Chalati kaa naam Jindagi!!!: September 2021

BREVETS DE RANDONNEUR MONDIAUX or BRM or brevet/ endurance rides are something for cyclists similar to marathon for runners. This is the ride on pre-defined route with challenging terrain to be finished within specific time (including all break times). These are self supported ride which means in case of any issue, rider has to tackle on own his/ her.

Around 3 years back when I restarted the cycle (yes, it was discontinued when my first bike got stolen and it took almost 7-8 years to restart) I never thought one day will aspire for BRM. In last 3 years I heard a lot of time and seen fellow riders doing BRMs and adventures stories during the BRMs. One fine day I heard about 100 year celebration of brevets of 200km and there was buzz everywhere. It's like all your senses will see only what your mind want to see. After all what I am going to loose is registration charges and some weight. The moment when registration was opened within some moments I finished registration and later realized it was all booked and few riders has been put on waitlist. Just like train-tatkal booking. However I was happy that the first step for brevet ride is completed successfully. Then there was a month gap. During this period I was riding but not much focused. When it was just a week then preparation took momentum with shopping and practice and some more shopping. Already people started observing some change and curiously asking for that. Excitement was not lesser than writing the final engineering exam.

The Teaser poster for the event

Reached the venue at 5:30 (already rode 15km by that time), did bike inspection and completed ride formality to receive brevet card. This is kind of ride progress report where the details about checkpoints or CP (distance from starting point, open and close time) are mentioned. Rider has to get the reaching time entered at every checkpoint and went to ride starting point. This was first CP to pass. The excitement at the venue was amazing. I could see some known faces; made mind these are the people who will help me out in case of any problems.

During the ride I encountered many challenges and could overcome with sheer support of co-riders. On Kolar highway we miss the exit to enter into the Kolar city and options left were either come back 2km and exit or climb the flyover and take u-turn resulting more than 2kms. Then with the help of co-riders we lifted the bikes over the barricades to get them on service road. I missed the CP4 and went almost 2km to realized the mistake. Got confirmed with fellow-rider and came back otherwise my ride would have considered as DNF (Did Not Finish). The CP1 to CP2 around 74km could completed less than 2 and half hours which means the average speed was 27km/hour which I could never achieve for such a long ride; but because of excitement and seeing so many riders it was done effortlessly. However between CP2 to CP3 merely 50kms took 4 hours because of mud-guard issue (which was rubbing the tire and pulling my speed) and strong headwind. There were many times when I had to take breaks but everytime one or the fellow-rider used offer any kind of assistance. This kept motivating to push myself till CP3. When I reached the CP3 I got rid of mud-guard (thanks to organizers who assisted to take it out and carried with them to Bangalore).

Somewhare on Bangalore-Kolar highway

Yummy lunch with Chikkaveeranna Mysore Pak, Bisibele bath and curd ride.

Talking locals about brevet event; hard to make them to believe

Another toughest part to overcome was ride on highway from Chikkaballapur to Bangalore. I was completely exhausted, out of water. I was walking as I dont wanted to stop and loose the time. A fellow rider offered chikki which I grabbed and finished. It gave some energy to reach upto toll gate. There I spent almost 15 minutes to recollect physical and mental strength to reach finish line. I bought lots of chikkis and water bottle on next shop and prepared myself for flyovers on highway. From there, it was only road with up and down and I had already made my mind to reach complete the ride within time. Atlast when I reached the CP5 it was 6:59 pm.

On Chikkaballapur-Bangalore National Highway

It was great feeling to achieve this feet. This could not be achieved without support of so many people (right from office collogues, ride friends, fellow riders during the ride, event organizers and family members). A big thank you to all of them. I know few riders doing multiple SRs in a season so for them 200km is not big deal. As an individual this is first step for a long way (as there are brevets of 300/ 400/ 600 and finally PBP 1200km). Now we have to wait and watch what all these finish lines these tiny steps can conquer.