Battle of Body and Mind

(For Rahul, 600km brevet is a stepping stone for ultra cycling. "It seems to be a big figure but in reality, it’s just another milestone. I always knew that a human body is capable of doing great things so I told myself, let’s put that thought to the test. It’s a fight within — between the body and the mind")

We — Sudipto, Subho and me — started from City Centre, New Town, at 12.30am on December 20 for our maiden attempt of Brevet 600.

It was quite cold — the cellphone app showed 11 degrees Celsius but felt like 7°C — and we were going at a very comfortable speed as we knew that a long road lies ahead of us.

We almost took five hours time to reach our first check point (Sher-e-Punjab, Kolaghat), which was 88km from the starting point. We did not took a break there and kept on moving after taking a selfie at the unmanned control point.

The next control point was 190km away and we were moving at an average speed of 25km per hour or a bit more. After covering 140km, we took rest for 10 minutes at Balihati, just a few kilometre before reaching Kharagpur. Next stop we took after covering a total distance of 160km was a dhaba were we first “unloaded” and then loaded ourselves with good breakfast followed by half-an-hour rest.

We practically killed more than an hour there and started again at approx 10.40am. We took small breaks after every 30km and rode next 100km in five-and-a-half hours (approx) after which we took a lunch break of half an hour.

The next control point was only 15km away at Remuna Balasore bus stop where we reached around 5.20pm and moved on towards Soro. We kept on pedalling and reached Soro, around 35km from Balasore control. We took a 15-minute break before reaching the control point, which was only a kilometre away. We finally reached Natapada Chowk — the 300km mid-point of the brevet — at 9pm where we took dinner and an hour’s nap. We knew that we did not have enough time in hand with only 18 hours left.

We started our ride back to Kolkata from Soro around 10.45pm amid chill beyond our imagination. Adding to our woes, were poor visibility, knee pain and saddle sore.

The next 200km was really difficult. We all were pedalling hard all night long. At every 20km, we were taking a break of 5 minutes. Maintaining an average speed of approximately 22km per hour, we kept on pedalling. After riding 100km, we noticed that four hours have already passed and it was 3am. In the wintry morning, we all needed some rest so we three decided to take a 20-min short nap at a roadside dhaba but that 20 minutes stretched to an hour and we were back on the saddle around 4.05am.

Now, we were taking breaks at every 10km or so and our average speed went down to 18km per hour. Poor visibility and extreme cold were slowing us down. We firmly decided that no matter what happens, we have to finish before time. It was 8am in the morning with the Sun was out and weather turning warmer. In the last four hours, we covered approximately 88km.

While we were taking a break, we were informed that in the next two hours we need to reach the Sher-e-Punjab, Kolaghat, control point, which was 30km away. We rested for another 15 minutes and then took off for Kolaghat. At Sher-e-Punjab, we had our breakfast and got fresh and then started at 11am for the finish line, which was only 77km away. 

Knowing that we have five-and-a-half hours to cover only 77km, we moved at a comfortable pace. We made several halts and reached City Centre, New Town, at 3.16pm.

Happiness is not the feeling that describes the moment. I would say we were rather relieved then happy. The difficulty faced on the route only makes the journey more adventurous. If anyone ask me to sum up Brevet 600, then I would say “what doesn’t kills you but makes you stronger”.

Dream to Reality of Ultra Cycling

(Subhajyoti Sen Sharma is the co-founder of Discover on Wheels, the first cycling club in Kolkata. In this short piece, he comes up with his thoughts after completing 600 km brevet on December 21, 2014)

At last, one dream has come true, but it was not easy to realise either. 

When i started cycling at a very tender age, it was a dream to be a good cyclist. With time, i changed my focus to make myself a better and better cyclist. Earlier, i used to ride in the morning but without any aim — just like a bird on wings. Later, i realised that i should change it to build on stamina and endurance that would make me a better long-distance cyclist in the future. 

Besides the on-track practice, i started getting in touch with international and national-level riders. I used to get tips on hydration, on-saddle nutrition, riding skills, building stamina and endurance among others.

Since i've already passed my prime, it might be difficult for me to join any pro-racing team but that did not deter me from dreaming! When i completed my first 200 km brevet in Hyderabad in July, my conviction of being an ultra cyclist rooted deep in me. Coming back to Kolkata from Hyderabad, i started focusing on endurance training.

I learned that ultra cycling is not only a game on saddle and pedals — it's all about mental strength and unlimited recovering capacity to boost yourself, motivate yourself, gain over ache all over the body. And, all this is enough to distract yourself from the right track and make one a normal person. But i had one goal: ultra cyclist. How can i give up when my bike dusted hundreds of kilometres already? No, there's no second option but to pedal on! 

On a chilly winter night, I participated in 600km brevet in Kolkata. I started pedalling at 00.30am from City Centre, Kolkata to Soro in Odisha. And, obviously, there was the return loop also. I pedalled on for the whole night with Sudipto Pal and Rahul Pasari. 

After 240km, I was very tired thinking to quit also. But i motivated myself that i have to cover more than 300km. That's what an ultra cyclist does! At the end of 39 hours, when i came back to Kolkata again, i thought that i would die of sleep deprivation! But the thought of death germinated the birth of a new being: ultra cyclist.

But it was just a beginning, as i hope to be Super Randonneur soon and later crack the RAAM one day.

New Dawn, New Beginning

Around a year ago, when some young enthusiasts began Discover on Wheels as a cycling club, they hardly had any thought of hosting brevets in Kolkata. But some months down the line, six of its members travelled all the way to Hyderabad on a monsoon morning to taste brevet and test their endurance. 

A journey was made — not just to the Deccan but to another world of cycling. And, another journey started after they came back home completing 200km successfully in an unknown terrain. This journey was more of determination than just cycling. This one was to bring brevets to Kolkata. 

One fine evening in September, we got a mail from AIR that Kolkata will be added by Audax Club Parisien in the century-old club's international list of cities offering brevet from November. The time was too short to prepare among ourselves yet we selected routes keeping every other possible aspect in mind. And, we just rolled out our plan online for a great brevet season!

(The Times of India coverage on November 29, 2014)

And, following is what two of our most enthusiastic riders had to say on completing the maiden BRM in Kolkata.

Nishant Maheshwari (who successfully took the challenge of 300 km with hours to spare):

If you want to beat the fear of dark unlit roads with heavy trucks and trailers zooming past you... then BRMs are a must do for you.

The first 300 km Kolkata Brevets started just past midnight at 00.30am and in less than about 20 minutes, we were on the national highway — only the blinding winter fog and may be half asleep truckers for company... 

I had never cycled in such conditions and i would be lying if i said i was not scared. But i think it was the passion to perform and the thrill of a BRM which helped me overcome this fear in couple of hours. Then those curious eyes of the truckers and dhabawallahs were not threatening. They were just looking for an answer that what on earth is this crazy cyclist up to. 

BRM is about everything which your parents will tell you not to do. Riding on dark unlit highways, forest reserves, long enduring hours on the saddle with no back-up....but still why do we do this? Because that is the challenge. 

Peope who set out to conquer Mt. Everest on foot have a negligible chance of survival. Ultra-marathoners run 100s of kms; Iron man participants endure so much just for a finishers medal... what is making these people strive so hard and put their bodies go through so much pain and exhaustion. It's the self-satisfaction, inner peace and happiness.

Sitting on a couch watching TV or winning stages of a video game was and will never be a challenge. All expeditions come with its own adventure, fear and challenge but the joy of achievement is unmatchable. BRM is just one such expedition — on cycle!

(The Statesman coverage on December 8, 2014)


Richard Fernandes (who finished 200 km in just nine hours):

This was my first-ever ride for more than 100 km.

A 200 km straight away would have been devastating without preparation. In an endeavour to keep the average speed at 30 km/hr through out the 200 km, I hurried it up in the initial 100 km with a varying speed of 30 to 35 km/hr. 

After 50 km, the average speed which I maintained was 25 to 27 km/hr. After 100, it was never below 25 km/hr. Clocked a satisfying nine hours, an additional 30 minutes attributed to the rush hour traffic while entering Kolkata.

I plan to complete 400 before 20 hours. Happy riding!!!

Gangani Gung-ho

(Nishant Maheshwari is the founder-member of Discover on Wheels,
the bicycling club of Kolkata. He narrates his
first serious and successful DH attempt at Gangani)

Okay…so I had heard lot about downhill biking and had seen many bike movies and videos on DH racing. As much as the idea was alluring, the fear of getting killed was epitome.

Also having an appropriate bike and practising in the local trails was crucial. But unfortunately I had access to none. Calcutta neither has any natural DH trails nor did I have a ready bike to experience the thrill. I still do not have one. In my knowledge to do DH I had to travel to far northeast or upper Bengal which in itself was discouraging as taking leaves form office would be challenging.

However, DH biking was still on my must do list to see if I like it. So when my friend Soumya gave the idea to explore few nearby trails, where DH could be possible, I was game. But my fear still remained because I had a entry-level hardtrail bike and no experience of DH — just a couple of off roadings in East Kolkata wetlands area.

Nevertheless, we started exploring options and decided on our destination — Gangani — our desi canyons — just about 4-5 hours drive from Kolkata. But somehow the plan kept postponing because of my prior commitments in road biking.

Then we saw an online post by one of our more experienced DH rider Prateek Singh who had posted few pictures of his recent visit to the same place.  For me that was a trigger…as someone had been there and done it.

So accompanied by Soumya Chatterjee and Rohan Agarwal, I decided to have a go with my basic frame, no experience, basic mechanical brakes, stock tyres and a 100mm suspension travel. But thankfully I got a sponsored IXS knee pads…which did wonders to my confidence!

Going

From Howrah station, you can board the Rupasi Bangla Express in the morning or the Purulia Express in the afternoon to reach Garbeta station. Buses are also available from Howrah, Kharagpur and Midnapore. Another great option is to put on your ride in the car rack and drive it to the spot. Gangani is a 4-hour drive from Calcutta. From Garbeta station, ride to Gangani field, which is about 4-5km from the station.

Staying

There are a few private hotels for meals and rooms. The rates are pretty reasonable because the accommodation facility is equally sub-standard. However, it is bearable for a day or two.

My experience in pictures:

DAY 01

Located in West Midnapore. The Shilabati river is flowing through a 70ft-deep gorge and the adjoining places have taken various shapes due to river bank erosion. It’s extraordinary and delight for a mountain biking.

After treating our eye from the top for some time, we decided to get a closer look and explore the trails. The steps going down are carved into the side of the hill made of red laterite soil. I carried my bike down on my shoulders while Soumya decided to warm up his suspensions and so did Rohan. 

Though the place looked chic…but I still couldn’t understand why they both were so excited…what I could see was just dusty, rocky and loose soil slopes, eroded banks which looked like canyons meeting into a river… what are we supposed to do here ??

Anyway... the first to roll down was by Soumya and he made it look so damn easy…and so did Rohan 

….aaahhh must be easy…my turn!!

I took my bike uphill on my shoulders; slipped twice on the loose gravel soil; reached the top; put my bike down and turned…hmm … it's high... I remembered a couple of tips of Soumya... keep ur weight back all the time and don’t use us front brakes … at least not in my first try.

Wooo… I got on to the saddle and shit I didn’t get my seat post down… it was like a camel going down the hill and I crashed…aaaaaa  

My first lesson ... my saddle height was wrong…it had to come down as much as possible…weight was supposed to be back… by sitting back as far as possible... if required outside your saddle.

But my seat post wont go down completely… so I remained a mere spectator and the crew camera guy for most of the day. :-( However, Rohan was kind to lend me his bike for a couple of trail… that’s too kind... i wouldnot give anyone to do a downhill ... eeeee :-)

In the evening on our way back to guesthouse… I got my seat post cut by 3 inches and yeaaaa... my seat went all the way down. :-)

DAY 02

My bike was ready for next day. I even tried rolling down the stairs and I did fair enough and was huge confidence booster.

I felt more confident after cutting down saddle height. I was able to sit completely out of my saddle and with my weight back, was able to control my bike better. The brake pads were gripping better and in fact I was able to use both brakes with more confidence. 

I checked the lines and went down the trails which I missed on day 1. Rohan and Soumya were like PROs and meeting their skills was challenging for me.

Trekking to the top of the 300-400ft high rocky hills with the bikes and shredding down was fun now. But the trails are rocky, loose soiled… so gripping is challenging.

Wheelies, bunny hop, stoppies etc etc — if u good in these… it can help you in mountain biking as it gives you great control on your bike. And I can’t do any… so these are all on my next to do list. :-)

Soumya's knowledge and guidance and Rohan’s youthful enthusiasm and skill made the short getaway MTB trip a wonderful respite and a learning experience for me...

Wish to do this more and with more riders! :-)