Shankar is wearing yellow Windcheater over a red shirt.
Brevets Launch ride
What is Brevets?
http://www.bangalorebrevets.in
Preparations Before the ride
We were a team of three registered for Brevets and the launch ride was itself in Brevets mode so we were all eyes and ears for the process. Once it was decided to be 200 in a day I was thinking about the 150km ride where I struggled for food and water, decided to buy another 800ml bottle and also Gatorade bottles, one for each of us whenever it is in the fire-fighting mode. From training pov, I started doing 30-50km rides everyday to get up to speed and determined to do 200km for the week (ended up doing 240 before the day).
A day before the ride, Yuva was complaining of knee pain but said she would try doing a 100 at least (there was a 100km option), Sarat was determined for 200 (although I wasn't so sure about him doing) I asked Yuva and Sarat to buy Bananas and chocolates while I got Gatorade for them. I bought the lights from Decathlon and tubes for all of us and Yuva got the reflective jackets. We were all set for the day.
On the day
I woke up @3 and asked Sarat to wake up and called up Yuva as well. Yuva said she might drop out as she was feeling pain throughout the body, but I counselled her to give it a try and do 100. Finally we all started and reached Domlur junction where I was waiting for Yuva. It looked like whole of B’lore was cycling for Brevets that day as I saw hordes of bikes passing us towards Cubbon Park. I was surprised and thought things looked promising. Then Yuva turned up and we got ready with our reflective jackets and were enjoying the looks of it as we rode to the park. I lead the way while Yuva and Sarat missed the route I had taken and took a while to find their way back.
I reached the park and waiting for them to arrive. Finally all was set, met many of the people whom I had been speaking online. @ 6:15 got our forms and sharp 6:30 we set out. One guy had dropped his form and so I leaped forward to go and ask people about whether they dropped their form or not. While I didn’t see Sarat at all Yuva was coming with her office colleagues. I ventured till airport alone and then gave a short water gap, while Barani (the guy with me in the photo) caught up with me. Barani and me kept going together till Kamat (69km mark), helping each other out, reached the 50km time station @9AM along with a few road-bikes and felt fine. But once we crossed Chikkabalapur headwinds started to hit us and we were really sapping, with Sarat and Yuva having all bananas my task was cut out. Lived on some energy bars and dairymilk till Kamat. Reached Kamat @10:20AM (20km in 1.5hrs, that was slow!!!) finished a quick breakfast and was about to leave @10:40AM when Yuva arrived. She wanted me to wait as her partners left. I asked Barani to leave and spent time till Yuva completed her breakfast. Finally, we were about to leave @11:15 am when Sarat arrived but I told him that we can’t wait any longer. He decided to skip the breakfast and come with us. Headwinds were waiting our new found energy after breakfast and Yuva and Sarat were falling behind. I realized we were very late and perhaps last set of people doing the first 100 (many turned back after Kamat). I attacked headwinds to max possible levels and overtook 3-5 riders on my way to 100km mark and reached there @1:02Am but couldn't find where the time station is. I was worried whether it was closed. But then I saw riders after me going a little farther then decided to go with them and ended @ 1:05 @ 100km time station.
Yuva was yet to come and got my papers stamped. I saw many relaxing and not in any hurry to start. I was hoping once Yuva arrives we sprint back but Yuva was a little late and time station was closed. I had to plead for her and finally she was given a challenge of reaching 150km @4:30PM missing which there was no Brevets for us that day. I decided we will take the challenge head on, skip lunch and go. She agreed and I asked for some divine grace as I was panting. My front brakes were not working anymore and ware losing energy in friction. So I had to stop and fix it temporarily till we reach B’lore. Once that was done I decided not to meddle with front brakes and decided to use on brake only. I had asked Yuva to just follow my trails and we will complete. Saw Sarat still doing first 100 still asked him to turn back but he wouldn’t listen and that was the last I saw of him that day. He had packed himself and the bike on a bus and sped to B’lore after completing a 100 (of course disqualified for being late @100km mark).
I started praying and asked for strength and suddenly out of nowhere I was hitting nice speeds. I was happy and just kept building on the momentum. Had a few breaks and was hoping to reach Kamat which never seems to be coming (123km mark) and I was losing stock of liquids. Now it was fire-fighting time and Gatorade was helping me inch towards Kamat. FINALLY I saw Kamat and was relieved big time. Refilled water everywhere, inside me both bottles and was relieved to see Venki Sudhir and Nalla of Cleated warriors and know have caught up with time keeping these guys as reference. Venky said since there are no more winds, "The tough is now behind us!". I was thrilled hearing this and decided to race ahead just when saw Yuva waiting for me opp Kamat. I started off fully knowing its time these guys also wud start off. Now I decided to build on the speed and this was when I thought cycling speeds crossed 32km/hr mark and I was still not panting, I realised I am in rhythm and was ryding with a roadie for company, thanking god for no more winds and helping me pump up pace. All through the way irrespective of the speeds i kept waving @ kids and spoke to motorbike riders who wanted to know why we were doing it and I told "sumne!". Once I saw Cleated Warriors(they are a racing team who recruited Yuva immediately after the ride was done) I knew I am at the time station and it was 4pm and I turned around after my stamping and Yuva was there. RELIEVED!!.
Now I was mentally more relaxed after a intense ryde session. From now onwards I was relaxed and thought it wudnt matter if we dont complete 200km since we won the challenge put by organisers to Yuva. But yuva seems to be keen to complete which I nodded and started to speed towards Devanahalli and it was god speed again. @5 I saw the airport and estimated @6 it should be Hebbal and 6:30 finish. @Yelahanka I was panting and was feeling giddy. OMG i need to finish what to do, water was there but not causing desired effect. Suddenly a MTBer arrived and he was equally tired. He offered me 5 star and then I remembered the Dairymilks in my bag also. I finished the 5* and then had a DM. Now i looked ok but had to remind myself in that delused mode that only the rear brakes work and I was facing the city traffic again. It was horrendous traffic but I being a bike screwed through the gaps btwin the buses and scraped forward and @ 6:10PM saw Hebbal flyover. VVVV Happy but yet now the challenge was to find the way to the cubbon park. On the way forward many ryders were there so following them lead me to the Devanahalli road but now there is traffic and now bikes around. Asked a few people and was guessing my way and out of nowhere saw the MTBer again. I told yuva keep following me and I will do it with tat guy. I reached the park @ 6:45PM and yuva wasnt there.
Another chapter I thought and she took another 30mins touring around cubbon park asking people the way to the entrance and then some guy helped her to reach the entrace where I was waiting with my helmet lights on to show her signals. She did it and we sat on the platform as a relieved duo. Then we decided to leave the place and reach home quickly and take rest.
Yuva's ride became history as she was the only gal to finish and was invited to join Cleated warriors team and I was very happy for her.
So Brevets on Jan 15th eh http://www.bangalorebrevets.in/.
Here we come and wait a moment! Should I buy a roadbike? (wide smile!!)
- Shree Shankar Ramachandran.
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