Cycle (mis)adventures Posted on February 12, 2008February 12, 2008 I’ve written about this before, but if there’s one thing I haven’t mastered yet – it’s cycling. And before you go about fixing an expression of disbelief on your face, let me tell you that it’s been a lack of opportunity that’s brought about this misfortune. Firstly, in the hills where I was brought up people didn’t cycle (I think my good friend Aqua will second me on this one!). Because going up and down those slopes might do wonders to your fitness, but obviously the bicycle was not our idea of transport. We just… walked. One year, a friendly neighbour Prabal decided to take it upon himself to teach me. He even got a disclaimer signed from my dad saying that if anything happened to his precious daughter, he wasn’t to blame. My dad sportingly signed it. Inspite of his best efforts (I did manage to climb on top of this gigantic cycle) but never managed to stay long enough to get it going. I tried to pedal and stay in a straight line, and told myself I wouldn’t fall but obviously my body didn’t believe me. So Prabal did what any 18 year old sane and smart boy would do – he quit 🙂 I was back to square one. We finally moved from the hills to the plains and I realised that cycles were a much favoured way of travelling and everyone did it rather effortlessly. I was a little too old now and embarassed to admit that I couldn’t manouvre one of those things to save my life. It was just easier using public transport! So that was that. Many years later, I now find myself unable to use this particular mode of transport. Just when people are getting into serious cycling and doing cool things like going on bike rides and even long trips, I feel I can at least try once more! I’m older now, but thankfully, I don’t get embarassed as easily anymore so I’m relaunching my efforts. Mastering the file art of balancing on a bicycle! In the good news, I’ve made slow progress – which means I can now get on one (which is short enough so my legs touch the ground!) and travel in a straight line. However, I can’t yet turn or slow down and gracefully get off the cycle. I come to a complete halt – screeching brakes and all and topple sideways (sometimes taking it with me) – which is obviously not a pretty sight. But my efforts will continue. In the even more good news, I have been promised a bicycle on my birthday. At this grand old age. As you can imagine, I am thrilled to bits! 🙂 Related links Rohan on Radio City Bangalore Pedals Bangalore Bikers Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Humour Living Personal Sports & Adventure
Marathon (eating sessions and a play!) Posted on November 17, 2004 Spent a whirlwind 4 days in Mumbai during Diwali. This is what my schedule was like: * Eating * Shopping * Chatting with friends (actually trying to above the loud cracker bursts) * Eating some more * Shopping some more * Chatting some more! Mumbai looked pretty, especially during the… Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Read More
Back from Goa! Posted on December 23, 2008December 23, 2008 Just back from a week long cycling trip to Goa. We cycled over 60 kms every day over 5 days. The weather was hot and steamy. The terrain was up and down and mostly unpredictable. We crossed beaches, little towns, hamlets, green fields, mining areas, hills, plains, forests and wildlife… Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Read More
Finding a place Posted on April 19, 2004 Blogging from a Sify iway, somewhere near the new flat I moved into yesterday. Being eaten alive by BIG mosquitoes. Bangalore, I have realised is a haven for these pests. They’re everywhere! So though I was very tempted to sleep with all the windows and doors open yesterday since the… Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Read More
way to go…i still dont know cycling! just like you, i tried after envying and ogling at people who can, but my efforts didnt last for long. good luck and am proud of you! s Reply
I’ve a bunch of friends who go on long rides on thier cycles over the weekends… planning to buy one & join them soon 🙂 Reply
Keep it up, you are fulfilling what everybody keeps on saying- “Age is all in the mind”. Soon we would see another article with your photo manouvering the cycle like a pro. Also, I read a couple of your diary pages at rediff, and they are excellent writing I must say. chao… Reply
we are in the same boat…though I knew cycling, I’m kinda skeptical to ride on B’lore roads. You definitely are an inspiration! 🙂 Reply
I can’t cycle. My mum tried to teach me ages ago. she end up with a broken foot. No one has bothered since 😀 Reply
Good one, Anita…This fits into the bill ‘where there is a will there is a way’ 🙂 Also lady I sincerely feel that don’t try out B’lore roads, I mean the city roads during the rush hours (8am-9pm), for obvious reasons : rash traffic, pollution, etc etc… cycle, camera, bagpack, road side food, reminds me of my days in Finland and Norway. You are a real smartie, guess many people join the cycle crowd, solves many probs. Reply
@ Sukanya: really? i always feel good when i know that there are other people like me 🙂 @ unnikuttan: stolen? that’s sad! @ Sushanth Amin: yeah, most people do 🙂 thanks! @ Prashanth M: really? that is a great idea and i’m hoping i can do that too someday! at office? you want me to make a fool of myself in front of so many people?!! @ Prem: thanks! and the suggestion is good – am going to put one up as soon as i can master the art! @ Anu: bangalore’s roads are definitely scary. i have no intention of doing anything on the roads. i’m going to take the cycle far away and indulge in cycling miles away from the city! @ neha: nice to know 😉 haha, i don’t blame here! @ Tanay: thanks! i have no intention of going out in the bangalore traffic. going out in the car is bad enough! hope i can do some of it away from the city at least! Reply
Hi. There’s a Bangalore bloggers meet scheduled for tomorrow, Feb 16. I would like to confirm your participation and I am looking forward to meeting you in person and other bloggers as well. As of now 50+ bloggers have confirmed their participation. Email me at anwin.at.anw.in or call me on 9880518019 for anything regarding the bloggers meet. More info at http://indiblogger.in/ Cheers, Anwin Reply
An environmentally friendly way to commute. I want to learn as well and yes I didn’t have the need to learn when I was in school and now I think I should. You are my inspiration. Let me start it this weekend. Reply
Just when I had decided that you had explored everything there is to do – just like you to hop on to a bike! way to go, girl. I can cycle beautifully but have problem getting on the cycle. I have to find a rock or some elevated platform so if I ever have to get off midway I had it. Reply
lol!! YOu made me remind of my good ‘ol cycling days. As a kid we grew up with jus one good friend.. my cycle.. 🙂 And I could easily relate to the sideways toppling and screeching brakes 🙂 Wonderful post 🙂 Bravo!! Reply
Hi Anita I hav added u r link at my blog (http://rohittripathi.blogspot.com) in favorite link section…. Ab aap bhi hume apne blogroll mein sharan de de 🙂 Rohit Tripathi latest Post :Urgent vacancy for the post of Girl Friend… Reply
There was a time when I used to think that if someone has learnt to cycle and hasn’t had a tooth or two knocked back in then they haven’t cycled enough to actually enjoy it 🙂 Reply
Hey Anita, had heard about ur blog when I was in Infy HR in Blore. Finally found it 🙂 Glad to know you and I’ve blogrolled you too 🙂 Reply
It never too late for anything …. Sometime soon, it just happens and you will find yourself cycling effortlessly!! Reply
Hey i saw your indianbloggers.blogspot.com I will it AWESOME,really awesome work..How long it took for you to gather such a huge list?? And add me also http://www.enga-area.blogspot.com once again that was awesome work keep it up! regards, saran. Reply
anita: back on your blog after a long time (i believe v.b. reads you more than i do). in the bangalore of another era, my father learned to ride the bicycle after i was born (and later, in another town after my kid sister was born, a scooter too). – s.b. Reply
ha ha .. goodone. Cycling is fun. Even on hilly pathways 🙂 .. We used to push our cycles to the top (as high as our strength allowed us to push), and then on for a free-wheely kind of maddening ride all the way down. Kind of like Calvin on his sledge! 🙂 Reply
@ Anwin: hey, sorry but was away that weekend. else, would have loved to come. hope it went well! @ Janya: yes, it is! and there are many people who prefer to cycle these days though the streets are pretty crazy i think. @ Usha: there’s always something to do, i’ve found 🙂 you need a rock? you’re worse than me then! @ amit: hey, thanks! @ Rohit: thanks! my next update! @ Chitra: tenth standard is way better than the age i’m at now 😉 but i will not give up! @ Anil: haha! i am hoping that it doesn’t come to that. i don’t want to lose the few teeth that i have left 😉 @ sathish: why not, i say?! @ Mridula: hey, thanks for dropping by and adding me! @ Prashanth(MSP): true, it’s never too late for everything – i try and tell myself that all the time! @ Saran: hey thanks! a year or so but i don’t update it anymore! @ some body: gosh yes. you’re back after ages! thanks for dropping by 🙂 that was encouraging for me! @ angshu: cycling on hilly roads? hmm… will be a while before i can do that!! i’d prefer to go downhill! Reply
That’s simply amazing and impressive. I landed in your blog while looking for tips to learn cycling. Any suggestions? Reply