Bangalore to Mysore Conqured!!!

"You will never know your limits unless you push yourself to them"

For long the yearning of a long (a day long to start with) ride had been there with me. Bangalore and Mysore, two historic cities separated by 140 km. No better day to do a cycle ride than Gandhi Jayanthi.. 2nd October.. The Route : Kanakpura -> Malavalli -> Mysore.  Riders: Dell Colleagues I, Sumanth and Ravi.  Sekhar and Rama offered to follow us on car, just in case we needed a recovery vehicle.

Work on the Cycle in the meanwhile.
Purchased a carrier for the cycle - 25 Kg support. Unfortunately, I realized that it cannot fit in my Cannondale because of Disk brakes, so mounted them on Schwinn. Next up checking the tyres and the brakes. The emergency accessories like spare tubes, Spokes, etc. Now the medicines, the nutrition bars, the chikkis and water.. everything settled.

It gives me butterflies in the stomach when I think of rides and little did I sleep on the previous day. Added to that the recovery from Flu was not quite fast as expected. We started at around 5:45 from Bangalore. On Dot, Sumanth and Ravi were there..It was drizzling and little did I realize what I was upto.. By the first 10 km, the slush and water had got into my shoes..It was soaking wet.. But the ride was awesome.. light drizzle, wind in the ears and ease of movement..

Perhaps it was the excitement of the first long ride or the music in my ears..I did not notice the time and the kilometers for the first 40 km, till we reached Kanakpura.. Breakfast at local hotel.. Idly and Vada..

Little did I notice the extent of damage the rains had on my cycle and my attire. From Kanakpura the uphill climbs started and from an average speed of close to 23kmph, we came down to 18kmph. Another couple of water breaks and  The third break near a coconut grove to have yummy Coconut juice.. Next big town - Malavalli, Time: 12:30 pm.. Another 48 km to go .. 12:00 Noon and the sun was beating down hard. We slowly cruised through the bike lanes on the highway, but were getting exhausted pretty son.. 

Shekar and Rama on car, caught up with us few kilometers after Malavalli. I took time to change my socks and little did I realize of the damage from early morning rains.. The water had crept in and my feet was completely soaked up to White..

We took a break for lunch at Kiregavalu Santhemala .. ensured that we ate very less, yet sufficiently hydrated.. We took a break under the coconut trees . School children looked at us like aliens from outside world who strangely enough spoke their language..

After 1/2 hour break we started around 2:30pm towards Mysore. Bannur seemed close yet far away.. The bums had become numb.. and breaks every 10 km..

The last 15km was challenging with lots of up and down.. The road and the traffic also became intolerable. 5 pm and here we were touching the outer ring road of Mysore.. We rode directly towards Cosmopolitan club which is close to the railway station.

I had a real nice hot water bath and had a crocin for the headache and was all set.. We walked around through the city and had a nice coffee at the Devaraja Urs Road..

From Left to Right : Dileesh, Rama, Sumanth, Ravi, Sekhar
Dinner at Kings Court.. However too Spicy for our liking... Crashed in bed at 10 pm without a clue... :)....

The next day morning, we got up at 6:30am and decided to head out towards Ranganthittu bird sanctuary. Situated (island) on Cauvery river, it is one of the beautiful sights and place for migratory birds. The guide informed us that the best time to visit is Dec-March where the migratory birds arrive.

By 10 am we came back to Mysore and had a really sumptuous breakfast at Mylari..
http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g304553-d1200166-Reviews-Vinayaka_Mylari-Mysore_Karnataka.html

The smell of Dosa and the taste of Chutney still rings in my mind..

We decided to pack the cycles back to Mysore on train. Unfortunately Shathabdhi express (the train on which we booked) did not have Rake van. The cycles had to booked on a succeeding train. Riding on Shathabdhi was a really good experience. The only thing missing was an air hostess.. It was clean, it had enough leg space between chairs.. 6pm at my home.. Home sweet home..

As I look back at the ride, I realize it symbolizes journey of life.. We are enthusiastic when we are young - just like our ride through till Kanakpura (first 30%) where we ripped through and tough towards the end - like the Bannur Mysore stretch (last 15%).. But then again what helps you sail through the difficult times is Courage and Good company.. The ride was fruitful because Sumanth and Ravi (and I) never gave up. It was successful because when one of us was down the other just egged on. It was successful because like life... We had a Purpose.. To Persist, to win and push yourself to the limit.... Now I believe it (and anything) can be done..


Ready reckoners for long ride - Courtesy - Sumanth...

1.      Map Route  - Hard Copy/ Google Map

2.      First AID kit

3.      Medicines – Pain Killer, Fever, Stomach Upsets

4.      Food – Candy bars, Chocolates, Chikkis, Butter Milk, Have Coconuts on the way

5.      USB Chargers – PowerBanks, Chargers,

6.      Drinks – Gatorade, Glucose Packets we can carry if any, Min 2 Bottles

7.      Cycle –

a.      Puncture Kits, Repair kit tools, Spokes, Spoke bars

b.      Tube 26” – 2 Spares

c.      1 Extra Cycle Shorts & Shirt

d.      1 Pair of Socks

Finally, LOADs of Positive Energy ;-)

Sunday morning ride to Chikka Tirupathi

Saturday was a really tough day for the ride. Though I had kept an alarm at 5, I could not muster the energy to step out. Had a late meeting on Friday which made it impossible to get up at 5amIncidentally so was the case with the rest of the members of Lucky Cycling club :). Friday Hangover with a few and just tired long week for the rest of them. 

And so it was decided to ride on Sunday (7th of Apr 2013). Me, Deepak, Koti and Ankur. For the past few weeks our average had dropped to below 50km. It was time to change it. Chikka Tirupathi was set as the destination 

The Route :
ITPL -> HopeFarm -> Left from Thirumalasettyhalli -> Soukhya Road->Right at a Bakery Junction -> straight from Dodda Dunnasandra onto NH 207
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/254907564

I started around 6:15am and joined the group at Paramout Hotel (Near GR Tech Park) around 6:40am). First Break at the Bakery had a cup of tea and few Glucose biscuits. There is a dog (a black colored small one) which likes Deepak. Everytime we have been around at this place it come around and astonishingly he is always behind Deepak. We fed him few biscuits and was on our route pretty quickly..  

The next stop somewhere near Anugondanahalli for a water break around 7:45am. This is early March and the Sun was beating down pretty hard even so early in the morning.. I cannot imagine how May is gona look like. Looks like bad times. Even the lakes onroute as well as Borewells that feed the farms have dried up (per our conversation with villagers in the area). 

We passed by Emperian. For those who dont know, Emperean is actually located not in Bangalore district but in Malur Taluq of Kolar district. And here it is they advertise.. off Whitefield. :). 8:10 we reached Chikka Tirupathi temple. 

The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is believed to have been installed by Agni. For details of the temple please refer the link.

Ride back was pretty tough with the Sun beating down fast on us. We took a break on the way for a Coconut water refill. The toughest part of the journey is the ascend from Channasandra to Hope Farm!!! That too as part of our way back where all our energy is sapped... 

But finally it is the satisfaction of doing a 60+ ride again.. in the heat of the Summer.. 
Way to go folks!!! Deepak, Ankur, Koti..
Jaideep, Satnam are you up for it next week?