Lepakshi (400 Kilometer Brevet)

Date: 18 November 2017

Total distance: 408 Kilometers

Start Time: 6:00 am 18 November 2017

Return Time:  3:00 am 19 November 2017

With: Rajkumar Khot

Altitude Profile:
Kanteerava Stadium – Tumkur - Devarayanadurga - Pavagada - Penukonda - Lepakshi - Chikkaballapur - Kanteerava Stadium

The minute Mohan Sir announced that the 400km BRM would be to Lepakshi I was excited about it as I had not been to the place. However, I knew that just riding to Lepakshi would not be 400km as the route from Bellary road is just about 120 kilometers and expected that it would be a ride from Tumkur Road or from Old Madras road where we would have to circle round to Lepakshi before heading back. Being a brevet I had written off visiting the place and was down to experiencing the road rather than the destination. When the route was finalised it was a ride to Tumkur from where we had to ride to Devarayandurga, then to Madhugiri, Pavagada, Penukonda before starting the return and on the return we would have to ride to Lepakshi and then ride back to Bangalore. Based on the distance I would be reaching Lepakshi only at night and that ruled seeing the place out completely. I had ridden to Madhugiri earlier and knew the road till there, Devarayanadurga was a first and although it was just a 5 kilometer deviation when I rode to Madhugiri I had opted against it as it involved a climb and as I had planned to trek at Madhugiri I did not want to hit the red before reaching Madhugiri. However, the brevet was giving an opportunity to experience the climb which is a short and steep one.

I got the cycle ready and messaged Rajkumar and we decided to leave from my place at 5:00 am. Set the alarm and went to bed at 10:30 pm. It was a restless night and I was not able to sleep as I was down with cold and sore throat and I was worried about being able to ride. I kept rolling around in bed and finally got up when the alarm rang at 4:00 am.

I was ready at 4:45 am and packed a couple of biscuit packets in the bag. Was confused about carrying the jacket as it would get cold at night and decided against and hoped that I would be able to manage. It would give me an opportunity to test my resistance towards the temperature before the 600km brevet. Did not realise that the clock had ticked past 5:00 am and Rajkumar had not arrived as yet. He came by at 5:15 am and we started off towards the start point.

We reached at 5:45 am to Kanteerava stadium and after completing the start formalities waited around for the clock to tick to 6:00 am to start. The route briefing was given and the ride was waved off at 6:00 am.

Rajkumar was in the mood and took off very fast. We had never started off fast in a brevet, however today we were racing through the city. We had a couple of guys from Chennai who were riding quicker than us. I was surprised with the pace, however sat behind Rajkumar's wheel and followed. Usually, if the ride is on Tumkur Road in about 30 minutes we would be near Yeshwanthpur Bus Stand, however today we were climbing the Peenya flyover in 30 minutes. We were 6 of us on the road and a look back confirmed that there was no one else close by. We had flown out of the blocks. I was in for a surprise with the pace. I did not expect to sustain the pace for more than 20 kilometers, however, we were riding hard even after. What was even more surprising was that I was able to sustain the pace. The drop in pace did happen when we were getting close to Dabbaspet, however the downhill after that made up for the dip in pace. Other than the 2 guys from Chennai, Sangram, Ruban, Rajkumar and I were riding quick and we were joined by Raghu at Dabbaspet. In a short while we were in Tumkur and pulled up at the first control point and took the selfie. I was surprised when I saw that Strava showed that the average pace for the 67 kilometers was 30 kmph.

We had been told that the ride from Tumkur would be in rolling terrain till we reach the Devarayandurga base and then it would be followed by a short steep climb to Devarayanadurga. We hit the rolling terrain and the pace fell automatically. However, riding on the interior route with a beautiful road surface was very enjoyable. We entered a forest reserve in a few kilometers and riding through it was a beautiful experience. As there were a few short cuts to Devarayanadurga and we had to avoid them we had to take a photo at a pass through control to show that we had not taken the short cut. We made a quick stop for the pic before continuing.

We reached the Devarayandurga entrance and the rolling terrain continued for 3 kilometers and then came the steep climb. It was very steep and I had fortunately changed into the low gear before hitting the climb. With the back arched over the cycle I had to give it everything to make it to the top of the climb. The climb did not finish, there was further climbing but the gradient eased out and in a short while we were at the Bhoga Narasimhaswamy Temple. Rajkumar and I reached the temple at 9:15 am and in a few minutes Raghu and Ruban arrived. Sangram continued to climb to the top of the hill and then came down in about 20 minutes. Mohan Sir had not reached the Control point as yet and we waited for him. We did have the option to leave, however we decided to wait as this would serve up as a rest stop as well.

When Mohan Sir arrived, we were given Pongal for breakfast and fruits/juice were also available. We had our fill and filled up water and decided to start. It 10:15 am when we started off from the Control Point. We had spent an hour at the control point and I was wondering if this would hurt us ahead.

We started with a high speed descent from Devarayanadurga. As we got closer to the entrance the other riders were beginning the climb. The two Chennai riders had stopped for breakfast at Tumkur and although they arrived at Devarayanadurga after us had started off before us. They were ahead followed by the 5 of us.

When we reached the State Highway the pace dropped a little initially as the Sun was out and we took our time to get into rhythm. It was not the blazing speed of the morning and therefore felt a little slow. As we got closer to Koratagere we began to increase the pace. We passed through Koratagere and we began to speed towards Madhugiri. We could see the Chennai riders ahead and rode quickly and caught up with them. I chatted with Venkatesh who had participated in the Bliss in the Hills ride and was asking about his experience. I did not realise that we were riding quick and we reached Madhugiri by the time we had chatted about the ride. It was 11:30 am and I was surprised that we had reached early. When we started from Devarayanadurga it looked like we would reach Madhugiri after 12:00 pm and that we would stop for lunch at Madhugiri.

Although we had reached early it was a problem for us since we had reached early for lunch and at the same time Pavagada was 50 kilometers away and would be too late for lunch as we would not be able to sustain till 1:30 pm without making a stop for food. However, as it was an odd time, we took the chance and decided to ride towards Pavagada. At the next town the Chennai riders made a stop and the 5 of us continued. Raghu was riding very quickly ahead and 4 of us were riding in a group.

We made a stop to refill water and then continued the ride. The drop in pace was evident and the Sun and wind contributed a lot to the drop in pace along with hunger catching up. We made a brief stop at a lake to catch our breath and continue.

We reached Madakasira just before 1:00 pm and as we had just 20 kilometers to get to Pavagada I was confident of being able to ride without making a stop for food. However, the energy levels were dropping very fast and doubts were beginning to creep in about making it to Pavagada on an empty stomach. We were about 12 kilometers from Pavagada when Mohan Sir came by and gave us Pongal. We ate up and with renewed energy we began to ride quickly towards Pavagada. We reached Pavagada at 2:00 pm, a quick stop for the selfie at the Control Point and then we asked around for a restaurant for lunch. The one which was suggested was in the basement and with a curious crowd it did not look safe to leave the cycles unattended, so we opted for another smaller place. Rajkumar and I had Mudde Oota which I was very happy to have as it would serve as long lasting nutrition rather than rice which would be expended in a few hours.

It was a 30 minute stop including refilling of water before we started from Pavagada at 2:30 pm. We had been informed that road work is in progress from Pavagada to Penukonda and that there would be bad sections. However the road was largely good and it was an enjoyable ride to be passing through agricultural fields and villages. The only issue was that the Sun and wind was sapping us. There was a hint of rain for about 10 minutes and a few drops of rain fell as well, however it disappeared and we were back to riding in the Sun.

We stopped for a break 9 kilometers from Penukonda when we saw an ice cream vendor and took a 20 minute break. The ride to Penukonda from here was good as we passed through a downhill section which has been carved out of the rocks and we were riding in a sort of an open tunnel. The road humps to slow us down was the only issue.

We reached Penukonda at 4:30 pm and stopped to have tea/coffee. I realised that the Mudde Oota had been expended and that I had to have a few biscuits to be able to ride till Lepakshi. The coffee break had become a nutrition break.

The Sun had begun to set when we started from Penukonda. Although the Sun going down was favorable, the gradient was uphill and having ridden 220 kilometers riding uphill slowed us down. Raghu as usual had raced ahead, the 4 of us rode slowly in the climbs and increased the pace when the gradient allowed for it.

Although I would have loved to get to Lepakshi in daylight I knew that it was not going to be possible as we were still on the highway at 6:00 pm. It was a beautiful sunset with the sky taking different hues of orange/pink before darkness engulfed us in a matter of a few minutes.

We reached the turn to Lepakshi at 6:30 pm and when we turned it was downhill gradient. It was something that I had wished would not happen as I would have preferred uphill so that the return to the highway would be easy. However, as we descended I had only the return in my mind and was expecting a slow ride back. It was 16 kilometers to Lepakshi from the highway and the more we rode, Lepakshi never arrived. We kept seeing boards saying 'Welcome to Lepakshi', but the temple town was not arriving which was getting to us. It was a relief when I saw the first temple and then the Nandi Statue at Lepakshi. The bus stand was right after the Nandi Statue and Mohan Sir was waiting for us. It was 7:10 pm when we reached and we got the cards signed and decided to have dinner at Lepakshi before resuming. We needed a break after the ride from Penukonda and decided to combine the rest stop with the dinner break.

We did not have many options for food at Lepakshi and went to Haritha Resort (AP Tourism) and had to choose between Jeera Rice and Fried Rice. I had Jeera Rice, a little curd rice and drank a 500 ml Mirinda. I was full and if the return was not difficult already had just made it a little more difficult by filling myself up. We went back to the bus stand and started the ride. It was 8:15 pm. None of the other riders had arrived as yet.

When we started from Lepakshi, I was expecting a slow ride as we had to climb. However, Rajkumar was in his elements again and set a quick pace. Ruban, Sangram and I just followed. I was surprised that I was able to stay in touch in spite of having filled myself up and knew that if I was able to keep pace then it would get easier later on. The climb was done with relative ease and before we knew it we were at the highway. The Chennai riders and 2 other riders  were the only ones that we passed by the time we reached the highway.

Once we were on the highway the climb to Chikkaballapur started. The initial pace from Lepakshi had dropped and we moved into a more steady pace. The ride was not as difficult as I had expected it to be, however I knew that until we get to Chikkaballapur things will remain difficult as we would be climbing a lot. Every time the gradient eased up I was not too happy as it would only make it more difficult as we got closer to Chikkaballapur. We stopped after we had crossed Bagepalli to refill on water and since the shop had a Cot we took the opportunity to rest a while as well.

When we restarted the ride was the slowest of the day as we were climbing towards Chikkaballapur. It helped that it was dark and we could not see the gradient although the lights from the oncoming traffic did give an idea. I concentrated on looking at the white paint on the road and keeping the pedals moving at a steady pace rather than thinking about the climb and the distance remaining. I did not realise that I had been pedaling for over an hour and when we reached the Chikkaballapur by pass major climbing was done with and we stopped for a break.

When we resumed after the break, Ruban was out of water and we were on the lookout for a store which was open. We did not find any for the next 7-8 kilometers and stopped when we came across one just before the Nandi cross. We coupled it up to refill on food by having savories and buns and a tea.

We resumed the ride and shortly we were in familiar territory when we crossed the Nandi turn. As we knew the route, the ride became easy and we rode quickly through the rest of the ride. As it was a matter of getting past flyovers to reach Hebbal, I rode quickly on the climb to the flyover and used the downhill to recover which helped as we reached Hebbal quickly.

We turned onto the Outer Ring Road for the last stretch of the ride. However, with road work in progress it was not a very easy ride. Especially near Hennur where there was a traffic jam at 2:10 am. As we rode on the left extreme we had an encounter with a drunk rider. There were 3 drunk guys on a moped who were speeding on the road and wanted to get through quickly. As we were on cycles they had to slow down, which did not go down well with them. They rammed into Rajkumar from behind, Rajkumar and the three of them fell down. Fortunately Rajkumar was unhurt and there was minor damage to the cycle and he was able to continue riding.

We pushed on till the next pass through control on Old Madras Road and then eased off the pace as we were just a few kilometers from the finish. We rode through the city without any further issues and made it to Kanteerava Stadium at 3:00 am.

We waited for Mohan Sir to arrive to submit the brevet cards and then rode home for a well deserved rest.

I was happy with the ride and was surprised with the pace of the ride. I had been able to sustain the pace in spite of a very quick start and was riding well even towards the end of the day. I found the ride towards Chikkaballapur a stretch, but recovered after that to complete the ride.

Just a note on the organisation of this ride and have to say that it was one the best brevets that I have ridden in from the organisation point of view. The route was beautiful and it was a good workout, neither easy nor too difficult and was enjoyable as we rode on good roads for a majority of the ride. Mohan Sir did the recce ride a few days before the ride and gave a detailed update about the road conditions, food options and turns to be made. If that was not sufficient, he followed the riders in his car for most part and provided food and water to the riders. Especially when he followed us and gave food before Pavagada before returning to give food to the other riders who were behind was just amazing and showed how well he knew the route and also his interest in making it an enjoyable ride for the riders. The ride would not have been what it was if not for his efforts.