 pm in the night. I was offered food, but I dint take. It was a mistake.

There were photographers all along the beautiful scenic trails and volunteers helping us at each aid station. Thanks to all of you guys and also the organisers for selecting a beautiful trail route.

I identified the following areas and things to do as scope for my improvement

  1. More practice runs
  2. Proper hydration
  3. Proper packing
  4. Food and nutrition
  5. Clothing

Also I felt I needed a proper GPS watch. The phone recording results were not good except the distance and elevation which was captured accurately. I did not record my heart rate.

I am sure I will go back to Darjeeling again for the trail run next year.

experience, reflections, sightseeing

In search of a deer-park

vidyasagar

Twelve years ago when I was staying away from my parents for the first time in life, I was already eager for exploring the new place. I was posted in such a place where nothing is available or so I thought at that time. My view is not he same now and I have posted in “The grass on the other side looks greener”.  Over the course of time I have learnt many times, locals are not aware of the valuable  things around them to see and learn. Even the so called explored places remains largely unexplored. No when I was posted in this remote place, I would ask everyone what are the places to see around. What is this place famous for. I would google around so hard that nothing would be available and we would curse the place for not having anything to see or do. Some people would say there is a park nearby. If you would visit the park, nobody will be there. You can have the park for yourself. It will be deserted after evening. Once when my room-mate was coming back from his hometown to this place, he saw a board with a picture of deer and some text on it. On reaching our room he told me of this and it would be approximately around ten kilometres from our room. So we enquired a lot about this deer park to so many people. No one would now of it.

We decided to explore on our own. Every Sunday we would go and search for this deer park and return home without finding any clue. We were not able to find the board with the picture of the deer. We would take lot of pictures, rare sceneries, seeing birds in natural environment. You can see the pics below.

  • Baya weaver nest
  • Baya weaver in nest
  • Baya weaver nest
  • Baya weaver nest cluster
  • Lapwig
  • Ducks
Baya weaver

After few months we successfully found the board with a picture of the deer. We didn’t know the local language so couldnt read the directions to the deer park. We asked the route for the deer park to the people nearby. No one knows about any deer park. We told them there is a board which shows direction. Still no one knows. Finally one man came along with us near the board and translated for us. The board didn’t show the direction to the deer park. Instead it read “ Deer crossing- Go slow”.

experience, reflections

How lockdown is changing me?

vidyasagar

e-books to audio-books

In the beginning of the year, I had decided to throw away with physical books and go with e-books. I did throw away most of physical books. E-books are difficult to read for long time. The job of transferring the books from PC to ipad is annoying ever since my macbook air broke. Then I also wanted to reduce the screen time from digital gadgets. So thought of using audio books. I has been a week and I am nearing completion of my listening to second book. Though many books are not available in audio form, still I feel it is a good beginning.

Tracking food and nutrition

The biggest change in the lockdown period is I have not gained any weight and I am not starving also. I have started tracking my food and nutrition and built it as a habit. Each time I eat my mind raced to log it and I find it very useful. The insight gained i.e., low consumption of protein is to be addressed.

Workouts

Everyday morning I would go to the beach and watch sunrise with my friends. Nothing can substitute that. However we still have to keep our body fit. Initially everyone tried doing exercises and workuts and finally decided to do in group video chat/meeting apps. Checked the cost of indoor cycling trainer and found it pricey but still worthy. May be I will get one soon.

Running inside home

Can’t run on the roads due to the present situation, many of the people started doing ultra running inside home. Inspired by these people, I too started running inside the four walls. Could have got a treadmill. Planning to invest in one after the lockdown is over.

Virtual events

Started participating in more virtual events. 5k global distance challenge, The latest one being 10k run inside home on mother’s day. And many more coming.

Time and mindfulness

Now I feel like I have all the time in the world for me and I am fighting to reduce the digital screen time. Have started practising yoga and feeling better.

Finding solutions

Stuck with a problem of importing and exporting data to apple health app for quiet a few months. Found solutions during this lockdown time. Thanks to the relaxed mind.

The lockdown has brought enormous change in me. Staying inside has given me the me-time. I am trying out new things more than before. It is turning out to be better for me.

Cycling, experience, reflections

My fall at a hill top while cycling at malaysia

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India is locked down for next 21 days as a preventive measure to safeguard millions from corona infection. A great and bold move welcomed by all. Now this is time to think and reflect and write as many posts while sitting at home and pondering over good and not so good events that have taken place in my life. You cannot do all mistakes by yourself , hence got to learn from others mistakes and become wiser.

We rode to a small hill (Genting sempah) near kuala lampur, malaysia. The climb was not so steep but gradual for a distance of 20 kilometres. The route was visual delight to eyes and also a treat for cyclists. Covered with trees on both sides,A warning had been given by the organiser about rash drivers who can surprise us anywhere, in any of the numerous bends. Since it was a chinese new year day, there were no rash drivers.

Each of us were moving at our own pace. at around 10 km, i had a flat tyre. We could not fix it because not having correct spanner for replacing tube or for removing the firmly struck iron pin on the tyre. I was so unhappy to give up. We have to fix the car rack and put my cycle in it. My friend who came that way gave his cycle for me to climb up. I was feeling extremely happy and pushed fast to join the riders who went earlier. Soon i joined them at genting highlands and lots of photos taken.

I lost my patience here. I was in a mood to cycle further. So i left the group and joined the one other rider who also wants to move further. Together we started. The road was splitting into two and joining again after a steep climb. Now there are two options, to make the steep climb or skip the climb and come thru the other way. We skipped the steep climb and took the smaller one. Since we are new to the country and relying on google maps, i had to take out my phone in one hand and watch out for directions. Suddenly there was a descent ahead and my bike was speeding. A car was being towed away slowed down in front of me. I applied brakes in one hand. Since i had my phone in the other hand , could’n’t have proper balance. I did not fall all of a sudden. The fall was gradual and sliding down the inclined plane. The rear wheel got bent. I could manage to save my phone. I had bruises in my palms and leg knees. There was a cut in right hand near the wrists due to the watch metal strap and my smart watch was completely damaged.

The one mistake on my part was to use the phone while riding. I successfully corrected my mistake and am not using my phone while riding now-a-days. Because of this one mistake what i lost is many. I could not join the next day ride and it was not my cycle i was riding but my friends. He could not join the ride next day. I damaged my precious apple watch.

The positive thing during the fall was that i did’n’t got panicked. Hence the damage was minimal. Even though i had phone in one hand i.e. right hand, i managed to bring the cycle to a halt with left hand while gradually sliding and falling downhill. I did not hit the vehicle which slowed down in front of me. We had a clear gap of 10 feet between us and that means i have successfully managed downward collision.

The year 2020 has brought me great joy and happiness. That’s why i am also writing about small incidents where i can learn, correct myself and move forward and in the process pass on the message to others.

The world is not going to end because of any virus. Stay strong. Stay at home. Stay isolated. See you in the next post. Cheers.

Cycling, experience, reflections

Failure is not a crime, lack of effort is.

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Last week i attempted a 600 km brevet cycling. I quit at 515 km due to mind games. That guilty feeling is still there. I have to use remorse as fuel and move on. I was not even tired when i quit. I had sufficient time to complete. My cycle was not damaged and i was at the forefront. I am still not able to justify why i chose to quit. Me and my co-rider felt sleepy. We rested for a while and then mind games begin to play. We talked into cheating, quitting etc., but the never talked about taking rest and starting again. These words perpetuated in to our minds and we lost our mission to achieve super randoneur title.

90 kms away our friends were waiting at finish point, hoping we would complete and celebrate with us. All crashed because of our momentary and sudden decision to quit the brevet and  transport our cycles. Had we rested some more time, we would have been in our senses and completed the ride. The moment of celebration was within our reach and yet we chose to not try is more painful to think.

Had we tried and failed, we would not be feeling this bad. I have to endure all this and come up strong to complete my dream. Till then i will keep analysing and improving myself. My focus will be on completing this brevet as soon as possible. To compete again we would have to wait for three months due to the ongoing social isolation request from various governments to avoid corona virus infection and spread and as responsible citizens we have to abide by it. The long wait is going to torment us for sure. We have to move on and continue our practice which we are doing diligently.

My advice to all future randonneurs is that don’t give time for mind games to play. Keep moving forward. Plan well for your sleep. Go at your own pace. Do not match with others. They may endure sleep and you may not. Keep moving if you are a fast rider. To not feel guilty later always remember and keep saying ” Failure is not a crime but lack of effort is”

experience, travel

Diving in Temple reef, Pondicherry aka Puducherry

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Every since i dived for the first time in netrani islands, i am in love with the deep oceans. This pongal day i decided to dive in the east coast of india. I got to know of the agency which is organising the trip- temple adventures.  Temple adventures is located very near to the pondicherry railway station and the government guest house.

Day one:

We started from chennai early in the morning by bus and reached pondicherry by around 11:00 am in the morning. We roamed around and could not get a decent room. We settled for a mediocre room just near the bus stand with the help of an auto driver. We put our luggae there and reached ‘Temple adventure’. They asked us to go and have lunch nearby. We had our lunch and joined them again for the pool sessions.

Pool sessions

On reaching the spot, we were given forms to fill in for our next day dive and shown some videos of dive site. Then we were taken inside a tank for our trial sessions, where we were trained for basic skills like breathing under water, removing water from scuba mask, equalising, hand signals etc., All of us did it with ease except the last batch who were doing at 4:00 pm in the evening. By the time water has become so cold, all of them started shivering including the trainer.

Dinner at hotel  ‘Le club’

After pool sessions are over we returned to the room and then located this hotel using ‘Tripadvisor’ app. soon we were there. I ate to my satisfaction on saturday night at Hotel ‘Le club’. The hotel is situated near rock beach. You can either have your dinner and then go for a walk or vive versa. But the plus side of doing the former is you get yours seats early otherwise you will be sent back. There are lot of places nearby but thus one is a must if you are in pondicherry. Indian, continental, french cuisines are available here and they serve really fast. With the wine and spirits, and the wild breeze of the rock beach, make your mood light.

Relaxing at ‘Rock beach’

As the name indicates, the sea was stopped by placing rocks along the coast. The beach is very clean and long and it is really nice time, be it with family or friends. It can be easily reached from the bus stand as well as the railway station.

Day two:

On the day of the diving, we got up ealry in the morning and reached the office at 6:30 am in the morning. Breakfast was arranged by them, but we had lightly. It rained early in the morning and The weather was little rough. We had difficulty in plunging into the ocean. Once inside the ocean, It was very calm, even at a depth of 1 metre.

Temple reef is an artificial site, created by this team for discover scuba divers. There are twenty other dive sites in this area.

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The artificial reef is made up of cocunut tree leaves, palm tree leaves, and many other recyclable materials only. Lot of fishes swarm the area and for begineers it is an aweful sight. For an experienced like me, it was not so awful. We should try for other real dive sites nearby. sine i went along with two little cousins, i choose to go for this site, which is really safe for freshers.

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The open water course was conducted for a batch of students at this site.fishes-in-temple-reef-pondicherry00001

I tried to take my camera(olympus TG-3), but felt uncomfortable with having  camera in one hand and leaving the control to my diver. Several times my instinct took over and i paddled with my fins and created discomfort for my co-diver. fishes-in-temple-reef-pondicherry00002

After the dive i felt that i should not have gone for DSD. I should complete my open water course soon and go independently. I was very comforable inside water and the only discomfort had was somebody handling me. I need my freedom. I have decided to do the open water course, but still not decided where should i do the course.fishes-in-temple-reef-pondicherry00003

Lion fish- during my dive at temple reef.fishes-in-temple-reef-pondicherry00004

Credit for all photos goes to the temple adventures team.

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Lunch at ‘Hotel Bon Sejour’

As soon as we finished our diving, we felt very hungry and reached this hotel. The hotel is 1/2 a kilometre from the bus stand. As we stayed very near to the hotel in a cheap guest house, we launched into it. Food is served in both Buffet system or by order. We saw the variety and choose the buffet. Traditional tamilnadu food in full splendour. Salad, soup, biriyani, fish fry, payasam ended our trip.

So now i have dived in the east and west coast of india. Next in line is the andaman islands situated in bay of bengal.

 

experience, photography, reflections, travel

Is it Trekking or pilgrimage or both together?

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If you have visited temples in india you can easily find most of them are located in remote hills or in a forest. Recent constructions dont qualify for this. Why was a temple built at the top of the hill where nothing is available or in remote places. you can easily argue that remote places have become remote over time But why most of them on hill tops? May be hill tops are cooler or it can be easily identified from a distance. Did it serve as a resting place during journey? or some identification point among a cluster of hills. The answer is upto ones own imagination.

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People in the past be it any civilization, they traveled a lot. They built a home wherever they went. Home was not a place to live. How was a place for people who retire from traveling. even people who retired traveled once in a while and they called it pilgrimage. Over time it became a habit of going regularly and few lazy people constructed temples near to their homes and the habit continued and reached to a point where there is a temple in every street in south india.

For every imagination of human mind a god was invented and the process is accelerating at such a pace, history will surely be rewritten entirely erroneous, like i am deviating from the topic i have chosen for this blog. Now let us go for the topic.

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Views on the way uphill to the temple. Do you want to miss this?

It was in 2011, i heard through one of my friends about the vaishno devi temple in jammu, India. To reach the place you have to hike a 13 km trail on foot. Only mode of transport availble then was horse or a helicopter. And i was 29 years old and had never been in a plane then. I joined my friend for the trip and plan was made.

A week before the trip we got the news that our executive director is going to visit our office. I know if i ask for leave, i will be asked to postpone. I decided to go without asking for permission. The flight was at evening 6 ‘o’ clock. so i thought i could attend my office and then slip away early in the evening without anybody noticing. But the meeting in a corporate world would extend late as usual. I did not enter the hall, and i escaped for my adeventure. I feel what i did was right even now.

We started from mangalore and reached delhi. stayed at delhi for the night and the next day reached jammu by morning flight. From there we reached katra by cab. We rested for an hour. By now i was totally relaxed.

We embarked on our journey and i was really over excited. The 13 kilometre uphill trail was awesome. People of all age group were walking. I could see from the clothing that both rich and poor, traditional and modern, men and women, boys and girls, kids, elderly people, all going in one direction. I really liked the place, climate, purpose and all stories. The feeling was unexpressable. It felt nice to be there, not a moment i thought about work place.

My friend was narrating the story of vaishno devi. The hilltop was the place where she hid inside a cave and did penance. On attaining the power, she killed the bhairava and later when asked for forgiveness, she forgave him and blessed him. The place where his head fell is also worshipped. The physically fit does not feel any difficulty on reaching the top and other take rest often. People go there round the clock and there was crowd even in mid night. Anybody must surely experince it atleast once in a lifetime to understand it.

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Temple barely visible from bottom of the hill

You need not believe in the stories, but you will surely feel better because of the atmosphere. I wrote this blog in just under fifteen minutes. The memories are still afresh. A pilgrimage or hiking or trekking or both together- I am not able to tell. It is upto you to decide. If you have read “Aleph” by ‘paulo coelho’ you can empathise that.

Most of the temples are in hill top in india and it is definitely worth the trek to reach top.