MC's Cycling Diary

Date: 26 November 2016 Total distance: 265 Kilometers Start Time: 3:45 am Return Time:  8:00 pm With: - Altitude Profile: Koramangala – Basavanbetta - Anchetty – Koramangala The temptation to climb Basavanbetta was growing since I wanted to test my climbing ability. The Madikeri, Ooty and Nandi climb had been done, however, the Basavanbetta climb was still incomplete and it was time to test if I had improved and could handle steep climbs. I checked if anyone would come along and did not receive any response. It was disappointing that I would be riding alone, however I set the alarm for 2:30 am as the plan was to leave at 3:00 am. I woke up at 2:30 am, however I was not very enthusiastic and was having second thoughts about the ride. The loss of interest was due to the fact that I would be repeating the route and would not be seeing anything new. Although I wanted to climb Basavanbetta, I wanted to combine it with another place rather than doing it as the only

Date: 20 November 2016 Total distance: 95 Kilometers Start Time: 5:00 am Return Time:  10:45 am With: Madhusudan Altitude Profile: Koramangala – Devanahalli - Budigere – Koramangala We had gone for a couple of night rides in the city during the week. I was not free on Saturday and checked if anyone would want to ride on Sunday to Manchanabele. I had thought of Manchanabele since it would be an easy ride and would encourage the relatively new starters to join for the ride, however only Madhusudan confirmed. Madhusudan and I have already ridden to Manchanabele and I checked if he would be willing to ride to Basavanbetta. He said that he would have to be back by 11:00 am and would prefer riding to Nandi Hills. I was fine with any location and agreed and said that we should leave at 4:00 am and could target getting back by 12:00 pm. However, Madhusudan said that he would prefer leaving only at 4:30 am. The reply was a pointer to me that the ride would not be to Nandi H

Date: 12 November 2016 Total distance: 410 Kilometers Start Time: 5:30 am Return Time:  4:30 am With: Rajkumar Khot Altitude Profile: Lavelle Road – Challakere – Lavelle Road The 200BRM was done and the 400 BRM followed almost immediately. I was familiar with the route except for the stretch from Hiriyur to Challakere. Having done the route earlier gave me the confidence that I could complete this brevet, however I did not want to take it for granted having had bad experiences in the past with that kind of attitude. I checked with Rajkumar if he would be doing the ride and he was not sure. When I did see his name on the list I was pleased that I would have a ride partner. The brevet day came by quickly and before long I was reattaching the rider number and other accessories onto the cycle to get it ready. The broken spokes had been replaced and the tire was working fine and no cause for worry. The alarm had been set for 3:30 am, however I was up at 2:00 am and