Aroma of Nilgiris - The memories

Its been almost a year since I went on the longest ride of my life - The Aroma of Nilgiris ride from Bandipur to Ooty. A mega ride of 80kms and 4560 ft altitude gain on the first day to Ooty and a 94km ride on the second day for the return. The 14 extra kms were kept aside for the expert ride to Doddabetta, a popular tourist spot within Ooty.

Phew. Thinking back to that event, I can say with certainty that it was one good decision I took to not sit in the side lines and wait until I was super fit or acquainted with long rides. It set the pace for many things to follow :-)

The ride was conducted on the 26th of January 2013. It was a saturday. The ride was conducted by Cycling and More. A bus was arranged to transport the riders overnight from Bangalore and a truck followed, carrying our bikes with it. At the pickup point, we met several enthusiastic and interesting people who came from various backgrounds,professions and age groups. We had short introductions between ourselves and were getting all excited about the ride as experienced riders confirmed that the route was difficult but doable and thoroughly enjoyable.

Soon we were on our way, and the stories narrated by Brian, Mike and Srinivasan were what made everyone in the bus sit up for a long time. Brian was an aged person and so was Srinivasan at 70 years, with lots of long rides under their belts. While Brian was a jovial person cracking jokes and narrating funny incidents, Srinivasan who sat next to me was very quiet and only on enquiring revealed the vast distance he has covered on the pedals. He was a regular long distance office commuter on bicycles and for him mountains, valleys and highways were alike. I felt like a toddler among these great men. The regular riders were all flocking to them. But Mike, he was the star. Mike was originally from Germany and he had been in India for a long time now as part of his job. On being prodded with questions, he revealed how he started off as a newbie in France and soon conquered many peaks of the Alps (on road bikes) before arriving in India. The list of places he conquered made us all roll our eyes. The pro was among us. It gave us immense pleasure and pride to have a guy like him with us. He never hesitated to share tips and crack jokes :D

Mike n Sallu

 Next day at seven in the morning, we were dropped off at the Tamilnadu border ,where the Mudumalai forest started. Breakfast was served and our bikes and gears were set out for us to get started. With great energy, we all set off through the wide open roads that cut through the green forests. Experimenting with gears and trying to compete with each other, our group consisting of Salahudeen(Sallu), Tinu and me were roaring through the forest.

People who have been to the Nilgiris, especially on motorcycles know how immersing the route is. I would not be able to narrate the experience of the ride, after all this time. But I still remember every moment like it happened yesterday. The initial energy turned to slow pace once the 35 kms long steep slope started after Gudalur. I made teams with many other riders who were slogging it out to get warmed up. The going was slow, but everyone was high in spirits.

Not many stopped for rest and we kept on going, climbing bends and slopes, one after the other. Sallu, being an expert rider was soon coasting ahead of us and we let him go. Sweat beads turned to sweat streams and jackets and woollen clothes were stuffed inside. The hot sun came up after a while, and we started feeling the real sting. Every ten minutes, someone would mention the remaining distance, with optimistic estimates.This went for what seemed like an infinity. Me and Tinu stopped a couple of times, to refill water or stockpile Perk from village shops. Two fully geared men(both bearded at the time), asking to empty the jar of Perks into their bags attracted a lot of amusement and people came to us shooting a lot of amusing questions.

Brian!

The climb continued for some more time until the lunch break, which was thankfully a very big relief, with a roadside waterfall and all :D After a heavy lunch, we were stuck by a moment of laziness and when the support van rolled by, the devil got into us and we got into it. After a five minute drive, we realized that the climb was over. Overcome with regret, we got off soon at the next stop point and then rode with vengeance.

Ooty at 5 PM welcomed us with the chill and dimming light. We had our stay arranged at the YWCA and traversing the Ooty town was a special feeling after all the puffing and panting in the hot sun. YWCA accommodations were perfect and cheap. We roamed around the town a bit to grab some local food and retired early to rest our sore bodies. The cold was biting and we never knew when sleep hit us. We had the jovial company of Siva and Om, who shared our room.

Early morning risers were few and they went off to conquer the Doddabetta while we rested ourselves more, having a relaxed breakfast. That was when I got a call my mother when she came to know that I had cycled to Ooty, thanks to my brother :) I had a some explaining to do for not informing, taking risks, etc etc. Soon, the pros were back, and we were all in super high spirits to start the return ride.

After fixing brakes and clicking some photos, we started off. The return was more relaxed as we knew what lie ahead. The ride was fun, with us often stopping for lots of photographs, some shopping and racing each other downhill. I for one was in vengeance mode, using my fully body weight for momentum to gain maximum speed downhill. I must have hurtled myself through some of those hair pin curves at nearly 50kmph screaming out emphatically for those in the way to make way, until I realized I was probably taking it too far and slowed down later.

Rest of the ride was very enjoyable and it was not until Gudalur that we had to climb up slopes again, albeit smaller ones. It was here that a couple of us took some bad falls and one broke his arm. Even I had a freak fall at this point, much to the amusement of the onlookers. I dusted myself up and slowly rode up the remaining trail, which was getting tough as now I was near my physical limits, having tested them a lot in a short span of time. Motivated by the water and chocolates offered by many passing by cars, I rode through to the end point, to be cheered by the good fellows who were there already. The sun was scorching. The body was broken. But the heart and mind were in Cloud Nine. It was such a special achievement :-)

Mike!!

 But Mike, the bloody genius had finished both the directions 6 hours ahead of anyone else. We could only sit jaw dropped on hearing that :D

A special mention required for the kids in each and every village on the way who greeted us, ran behind us and asked all sort of questions, sometimes in Tamil or some testing their knowledge of English.

I tried to answer as many of them as possible, and the fun helped me relax in the extenuating ride. Some questions were tough like "Why would you want to cycle all the way from Bangalore to Ooty? Can't you catch a bus or something?" or the regular "How much does this cycle cost? I heard it costs 40000. Why waste it on a bicycle?" or "Anna, are you famous? Do you appear in TV? Will I also come in TV?" Such innocence and energy. I marked in my mind to come back another time just to spend time with these kids :-) A random thumbs up from other gangs, travellers always raised our spirits whenever it ebbed. A gang of Bullet riders who gave us a riding salute when we were traversing some tough areas, filled up my motivation tanks for more than a day. Thanks Bros!!!

In those two days, in the sweet scent of Eucalyptus trees, the cold breeze, the chilled crystal clear springs, the countless packets of Perk, the warm beds, the hot asphalt, the paining joints and muscles, the pungent sweat, the euphoria and bliss on the faces of my comrades - I smelt the real Aroma of the Nilgiris. It was a life changing experience I would probably remember forever. A 160kms cycle ride with full support for two days - INR 4000. A bunch load of experiences, lessons and friends gained in two days - Priceless.

Adios Amigos :-)

Aroma Of Nilgris - Chapter 1 (The Preparation)

I really can't believe that I didn't write about my cycling experience yet.
Its been almost a month now. but the experience was life changing, confirming and affirming :)

It was after my long vacation after father's 60th birthday. I was sitting in office, bored amidst a discussion. i casually opened up the gmail tab and saw Sallu(Salahudeen Razak) online
just as usual, on curiousity I asked him whether there were any trip plans. He simply replied with a URL asking "are u coming?"

It was the URL for a bike(bicycle) ride to Ooty titled "Aroma Of Nilgiris" conducted by a group of cycling enthuasists based in Bangalore called "Cycling and More" or CAM.
The ride cost was 4k per head with all transport, food, accommodation, and support services included. Suddenly, I felt the need to do it. I never had done such a long ride, and the last time I even rode a bit was already 4 months back. I felt it would be really challenging to take the chance, and do something worthwhile. I was truly bored and stifled with the continuous months of hectic work( but really hectic was in L&T). So after nearly 20 minutes of indecision, I finished the payment and enrolled myself. There were only 33 open positions, so I had to hurry. The ride was on the weekend of the republic day.

I was so unprepared and out of shape, that the fear of collapsing in between the ride was always present in the back of my mind. But my friends assured me there was nothing to worry about, as they were more experienced than me and would take me along. That was reassuring enough for me, for worst case. Nevertheless I made it a point to start some basic workouts to prevent major injuries.

But I really wanted to do a preparatory ride to warm up the muscles and bring the breathing in rhythm. It is highly important that these be in sync, so that you don't get injuries by normal exertion. Because, on the road, in a long trip, you don't get so many chances to recuperate well. Also, all such rides need a good starting to keep the motivation and energy to go on.

So on the Saturday before the ride, in the evening, I realized I had done nothing so far. I made up my mind to break my lazy attitude and get cracking. I decided I would ride till the Bangalore Internal Airport(BIAL) which was like 35 kms from my place and the road was believed to be good. I had never been so far or never been there before. So I just briefly check the maps and set off. The going was quite smooth and comfortable for the first 15kms. Then I started slowing down, checking the map intermittently, wondering how far the airport really was. It honestly didn't look so distant in the maps. I had no supplies other than some water in my bottle. So I had to conserve water, sync up the pedaling and ride slowly without exerting too much. It was slow, but I managed to proceed at an average pace. The sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise for many months together was quite evident in every 200m I covered. But I just kept pushing, knowing that I could do better and thinking of what lay ahead the next week simply allowed me to tap into the spare reserves very quickly.

And so, in that fashion I rode up to the airport, saw it in all lights for first time, amazed quite many guards and travellers on my way in and enjoyed myself too. It was a great feeling to have achieved the target after 2 hours of puffing and struggling. And I ecstatically rode back in fashion, enjoying the scenery and often riding a bit too fast to fit in my original time schedule. On the way I called up Sallu and set up a ride for the very next day, to Nandi hills, which was 30 kms more from the airport. So I had to return quickly, get some rest and start again early in the morning. This quickened up my pace and I rode fast. But I guess there reached a point where I broke the limits of my physical endurance. The thighs started burning and a wrong twist of calf muscles ended up doubling the pain. I was in the middle of some highway, and it was already 7.30pm. There was at least 25kms more to cover. My water supply also was empty. I started riding back in short bursts, getting down every 10 minutes or so when the pain became unbearable. Each short break allowed me to carry on for another 500m or so. In that fashion, slowly and with concern I started coming home. In between, I had to try some gimmicks tying up my bike to the highway railings while I picked up a refill of water from the other side of the highway. Every step painful, every gulp of water like nectar and every gust of cool breeze a blessing. That was the combination I moved in. Finally I had to walk up most of the slopes in the route pushing my bike up and walking for a long distance to ease the pain. It was fun to watch the expressions on the face of many a shoppers in busy places, seeing a rider in full gear walking up with his bike :)

And in this fashion I rode for the entire route. I reached home by around 10.30, one hour behind the planned time. I just had some light dinner and settled down to sleep. But the pain, it was excruciating and being a Saturday there was quite a lot of noise in the house. I hardly slept well, and woke up by 3 in the morning for the next ride. Inspired by my heroics, even my roommates decided to go for a crazy trip at the same time, though on motorbikes.On the other hand, I was in a wrecked state, without sleep and pain lingering all over the body. But I was determined to not back out and believed that a slow ride would set it all up for me. After all, now Sallu the experienced rider was accompanying me. I seriously didn't believe I would be able to climb up the Nandi hills after such an exhaustive ride. But at least I wanted to ride to its foothills and wait for Sallu to finish the uphill stuff. So anyway I set off, generously loaded with warm clothes donated by my roommates who felt I was crazy but also were supportive for my cause. Also, I had just got over a few months long fever-cum-cold spree. Didn't want to the take the risk of getting sick before the big ride.

Fully clothed to fight the cold :P

The ride itself was quite comfortable, given the very free roads and cool air. The presence of Sallu who is a champ was quite motivating and the joy of riding with a company was welcome after the previous day's exertion. He even taught me how to optimize use of gears and energy utilizing the roads. I went on well until after Hebbal and the L&T campus in Bellary road, i.e around 20kms from my place. But as I went further, the pain in the legs start recurring and it started slowing me down greatly. I already was quite behind schedule, and Sallu had gone ahead after riding slowly for me for a long time. We had setup the flyover near the airport as the rendezvous point. But I seemed to be in no state to reach there in comfort;the exertions of the previous day were finally showing their full effects. I couldn't think straight, my head was drooping, and in spite of gritting my teeth and pushing and pumping, there simply wasn't enough energy left in my body to propel me and the bike forward. I knew then that I was defeated. To continue at this pace till Nandi hills and then to return the whole way back would at max put me in bed with injuries for a long time. And, that is exactly what I didn't want to happen. To hell with the ambitious goal, to hell with supporting Sallu. I had to return. I stopped and called up Sallu, whom I found to be waiting at the rendezvous point for nearly half an hour. I conveyed very clearly, that I had to return. He, initially tried to reason with me. But then he too saw no logic in getting me to push forward in my condition. It would be a headache for both of us on such roads if something untoward happened.He is far too experienced a rider to let his own goals take priority over safety of all riders in the group. I was silently picking up these qualities as well..

Anyway, I somehow made it to him, and we agreed to return. So after munching upon the Glucose Perk he had packed up, we set off in the opposite direction. There was a mixed feeling of regret and relief going all over me. Relieved that the struggle was coming to an end without mishaps,regret that I weighed upon Sallu and couldn't hit the ambitious goal. I also had the sense that I was asking for too much at that stage. For me, the 75km done the previous day was the longest I did in a day ever, that too at that high pace(almost 15kmph average). And here I was, 30kms away from home within a gap of 6 hours. So it was all right to just get back home and get a good rest. Fuelled by the perk, we made good pace until Hebbal, where I went out of fuel again. But by then we started riding slowly and skipping everything else .. "I came home, had a good breakfast, grinned widely to my inquiring roommates,and fell like dead wood, until the day after". End of Chapter..

(All images found from Google Images, hence copyrights belong to rightful owners)

Travel Nirvana

I don't know about others, but travel is nirvana for me.

It is my fate,destiny and my path.


I keep travelling on paths that are new and old, weaving a pattern of life. Only those with the eyes for it might be able to view. But I don't care if no one notices, though its not that I wish so.
But solace is in the fact that there are many like me out there, mostly unknown to anyone. These are people who wander, but aren't lost. They know everything they need to know, or know how to get to it eventually.. they might even be in the search for it. But always in peace. As mentioned in the novel Marathon Baba - "It is not about the pace, it is about the peace".

Antharmukha - facing inward they say. That is the difficult and undoubtedly 'high' position these people seek out. Not to be turned away by adversities is just part of everyday life for them.

There are people who come out of their material worlds and try to adapt the everyday stuff of life in this side to try and make sense in that world. But it often cooks up only a partial story and hence has varied levels of effectiveness. From my analysis, I feel this is mostly because the very root cause of the original problem would be attachment which has to be sacrificed. Only then would those people have found what they wanted.  The irony is that at such a state you can't adapt or present these learnings as anything material. So rest of the world remains in its ignorant state while one person moves into the new path. But most importantly, I believe that such efforts to bridge gaps brings more people into this path. Everything else they talk about anything related can be counted as plain bullshit.

Many are there who don't know that they too are travelling in such paths. Ignorance is bliss, say some. While others curse ignorance. I would like to reflect upon both these ideas, as ignorance is inferred relative to intent.

And so I keep travelling as only those roads that I feel lead to mother nature and her very elementary rules provide real nirvana to the soul (again perceived feelings) .. everything is included in this.

 Miss my bicycle, the roads are inviting, hills evergreen and beautiful. Youthful spirit and body are barely controllable.. be it bicycle,motorcycle,car or calf muscles...movement is a must..

A newbie cyclist speaks out

As kids we all used to ride bikes(bicycles) everywhere and I am sure all had lots of fun and adventure.

But then in the process of growing up, people leave behind such indulgences and move to more sophisticated stuff suited to their lifestyles. And I speak with the conviction that more than 80% of the IT population don't take bike riding seriously, owing to various reasons ( major one being laziness ).

Alright. Getting to the point: I bought a BTwin Rockrider 5.1 last saturday .So I have been into cycling for about a week now. I just wanted to share some thoughts I had during this experience.

Preface:-
I use this beginner MTB model bicycle to cycle around the Outer Ring Road area of Bangalore , mostly after 7pm. Have cycled around just 70kms as of now. Have acquired some basic accessories, and more in pipeline.

Observations:-
(I can't resist noting the similarity to record books in school :P)
Health first
1. Higher lung capacity
2. Higher metabolic activity - burns more fat and improves appetite
3. Builds and conditions calves,knees,ankle and thighs
4. All the activity leaves you breathing through your skin
5. You can overexert and kill yourself

Enjoying a calm ride..

Moral perspective
1. You don't pollute (THE big morale booster)
2. You don't increase clutter on the road

No clutter on the road..

3. You can bash the polluters as much as you like on FB,twitter etc 

Logical
1. You reduce the fuel expenditure by reducing dependency on other modes of transport
2. Good health leads to good life overall
3. You save electricity by not being indoors for long periods of time

Yes the creepy addict..

4. More the time you spend on the road, lesser the time you get to post cheesy blogs, FB statuses/shares and stupid tweets. Good for mankind.

Special
1. You gain a lot of patience. The entire world will seem to shoot past you, while you crawl. Once you learn to live with it, you will enjoy every moment of your life.

2.  Finally you will learn the food chain of the road, where you would be just above the poor pedestrian. But then even they have more legal protection than a cyclist.

3. Learn to respect and fear the things on the street, especially the dogs. You will start planning your trips according to traffic situation, prefer places that allow to safely secure your bike and consider timings and ferocity of the dogs in the locations you plan to visit(V.important)

4. While you are involved in the constant struggle against friction, gravity and your own aching muscles, you forget every other problem in the world and can freely wander in your own world.

5. The feeling of triumph that accompanies each long route you complete, is more addictive than that gained from a motorcycle, because you are purely powered by your muscles, grit and determination.

6. Last but not least, you become the cool guy in the block and you can get to buy a lot of cooler accessories(provided you don't burn your pockets). I was shocked to see the level of sophistication that goes into the accessories.

just a few basic ones..

So get a bike , break free :)))))