I am a monkey
In my life I haven't done one thing for a longer point of time. I have blogged, went to the gym, tried running, played badminton, painted (just brushed) for a while, even few underground salsa classes!!! Nothing seemed to stick on me. Apart from work (which is also ever changing) I couldn't do any hobby/activity CONSISTENTLY for more than 6 months. I still do these activities once in a blue moon but the satisfaction or the dopamine rush for doing it has gone down.
Then I found cycling
Cycling is the only one thing that came out personally positive out of my Facebook usage. Diva my college mate (CEG) got connected through FB and we hardly knew each other before only through NCC & camps. I guess during college days itself he had made a cycling rally to Thiruvannamalai, and me missing out due to a hair line fracture in the foot. I kept seeing his FB pics on cycling and stuff and was interested. Subsequently during the month of April 2014 I had a fortunate visit to the US where I saw many cyclists in San Francisco. Back to home, I kept seeing more pictures of Diva doing 200km etc, and somewhere the spark has struck in me. I enquired Diva he suggested Mach city, and I also did my part of googling. Not ready to spend on costly bikes, I stepped into few showrooms (cyclogens, track & trail KNK, JBC anna nagar) and finally spotted the out of production BSA Mach 22 in BSA store Anna nagar. Bought it and started my cycling journey on 28 June 2014 in a rainy evening from Anna nagar to Triplicane.
Solo Rider
Started out as a solo rider in Marina roads and I tracked myself with basic time (watch) and distance (google maps) formula and kept track of all rides in a google form (still doing it). Was in touch with Diva over fb chats getting suggestions and doubts cleared from him who subsequently encouraged me to push to my first 50 km ride. In the meanwhile I had also started riding to office much to the dismay of my parents and to the surprise of my colleagues. Started riding with Sreeram, Harish somewhere in march 2015 and in few weeks joined for ride with WCCG !!! (interval)
Enter WCCG
I guess Happiness in cycling is a exponential function of no. of people with whom we ride. What a bunch of ppl!!! It is has kind of become a brotherhood (+ 3 sisters so far). Various routes & Rides, Frisbee, Core session ( though I missed the last 3), WCCG Chats (though on mute, I keep looking at it everytime I connect to the net).
Did an exciting night ride venturing into IIT in cycle at night (poor Santosh).
Took on the Gran Fondo 90k.
Took up the 25km X 10 days challenge (awesome one)
Explored new routes, got a cool picture & learnt how to smile for photograph (you have to show your teeth), rolled down St. Thomas mount hill, got chased by mongrels, did a food ride with the Mongrels venturing in Sowcarpet for the first time (shame on me residing so close to the area), sprinted 25km in a hour on my single speed.
The 25X10 entirely changed my morning habits. It got my bowels running easily and I easily wake up in the mornings now.
Then came the 200KM NIGHT RIDE - Just nominated myself 1 week before the ride (Santosh thank you). Ride day started well with WCCG workshop in the morning with great tips from Sundar sir (happy to know that he is also from CEG!!! Sundar sir, Diva CEG naale super thaan), was scared seeing the puncture demos wondering what will happen if my single speed tires get busted. No quick release, no easy nut & bolts, I would be embarrassed to get others stop their ride for helping me. Amma swearing on the same day TRAFFIC!!! I reached home late in the hot sun with hardly few hours to rest and prepare (mental status at the time: still in-confident). Somehow took 30 mins rest, couldnt control my nerves after that. Got prepared, over prepared and reached the CORE training school to get my bike suited up. Ride started with easy OMR and Kelamabakkam Vandulur route which seemed to be difficult during Gran Fondo was a breeze. Surprised to see that I was in the leading pack. Then came the hardwork with slow gradient till Melamaruvathur which sapped my energy. U turn there, I fulfilled my wishlist of sleeping in a pavement, well it was a bus stand and one more subsequently. Started last in the U-turn point and was pushed and pulled by Diva & Arving who gave great company. Even though it was a down gradient on the return, I didnt had much energy to ride. Avg speed dropped to 15 to 18 km/h but Diva & Aravind kept me going. During the end phase near by pass road it was like eppoda maduravoyal varum for me . Even the Sun has risen and still Maduravoyal was not in sight. Tension started rising as 13hrs was nearing and we finally found Maduravoyal. We jumped the gun avoiding the bridge exit and carried the cycle across the road to Koyambedu. Then found this internal hidden energy from nowhere and we sprinted to Anna Arch to complete just in time. This was a dream come true moment, which I had envisioned when I was thinking of taking up cycling (remember that I got inspired by Diva's 200k 400k pics).
Getting back that 1 hour
All these fun, hardship and experiences I am proud that I did it with my Single speed. I reach home by 7-8 post rides and it has given me 1 active hour before I start to my office. Few days I did go back to sleep, but most of the days I have read more articles, sent out many mails, watched few more TED videos and clean up few mess at home. On the whole cycling has given me back a 1 active hour daily in my life, some weight loss and I have gained many more beautiful friends. So KEEP CALM & PEDAL ON.
P.S. : I have got a New 'Old MTB' (thanks to my Boss) and had fun with that too. But that story is for another day !!!
Links of Whos Who
WCCG - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wccgisthebest/
Diva - https://www.facebook.com/divagaran?fref=ts
Sreeram - https://www.facebook.com/sreeram.p.s.58?fref=ts
Santosh - https://www.facebook.com/santhosh.kumar.75436?fref=ts
Sundar sir - https://www.facebook.com/sundar.rajan.3557?fref=ts
Aravind - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000055745026&fref=ts
In my life I haven't done one thing for a longer point of time. I have blogged, went to the gym, tried running, played badminton, painted (just brushed) for a while, even few underground salsa classes!!! Nothing seemed to stick on me. Apart from work (which is also ever changing) I couldn't do any hobby/activity CONSISTENTLY for more than 6 months. I still do these activities once in a blue moon but the satisfaction or the dopamine rush for doing it has gone down.
Then I found cycling
Cycling is the only one thing that came out personally positive out of my Facebook usage. Diva my college mate (CEG) got connected through FB and we hardly knew each other before only through NCC & camps. I guess during college days itself he had made a cycling rally to Thiruvannamalai, and me missing out due to a hair line fracture in the foot. I kept seeing his FB pics on cycling and stuff and was interested. Subsequently during the month of April 2014 I had a fortunate visit to the US where I saw many cyclists in San Francisco. Back to home, I kept seeing more pictures of Diva doing 200km etc, and somewhere the spark has struck in me. I enquired Diva he suggested Mach city, and I also did my part of googling. Not ready to spend on costly bikes, I stepped into few showrooms (cyclogens, track & trail KNK, JBC anna nagar) and finally spotted the out of production BSA Mach 22 in BSA store Anna nagar. Bought it and started my cycling journey on 28 June 2014 in a rainy evening from Anna nagar to Triplicane.
Solo Rider
Started out as a solo rider in Marina roads and I tracked myself with basic time (watch) and distance (google maps) formula and kept track of all rides in a google form (still doing it). Was in touch with Diva over fb chats getting suggestions and doubts cleared from him who subsequently encouraged me to push to my first 50 km ride. In the meanwhile I had also started riding to office much to the dismay of my parents and to the surprise of my colleagues. Started riding with Sreeram, Harish somewhere in march 2015 and in few weeks joined for ride with WCCG !!! (interval)
Enter WCCG
I guess Happiness in cycling is a exponential function of no. of people with whom we ride. What a bunch of ppl!!! It is has kind of become a brotherhood (+ 3 sisters so far). Various routes & Rides, Frisbee, Core session ( though I missed the last 3), WCCG Chats (though on mute, I keep looking at it everytime I connect to the net).
 |
| my first WCCG Ride |
Took on the Gran Fondo 90k.
Took up the 25km X 10 days challenge (awesome one)
Explored new routes, got a cool picture & learnt how to smile for photograph (you have to show your teeth), rolled down St. Thomas mount hill, got chased by mongrels, did a food ride with the Mongrels venturing in Sowcarpet for the first time (shame on me residing so close to the area), sprinted 25km in a hour on my single speed.
The 25X10 entirely changed my morning habits. It got my bowels running easily and I easily wake up in the mornings now.
 |
| at the royapuram fishing harbour |
 |
| during the food ride |
 |
| 25km X 10 days achievers |
Then came the 200KM NIGHT RIDE - Just nominated myself 1 week before the ride (Santosh thank you). Ride day started well with WCCG workshop in the morning with great tips from Sundar sir (happy to know that he is also from CEG!!! Sundar sir, Diva CEG naale super thaan), was scared seeing the puncture demos wondering what will happen if my single speed tires get busted. No quick release, no easy nut & bolts, I would be embarrassed to get others stop their ride for helping me. Amma swearing on the same day TRAFFIC!!! I reached home late in the hot sun with hardly few hours to rest and prepare (mental status at the time: still in-confident). Somehow took 30 mins rest, couldnt control my nerves after that. Got prepared, over prepared and reached the CORE training school to get my bike suited up. Ride started with easy OMR and Kelamabakkam Vandulur route which seemed to be difficult during Gran Fondo was a breeze. Surprised to see that I was in the leading pack. Then came the hardwork with slow gradient till Melamaruvathur which sapped my energy. U turn there, I fulfilled my wishlist of sleeping in a pavement, well it was a bus stand and one more subsequently. Started last in the U-turn point and was pushed and pulled by Diva & Arving who gave great company. Even though it was a down gradient on the return, I didnt had much energy to ride. Avg speed dropped to 15 to 18 km/h but Diva & Aravind kept me going. During the end phase near by pass road it was like eppoda maduravoyal varum for me . Even the Sun has risen and still Maduravoyal was not in sight. Tension started rising as 13hrs was nearing and we finally found Maduravoyal. We jumped the gun avoiding the bridge exit and carried the cycle across the road to Koyambedu. Then found this internal hidden energy from nowhere and we sprinted to Anna Arch to complete just in time. This was a dream come true moment, which I had envisioned when I was thinking of taking up cycling (remember that I got inspired by Diva's 200k 400k pics).
 |
| sleeping in bus stop |
 |
| loading food before the hard up gradient |
 |
| Dream come true - with Diva |
 |
| final sprint with Aravind |
Getting back that 1 hour
All these fun, hardship and experiences I am proud that I did it with my Single speed. I reach home by 7-8 post rides and it has given me 1 active hour before I start to my office. Few days I did go back to sleep, but most of the days I have read more articles, sent out many mails, watched few more TED videos and clean up few mess at home. On the whole cycling has given me back a 1 active hour daily in my life, some weight loss and I have gained many more beautiful friends. So KEEP CALM & PEDAL ON.
P.S. : I have got a New 'Old MTB' (thanks to my Boss) and had fun with that too. But that story is for another day !!!
Links of Whos Who
WCCG - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wccgisthebest/
Diva - https://www.facebook.com/divagaran?fref=ts
Sreeram - https://www.facebook.com/sreeram.p.s.58?fref=ts
Santosh - https://www.facebook.com/santhosh.kumar.75436?fref=ts
Sundar sir - https://www.facebook.com/sundar.rajan.3557?fref=ts
Aravind - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000055745026&fref=ts
