9 hours, uphill climbs and blissful downhill paths, some breathtaking views, harsh sun, bad roads, a few chocolates, many litres of water and 120 kms later, we reached Mangao from Pune via Tamhini. the plan was to reach Diveagar that evening, but I exhausted all my energy reserves. Managed to reach Mangao, only to see off Ankur and Aditya continuing on their Konkan cycling tour before I and my bicycle caught the next bus to Pune. Reached home safely, a bit tired and very sad for not being able to ride all the way to Diveagar… quite a day... The first day of November two thousand and nine A.D
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Yeeeeeeeehhhaaaaaaaa!!!!
gets me back to those times... I had that old ladies cycle. and I would ride around the park without hands... and I fell, got hurt... and did it all over again...
So I took a 'look ma no hands' shot for the first time... worked! I guess I'm better at it now... until I fall with my camera
So I took a 'look ma no hands' shot for the first time... worked! I guess I'm better at it now... until I fall with my camera
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Sometimes, you have to carry the cycle before it carries you...
It was one of those days today. Had a crazy little adventure.
The day didn't start too well for me. My toothbrush decided to disappear and i was already late for badminton. Cycling and badminton helped me to dispel all the negative energy accumulated from morning. That didn't help much as I had to make an emergency site visit... the site being 30 kms away and given the humidity and heat, I decided to drive. I was even more frustrated by the time I came home. So I decided to call everyone over to Kollage cafe, Law college road for a group therapy session. Our group therapy sessions include making fun of each other, exchanging sometimes useful- sometimes redundant information, planning more cycle rides and eating ...Getting there was not a problem but coming back, unfortunately- was... It's the first day of Navratri...
Law college road was blocked till Nal stop... bumper to bumper traffic. We rode till the canal road signal on the mostly pedestrian free footpath, but that signal was impossible to negotiate riding or walking with the cycle. So Aditya and I lifted our cycles over our head, carried them through the stagnant traffic on to the one-way canal road where we rode on the cycle track till SNDT and under the flyover to Karve Road... Some people jeered, some laughed... maybe it was good entertainment for the poor stuck people.
I just wanted to tell the motorists... 'hey... I'm reaching home in 10 mins... and you?' ;)
Never felt more alive!
The day didn't start too well for me. My toothbrush decided to disappear and i was already late for badminton. Cycling and badminton helped me to dispel all the negative energy accumulated from morning. That didn't help much as I had to make an emergency site visit... the site being 30 kms away and given the humidity and heat, I decided to drive. I was even more frustrated by the time I came home. So I decided to call everyone over to Kollage cafe, Law college road for a group therapy session. Our group therapy sessions include making fun of each other, exchanging sometimes useful- sometimes redundant information, planning more cycle rides and eating ...Getting there was not a problem but coming back, unfortunately- was... It's the first day of Navratri...
Law college road was blocked till Nal stop... bumper to bumper traffic. We rode till the canal road signal on the mostly pedestrian free footpath, but that signal was impossible to negotiate riding or walking with the cycle. So Aditya and I lifted our cycles over our head, carried them through the stagnant traffic on to the one-way canal road where we rode on the cycle track till SNDT and under the flyover to Karve Road... Some people jeered, some laughed... maybe it was good entertainment for the poor stuck people.
I just wanted to tell the motorists... 'hey... I'm reaching home in 10 mins... and you?' ;)
Never felt more alive!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Put some fun between your legs...
Yea! i say...
The experience can vary from intense pain to extreme nirvana!
Go ride!
The experience can vary from intense pain to extreme nirvana!
Go ride!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
no more DIY's ... just paid big money for this stuff...
Bought this from Karthik, rider... From Bangalore.... except the bag. That was from BOTS store.
I was actually supposed to get a set for Ankur, but ended up buying for my cycle too... Enough DIY's i think... i'm not so smart to succeed at all this.
but, lets hope my cycle looks funky enough!
I was actually supposed to get a set for Ankur, but ended up buying for my cycle too... Enough DIY's i think... i'm not so smart to succeed at all this.
but, lets hope my cycle looks funky enough!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
The wonderful 80 km ride to Mulshi and back on a lovely sunday!
This Friday, I agreed to be party to a cycling expedition to Mulshi. It was going to be a very ambitious ride for me, and at that point of time I thought I could do it. Hearing the rain at 2 am early Sunday morning, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do this.
I woke up a little later than I should I have, yet found myself at [Pune’s own] Chandani chowk at 6 AM. The four of us met, and we had a blast there- quite literally- when Ankur’s brand new hand pump broke.
So we started off for our first milestone- the beginning of the Pirangut ghat.
It was pretty dry at chandani chowk… no signs of rain on the road. But we could see dark clouds looming large just a little beyond. And as we sped downhill, we encountered our first shower for the morning. I didn’t bother with my rain jacket though.
As we reached Manas Lake, I began to wonder if I would be able to complete the ride to Mulshi and back… I was thinking of turning back and letting the guys continue further. So we stopped at the turning towards Mutha ghat, and then I realised that if I crossed pirangut ghat, I would have to go further till mulshi and back. So I just decided to do it… and the next thing I remember is speeding down the long pirangut ghat slope. At that point, all I wanted was the sugary, milky chai – the type you get in small towns and villages in Maharashtra. As I demanded it, Aditya though I was a chai addict. Quite the contrary, I told him, I hate chai… just that I wanted something hot with sugar in it for some energy. We cycled on the uneven terrain towards Paud. It was perpetually uphill with some straight flat patches. The road was decent too.
On route was another small ghat. It was quite a climb for me. Vikrant kept encouraging me to continue even crying his throat hoarse, getting his shoelace entangled in the pedal, and falling off. It was a harmless little fall, and he was smiling away as he picked himself and his cycle up can carried on uphill. I asked how much more we had to climb, and he showed me a board. Seemed just a few hundred metered from where I was. The trick I realised is not to look up at the climb and just keep pedalling. But that, unfortunately was just half the ghat
We came across some more cyclists who were on their way back. Its always a pleasure to see other cyclists like us taking rides outside the city, so we waved at them just as they did at us. Mutual brotherhood resulting from an understanding of the pain and resolve involved in cycling and the high you get out of it…Understanding of the will power that overpowers the will to comfortably ride to Mulshi on motorbikes and cars just like the hoards of youngsters, couples and extended families stuffed in cars we encountered on our way.
The scenic beauty of that area is always enhanced in the monsoons. No wonder so many people visit… but I still haven’t understood their urge to scream and shout their lungs out on the way. Taking pictures was the last thing on my mind. My lumala demands a lot of attention indeed.
I started feeling some drag on my set of wheels. So Aditya and I figured it was them mudguards… them new ones that I got fixed for the monsoons to protect most of my clothing from mud and slush. We exchanged our bikes for some time, and that made me realise how dearly I loved my lumala over his Merida. So off we were once again.
Next big halt – Paud – where we finally had chai. The sugary, milky types, in case I didn’t mention before… And reading the string of messages on our mobiles made us realise that it was friendships day. Big deal… mainnu ki farak painda hai yaar?
Off we were again, and a little further, we encountered our first bit of broken, water filled potholed road. As I started negotiating that patch, I was falling behind the guys and we were pretty much cycling in a line.
A car passed us by and stopped further on. A lady got off, and I saw Ankur and Aditya stop and talk to her. Then Vikarant stopped too… And then I saw the unbelievable… Our former teacher from college, Mrs Bagul. She was on her way for a Sunday picnic with her family. She said she saw me cycle and she thought it was I, but she couldn’t imagine what I would be doing there at that time. Then she saw Vikrant and then Ankur, and that’s when she realised that she wasn’t seeing things, and we were who she thought we were and finally stopped to greet us. She was as surprised as she was happy to see us there on our cycles. It was around 8:30 AM and she said she couldn’t believe we were up so early. This remark has its origins in the fact that we never arrived at college on time in the mornings.
She gave us a big packet of khakras, especially from Ahmedabad, to eat as we were doing a physically demanding task of cycling so far, despite our protests that we were carrying enough food (and in my case, fat) on us to last us the trip. A few photographs with her later, she was off on her way with her family, and left us still holding the pack of khakras and wondering if we had just met Bagul Ma’am!
Recovered from that pleasant surprise, we were off on our way to the next stop – the start of the climb to Mulshi. The road was terrible and the tea and vada pao shacks were already busy with a lot of weekend tourists. We went a bit further to a quiet bend next to a stream and fields and ate some of the khakra that we acquired on the way.
The climb was not easy… I had to stop in-between and lagged behind the others while the group of young college students enthusiastically encouraged us forward. So finally I was up that ghat passing the sheared walls of red mud retaining themselves by only their self weight at the sides of the road. The others were waiting for me… and we went further. The aim was to reach a restaurant called Dishas where Ankur and Vikrant once had excellent omelette pav. The thought of fresh hot food excited me as much as the thought of reaching our stipulated destination – one from where we were going to turn back. Aditya had wandered off further, and all out phones except for Vikrant’s weren’t catching any signal, Ankur went to look for him. He came back 2 mins later with Aditya by his side.
It was already 9.30 am by the time we started eating. Aditya and Ankur had to be home by 11, which by now we realised was highly impossible. Just before we started back, we clicked a few pics with our cycles. Proof that we were had been there, done that.
On the way back, the traffic was terrible. It seemed half of Pune wanted to go towards Mulshi. The roads were full of people on bikes, in cars, in jeeps and buses … all going towards Mulshi and Tamhini. To top it all up, there was a traffic jam at Paud…
Thankfully, we were on our way back.
Except for a small climb and the major Pirangut climb, the road was mostly downhill. By the time Vikrant and I reached Pirangut, Ankur and Aditya had already reached the end of the Pirangut ghat. They were really in a hurry to get back. We on the other hand were not. And I was feeling quite drained. We decided to have some sugary milky chai there. Post chai break, I found a few local kids fiddling around with the gears… Ah! The inquisitive nature of youth… I told them gently not to change gears while the cycle is stationary as the chain may come off while riding. And they smiled.
The pirangut climb was a task… and I was drained… so I had to stop a couple of times before I managed to reach the top. Vikarant was waiting for me to arrive, and we shared the last of the energy bars that I had in my bag. This was the last leg of our lovely trip.
The steep swift downhill slopes felt so good now … Even the small uphill patch before Chandni chowk didn’t seem much.
At Chandani chowk, we finished the water in our bottles, and drifted downhill till our respective houses… all excited to have completed 80 kms till lunchtime!
An amazing achievement for me, who had never gone cycling beyond 30 kms.
I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the constant inspiration and encouragement that Aditya, Vikrant and Ankur duly provided!
I have awesome friends indeed!
I woke up a little later than I should I have, yet found myself at [Pune’s own] Chandani chowk at 6 AM. The four of us met, and we had a blast there- quite literally- when Ankur’s brand new hand pump broke.
So we started off for our first milestone- the beginning of the Pirangut ghat.
It was pretty dry at chandani chowk… no signs of rain on the road. But we could see dark clouds looming large just a little beyond. And as we sped downhill, we encountered our first shower for the morning. I didn’t bother with my rain jacket though.
As we reached Manas Lake, I began to wonder if I would be able to complete the ride to Mulshi and back… I was thinking of turning back and letting the guys continue further. So we stopped at the turning towards Mutha ghat, and then I realised that if I crossed pirangut ghat, I would have to go further till mulshi and back. So I just decided to do it… and the next thing I remember is speeding down the long pirangut ghat slope. At that point, all I wanted was the sugary, milky chai – the type you get in small towns and villages in Maharashtra. As I demanded it, Aditya though I was a chai addict. Quite the contrary, I told him, I hate chai… just that I wanted something hot with sugar in it for some energy. We cycled on the uneven terrain towards Paud. It was perpetually uphill with some straight flat patches. The road was decent too.
On route was another small ghat. It was quite a climb for me. Vikrant kept encouraging me to continue even crying his throat hoarse, getting his shoelace entangled in the pedal, and falling off. It was a harmless little fall, and he was smiling away as he picked himself and his cycle up can carried on uphill. I asked how much more we had to climb, and he showed me a board. Seemed just a few hundred metered from where I was. The trick I realised is not to look up at the climb and just keep pedalling. But that, unfortunately was just half the ghat
We came across some more cyclists who were on their way back. Its always a pleasure to see other cyclists like us taking rides outside the city, so we waved at them just as they did at us. Mutual brotherhood resulting from an understanding of the pain and resolve involved in cycling and the high you get out of it…Understanding of the will power that overpowers the will to comfortably ride to Mulshi on motorbikes and cars just like the hoards of youngsters, couples and extended families stuffed in cars we encountered on our way.
The scenic beauty of that area is always enhanced in the monsoons. No wonder so many people visit… but I still haven’t understood their urge to scream and shout their lungs out on the way. Taking pictures was the last thing on my mind. My lumala demands a lot of attention indeed.
I started feeling some drag on my set of wheels. So Aditya and I figured it was them mudguards… them new ones that I got fixed for the monsoons to protect most of my clothing from mud and slush. We exchanged our bikes for some time, and that made me realise how dearly I loved my lumala over his Merida. So off we were once again.
Next big halt – Paud – where we finally had chai. The sugary, milky types, in case I didn’t mention before… And reading the string of messages on our mobiles made us realise that it was friendships day. Big deal… mainnu ki farak painda hai yaar?
Off we were again, and a little further, we encountered our first bit of broken, water filled potholed road. As I started negotiating that patch, I was falling behind the guys and we were pretty much cycling in a line.
A car passed us by and stopped further on. A lady got off, and I saw Ankur and Aditya stop and talk to her. Then Vikarant stopped too… And then I saw the unbelievable… Our former teacher from college, Mrs Bagul. She was on her way for a Sunday picnic with her family. She said she saw me cycle and she thought it was I, but she couldn’t imagine what I would be doing there at that time. Then she saw Vikrant and then Ankur, and that’s when she realised that she wasn’t seeing things, and we were who she thought we were and finally stopped to greet us. She was as surprised as she was happy to see us there on our cycles. It was around 8:30 AM and she said she couldn’t believe we were up so early. This remark has its origins in the fact that we never arrived at college on time in the mornings.
She gave us a big packet of khakras, especially from Ahmedabad, to eat as we were doing a physically demanding task of cycling so far, despite our protests that we were carrying enough food (and in my case, fat) on us to last us the trip. A few photographs with her later, she was off on her way with her family, and left us still holding the pack of khakras and wondering if we had just met Bagul Ma’am!
Recovered from that pleasant surprise, we were off on our way to the next stop – the start of the climb to Mulshi. The road was terrible and the tea and vada pao shacks were already busy with a lot of weekend tourists. We went a bit further to a quiet bend next to a stream and fields and ate some of the khakra that we acquired on the way.
The climb was not easy… I had to stop in-between and lagged behind the others while the group of young college students enthusiastically encouraged us forward. So finally I was up that ghat passing the sheared walls of red mud retaining themselves by only their self weight at the sides of the road. The others were waiting for me… and we went further. The aim was to reach a restaurant called Dishas where Ankur and Vikrant once had excellent omelette pav. The thought of fresh hot food excited me as much as the thought of reaching our stipulated destination – one from where we were going to turn back. Aditya had wandered off further, and all out phones except for Vikrant’s weren’t catching any signal, Ankur went to look for him. He came back 2 mins later with Aditya by his side.
It was already 9.30 am by the time we started eating. Aditya and Ankur had to be home by 11, which by now we realised was highly impossible. Just before we started back, we clicked a few pics with our cycles. Proof that we were had been there, done that.
On the way back, the traffic was terrible. It seemed half of Pune wanted to go towards Mulshi. The roads were full of people on bikes, in cars, in jeeps and buses … all going towards Mulshi and Tamhini. To top it all up, there was a traffic jam at Paud…
Thankfully, we were on our way back.
Except for a small climb and the major Pirangut climb, the road was mostly downhill. By the time Vikrant and I reached Pirangut, Ankur and Aditya had already reached the end of the Pirangut ghat. They were really in a hurry to get back. We on the other hand were not. And I was feeling quite drained. We decided to have some sugary milky chai there. Post chai break, I found a few local kids fiddling around with the gears… Ah! The inquisitive nature of youth… I told them gently not to change gears while the cycle is stationary as the chain may come off while riding. And they smiled.
The pirangut climb was a task… and I was drained… so I had to stop a couple of times before I managed to reach the top. Vikarant was waiting for me to arrive, and we shared the last of the energy bars that I had in my bag. This was the last leg of our lovely trip.
The steep swift downhill slopes felt so good now … Even the small uphill patch before Chandni chowk didn’t seem much.
At Chandani chowk, we finished the water in our bottles, and drifted downhill till our respective houses… all excited to have completed 80 kms till lunchtime!
An amazing achievement for me, who had never gone cycling beyond 30 kms.
I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the constant inspiration and encouragement that Aditya, Vikrant and Ankur duly provided!
I have awesome friends indeed!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
yet another crazy DIY idea
I'm planning to make a simpler version of the monkeyelectric bicycle wheel lights system for my Lumala... i want a jhataak looking cycle at night.
I have this little plastic disc with a single LED on it which throws light on a strip of paper with different colours on it. and as you turn jerk the thread on its sides, and it revolves... this is what you get... I plan to use the same concept for an original cycle wheel spoke light system.
this is basically a cyclist visibility device for night time riding...
I have this little plastic disc with a single LED on it which throws light on a strip of paper with different colours on it. and as you turn jerk the thread on its sides, and it revolves... this is what you get... I plan to use the same concept for an original cycle wheel spoke light system.
this is basically a cyclist visibility device for night time riding...
Sunday, July 26, 2009
I WANT THIS!!!!
or maybe... i want to make it...
Stumbled upon this accidentally. Site called http://www.monkeylectric.com/
This is what I call HOT WHEELS at night!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Tuesday Morning Ridin'
Sleeping late, getting up 30 mins after the alarm rings, Getting dressed without any urgency, texting the gang to wait for me at the starting point, leaving home even late... Its becoming a habit. Damn cellphone...
So I slept at 3 AM, got up at 5.50 AM and left home at 6.10 AM, I messaged Ankur that I'll be late, but coming for sure. I cycled at my own pace today. From law college road – Senapati Bapat road – Pashan – Bavdhan (crossed my former workplace) – Chandni Chowk – Home. It was a nice ride. Mostly uphill… and now finally, at the wrong time, I feel sleepy… time to get some sleep…
So I slept at 3 AM, got up at 5.50 AM and left home at 6.10 AM, I messaged Ankur that I'll be late, but coming for sure. I cycled at my own pace today. From law college road – Senapati Bapat road – Pashan – Bavdhan (crossed my former workplace) – Chandni Chowk – Home. It was a nice ride. Mostly uphill… and now finally, at the wrong time, I feel sleepy… time to get some sleep…
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Bored of handlebar shots, but not cycling.
I always like to cycle. That's not the point. The point is, that I always take my camera with me and click pictures while I ride. All handlebar shots. So I'm tired of those.
What I would really like to do is to take bike videos. I tried to make a handlebar attachment for a little camera, but failed miserably.
I still get the kick out of beating un-geared cycles on uphill climbs. It is a bit hedonistic... but since I can't roll a joint right hear, right now, I'd persist with this...
Before I start getting carried away, I better go get my kicks for the day...
What I would really like to do is to take bike videos. I tried to make a handlebar attachment for a little camera, but failed miserably.
I still get the kick out of beating un-geared cycles on uphill climbs. It is a bit hedonistic... but since I can't roll a joint right hear, right now, I'd persist with this...
Before I start getting carried away, I better go get my kicks for the day...
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thursday ridin'
So till 9.30 PM on Wednesday, I still didn't know if we were going cycling the next day. With hopes of finding the starting point and route for the next day's ride, I read Ankur's message that night, only to be disappointed. He had messaged to look out for Bappa in the ongoing T20 WC warm up
So I messaged him asking if we had any plans. Apparently we did not... because, I got no reply. Apparently, he fell asleep. So I decided to wake up early and motivate myself for a ride alone.
So I set up my alarm for 5.30 AM, but woke up at 5.15 AM.
And I got dressed, filled my partially crushed water bottle, and started off alone at 6.15AM.
Initially I planned to ride from Home - Senapati Bapat road - Pashan circle - Bavdhan - (Pune's own)Chandni Chowk - home.
But by the time I reached the University circle, I had already made massive changes in the route I was going to take. Instead of turning left towards Bavdhan, I went straight towards the Baner-Pashan Link road, and went all the way to Baner, and on the gradual uphill climb back to University circle...
Then it was downhill. but then - 'Fun suddenly came' when I started speeding on 3-7 downhill. I must be going at around 50 KM PH, and the momentum, along with the sudden burst of adrenalin allowed me to climb the flyover without changing the gear, and maintaining my speed over about 30 KM PH. I admit, it wasn't difficult, but I really had a great time doing it...
So off I was towards Fergusson college road, and stopped for a few sips of cool water at the end of the gradual climb there. I turned right towards BMCC, and went all the way from Law college road towards home pretty fast... And I remembered ... I have a camera...
Have Camera, will click...
So with the camera now slung around me, I was trying out all sorts of different angles while riding... 7.30 AM traffic... yeverything is passible...
So I was already home... an hour and fifteen minutes... that was what it took for approximately 25 kilometres... not bad, but not too good either.
Well, at least the photos weren't that bad... ;0)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday Ridin'
On an unusually sultry June Monday evening, we sat discussing over a few glasses of sugarcane juice where to go cycling Tuesday morning.
That’s what we started off with, but then ended up discussing the ongoing French open and Rafa’s historic loss to Soderling. And the topic moved on to trips, and cycling, but not once did it revert to the original topic of discussion – Tuesday morning’s ride route.
Just as we were about to disperse to our respective homes, we decided to meet at Satara road, Citypride multiplex at 6 AM the next day. That meant, that I would have to get up at 5, get dressed, and reach Panse’s place at 5.45 AM max. I did, and was waiting for Panse to come out, when I saw some Gulmohar flowers on the ground, Picked up one, and jammed a few petals on the handlebar so as to add a little colour to my silver bike… 
6.10 AM we all gathered at
My poor silver bottle got partially crushed when it got dislodged from the holder on the cycle frame and rolled down the road, and a tempo ran over it… But it took the shock well, and although it’s a little bent from one side, it still holds water well... 
Monday, June 1, 2009
Words of wisdom and inspiration...
At 6 AM, when we started on the fine summer Sunday morning, little did I know what I was in for... As we reached the Chandni Chowk climb, I was exhausted... I was drained out of energy, but somehow managed to reach up where others waited... I thought I'll turn back and take a longer route home. But as the others joined us there, I shed all inhibitions and decided to continue further.
Then tragedy struck. At slopes where I could normally climb at 3-6, I was at a gear lower, yet could not achieve the optimum speed I wished for. I could feel a lot of drag... and had a look at my tyres. Not enough air. But outside the main city, and on a sunday morning, hoping for some puncture shop to be open would be hoping for too much. And I thought of turning back quite a few times, but something made me go. Feeling the drag even downhill, I was not so sure how long the cycle tyres will hold without getting severly damaged... apparently, not at all, as I found later!
We reached the start of the Pirangut ghat and took a left turn downhill towards Mutha ghat. about two kilometers from there, we stopped at a small hill, where we dragged our cycles up, and cycled down the steep slope.
Have ATB - will offroad...
So almost 9AM, and time to head back. The hard sun beating down upon us as we cycle back. I had to stop twice on the way to Pirangut, but once I was there, I rode non stop till chandani chowk with the near flat tires... well, not non stop... there was a little incident of my water bottle falling off the frame. but that being recovered soon, I was at CC, and finally filling air in my tires. because this was Pune, and it was 9.30!
Finally with air in my tires, we headed to our favourite local restaurant for a scrumptious breakfast, and dispersed home. I have a habit of texting a small message of thanks to those I meet once I reach back home. As I did so, I got a reply with these golden words of inspiration and wisdom -
'A lot of biking is mental, a bit of physical and a minor part is about the bike itself...' -Ankur Kothari, Pune
31st May 2009
Then tragedy struck. At slopes where I could normally climb at 3-6, I was at a gear lower, yet could not achieve the optimum speed I wished for. I could feel a lot of drag... and had a look at my tyres. Not enough air. But outside the main city, and on a sunday morning, hoping for some puncture shop to be open would be hoping for too much. And I thought of turning back quite a few times, but something made me go. Feeling the drag even downhill, I was not so sure how long the cycle tyres will hold without getting severly damaged... apparently, not at all, as I found later!
We reached the start of the Pirangut ghat and took a left turn downhill towards Mutha ghat. about two kilometers from there, we stopped at a small hill, where we dragged our cycles up, and cycled down the steep slope.
Have ATB - will offroad...
So almost 9AM, and time to head back. The hard sun beating down upon us as we cycle back. I had to stop twice on the way to Pirangut, but once I was there, I rode non stop till chandani chowk with the near flat tires... well, not non stop... there was a little incident of my water bottle falling off the frame. but that being recovered soon, I was at CC, and finally filling air in my tires. because this was Pune, and it was 9.30!
Finally with air in my tires, we headed to our favourite local restaurant for a scrumptious breakfast, and dispersed home. I have a habit of texting a small message of thanks to those I meet once I reach back home. As I did so, I got a reply with these golden words of inspiration and wisdom -
'A lot of biking is mental, a bit of physical and a minor part is about the bike itself...' -Ankur Kothari, Pune
31st May 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
rain drenched riding
Summer lightning is always welcome... especially when it rains along during the hottest part of the year.
Just got my Lumala serviced yesterday, along with a brand new gel seat cover (even though I got used to the original slim cycle seat) and just got off the infamous 'नदी काठ चा रास्ता ' on to the signal after Nal stop, it started raining... I was stuck...
There were a few trees and I waited under one with countless people following me there, but within a matter of minutes I realised that cycling in the rain would be better than standing under the tree that was being cleansed of all the dirt with the water over me... So I transferred the mp3 player into my trusty waterproof bag, and set off cycling in the rain. A little carefully...already drenched to the bone.
And as soon as I reached over to open the gate to my house 10 minutes later, it stopped raining. And I looked up and smiled...
Good things happen!
Just got my Lumala serviced yesterday, along with a brand new gel seat cover (even though I got used to the original slim cycle seat) and just got off the infamous 'नदी काठ चा रास्ता ' on to the signal after Nal stop, it started raining... I was stuck...
There were a few trees and I waited under one with countless people following me there, but within a matter of minutes I realised that cycling in the rain would be better than standing under the tree that was being cleansed of all the dirt with the water over me... So I transferred the mp3 player into my trusty waterproof bag, and set off cycling in the rain. A little carefully...already drenched to the bone.
And as soon as I reached over to open the gate to my house 10 minutes later, it stopped raining. And I looked up and smiled...
Good things happen!
Monday, April 20, 2009
The one thing my Lumala doesn't allow me to do...
... is that it doesn't allow me to wear a skirt while i ride...
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Expedition through all the known cycle tracks in Pune
I was to meet friends who wanted to see my bike. I was to go to Fergusson college road from my workplace at Bavdhan via CC and Karve road. The JNNURM work going on at Paud road is completely chaotic and haphazard, and its causing more problems that it is meant to solve. Riding that part was a little testing on my patience, but there’s hardly any choice. Maybe riding around the other way via Pashan and University circle could have been a better idea, but those routes are heavy traffic high speed ones, and I also wanted to cycle through all known cycle tracks in Pune:
The ones along Traffic routes–
- Connecting Karve road to Law college road- One fine gentleman had parked himself on his bike talking to someone on the phone (probably his lady) right at the entrance of the cycle track. So I had to lift the bike over the curb to join the cycle track. The sight of me making an extra effort to join the cycle track had apparently no effect on him, as he continues his feverish delirium on the phone…
- Connecting Law college road to Prabhat road – people standing and chatting at the entrance of the cycle track made some effort at moving to let me through, but the trees at odd acute angles were a deterrent to continuous cycling, despite the track and footpath being wide enough. But I don’t mind trees as much as the bell-deaf pedestrians. I was thirsty, and since my water bottle carrier had gotten dislodged from the frame, I wasn’t carrying water. So I spotted a neera vendor almost at the end of that road, and stopped for a glass of the cheap and refreshing government promoted healthy non-alcoholic drink.
Thus I joined the internal cycle tracks –
- Connecting
- From Bhandarkar road running along BMCC road to the end of it and coming out to MMM campus, near FC road - The amusing part about this cycle track that runs through this very quite residential area is the fact that they have blocked the ends connecting the vehicular routes with low steel pip railings. I don’t know what they are called, but they already have the vehicle blockers in place- the concrete stubs that jut out low to prevent motorised vehicles of any number of wheels entering it. The resultant is that one has to lift the cycles over them to enter the cycle track and to exit it. There goes my momentum. Maybe my destitute imagination is too superficial to understand the obvious reason for the existence of those rails, but I haven’t yet figured out the reason.
After I joined Fergusson college road and took a U-turn at the Fergusson college entrance verge, I continued towards my destination – ‘Peppinos’ (my preferred hangout on FC road.) The traffic started thickening and there was hardly any place on the road to ride, and was being pushed near the footpath curb. So I got off on the footpath, and walked with the cycle about 25 meters to the cycle parking between the Peppinos flowerpots and the footpath. I made my friends sit outside with me just so that I could keep a watch on the cycle since cycles get stolen quite easily in Pune. As the sun went down, and the sad little restaurant next to Peppinos was getting ready to open for Saturday night’s crowd, the cycle parking began to fill up with cycles of the employees of that place. So the security vala man told me to move my cycle and place it somewhere else. That really annoyed me! Apparently it was for their employees only. He saw me parking the cycle there, yet, didn’t say anything when I did so. And there was no signboard that said that it was reserved for employees only. So I just took it out and parked it between our table and the flowerpots. At least it was right next to me now. The peppinos people didn’t mind at all.
After getting a few subs packet from Subway, I bid my friend goodbye and traced the journey back through the same cycle tracks till the law college road signal, where I joined:
The cycle track on the one way leading to Nal stop on karve road - This cycle track has concrete stubs blocking the way for motorised vehicles at regular intervals, so it’s a deterrent to cyclists save the cycle track sign at the starting. As I came to the famous ‘pastry corner’, I saw two young gentlemen sitting on those very stubs (maybe waiting for their pastries) and even my repeated bell sounds and imposing visual of me coming towards them on the cycle didn’t affect them, and they continued chatting till I stalled the cycle just a foot away from them. They stared in mild surprise and got off those stubs, and I carried on with a small ‘thank-you’ and the knowledge that they were going to stare at me in disbelief till I turned off Karve road.
The climb from the Nal stop to SNDT over-bridge was measly as compared to the ones I do daily on my way to work. So I went about overtaking all other cyclists and turned left towards my house.
It was a long day. Starting from my house in Karve Nagar to Bavdhan in the morning, from Bavdhan to
I realised the apathy of motorists and pedestrians towards us cyclists. Cycling among most people nowadays is seen as a sport and recreation activity that’s strictly meant for weekends and for fantastic roads outside city limits. It’s seldom seen as a mode of commuting, except by those who probably cannot afford motorised transportation.
I also realised that people are totally supportive and encouraging towards me and my cycle from the comfort and convenience of their swish vehicle seats and accelerator pedals.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Conversion of caustic rage into constructive energy
Happens at the end of every exasperating day at work where things go inanely wrong for no particular mistake of yours.
Happened with me a few times last few days… So I was apparently seen cycling back home quite fast. And I laughed… What? Me… swift?
But this energy conversion does result in a pleasanter me, as the only things that remain in my mind are taking a cold shower, eating and sleeping peacefully without nightmares… All the controlled and mordant rage collected during the day gets transformed into energy that powers the body to pedaling harder than usual. Especially on uphill slopes!
And you actually start looking forward to yet another day at work regardless of how it may turn out to be.
Happened with me a few times last few days… So I was apparently seen cycling back home quite fast. And I laughed… What? Me… swift?
But this energy conversion does result in a pleasanter me, as the only things that remain in my mind are taking a cold shower, eating and sleeping peacefully without nightmares… All the controlled and mordant rage collected during the day gets transformed into energy that powers the body to pedaling harder than usual. Especially on uphill slopes!
And you actually start looking forward to yet another day at work regardless of how it may turn out to be.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
the jam and the cycle... and I
Even though I started late yesterday morning, I didn’t really encounter much traffic throughout my usual office route. So I started from home like yesterday. Cruising around the roads overtaking other cyclists, since they were the only ones who could be overtaken. I thought that since it’s a Thursday, maybe it’s a holiday for a lot of people. The roads were practically deserted till I came to Kothrud bus depo. Even before I could turn and join Paud road, I could see the long line of cars, buses and two wheelers. The cherry on the cake for me was the mental satisfaction of being able to ride at the edge of the road… or part of the road that’s not the road, and at times, even getting off the bike and walking along the pedestrian ways!
In just a matter of minutes, I had crossed the jam, and riding uphill to Chandani Chowk… Being the first one to arrive at office, body and mind intact, pretty smug and satisfied, I had a fantastic time listening to my colleague’s cribbing about the jam. I get a kick every time I overtake a stationary motorized vehicle… and I’m the happiest person on mars looking at the absolutely bored and tired expressions of others stuck in it.
As I leave the jam behind me, and see other motorists eye to eye, I get a kick anticipating the change in their expression as they realize what lies in store for them.
Poor souls...
And with the downhill cruise from Chandni Chowk to Bavdhan… I wish for the world to be a calmer and more peaceful place...
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
PIMP MY RIDE! (inspiration for future DIY's)
Was pretty tired since I arose from my slumber today morning. To add to that, It's so humid these days, that I am totally drenched with sweat and dust and carbon particles emitted from so many vehicles
I need a nose and mouth mask to protect me from the smoke if I'm going to ride around the city... and a cool looking light running on a dynamo.
I keep wanting to click pictures while I ride, but never end up doing so... Its not really simple to handle the 400D while riding around town at rush hour... So I need to make a handlebar camera holder.
Next, I want to make a cellphone charger point running on my cycle as I pedal it.
I also want a GPS that I can somehow ask someone to connect to my camera to geotag my pictures that I take.
Another brilliant idea (which, as sourabh pointed out, someone had already tried out and worked) is making indicators for the bike connected to the same dynamo that connects to the headlight...
Pimp my ride... !!
'Balle balle!'
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Motor (less) cycle diaries
Its been a few days I have been riding to work on my cycle. I’m not the only one. There are all kinds of people on the same route who ride cycles. Just that they don’t blog. That’s primarily because they might not know the concept of blogging, and because they don’t have the necessary finances to afford a computer and use the internet as easily as I can. These people don’t have much of a choice when it comes to personal transportation. I on the other hand do have that choice, but for reasons best known to me I opt to ride a cycle instead of a motorized transport vehicle.
last week, I bought a Lumala Platina special bicycle with 21 flashy gears, front suspension, thumb shifters and a super comfortable seat. Since then, I've been cycling to work quite regularly, and have been enjoying every moment of it.
Its a bittersweet experience I have while riding in the city, and I thought I could share some biased views favouring cyclists on urban roads these days, sepecially in a place like Pune.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
