Day 8: Madikeri To Mysore
Start
After a really tiring day the previous day, and with the only day which looked flat on the elevation map, and being the last day, most of us were all ready to be done with it and rejoice later in the evening. Based on the experience the volunteers and the lead riders had with the difficulty folks had with the lunch, volunteers decided to have staggered start on the last day. with top 30 or 40 riders starting an hour late, and rest of the folks starting ahead, so that we will have everybody reach in almost at the same time.
First Set of Riders starting at 7:30 AM from Madikeri
Rest of us folks starting at 8:30 AM
Just as we started, we had to climb a steep climb for about 2 kms, that pretty much warmed up all the folks to start on a cold day.
The day was also planned for a team time trial and few teams were already practicing riding in groups, pace lining. The spectrum team were already into their form lead by dipankar, they were just speeding away. i was already feeling the tiredness, soon came the much awaited rest stop number 1
Support Station 1 (SS1)
We could sight quite a few riders who started an hour ago at the support station and much before that. For the first time, had to seek help from the physio for stretching my back during the ride. that was quite a bit of relief and started to roll on to the next station. Though the day had relatively flat course all along till the end, which much were looking forward to, but there were enough headwinds which was ruining the comfort feel that we expected that day. it was the best day to do pace lining, i was kind of stuck between really fast groups and relatively slower riders, hence decided to go all by myself beating the head winds.
Support Station 2(SS2)
for the obvious reason, i was starting to feel tired, partially due to the tiredness from previous day, riding seldom and that too against the head winds, was trying to go as fast over any minor stretch of downhill or flat course and using it up any climbs, started to average around 19 Miles/Hour, with almost half exhausted reached the support station 2. Huge chunk of the riders were lining at the tender coconut stall put up near the support station 2. i took my time to hydrate, stretch and while i heard that it was close to sweeping time for that station, i assume that they were remarking that to woo away the riders who were there for long, but i didnt want to take any chance. Also i heard the statement that Lunch will only be at the end point, that was "Really a Surprise" for me. i probably did not hear to the pre start briefing if it had been mentioned. i was expecting lunch to be served at the next support station. but anyways was all up to get it done for the day.
Support Station 3(SS 3)
the ride from ss2 onwards was feeling long enough, it was getting hot along the way to the next support station. My only motivation then was to catch up with any long pace-lined groups along the way. was trying to overtake as many riders as i could, with on the bigger rig on the front, was overtaking bunch of riders down the hill and maintaining the momentum up the climbs. I was also seeing couple of riders zooming right beside auto rickshaw to use it as a wind breaker. i did not have enough energy to keep up to that speed, was slowly rolling on to reach the support station 3.
Spectrum team was there mentally preparing themselves for the team time trial start which was due to start in another 5 or 10 k from there. it was blazing hot, i was almost fearing for a tire burst for some odd reason. was hiding behind the support station tent, hydrated and started to roll on. the route was of good feel, but was already tired to not able to enjoy the greenery on either side
Team Time Trial Start
I was part of a 3 member team BareFoot Heroes, with Taner and Anup being the other two riders, but due to the headwind and being tired, anup had already given up the idea of participating in the team time trial. Taner was also tired and was happy enough to not race. So by the time i reached the time trial start, i was just waiting to see the Team Spectrum Off to the start and followed them at my own comfortable pace riding solo. After i crossed half the distance of 10k mark was glad that we decided to give up racing the team time trial.
Team Time trial End
soon i went past the team time trial end point, i could sight team spectrum riding on relatively easy pace. i was trying to reach them, but they kept going at a brisk pace, so eventually soon after we were nearing the mysore city, i caught up with Vikki and Venky.
Day End at Mysore
with almost another 7k more to ride, was riding along with venky and vikki, soon joined by Prafulla, we sneaked through the signals and crossings once we entered the city and finally rolled in to the hotel. What a feeling it was. Finished the great tour with atmost sense of satisfaction and a high five from Venky. I would not have asked for more for a first time TFN, finishing the ride strong with no injuries and with finishing the General classification at 9th position in Mens Category and 15th Overall.
Statistics for the day
STAGE SET WITH REPORTERS
MENS WINNERS OPEN CATEGORY
MENS MASTERS WINNERS
After a really tiring day the previous day, and with the only day which looked flat on the elevation map, and being the last day, most of us were all ready to be done with it and rejoice later in the evening. Based on the experience the volunteers and the lead riders had with the difficulty folks had with the lunch, volunteers decided to have staggered start on the last day. with top 30 or 40 riders starting an hour late, and rest of the folks starting ahead, so that we will have everybody reach in almost at the same time.
First Set of Riders starting at 7:30 AM from Madikeri
Rest of us folks starting at 8:30 AM
Just as we started, we had to climb a steep climb for about 2 kms, that pretty much warmed up all the folks to start on a cold day.
The day was also planned for a team time trial and few teams were already practicing riding in groups, pace lining. The spectrum team were already into their form lead by dipankar, they were just speeding away. i was already feeling the tiredness, soon came the much awaited rest stop number 1
Support Station 1 (SS1)
We could sight quite a few riders who started an hour ago at the support station and much before that. For the first time, had to seek help from the physio for stretching my back during the ride. that was quite a bit of relief and started to roll on to the next station. Though the day had relatively flat course all along till the end, which much were looking forward to, but there were enough headwinds which was ruining the comfort feel that we expected that day. it was the best day to do pace lining, i was kind of stuck between really fast groups and relatively slower riders, hence decided to go all by myself beating the head winds.
Support Station 2(SS2)
for the obvious reason, i was starting to feel tired, partially due to the tiredness from previous day, riding seldom and that too against the head winds, was trying to go as fast over any minor stretch of downhill or flat course and using it up any climbs, started to average around 19 Miles/Hour, with almost half exhausted reached the support station 2. Huge chunk of the riders were lining at the tender coconut stall put up near the support station 2. i took my time to hydrate, stretch and while i heard that it was close to sweeping time for that station, i assume that they were remarking that to woo away the riders who were there for long, but i didnt want to take any chance. Also i heard the statement that Lunch will only be at the end point, that was "Really a Surprise" for me. i probably did not hear to the pre start briefing if it had been mentioned. i was expecting lunch to be served at the next support station. but anyways was all up to get it done for the day.
Support Station 3(SS 3)
the ride from ss2 onwards was feeling long enough, it was getting hot along the way to the next support station. My only motivation then was to catch up with any long pace-lined groups along the way. was trying to overtake as many riders as i could, with on the bigger rig on the front, was overtaking bunch of riders down the hill and maintaining the momentum up the climbs. I was also seeing couple of riders zooming right beside auto rickshaw to use it as a wind breaker. i did not have enough energy to keep up to that speed, was slowly rolling on to reach the support station 3.
Spectrum team was there mentally preparing themselves for the team time trial start which was due to start in another 5 or 10 k from there. it was blazing hot, i was almost fearing for a tire burst for some odd reason. was hiding behind the support station tent, hydrated and started to roll on. the route was of good feel, but was already tired to not able to enjoy the greenery on either side
Team Time Trial Start
I was part of a 3 member team BareFoot Heroes, with Taner and Anup being the other two riders, but due to the headwind and being tired, anup had already given up the idea of participating in the team time trial. Taner was also tired and was happy enough to not race. So by the time i reached the time trial start, i was just waiting to see the Team Spectrum Off to the start and followed them at my own comfortable pace riding solo. After i crossed half the distance of 10k mark was glad that we decided to give up racing the team time trial.
Team Time trial End
soon i went past the team time trial end point, i could sight team spectrum riding on relatively easy pace. i was trying to reach them, but they kept going at a brisk pace, so eventually soon after we were nearing the mysore city, i caught up with Vikki and Venky.
Day End at Mysore
with almost another 7k more to ride, was riding along with venky and vikki, soon joined by Prafulla, we sneaked through the signals and crossings once we entered the city and finally rolled in to the hotel. What a feeling it was. Finished the great tour with atmost sense of satisfaction and a high five from Venky. I would not have asked for more for a first time TFN, finishing the ride strong with no injuries and with finishing the General classification at 9th position in Mens Category and 15th Overall.
Statistics for the day
|
Day Start
|
8:30 AM
|
|
Support Station 1
|
9:55
|
|
Support Station 2
|
11:30
|
|
Support Station 3
|
12:25
|
|
Day End
|
2:15
|
|
Distance
|
119 Kms
|
|
Moving Average
|
25.28 Kmph
|
|
Moving Time
|
4:42
|
Presentation Ceremony
After a quick shower and packing of bikes, had a heft lunch, with great sense of pride and satisfaction, was sharing thoughts and hearing from fellow riders as we ate. Soon it was followed by the awesome presentation ceremony adorned by the prizes to be given away and press reporters.
STAGE SET WITH REPORTERS
MENS WINNERS OPEN CATEGORY
MENS MASTERS WINNERS
FINAL STANDINGS & CERTIFICATE
Great achievement shankar....
ReplyDeleteregards,
jagan.