Bicycling first 100 km

Bicycling first 100 km to Mysore

Bicycling my first 100 km from Bengaluru to Mysore on my MTB to make a good start for this year.

For most cyclists in Bangalore, doing a ride to Mysore is another benchmark set to complete. The thought had already registered in my mind beginning of last year. The first month of 2012 seemed a likely good reason to do it. On the online bicycling forums, came about the weekend ride to Mysore being planned for the 14 Jan, 2012. Perfect!!

The previous night, I packed the backpack and essentials, after having purchased up few items earlier on from Decathlon. My friend Deepak decided to ride along but not all the way to Mysore. Another rider Rohit with whom I had done a few CAM routes confirmed to join too.


Day 01 : Bengaluru to Mysuru

Sat, 14 Jan 2012

One batch of riders headed out at 5:30 am while another were to start an hour later. Chose the latter to meet experienced cyclists Shankar and Anil. At scheduled time 6:30 am, a good handful of riders turned up at the Merida Junction. Came to understand that only two would be riding all the way to Mysore while few would be riding 100 km, few 50km and return. We ride to Konanakunte junction where Rohit and I wait for few more to turn up, while the others rode on. When Deepak and his colleague Andrew (from Scotland) showed up, we rode on without further delay. Meanwhile four more riders from ‘Go Green’ group joined in and we stopped near the Art of Living International Center for refreshing tea at a stall by the roadside.

We eventually caught up with the group that had gone ahead only because one rider’s road bike had a flat and had taken shelter under a huge tree to fix the flat. Few of us on MTBs decide to press on ahead knowing that the road bikers would catch up very quickly. By now it was just Rohit and me riding towards Harohalli, whereupon we met Saurabh (who not sure of how far he would be riding) had reached there much earlier. We three ride on taking snaps along the way and soon reached Kanakapura for breakfast, by which time the sun shined down from the clear blue sky giving the indications that it’s going to be a clear hot day. Assuring myself that I would indeed be riding all the way to Mysore, called my good friend Bharath (residing in Mysore) if he could arrange a place to stay for the night, which he did in about 15-20 mins. Perfect again!!

After a quick cup of ice cream and having answering a few now-all-too-familiar questions from the locals such as ‘how much the bike costs?’, ‘where we were heading?’ and the like, we head on towards Malavalli to stop there for lunch. While we were nearing Malavalli, Rohit gets his attention fixated to his cyclo-computer for a short span not realizing two locals walking along with a cycle by the roadside and before he could react bangs right into the cyclist knocking himself off. We quickly stop to check the situation and realize that Rohit had bruised his elbow. The local checked his cycle and on confirming nothing happened to it, told us to ride carefully and walked away. We checked on Rohit’s cycle and the front disc brake metal plate had bent to a good degree. To Rohit, this incident was a Déjà vu. Am imported high quality cycle costing a good 20 grand gets damaged from a Indian make iron cycle costing about Rs.1000. Ironic, more so for this unfortunate accident happened fortunately right in front of a bike repair shop. All this added up to us having a hearty laugh on the entire scenario while we straightened out the bent disc plate, fixed it back and headed on towards Malavalli having thanked the mechanic for his help.

As the terrain was fairly downhill, was switching between gears 3-9 / 2-9 but had to eventually drop down to 2-6 by this time we neared the Malavalli junction. Thighs started to ache and shoulders uncomfortable (of which Rohit had warned earlier that a backpack would hurt later on), but was happy having done my first century. My cyclo-computer read 100 km and a total of 2640 km. Saurabh too was excited for having done his first century for he had not planned to do this far but did nevertheless. We took a few snaps there and heading into town to stop for lunch. The town was bustling with people everywhere and dust filled the air making for not a very pleasant sight. We spotted Shankar and another rider stepping out from a restaurant having had their lunch, and so decide to have ours there as well.

It was about 3 pm and we start to ride towards Mysore. My dark eye shades and anti-UV cap under the helmet helped immensely from the sun. About half way there and Rohit’s knee start to hurt and so stopped to take a break, but Saurabh all geared up went ahead trying to catch up with Shankar and Mohit who were on road bikes. We pushed on further to soon find Saurabh waiting for us and waited he did for quite a while. As we neared the 15 km milestone to Mysore, Rohit needed to stop as his knees hurt again. He suggests us to ride on and he would catch up.

When the roadside milestone number reduced to 10, I thought to myself, now it’ just the distance that I usually ride to work everyday and that should be easy. Had read about the road having inclines nearing Mysore, but didn't find any that was daunting and so rode on without a break to reach Sangolli Rayanna circle by 6:30 pm. Rohit made his way to the spot in about 15-20 mins. We get a local lad to take our snap by the signboard which read ‘Sri Chamundi Hill’ to mark the completion of our 150 km ride to Mysore.

We decided to call it a day and take good rest with the possibility that we would ride up Chamundi Hill next morning if our legs were upto it. Saurabh rides out to stay at his friend's place while Rohit and I stay over at the Sports Club where my friend had arranged the stay over. The place was nice and staff courteous. Having freshened up with hot shower, Bharath joins us at the room for couple pints of beer to celebrate the occasion. After him taking leave, we have dinner and soon sleep by about 11:30 pm.


Day 02 : Mysore to Bengaluru

Sun, 15 Jan 2012

We wake up by 7 am, decide to not do the hill climb (as our legs still ached) and just head back to Bangalore by bus. Freshen up, check out from there and having had breakfast at the restaurant on the way, ride towards the city bus stand where Rohit's friend was to join us. Load our cycles onto the bus, and get on it. Upon nearing Bangalore, Rohit and his friend get off at Kengeri while Saurabh and I get off at Nayandahalli junction. It’s about 1 pm, 10 km to Bilekahalli and as we rode along, I realized that this stretch of road had good stretches of inclines. At some juncture, we part ways bidding goodbye with the likelihood of riding together again.


Terrain: Flat tarred road
Weather: Sunny and humid
Difficulty Level: Easy - Moderate
Distance: 150 km

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