Bicycle ride to Bheemeshwari

Date : Sunday ,August 2, 2009

The strong riders: Prashant, George, Samim and Dipankar

Group: More than 30 riders, most of them on MTB and others on road bikes.

To follow this route, upload the GPX file located at
http://reach2paresh.googlepages.com/2009-08-02_06_03.gpx
to
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input?form=google

The starting : We started at 0600 from Merida Junction aka Kanakpura Outer ring road junction. The first halt was at Kanakpura for breakfast.

Anita was more interesting in posing than the nasty truck behind her

On the Kanakpura Road: The whether was awesome while going and it was downhill most of the times. Whenever rodies used to overtake, MTBers were getting charged up.

Dipankar with his Rodie and my MTB

The Kaveri Valley : After taking the left turn from Sathanur, it was a village road which soon took shape of a very steep valley road. I was able to see Rushi in front but my chain came out once and he got disappeared. There was no one following me. This downhill was the time to take maximum out of my Trek 6000 with thick tires, suspension and disk brakes. I attained the max speed of 60 KMPH for the first time. Within minutes, Kauvery was flowing calmly on my left. Bheemeshwari was still 6 KM ahead but I saw the road bikers coming towards me. George was looking for a place to have a dip but Samim insisted to eat first and the jump in the water.

So excited!!!

The refreshing halt : We rode 500 meters ahead and reached to a village. Had tea and idlies. Soon others riders also joined us. After refilling ourselves, George took us to the Dip Point. Some of us jumped into waster, others dipped their feet and others just looked from outside. This dip in the Kauvery was the best part of the ride. Every time during a ride, I used to think of jumping in the lake or river. But this was the first time that I did it and that also in non other than the Mystic Kauvery.

Enough of camera holding, I am going in now...

The Killer return uphill : After around an hour, we started back towards Bangalore. All the downhill, where I hit 60, was waiting and smiling at me. Tried for some distance but then came off the sadle and started walking. Pushing the body out of limits was not good because I had to preserve enough energy to ride all the way back to home.

Very few guys were able to pedal their bikes, Go Rushi go...

Then I realized that if I keep on walking, I would reach home in 24 hours. So I put the bike in lowest gear and with enough patience, started pedaling again.

I know it was damn tough...

The Beering End : Finally, I was able to complete the steep section of the uphill and reached the Kanakpura road. Roadies were waiting there at a tea stall. Filled stomach with biscuits and curd rice and started back to Bangalore. Anand asked to wait at Metro so that we can have a mug of beer before leaving for home. The taste of beer was different today due to the satisfaction of crossing 200KM mark in a day.

Lets celebrate!!!

Stats:
Distance : 201 KM
Max : 60 KMPH
Avg : 22.1 KMPH

Bangalore Bicycle Championship: The off road trail ride

http://www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com had its third event as an off road trail ride event and I took part this time. It was a loop of 5 KMs and there were 5 laps. That made it a ride of 25 KM. More than 70 rides were present.

George in the middle came first. Geurge in red shirt, came second and Prashant in blue helmet came third.

That is me in action

My time was around 11 minutes and 25 seconds for a lap. The complete details of the timing were not available due to some issues

All the pics belongs to Mahesh Srinivas. Complete Collection : http://www.flickr.com/photos/purpwaltz/sets/72157621712722189/