Two falls and a Flat later...

Huliyurdurga was the route we had done a practice ride about four weeks back, which meant that part of the course was familiar. It was also the course for the 200km brevet, by IISc Randonneurs.

Brevets or Randonnees are self-supported rides, in which a rider has to complete the set course in given time. A rider will also have to arrive at the pre-defined control points in time, failing which, the overall ride will be disqualified, even if he/she arrives at the finish line in time. 

The time target is usually set around a pace of 15kph. Dont let the 15 number fool you, as we ride normally faster than 15. The catch is that overall average should be set at 15, and this will include all the breaks taken, which means that the average required is more than 15, and is around the 20 number. 

Huliyurdurga was a tight-course with three controls. This meant that you cannot afford to ride fast and take a longish break somewhere.

Preparations...

Thanks to my experience with the 1000K and 600K brevet attempts, I was prepared mentally. In terms of the equipment, all that was required to take the bicycle for servicing, which I had given it to RR cycles, for want of time. Otherwise, the carb-rich dinner for two nights before the brevet day, ensured that I will not bonk during the day.

The plan was to take the handle-bar bag, but the rain jacket spilled over to a backpack. After a conversation with Dileep, I ensured that the rain jacket also got in to the handle-bar bag, and I wouldn't have to carry a backpack. I had a trail-mix which took the centre of the bag, and around it went 8 to 10 packs of Gatorade. Underneath was some first-aid material. All this was packed strategically so that, one, the Gatorade packs can be pulled out easily, and two, dipping into the trail mix need only opening the handle-bar bag. This ensured that I dont have to stop and lose time during the ride.

Inquiries about parking at the start-point didn't yield much positive response. I was mentally prepared for a 1-hour ride to the start-point with the wake-up alarm set at 0300. With that set, I went to bed the previous night at 2100, which is very unusual. I still recollect Ananya and Chandu (my daughter and wife) coming to sleep at around 2230. Ananya was running all around, and did manage to wake me up, but by then, I had already got sound sleep worth half-the-night. After 0200 I kept waking up and checking the clock, and finally decided to get out of the bed by 0310.

The ride

With about 80 registrations, I didnt want to take any chances with the last minute rush at the start-point. The one-hour ride was a breeze and got me warmed up nicely. Sreepathi was at the start handing out the brevet cards. And one more IISc volunteer making the mandatory checks. Some known faces, including Karthik, Kiran, Suma (we'll cover about her later) and a few other known faces. The starting lineup also included Nirmal from IISc.

The initial directions reaching to Magadi from IISc was tricky, and I decided to stick with Aashutosh who knew the way. This ensured that the planned 30minutes for the first 7K stretch to Magadi Road was covered in about twenty minutes.

Reaching Magadi Road, there was a steep uphill, which all of us were struggling to cover. A couple of roadies were ahead, and I managed to pass each one of them. The leader, Som appeared to be peadling slowly and waiting for others. As I passed him, asked him about the same. Both of us paced ahead knowing that others will catch up later on.

A few minutes later, I asked Som, if he could join a paceline. He agreed, and we managed to convince Aashutosh, who was on a MTB. For the next twenty minutes, we rode fast with each of us taking the lead for one minute each. With a heavier MTB, Aashutosh was getting tired, and he asked us to carry along. And so, it was just me and Som, and we did great, alternating when the other's pace slowed. Som's bike computer wasn't working and he kept asking along, "How far to the control", and we faced nice rolling hills before Magadi.

The first control was set just outside Magadi fort at a small breakfast place serving Thatte idli, and the volunteers managed to signal us down as we just passed. We were pleased to know that we were the first to arrive at the control, and that boosted our confidence. There is no better breakfast than Thatte idli. Takes about two hours to comeback as energy, and very hygienic. 

I double-checked with Som, and ordered for both of us, while the control formalities were getting taken care of. The idli was about the size of a 10-inch plate, and I managed to finish 70% of it and fed the rest to a dog standing nearby. We also managed to get our bottles filled so that we dont have to make a mandatory stop later on. The big advantage with remote rural areas is that the drinking water is both hygienic (free from industrial pollution), and mineral-rich too! We kept filling along the route wherever it felt hygienic.

As we were completing the formalities, the rest of the riders were arriving and getting their control formalities done. We pushed off, trying to keep the lead, which'll give us a good psychological advantage. As Som was having only one sipper, I asked him to get another waterbottle and keep it in his backpack. This was necessary, as we were approaching the hotter part of the day. We tried doing the paceline again with Ashok, another rider, but he wasn't able to catch the tail. We moved along.

As the day got hotter, we were slowing down. After a couple of stops, I pulled out my magical trail mix, and it did seem to work. Both of us were cruising along. There was a group of building to the right, what appeared to be a ITI, with some teens playing in the huge playground. I always envy these guys, bestowed with such big playgrounds. 

Just we were were cruising along, I heard, "Oh.. Oh.. Oh..", and the loud noise of a crash. Som, was tailing me, and just for a moment, he lost concentration, and when he turned back, he couldn't judge the distance, and braked hard. With his front brake applied hard, he toppled. Ashok was following us close, and he stopped and offered help. We quickly got some Neosporin and band-aids from my first aid kit. Thankfully, the first aid kit has been put to use. I kept telling Som, "Use all you want. These things arent of so much use after I get back".  

We allowed Som to rest for a while. As we were resting, we saw a few groups pass by. I kept reassuring Som that we'll be catching up and not to worry. This group included a big peloton of about 15 riders, with Nirmal curising on his Bianchi Camelonte. In this meantime, we got Som's bike checked, and fixed his seat, which got off the rails. 

With most of the group ahead of us, we started on a low note. Just as we were starting, it appeared 

as if my brakes were brushing against the well. I had to stop, and called out another roadie, Sreekanth for help. After a quick adjustment, all three of us started off. Sreekanth agreed to ride on the paceline. The next hour saw the three of us, riding on a paceline, with each one of us taking the lead. Som was less confident following and he would take the lead most the time, and would keep a longer distance, if he were to follow. We kept passing most of the riders who had crossed us when were riding, but the mystery remained, who all were ahead of us.

When we reached Huliyurdurga, a few riders were already waiting. We just stopped for sufficient time, just to get our water bottles filled. As we pushed along, we had to stop at a few places, thanks to the cue-sheet, which had some minor issues. At this time, we were a big gang of ten people. Most important was the the turn on to the mudroad, which was literally at a 'nowhere' point. After checking with villagers, we proceeded. The next five kilometres was semi-paved road, which I rolled gently off-the-saddle. The complete stretch of bad roads, was a total of 13km, half of which was damaged roads, which could be managed. But the unpaved stretch was a back-breaker. All of us were relieved when the stretch ended, and the much looked-forward to Sugar Factory arrived.

When the group is bigger, the stops only increase, and when get bigger every time you stop. Stick to smaller groups and resist the urge to stop. And yes, every minute counts.

The three of us roadies stuck together, the paceline not necessarily in formation. This was also the hotter part of the day, so we had to ride it out with patience. And when we saw the Railway overcrossing, there was a huge sigh of relief, and energy flowed out of nowhere, that we rolled on the bridge at 30kph.

Bangalore-Mysore Highway

The next control Maddur Tiffanys was not very far. As we arrived there, we saw Nirmal and Karthik, already seated at a table. They must have been five minutes ahead of us. Som wasn't inclined to take lunch. But Sreekanth, was intended on going for a double-lunch. He ordered an extra Masala Dosa. I gave clear instructions to the cashier so that each one of us would get a time-slip. As we finished out luch, the buttermilk was tasting heavenly. Such that I ordered two extra (paid) servings, and Sreekanth got one. 

With the energy flowing from the lunch, we three, cruised along a fast pace. Paceline riding always means that you get a boost of an extra few kph. As we were crusing, I felt something on my rear wheel, and then "Oooh...ahh..Oooh...ah", and I stopped to see, Sreekanth lying on the road. Quite lucky, that there wasn't any heavy vehicle following him. It turned out that he was riding close to me, and couldn't accomodate my swerve to avoid the pothole on the road.

We took the opportunity to rest, and enjoy the ambience. This happened right on a bridge, and whenever something crossed, even a small tractor, the whole bridge would vibrate. We were rattled when a few lorries passed. The most interesting fact about this stop was that, whatever we did, each of our bikes fell when they were completely stopped. Must be the winds on the bridge, or some bad omen, as Sreekanth and Som were quite fixated about my back wheel.

When we started, we decided to ride the next 15km out separately. The few minutes gained out of the paceline wasn't worth the risk. Also during this stop, we saw most of the riders pass us. We quickly reached Ramanagara, and took the road to Magadi, after a few inquiries with the locals. When I saw a water tap by the roadside, I ensured that I filled up my water bottles. Not that I needed the water, but both my bottles had extra Gatorade that the water was tasting sweet. So sweet, that I had to dilute them. Such a stop in the middle of the day under the high sun, only encourages you to take more rest. All of us took the opportunity to rest. I lied flat on the ground, even though I didn't get flat ground to do so.

As we were resting, Sreekanth commented "Lady, Lady...". And we saw Suma, the lone female rider in the whole group pass us. I replied, "Guys, we cannot afford to let a woman pass us. Even if she happens to be a Iron woman". Suma, is a half-Ironman finisher, having finished the half Ironman Triathlon. The event included, 2km of swimming, 90km of biking and 21km of running. We managed to gather ourselves and get started.

After taking the right turn to Manchanabele dam, the road wove through beautiful villages, and trees dotted the roads, giving us shade. The last couple of kilometers before Manchanabele Dam, had an excruciating climb, which I managed to cross with a lone stop. The stop was made to help out Sreekanth, who had a problem with his drivetrain. And finally when the climb ended, Som wanted to stop. I egged him on to continue the next 10 kilometres till the control. We kept looking for the control, painfully.

And when the control finally arrived, Sreepathi was greeting us. We got our cards stamped, and when we mentioned to him about the climb, he replied, "Oh, it was just 6% and it a very short climb". Eight riders were already ahead of us, and we moved on quickly to catch them if we can.

At Magadi Road

After a few stops and inquiries, we managed to get to Magadi Road, all through some very beautiful country terrain. And when we reached Magadi Road, we were looking forward to the climbs to get back to the starting poing. Magadi Road was full of rolling terrain, which we were managed quite well. The traffic was chaotic and difficult to manage.

All three of us stuck together, and as we reached the ORR junction, I realized my front tire had a flat. I couldn't stop in the middle of traffic, and hence had to ride a few more metres to stop safely. I signalled to Som and Sreekanth to stop. At this time, we would have reached the finish by 1800 if not for the flat. Both of them were in no hurry and were happy to help. 

 

We quickly removed the tube. However, the tire didn't seem to have anything.  I ran a couple of checks, and then Sreekanth did. We didn't want to risk another puncture. After a few minutes, we decided to get the new tube in. I got one of the stock Btwin tubes. The quick check for pinches revealed that a small part of the tube was still stuck between the tyre and the wheel. We did all sorts of magic tricks to get it in. However, the tube refused to go in. And finally, when it went in, we must have lost close to half-an-hour.

We quickly moved on, wading through the traffic in Outer Ring Road. Traffic was heavy, and the lights tested our patience. We managed to cross one of them by pushing the bikes. Earlier instructions from Sreepathi meant that we had to avoid Iskcon junction. We rode all the way to Tumkur Road, and rode through the traffic. I kept asking Som, if we are on the right path.

When we reached the Yeshwantpur flyover, all of us were off-the-saddle and pushing to our limits. As we got down from the bridge, there was another huge pileup of traffic, which we had to wade through. We took the turn onto MS Ramiah Road, it was less than 100 metres to the finish. Two guys were waiting at the gates, who signed off on our brevet cards. We quickly paid for the medals, went to the wash rooms, refreshed ourselves and got some water to drink.

And when we came back, we congratulated the rest of the riders, bid farewell, and left to do our chores.

There is a reason why Randonnees or brevets are not organized as races. Once you bring in the "race" word, it brings in a sense of competition, and everybody is focussed more on their performance than the actual ride. In more than one occasion on this ride, riders including me, stopped to help fellow riders who got stuck. That would be nigh impossible, if the brevet was organized like a race. 

For me, it was an enriching experience, meeting new people and riding with a common goal. At the end of the day, I did finish in time, and thats what counts!