When I finally learnt how to cycle properly at the beginning of this year, I didn’t think I’d be signing up for a week long cycling trip. But I did : so here I am!
A few weeks ago, I went on my first long cycling trip to a place called Chiktirupati. And of course, despite my valiant efforts, the anti-climax was that I was put in a rick and sent back home on the way back.
This time around, I was determined to make it through. Anil (soon to be TFN participant!), who suggested the destination for Sunday, borrowed a really nice Fuji Crosstown bike for me. And a lovely bike it turned out to be : really smooth and light and I enjoyed riding it. We set off in the morning around 7 am from the Wipro campus : Anil, Manjula, Sandeep and I. Sudhir was supposed to join in, but dropped out.
There was a thick cover of mist as we started off and I was hoping it would last for the morning as it was really pleasant. But after an hour or so, the skies cleared and the sun came out in full glory. Our destination was Jain Farms in Bagalur in Tamil Nadu. We crossed the border somewhere after Sarjapur and then crossed over to TN : the area marked by a small bridge.
The ride was pleasant and there were several ups and downs on the way but I felt quite fine unlike the last experience. The gears on the bike came in handy too as the uphills were much easier on the muscles.
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From Bagalur town, the Jain farms property is around 2–3 kms away. We reached the place before 10 am and then dived straight into a very well deserved breakfast of idlis, dosas and upma. We had pedaled a good 25k from Bangalore.
We hung around for a while at the farm enjoying the space and serenity of the property. Several people have developed their plots there and we went around the place admiring other people’s houses. Manjula nearly got out her cheque book to buy a plot there but then realized that she hadn’t carried it with her.
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It was nearly noon by the time we got back on the bikes for the ride back. Manjula packed her cycle in her car (which she had sent ahead to Bagalur) and went back. Anil (who’s preparing for TFN) decided that he would try and cover as much ground as possible back to Bangalore and pedaled back at the speed of light. We decided to take it easy on the ride back : not that I could have gone any faster!
If not for the sun, it would have been a most pleasant ride — the scenery was lovely : yellow fields around and blue skies all around. But the afternoon sun was hot and I felt I was getting roasted under it. The last 5 kms or so was especially painful with the sun and also some pain I had developed in legs. But… this time I was determined to finish!
We stopped wherever we found shade, or nariyal paani and then again for chocolates and egg puff somewhere near Sarjapur.
Around 3 hours later, we were back where we started. We had a nice and satisfying lunch of Maggi noodles (they tasted good!), thanks to a very hospitable Aqua whose house was conveniently on the way.
A great ride though I did feel the strain after 45kms or so, but at least it was much better than my first attempt.
But I’m a little more geared up and ready for my upcoming week long cycling trip! Goa, here I come :-)
Cycling is fun; you have to be sensitive about your back. Remember to wear a helmet, atleast.
Posted by Venky Krishnamoorthy | December 9, 2008, 12:52 amYour last cycling post got me back to at least thinking about buying one and getting back to cycling. But then I should first be getting back to photography. Have been stumbling through cycling sites. Found this cartoon strip. Interesting storyline if you start reading from the beginning.
http://yehudamoon.com/index.php?date=2008–01-22
Enjoy Goa.
Posted by Shreelesh Kumar | December 9, 2008, 7:32 amGoa ? December 20th ? Ah nice ;-)
Shyam
Posted by Shyam | December 9, 2008, 9:27 amI just bought a Trek 3700 a week back and have been cycling everyday. Wish I could go for the Goa bike ride too..:( *jealous*
Anyways enjoy the trip..
Posted by Devakishor | December 9, 2008, 9:45 am19 kms is the max I’ve covered by cycle… need to do more…
Posted by Shrinidhi Hande | December 9, 2008, 10:37 am@ venky: yes, i should buy myself a helmet!
@ shreelesh: you can also do both ;-)
@ shyam: we’re in the 15-21st batch! didn’t get seat for the 21st batch!
@ devakishor: wow, i’d like to own that bike! you can join in too, there are a few seats left :-)
@ shrinidhi: all the best!
Posted by anita | December 9, 2008, 9:24 pmWow! Cycling to Goa? Awesome, have a great time :)
Posted by shub | December 10, 2008, 9:09 am@shub: cycling in goa, not to goa! Swalpa difference there!
Posted by Anita | December 10, 2008, 5:17 pmanita…awesome/ beautiful pics gal.…and the whole experince you shared sounds fantastic…
have fun in goa :)
Posted by shalini | December 10, 2008, 7:40 pmHey Anita! I was just googling arnd for cycling in goa and dropped right here. is ur trip a part of an organized tour? if so could you give me some details? Tx!
And have a wonderful trip!
Posted by Ms.N | December 11, 2008, 1:18 pmHey .. that sounds good… keep up the spirit. I ve been longing but haven’t been on a cycling trip since 4th grade :(
Posted by sneha divakar | December 12, 2008, 2:13 pmHi Anita,
Really enjoy your posts. You have of way of weaving words which makes the write-up come alive. Specially enjoyed your account of the cycling trip…
Posted by Aroha | December 12, 2008, 4:36 pm@ shalini: thank you!
@ Ms.N: check out trek2goa.blogspot.com! they have quite a few batches coming up though they might be full. but they have cancellations if you’re realy keen. it’s organised by the YHAI so it’s very reasonable.
@ sneha divakar: you should sometime! it’s good fun :-)
@ Aroha: thanks! and really like your name! i used to have a colleague by your name in australia years ago and none of us could pronounce it very well though!
Posted by anita | December 12, 2008, 5:28 pmThat is such an amazing picture, I was immediately drawn to it.
Posted by anudivya | December 17, 2008, 10:57 amhey — thanks… yep, i did land on the cycling website, but their batch timings won’t suit. maybe next time!
Posted by Ms.N | December 18, 2008, 5:47 pmGo girl. Wish you and kitty-kitten a great 2009. Must meet in 2009, one of my new year resolutions!
Posted by Lubna | December 20, 2008, 7:10 pmHi,
I have come to your blog at least after one year. Good to see you blogging.…
:)
Posted by Indscribe | December 23, 2008, 3:18 am@ anudivya: thanks!
@ Ms.N: you should sometime!
@ Lubna: absolutely! anytime!
@ Indscribe: yes, still going as you can see :-)
Posted by Anita | December 23, 2008, 10:06 pmhow to join you i am interested in cycling very much.
Posted by praveen kumar.R | January 27, 2009, 4:15 pmhey anitha, I finally did ! Lets plan another cycing trip..
Posted by manjula | February 1, 2009, 8:32 pmAs of July 2009, the Goa Cycle Club has 192 members, three weekly rides and occasional cycle expeditions.
If you’re thinking of cycling in Goa, contact us or better yet, join a ride!
Visit our website for info and photos, or join our group on Facebook: “Goa Cycle Club”
http://www.goacycles.org
http://www.girlgonegoa.wordpress.com
Posted by Ulrike Rodrigues | July 14, 2009, 2:09 am