Everyone needs a hero, right? So here’s a small story about mine. So, the hero’s been around for a while, but never really gotten a taste of adventure. Of what life can be like : on the road. I’ve been meaning to take him out on a jaunt to experience real life… but the timing was never quite right.
It finally happened last Sunday.
So yeah. Before your imaginative mind goes somewhere else : let me clarify. It’s not like I wouldn’t mind a real hero (where are they these days?!). But I think mine definitely walked the other way when I was in college busy adjusting my large black rimmed glasses and acting in Shakespeare plays. He hasn’t been anywhere to be found since.
Therefore, I have to make do. With a bicycle. Okay, no snickering and laughing here. At least it’s better than nothing :-)
So last weekend, after hatching a plot with a few intrepid cyclists, Shantanu and Pankaj, I decided to join them on an adventure : along with my hero cyclone. Hero’s been doing neighbourhood stints till now without much action.
We started off early morning, my pulse and heart racing : this was my first time on the roads! In response to my sms that I was “really†scared, Pankaj assured me that there’s always a first time for everything. Taking consolation in that, I pedaled furiously till Agara lake where the two fellow adventurers joined in.
From there, we started off towards Sarjapur Road. Now, I thought this was going to be a little jaunt to the countryside, I had no idea that these guys cycle over 60 kms with consumnate ease. Well, I found out the hard way. I was actually rather okay till around the 20 km mark.
Beyond Sarjapur, our destination was this place called Chiktirupati, a temple town. At the 26–27 km mark, I found it easier to just get down from the cycle and walk! The ups and downs were not easy, especially for a novice like me. My thigh muscles pretty much refused to function and every uphill was like climbing Mount Everest. My hero behaved beautifullybut I was finding it hard to sit on the seat by now!
I finally managed to make it to Chiktirupati. By then Shantanu and Pankaj had already finished their breakfast 2 times over. Smartly, by this time, Pankaj made a deal with a local rickshaw fella to get me back home. I guess they knew that I would be in no condition to ride back. Or it would take me at least 4 hours, which meant they would reach after half of Sunday was over.
So there I was, packed up along with my hero in an auto making the long journey back home. It would have been a considerable achievement if I’d managed to ride back but I was just happy the hero got a taste of life on the rough roads. And I’d just done my first long ride!
Cycling was wonderful during school days back in Cal., esp for the brief few months when I bought myself an 18-geared ATB until it got stolen during Durga Puja. Those 18 gears were awesome. It made riding a real pleasure esp when going up a slope and lugging around my 70+ kilo best friend on those time killing “adda” trips. I sure do miss cycling here in Blore.
Posted by Shreelesh | October 18, 2008, 1:49 pmAnd here is something that you’ll find interesting.. A DIY for mixing photography and cycling together http://photojojo.com/content/diy/attach-a-camera-to-your-bike/
Posted by Shreelesh | October 18, 2008, 1:58 pm@ shreelesh: 10 gears on a bike! whatever for? that’s way too many gears, no? :-) but sad that it got stolen — must have been expensive too! lots of folks are taking up cycling here so it’s good to see that!
and thanks for the link. looks like a cool idea all right!
Posted by Anita | October 18, 2008, 7:49 pmI think it was ‘heroic’ to try at all — and to cycle 20 km. More power to you. :)
Posted by Anindita | October 19, 2008, 1:32 amnice u started..and that fills me with guilt..i have been wanting to get one since long..but havent yet..
Posted by ravi | October 19, 2008, 9:41 pmYo there.…stumbled upon your blog inadvertently. Did not know of you — not that I am a who’s who myself. U seem to have an avid following. So tad dangerous to take you on..if there is a rough nerve touched somewhere?!
Great range of topics touched upon indeed.
Sad that U have not yet covered 2nd law of Thermodynamics as yet? sob sob.
or the elegant sartorial tastes of Mamta.
Posted by TopesZZ | October 20, 2008, 10:02 am20 km for a first outing!! awesome!! i like the bike a lot!!
Posted by arundati | October 20, 2008, 4:11 pmWay to go. You are a gutsy gal.
Love to kitty-kitten
Posted by Lubna | October 21, 2008, 6:10 pmwelcome 2 the club… & gud distance 2 start with…
Posted by Sathish | October 22, 2008, 4:20 pmHey,
Good start. But keep it going.
Also make sure that ur saddle is at the right height. Ur feet should be just out of reach from the ground when sitting. Especially important on longer rides
Posted by Sudhir | October 23, 2008, 4:14 pmHello,
Nice try. Check out bangalore bikers club in google (dot) com. That might interest you.
Keep pedalling!!
Posted by Vasu | October 25, 2008, 2:17 amHey,
Call me when you guys go cycling next.… My Atlas is shrugging away at home.… in absolute disgust!!
Cheers,
Nischal
Posted by Nischal | November 12, 2008, 11:27 amHi Anita,
I went for the same ride with Pankaj and some other guys today, to Chiktirupati. It was my second long ride I some how made it :-)(it’s another thing that my whole body is aching andI can’t even walk properly).
When I mentioned to Pankaj how tired I was, he was telling us about you(…one girl Anita Bora from RFL…), then I remembered reading this posts. Small world.. :)
Anyways hope to see you on one of these rides soon..
Posted by Devakishor | December 27, 2008, 8:50 pmhey i was jus wonderin.…hw much does the cyclone cost??
thx
Gowtham
Posted by Gowtham | September 20, 2009, 11:07 amHi,
I stay near the Sarjapura village(Kristal Campus)and would love to join you guys on your next trip.
Pls. notify me of your next outing.
will be waiting eagerly.
Vishal
9341835383
Posted by Vishal | August 6, 2010, 1:12 pm