Cadence90 Sunday morning ride to BU - 22 June 2014

More than 2 months since my last ride with awesome bunch of cyclists turning up for Cadence90 morning rides on weekends, I was joining again. After the ride, I was in two minds to write yet another morning ride piece on my blog. But after midnight robbery (somewhere between 2:30 AM to 6 AM on 26 June morning, if my landlady is to be believed), I feel like recording my last ride - the loss is hurting even though I knew the risk before buying the bike from Decathlon on March 8.

I stay on 3rd floor of an independent house and the one occasion of hauling a friend's cycle up and down the cramped staircase had almost proved fatal. The only convenient option was to lock the bike in the small passage to left of steps - easily visible to street goers and no challenge in intruding other than someone happening to pass by or extreme misfortune of making loud enough noise to awaken those sleeping in ground floor. The chain lock was left wound to iron railings of staircase - my best guess is that the thief simply unwound the 1 or 2 loops from metal bar below seat. Earlier this month, my brother had lost (or stolen) the smartphone I had gifted him. My camera was ripped from baggage during bus travel to Rajasthan in February 2010. Clearly, some conspiracy here? :D (Update: a car stolen from next street last night - anyone got a solution to track vehicles after it is stolen?)

So, unless I move to a new place where I can keep a bike inside my room, I won't be buying another :( My fitness options are now going to be limited to trekking and running, but the greater pain is losing a commute option from Indiranagar to say Jayanagar/JP Nagar/Basavanagudi and obviously the weekend morning rides.

Coming back to topic, I had kept two alarms to avoid earlier lapse, but woke with first one itself. As with my first Cadence90 morning ride, I actually ended up reaching first - few minutes before alloted 6 AM. We started from Jayanagar around 6:20 AM (myself, Parameshwar, Narayan, Satish and Manjunath) - the waiting time talk centered around Dipankar's 54 hr 10 minute 1000km brevet. Not long after, it was left to Manjunath to guide me as the other three went well ahead, being accomplished riders and later joined by Phaneesh.

As we joined Outer ring road (with many ups and downs) near Banashankari 3rd stage, I got to see complicated route bus 201 going past stops like Kathriguppe on the way to Srinagar (someday I hope I will get to ride end-to-end :P)

Crazy bus route 201 :P

While downhills were thrilling (crossed 40 kmph), the many climbs (often gentle up slope for considerable distance) was challenging. That I could keep pace with Manjunath proved mutually beneficial. Now and then he would pass me tidbits of info of places we were crossing, previous rides, etc.

We turned left from Outer ring road to Gnana Bharathi Main road, greeted by the sprawling campus of Bangalore University. Flanked on both sides by trees, a polluted tributary of Cauvery (Nagarbhavi Thorai), long stretches of ups and downs, the overwhelming feeling was that of passing through a hill. Lots of early morning walkers, runners, cyclists were around and play grounds never empty.

The four of them were waiting for us at the end of road joining Bangalore University Road. After few minutes of rest and chit chat, we started the apparently famous round trip of BU road. Many other cyclists were doing their rounds and some of them branching to side road as we went past. The down slope was quite mesmerizing, enhanced by grey sky and chilling wind. That meant the return steep climb was daunting.

After one round, we all had tender coconut, except for Satish who went ahead for his second round! By the time we had our fill and cycling discussions, Satish had finished round two. And then about to start back, decision was changed to include yet another round trip :D Though I wasn't as exhausted as some of my earlier long rides, I played safe and didn't venture to sleep downhill. I didn't also want to keep others waiting.

Our next stop was for breakfast. Phaneesh left us to go directly to his place. Narayan was telling about some 100+ rides in coming monsoon months. The uphill to join outer ring road wasn't as tough I thought it would be. But generally, the pace was lot slower way back on outer ring road compared to morning. Climbs kept coming and descents seemed few and far apart. One particular steep climb in Banashankari 3rd stage was overwhelming.

Around 8:30 AM, we reached Kavali off Vidyapeeta Main road. The hotel is quite small, with barely enough walking space between eating tables. As is my norm during rides or trekking, I preferred idli+vada without even checking the menu. But was swayed to taste the unusual varities of dosa - I went with Manjunath's choice : Sprout dosa. Turned out a excellent choice, can't remember the last time I enjoyed dosas so much - I even gobbled few green chilly. Followed by half pineapple dosa - the sweetness not so gelling well with green chillies and chutney, but still good in its own way. I noted baby-corn dosa to be tried next time. Next we had Coffee (small size tumbler, but still quite good for just Rs 6). Oh, I so wish Kavali comes to Indiranagar soon. Much of discussion centered around Railways - fare hike, politics, unions, etc etc.

Going back towards Jayanagar, Satish and Manjunath were hatching a plan to Nandi. As I left them near metro, they bid goodbyes and to meet again in future rides. I told I was leaving to Rajasthan for two weeks and hopefully join in July. Little did I know that my cycle itself was vanish within four days.

And so, I am going to remember this 50+ kilometer ride more than it warrants compared to earlier cherished rides. I hadn't even required to pump air for 100 odd days I had the bike covering 600+ km. Even though there were minor issues, the loss has heightened the feeling that I had come to like it. Hope whoever uses it next would enjoy too.

Cadence90 morning ride to BWSSB, Harohalli - Kanakapura Road

This is a ride I almost missed. I did one step better than Raj and Simran of DDLJ - hopped on after the train had left the station.

I have a ~2300 bucks Samsung phone with more than adequate features for my daily use. But then, bugs are everywhere. A peculiar one with mine - when I activate an alarm used before, it doesn't ring unless time is changed from previous value. Usually, I keep changing the time, so I forget this bug. On Friday April 18th night, I set for alarm for 4:45 AM. My subconscious mind reminded me to keep another alarm at 5 minute difference as a back up incase I slept after first alarm. My conscious mind was confident that I won't miss and thus I slept. These days I wake up many a times in night (as I rarely over work my mind and body during the day being lazy). I woke sometime after 4 AM and slept back. When I woke again - it was 5:17 AM!

I didn't want to miss as I hadn't done even 35+ km ride with my bike and this one was supposed to be around 50. After getting ready hurriedly (some minutes lost in turning on PC to get Chethan's number, also saw that route was along Kanakapura - further away from Cadence90 in relation to my room), I left 1 minute past 5:40 AM. Chethan responded to my call and he said ride might start 15 minutes past 6 AM depending on when everyone gathers. That gave me some hope but I told him to not wait for me.

With full josh, I cranked up my speed to 30 kmph on CMH road only to find myself parched and out of breadth before reaching Old Madras road about a km ahead. After that, it became difficult than normal. Halfway, I wished that I wouldn't be able to catch up so that I can return back instead of becoming a problematic rider for Cadence90. But inspite of my misgivings, I reached at 6:12 AM only to find not a soul around. I felt disappointed a bit but also relieved that I can go back. I had gone few meters ahead to Kanakapura road when unexpectedly Chethan came and informed me that I could catch up with the group if I peddled straight.

Physically, I wanted a break before turning back to home, but good news revved me up and I cycled hard again. Road felt familiar once overhead metro was in sight, having cycled to Mysore in December 2012 and thrice for trekking. I wasn't sure how much of headstart others had. I was okay to peddle as much as I could and return back. In 10 minutes or so, I caught up with Radha (whom I had met in Wayanad tour) and Sowmya (previous Cadence90 ride). Apparently, they too started a little later than main group.

Bangalore being located about 3000 feet above sea level, there is downhill generally when one leaves Bangalore. Even as we enjoyed this thrilling ride, we were weary about the uphill climb back - when it would be hotter and tired legs. In cool morning air with trees forming arch gateway on good NH 209 highway, Kanakapura is famous among bikers and motorists alike. The parallel Mysore road being preferred, there is relatively less traffic too. Waiting for a ride in monsoon season ;)

With so much happening from morning, I threw caution to wind and cranked up 45+ kmph at a small stretch of downhill (Warning: do not try without expert training) which resulted in small wobble instead of straight ride. I didn't try that again :)

We passed Art of Living, NICE road, Kaggalipura(where Bannerghatta road meets Kanakapura road) and then met the other guys waiting near APS college. On the way we passed a cyclist with some sort of issue in tyre, wonder how he fixed/got-back.

It was just past 7 AM, but some of us were feeling tired and dreading the way back. Expert riders - Phaneesh, Parameshwar, Kranthi - knew from same Waynad trip, Archana (previous Cadence90 ride), Satish and two leopards (leopardskyn racer jersey) - Aditya and Yashas completed our group. We had stopped for much needed rest, stretching and tender coconut.

Phaneesh, Parameshwar, Kranthi and perhaps Satish too are regulars on this road - most/every weekend. They coolly fooled us that BWSSB on pipeline road was about 10 km ahead with mostly flat road. Agreed it was the best part of the morning, but we were taken for ride!

Having studied Electronics and Communication engineering, 'pipeline' road was a confusing name for me. Until I saw about 6 feet diameter 'pipes' (supplying water to Bangalore) on both sides of the road. This road goes through villages and intersects Kanakapura road at various locations.

Road was excellent with only few patches here and there. Very very less motor traffic. Trees and grasslands around, chirping of birds, a village house here and there, frequent ups and downs. We kept going at steady pace, some climbs stretching our limits and gears - but secretly happy that some downhills will be there while returning. Gradually, the group got spread more than a kilometer apart. I had someone ahead in view for about 13 km in pipeline road but lost sight near Siddapura-Bidadi road. I was tired and suddenly afraid that I missed some turn so came back (just about 500m from BWSSB :( - some kids far off were shouting something related to cycle-cycle, perhaps that too strengthened the notion of missing).

Trail route from my house

Altitude Profile (one way)

Created on www.gpsies.com - check above map here.



The ride back was of course pretty tough, downhills providing only a temporary relief. Chatting with Phaneesh helped in keeping up riding despite body crying for rest. When I did stop past Kanakapura intersection for water and break, muscles let me know full extent of pain.

Phaneesh's advice of keep peddling slowly instead of frequent stops helped a lot. I enjoyed the leisurely ride and satisfaction of moving on under difficult conditions :P We stopped briefly outside APS college before moving on further for another electrolyte filled hydration round of tender coconut. I gobbled up my two bananas (should have got the whole bunch from home :-/ ) and stretching as well. When Phaneesh confirmed that this is the ride they do most weekend (remembered from Wayanad trip), I symbolically suggested that they are a bunch of crazy guys.

It was just few minutes to 9 AM when we started again. Next stop was to be at Adiga's for breakfast. This time we were given correct estimates - about 12km ride ahead, landmark being after NICE road. Despite all tiredness and back pain and mostly uphill climbs, it wasn't very difficult. Most of us made it in about an hour's time. Kranthi got a flat tyre (wrath-of-flat-god as Phaneesh puts it, twice in 3 days!) which delayed them.

Adiga's was very crowded even at 10 AM. We freshened up and sat talking till everyone arrived. Breakfast was awesome followed by tea/coffee. Kranthi's flat tyre made up for much of the discussion and whether law-of-averages or murphy's law would apply for Kranthi's next ride. When I got up, it felt like non-intrusive lead transplantation had been made to my shin.

After group photo, some made U-turn and others continued forward. I still had more than 20 km to reach home which took more than 90 minutes. I turned right at Sarakki Junction, while others went left. I asked multiple times to reach Silk board after which I know the route very well to my room. Stopped once for water break in addition to multiple wait at Traffic signals - I seemed to catch Red at every one of them. In all, it was 90+ km according to my odometer, but more like 80+ km if Google maps is to be believed.

Saturday morning ride with Cadence90

There are all sorts of clubs and groups in Bangalore, we just need to find the ones that suits and pay close attention to recommendations on social sites like facebook. Thats how I got to know about Cadence90. I haven't been inside their bike shop yet, but gotta be good from what I hear. They conduct workshops too, hoping to attend it next time.

My primary interest has been in the morning rides they conduct, most/all weekend mornings, starting from the bike shop in Jayanagar. I have been in Bangalore more than six years, but I hardly know road routes, except around Indiranagar. After I got B'Twin my-bike (a 7-gear cycle suited for city roads) more than a month back, I am learning a bit about routes as well as traffic rules.

The ride starts at 6 AM. So, I did a recce on Wednesday morning (another perk of being jobless :P) Took around 85 minutes for about 26 km round trip. Despite noting route on Google maps, I missed a left turn near Lalbagh. An auto-wala and an elderly man on morning walk helped me out.

And so, today, I finally rode with bunch of cycle enthusiasts. I left around 5:10 AM from my place - thankfully the dogs didn't bark at me. But the bad news was some miscreant had scratched my odometer (yeah, they exist for bicycles too) and changed gears. I don't think people abuse motorcycles or cars as badly as a decorated geared cycle.

With two missed turns near the bike shop, I reached a minute before 5:50AM. No one was around, the shop closed. I stopped to check time, frail violet rays shining in front from my little safety light. Two workers carrying sugarcane on their bicycle went past in other direction, speaking something about my light.

I went ahead to street's corner and stopped. Shop nearby wasn't ready yet to serve me tea/coffee. About 5 minutes later, saw people reaching Cadence, not on cycle though. On reaching, Chethan (owner of Cadence) greeted me. Slowly, others reached and we started about 10 minutes past 6 AM.

Knowing Mahendra and Kranti from Waynad ride eased uncertainties and soon I felt at home speaking with others. We were 7 (Mahendra, Kranti, myself, Pathanjali, Dipankar, Sowmya, Archana) to start with, 3 others (Ramesh, two more I didn't get to know) joined shortly after we started. I learnt today that I was wearing helmet wrongly - Dipankar and Ramesh helped to fit it better, a bit tight for my liking though. It was a jolly ride. Seeing hi-fi thin tire bikes, I thought I would be pressed hard to keep up to them, but pace was even around 25 kph on mostly flat city road.

Traffic was light, even after we hit Bannerghatta road (bumpy ride for some distance though). There were small ascent now and then but I continued without changing gears for whole ride. Passing Forum mall, we reached Sony World signal on 100 feet road at 6:40 PM, 10 minutes later than promised to Abhimanyu. We frequently spotted other cyclists too.

At Sony World signal, Koramangla (Picture credit: Mahendra)

After a break of 10 minutes and group photo, we continued on inner ring road and took left to join old airport road. Pace was still steady that I enjoyed some hands free minutes and chatted with others. Water on road near Command Hospital sprayed our backs dirty.

Another break at start of Trinity Church road to allow others to catch up. I was in good shape, but decided to leave the group at Trinity circle - didn't want to push my body too much, it was supposed to be rest day today in my running schedule.

In total, I did about 30 km in more than 2 hours (atleast 25-30 minutes being breaks). A pleasure ride, thanks to Cadence90. Looking forward to more in future :)