I was never a cyclist and still do not think so. I have no
interest in doing BRM or try to achieve to become SR.The first time I saw a
geared cycle from my running Guru Umesh Sonavane, I really got afraid of it –
too many levers,gears – all too complex for a Finance background person.
I decided to stick to running for fitness and under the
guidance of some of my best well wishers – Prashant Kulkarni,Krishna Garuda and
Umesh – did quite a lot in 2016 – started the year with my first 21K, finished
Full Marathon in Hyderabad with a great timing, completed Pune Ultra Marathon
-100K in 15.21 hours and closed the year 2016 with around 2400 Kms of running.
Wanted a different challenge in 2017 and hence after
thinking about a cycle and its budget for more than a year, purchased a geared
cycle in Jan 2017 with a 2017 target to run 2017 Kms and cycle 2017 miles.
Work and certain other engagements meant that I am behind
the asking run rate for both these targets at the moment but there is a
confidence at back of my mind that I will do it like the Dhoni Finish.
My current focus is still Hyderabad Marathon in Aug 2017
where I want to better my last year timing of 4.27 hours and cycling still
remains a cross training and occasional office commute reason in my
life.Further I just cannot fix anything in the cycle if it goes wrong, means
that my long rides revolved between Hingewadi and Bhosari as this stretch has 4
cycle shops along the way.
Even though I am a Tamilian by origin,being born and brought
up in the Great Maharashtra, Vithoba has been in our family – in the form of
Abhangs which my mother always sings – in the form of the Great Bhimsen Joshi –
in the form of the Great Warkari Tradition that shows the easiest way to reach
libertation. There has always been a strong urge to become a warkari and do a
dindi – but not finding the right group or may be did not have full commitment
to do it.
I was added to ICC group by Gaju and Vishi whom I came across
different running and fitness groups. The group was a hardcore cyclist oriented
one - ICC also is known to organize
these events in which kids like cycling
and participate in large numbers.
On Thursday – Ajit Patil – Another ICC core member and great
inspirer – posted the idea of doing a cycle wari to Pandharpur.I checked with
Vishi and Chandrakant Patil (SR who cycled to Kanyakumari last year) if they
were coming and if I should do this. Both encouraged me to do it.
I liked the idea as I thought I can take a dip in
Chandrabhaga and fall at the feet of that “Pandaricha Chor” and at the same
time try to cycle to a new place.
I had to miss the TSOM (Third Sunday of the month) Run
organized every TSOM by PCMC runners which was difficult – also the weekend is
for long runs.
Vithoba made the decision easy for me – Ajit Patil almost
took a Guarantee to take care of me and my cycle along the route – what else
was needed? Within minutes I could see other members Saurabh,Kapil and Giri
make arrangements for Tempo, route map etc – It all got assembled within hours
and at such a negligible cost (Almost cost of Taking ST Bus).
Now, the biggest hurdle – convince the better half – My Wife
has always been mostly supportive of my weekend runs – but she was worried as this
was 230 Kms on cycle and on the highway – but she gave in to my passion
Day – 0 Friday
I was ready for my Spiritual BRM – 230 k, previous long ride
was 80 k. I purchased 2 extra tubes for the tyres without knowing what to do
incase of a puncture.It rained very heavily in the evening in Pune –causing self
doubts of next morning – but the commitment was made and the will to embark on
this journey was done.
Day 1 – Saturday
Woke up at 2 am and got ready to leave home at 3.15 am so
that I can reach Akhurdi by 4 am which was the start point – I could have
joined at Nashik Phata – but since I did not know the group members by face decided
to start for first point.The sky was clear in the morning to my relief.As I cycled
to Akhurdi I realized I had overpacked things I may not need – raincoat and
extra clothes.That is when Ganesh Bhujbal –our non riding caption and mentor
arrived at 4 am in the morning – offering to carry all the bags to Hadapsar in
his car so that we do not have to carry them.
This was Vitthal and his miracle.
The entire gang was led by Gaju in the start – and his
rhythmic pedaling kept us all going at constant speed with Ajit playing the
Floater role. Reached Hadapsar on time and tempo and remaining members were
ready – Quick round of photo+ tea and we continued our journey.
We thought we will take break at Yevat – but the way the
ride was proceeding, we decided to push 12 more kms upto Chaufala for the
break. Had some aromatic hot wadapav at Gurudutt and again left with the idea
of next stopping at Patas.
But again, the team tempo was so good that we decided to
push further to Bhigwan to take a break and cover as much as possible before
noon time.
5 kms before Bhigwan,we found a nice Neem Tree and decided
to take a break – Had some much needed lemon juice and some basic snacks.Did
some stretching and again started to move.
We decided that next stop is at Indapur for lunch which was
45 kms from there. The route contained some elevation and up-down terrain but
finally managed to reach Indapur Junction at 12.45 pm. All team arrived there
safely by 1.30 pm.
We had a good lunch and the hotel staff offered us a room to
relax in for sometime – This is another miracle. Since we had all woken up
early morning and now had good lunch, we left again only at 3.30.
By now, the fatigue was beginning to set in but the morale
was high. We left for Akhluj as next stop. The State Highway was good except
for some patches.The next 70 Kms from Indapur to Pandharpur was completed
purely with a will to see Mauli. All along the route, we got ample support of
the villagers who were surprised at our attempt to do a cyclewari.
One set of riders reached Pandharpur at 8.30 pm just before
the heavy rain at Velapur. The other set of riders including our support tempo
reached at 10.30 pm.
I was fortunate to get the Mauli Darshan at night just
before close of temple timing. We had good home cooked dinner at the place
where we stayed.
Day 2 – Sunday
Early morning 4 am ,Ajit was up and fabulous foursome of
Ajit,Gaju,Sandeep and Tenis got ready to ride back to Pune. It occurred to me
that I can take morning Darshan as well – so left for temple with Amit, Kapil
and Dipak.
The Gajanan Maharaj Mutt is a great place to stay in and have
food – we had breakfast there and left back for pune in the tempo at 10 am.
The time spent in the tempo was good in terms of knowledge
on cycles and body adaptation. I realized for the first time that the front
wheel on my cycle can be detached.
We met Ajit at Indapur where as usual he was high on enthusiasm
– they faced strong headwinds for around 170 kms and made it to pune at 1.10
am.
We arrived at yerewada at around 4 pm only to find that
roads were blocked due the Palkhi procession. We decided to ride back home from
Yerewada. Most of us were home by 5 pm to conclude what was a great spiritual
ride.
The conception, planning, idea and execution was done by ICC
and the Almighty graced it.
#pandharpurcyclewari
#pandharpurwari2017
#indocyclistclub
