Re: Bangalore- Belgaum- Bangalore : 1000 Km : Hell is cold, hot, wet and windy

Congrats Sayi on another feather in your hat

Waiting to read the details of the entire journey

Re: Bangalore- Belgaum- Bangalore : 1000 Km : Hell is cold, hot, wet and windy

Ok.. wow! Congrats mate, waiting for the detailed log.

Re: Bangalore- Belgaum- Bangalore : 1000 Km : Hell is cold, hot, wet and windy

You completing....... all alone of a 1000KM is a mind game. You are a very strong man both physically and mentally.

Re: Bangalore- Belgaum- Bangalore : 1000 Km : Hell is cold, hot, wet and windy

I wanted to write an other version in xBHP, which will be helpful for someone in future mentioning information about food and other options available along the route, but because of continuous travels, I'm hardly getting time to write, so sharing here the post I shared in FB.


1000 : A journey of self realisation :
Part-1 : Bangalore - Hubli : 400 Kms : The emotional roller coaster.
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As I got into train,my mind is constantly thinking about winds, winds and just winds.

I know, if there are no mechanical failures in bike, irrespective of timings I will finish the ride. But I have been dreaming past eight months to be at finish line within time. If I do not finish, all those dreams will be shattered and I have to spend one more year dreaming to ride in this route. I heard a lot about the power of winds and troubles sudden climbs can put you to and rain to top it. Just like taming a wild horse, riding in difficult routes will also be immensely satisfying,I want to enjoy that feeling.


As, I mentioned in previous 1000 status that Mohan has a major share in this ride.I rode a 400 just four days ago before start of event,so I requested Mohan to let my bike stay at his place. So after getting down from train, I went to his home and refreshed.

Didi (Mohan's wife), treated me very well with lot of food in Breakfast and lunch. Truly, food made with any mother's hand have secret ingredients called love and affection added in that by default. That food will add extra energy to body. The sad feeling that I cannot have food made by my mother before any brevet was eased off with that lunch.


There was sudden change in start point and I was not ready for it. Cooled myself with thumping sounds from ‪#‎neruppuda‬. Mohan and myself rode till start point (23km). Shocked to learn that it that only two of us that are going to ride whole 1000km. This is one of worst case scenario I assumed and was alright with it.
Weather was ideal and it favoured cycling till Tumkur, after which it rained heavily. We took small breaks wherever necessary. Some headwinds welcomed us throughout which turned out terrible at Chitradurga, even the climbing. Only thing I told myself is that I will descend all of this in return after riding 600 more kilometres approximately.


As a new dawn appeared, my body and mind became fresh but winds were relentless.They were testing us. It was confusing as scenery is beautiful all along.Everything along the road is placed very artistically as if someone constructed whole NH4 here. They were a good distraction from those winds. Took many breaks in name of breakfast and refreshments.


Life became miserable after we crossed Ranebennur. The winds became more furious. They never wanted us to ride. All we had to do is put our heads down accept them to move ahead. Even now the scene around is very beautiful. Most of the stretch I saw only fields and farmers. It was a delight to see ox, guided by farmers, ploughing the fields. I couldn't make out what is being planted or grown, but to eyes it is a feast. The colour of sand is also very different. Writing about them now, I just wanted to go there once again.Hills in any direction I see, green in anyside my head turns. The winds furious on bikes turned to pleasant kiss whenever I got off saddle. It feels like a tight hug from loved one,every time as I start to get back on saddle. I enjoyed this part of fun from winds.


As I had a heavy breakfast, I was not feeling hungry.But Mohan, wanted to have a food break. As I didn't feel like stopping, he continued riding with me . A terrible mistake from both of us. I could have stopped but was worried about control timing at Hubli, he didn't stop for not disturbing rhythm of ride. I feel guilty even now, for not stopping but it was life a brevet rider and out of my control. I went ahead fast to see if there are any hotels, but I could see only fields and trees.We decided to part our ways concluding that he will catch up with me at Hubli. Now, I emotionally I have hit ground zero as I'm all alone.


Few kilometres later after crossing Bankapur toll, winds were having a party with me. It became terrible to ride and then it started raining. Vehicles are splashing water all over me. I was blind and deaf for a moment. Then crazy buses pushed me off the roads. I saw wind mills happily rotating on other side. It was all climbing and there is no descent. Suddenly, the strap of my floaters was snapped making it difficult to ride. Bolt of my saddle clamp was loose in last 400, I adjusted seat to wrong height due to which knees started paining. I then cried. Cried like a small boy, whose toy was took away by much stout kid. That stout kid is wind here. I shouted loudly, with no one to care, I wanted to stop riding and take a bus back to Bangalore, I do not remember the last time I cried.


As I'm riding and crying, I reached closer to Hubli. I saw that roads are dry, terrain rolled again showing some descents, and winds are reduced due to buildings on both sides. I wondered if that trauma I have been is just a training from nature. Anyway I made it to Hubli happily, with 40 minutes to spare. Had a quick food break . I learnt here that Mohan has quit the ride. It has hit my mind too damn hard. I couldn't take it very lightly at all. Jins Paul, my friend called me and supported me morally and mentally. Warned me about single lane stretch till Dharwad and wished me luck.


Tears rolled from my eyes again. I also feared about handling dogs all alone. ( luckily none bothered till this point). I brought a bread loaf as back up food and resumed my emotional roller coaster ride to Belgaum.

Check out pictures till Hubli here

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1000 : A journey of self realisation :

Part-2 : Hubli- Belgaum- Hubli : 200 Kms : The semi conscious ride.
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I forgot to mention two things in previous part.
1. As soon as I reached Hubli, my eyes searched for a footwear shop, but control point is luckily is beside a bus stand which seems to be a market area. Just beside corporation bank atm, there are cobbler shops lined up. I got my floaters stitched there.


2. My rear wheel spokes used to slice the crosswinds and re direct them to my calf's. They used be small and gentle air streams and was fun all along.


It was dark and gloomy as I headed towards Belgaum. There was pretty decent time to reach there, 90 odd km's in 6 hours. That's what I thought. But as soon as I left Hubli, I have shifted to semi conscious state. After not sleeping for 420 Kms and around 28 hours, my eyes wanted to have rest. Sadly I couldn't afford a power nap as I do not have complete idea of elevation till Belgaum. The war between mind and body started. I'm stopping very frequently to wash my face. Sometimes, I tried to keep myself awake by chewing honey straws Mohan gave me. Chewing gum was of no help. Sometimes my speed was as slow as a snail, and when I realised this, I used to maintain a very good pace even in climbs. I loved sprinting on downhills. Wondered if I speed would have crossed 50kmph.


I felt very happy to see wide roads again, after Dharwad. As Strava stopped working, milestones were my only resort to check distance. Meanwhile, in this semi conscious state, with the effect of following RAAM, my mind divided me into three guys. One guy used to look at distance, one warns me about sleep and other pushes me to ride hard and fast. I realised all of this, only after I was completely awake at Belgaum. Funny things mind does when sleep is lost. The only warning I got before event from my Fiancee is not to sleep ride, even if it means a DNF. Somehow, it was very strongly registered in mind and it was almost a reflex action to apply brakes whenever eyes were about to close. I washed face and continued every time it happened. When it is uncontrollable , I just used to push up the climbs till I'm out of breath. It sorted of worked.


From Cue Sheet, I will be around 490 kms if I cross a toll booth. I have around 20 kms left and 1.5 hours to cover that distance. I thought it is going to be easy from now, but this is a brevet full of challenges. More climbs started to show up and there were literally two hills to climb to reach control point. It is usually advantage to climb in dark, as we do not know exact height, but I could see all the trucks and other vehicles descending from heaven. It is literally so high. With a nearly neck to neck cut off and seeing the height my mind gave up instantly. I then remembered all the struggle I faced to reach here, also I remembered wishes of everyone and most importantly I remembered video of Major Sirnivas riding in RAAM, posted just before event. He said he has a hulk inside him waiting to come out. That struck me like a thunder bolt and I sprinted like a mad crazy guy.


I reached the top, but then there is another gradual climb till I enter the city. Managed to complete it. Following the cue sheet , I'm in the right direction. I checked in google maps just to confirm the location and rode till control point. I reached there with 15 minutes to spare. I got hopes that I will finish the ride in time.
The ATM's shutter was half down, so I clicked pictures of it first. Then I went inside and collected slip. All this while I'm in fear remembering the incident from Opendro's blog where police mistook riders for some thieves, Now, I'm alone and with not even knowing broken Kananda, I wondered how I would manage if I face such a situation. Luckily I'm fine, ATM guard shared water available with him and wished me luck.


When I took the service road to enter back the highway again, a pack of dogs started barking at me loudly and didn't allow me to go ahead. I had to climb the highway with bike to escape from them.


I refilled air in tires, refreshed for five minutes and started again, but I was terribly sleepy and exhausted from all the climbing. So I stopped a place where street lights are there ,hugged my bike and slept for ten minutes. It was all a semi conscious journey back to Hubli.


Stopped for many tea breaks, five minute power naps, but nothing worked until it is dawned.As light appeared, I was confused if I have enough time to reach back or not. It was confusing as I lost count of miles and even mile stones appeared confusing. I gave up my hopes when I saw climbs at Dharwad. I pushed myself. I remembered, why I am doing all this. It gave me energy to push. I'm filled with ecstasy as I saw the turn to Airport road. I rode happily from there and reached control with twenty minutes to spare.


All this while, I had no food. Yeah, I rode nearly 200 kms without food. Excitement and fear can drive you crazy. Also this is my first nearly sleepless 600 km. I had pulao and Kesar bath X 2 each in Darshan hotel. There is no gap to cross the road, so I lifted bike to go to other side of road , took a room.


I cleaned my bike from all the muck and dust. Oiled it to get it rolled for last 400 kms. I slept for nearly 1 hr 45 minutes,took bath and started again to Chitradurga.


Thanks Monk

Thank you.

Thanks Santosh.

Re: Bangalore- Belgaum- Bangalore : 1000 Km : Hell is cold, hot, wet and windy

1000 : A journey of self realisation :
Part-3 : Hubli- Chitradurga-Bangalore : 400 Kms : The finishing ride.

Checkout pictures here.
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I was told that if I reach 600 within time, there is every chance that I can finish the brevet. I too thought so, but reality is different. My body felt refreshed after bath and rest but mind is tired. I wanted more sleep, but I felt I will complete only if I reach Chitradurga ahead of time.

As I started from Hubli, cross winds still prevailed.They pushed me, but were not so rough as previous day. As I missed lunch with Mohan at Kamat, I wanted to push till there for having lunch. Till there I survived on Avalakki available at roadside shop. I passed through all those windmills again, enjoyed the beauty of fields looking at farmers and continued.I forgot to mention that while going towards Hubli, I saw a deer and black buck running around in fields.

It was hot for first time in brevet. So I switched to sleeveless. I never wore it in a brevet, so wanted to experiment. The climate changed faster than blink of an eye. It rained once again very furiously.I felt very cold and wanted a shade to change dress but it is an empty highway without any shop or bus stop. So in a desperate attempt to reach Kamat after Havei , I pedalled faster.

Among all the very weird stares, I quickly ran to washroom and changed to warm and dry clothes. Usually, set dosa for me is equal to lunch, but there I had set dosa followed by utappam and ragi dosa. After having a coffee, I resumed once again. I still felt very sleepy. Stopped at every toll for having tea. As soon as I entered Harihar, the road spitted into two and suddenly it became very dark. Even my thoughts. I started to think negatively. I wanted to stop riding, I saw no reason to continue. I remembered that I'm riding alone, I realised that at Chitradurga there will be no volunteer or organiser to enquire if I'm alright. I was pissed off to the core and even very angry for no reason. At the same moment I also thought about riders at TransAM bike race and RAAM. RAAM riders have crew support, but TransAm riders, I thought about their feelings. When compared to their 7000km ride, my 700+ km ride appeared nothing to me. Finally all the thoughts came to a halt when I saw a petrol bunk at Davangere.

That guy there, allowed me to sleep inside office. It was very warm and cozy there. I had a good sleep and got refreshed. All the thoughts were positive again and my mission was to reach Chitradurga. Rain also halted giving me a chance to enjoy fresh and pleasant air.

I'm alright for another 20 km and sleep hit me again. So I had to ride slow even the when climbs reduced and tailwinds increased. Finally with 40 minutes to spare I reached chitradurga. I slept there at entrance of Bakery behind ICICI ATM in bus stand. I started again around 3.30 or 4 am and saw Ashok T at entrance,who is approaching Chitradurga. What to say, he is riding a 400 just to loosen his muscles for an upcoming 24 hour run. 1000 looked like a baby feat before that run.

After we greeted each other we went ahead in opposite ways. After Hiryur, I stopped at a Dhaba to have some roti. After dosa's previous day evening, this is food I'm having again after 12 hours. I got completely surprised by the change of my food habits. At Sira, I felt exhausted and stopped at Kamat. I wanted to stop at CCD, but was not ready to pay 150 for a coffee, so chosen Kamat. Ashok met me here once again.

After speaking with him,I finally got relieved. It was a great feeling to speak with someone you know after nearly 41 hours. I felt relaxed. Riding with him is a challenge. That too after riding 900 kms and maintaining a good pace appeared difficult for my legs. Occasional food stops gave me necessary energy to match his pace. He got fully recharged after having two ice creams ahead of Dabaspet. I couldn't catch up with his sprinting at climbs there and finally gave up. Also I had to attend nature call. So used the last stretch of green patch before entering concrete jungle.

At Nelamangala, I'm nearly in tears once again but I got over it as I have a much bigger task of avoiding traffic on service roads. At Nagasandra Metro Station, I collapsed on steps. I called Mohan, who came down from his house with a smiling face and chocolate Mousse. It was once again a emotional moment. I know there will not be any medal or physical form of recognition for this ride. Even I wondered if there will be any of organiser waiting at end. Everytime, I have to remind myself that I just rode for myself.But that small gesture by Mohan and his happiness that I have finally reached made go on cloud nine. We pedalled to end. Ashok was fixing puncture there. We had a small chit chat.
Throughout the conversation different emotions are running through my mind, I felt too happy for finishing the toughest 1000 brm in India, I felt sad for being exhausted mentally just for a 1000 km, surprised that I even wanted to ride more, and I enjoyed a different kind of silence prevailing all over, whenever I'm not talking. I wanted to cry but couldn't.

We all started and I went to Mohan's home once again. I got completely refreshed after a hot water bath. I didn't want to sleep as I'm not sure if I will wake up again to catch bus.I thoroughly enjoyed the calmness in my mind and the feeling that I have finished 1000. After dinner we started to bus stand. Mohan was kind enough to drop me at Shanthinagar in his car. As I said in very beginning Mohan was throughout the ride.

Mohan, I'm dedicating this ride to you for everything you have done. I cannot thank you enough. Also, there are lot of people who encouraged me when ever I updated my status. Thanks to all and Jins, thanks for calling at critical time and cheering me with encouraging words.
I'm finally relived that I have fulfilled one of my wishes this year. Now, 3 more 600's,a 300 for 6 SR"s and finally the grand finale.
Life was back to normal, when I went to office next day.

That silence prevailed over next few days. When ever I enjoyed that silence, mind used to travel back to that night time between Hubli and Belgaum, the emotional stress there and funny feelings to give up after Harihar, more over I found that even without company one can ride more than 600 kms. I came to know what are my fears and some of my strengths. Moreover it is a ride to remember and cherish for a life time.

Re: Bangalore- Belgaum- Bangalore : 1000 Km : Hell is cold, hot, wet and windy

great ride sayi. excellent narration. wishing you the very best.

Re: Bangalore- Belgaum- Bangalore : 1000 Km : Hell is cold, hot, wet and windy

I am glad that you finally got time to put pen to paper or more aptly fingers to keyboard It was a pleasure reading about your ride and honestly, i cannot even comprehend the struggle that it must be in the fag end of your 1000

Re: Bangalore- Belgaum- Bangalore : 1000 Km : Hell is cold, hot, wet and windy

Thank you sir.

He he , yeah. No rides this week, so got onto endurance writing :P
It was a bit sad but it all faded away in sense of achievement.

Re: Bangalore- Belgaum- Bangalore : 1000 Km : Hell is cold, hot, wet and windy

Nice narration! A few clicks would've been better thhough.

Re: Bangalore- Belgaum- Bangalore : 1000 Km : Hell is cold, hot, wet and windy

Congrats brother for the achievement.