[papr23]

Originally Posted by ebonho

It was Doc's Half Centennial Commemorative 200. Under the aegis of the Lone Wolf Rides club, with a membership of 1.

Cheers, Doc

I too don't do BRMs. I enrolled for a 200km BRM once because the medal looked cool and wanted one. I was on track till noon but problem started post lunch. The organizers arranged nice parathas and curd rice with pickle. I had mine and some part of my friend's meal as well and soon dozed off under a tree. Spent a lot of time clicking pictures just like I normally do on a long ride. The route was beautiful and I thought of quitting to do it at my own pace but adrenaline kicked in and reached the penultimate CS just in time but missed the final one by 2 mins.
The organizers marked it as a Finish but I know I did not complete it in time and did not take the medal.
I have massive respect to those who do BRMs, especially riding all night!

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by papr23

The organizers marked it as a Finish but I know I did not complete it in time and did not take the medal.

I have massive respect for you for your honesty and innate ethics. That comes from within. In the end no medal is worth lying to yourself.

Cheers, Doc

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by papr23

.
The organizers marked it as a Finish but I know I did not complete it in time and did not take the medal.

Good job! But honestly, does the medal actually matter? To me the ride (or the run) is more important. I find the medals more of a storage problem later - I used to save my half marathon medals but once the number crossed 10, it was a pain to keep them. Most of them I have had to throw away eventually. Never really picked up a medal for any of my brevets (thank god for that!)

@doc, you more or less did a BRM equivalent in the most perfect condition - multiple riders for company, friendly support for sure (in case of any problems if it had occured) and not even needed to pay the money for the event!

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

@doc, you more or less did a BRM equivalent in the most perfect condition - multiple riders for company, friendly support for sure (in case of any problems if it had occured) and not even needed to pay the money for the event!

Yup, that's essentially it. Though the conditions were anything but perfect for a long distance ride. Quite sapping actually. The wind more than the rain and muck which after some time does not really bother you (I wasn't cold, like many of the other riders who had their gilets and rain capes on).

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by ebonho

I did the ride on my own without registering for it. The aim being to ride and so a big one. The target being to stay on the saddle continuously as far as possible, and maintaining a decent tempo without going into the red. But it was tough, as my legs have now gotten used to 100 km max rides , and after that mark (till which I raced), tgere was a distinct dip in pace as the body went into survival pace mode to finish the distance.

Cheers, Doc

Some numbers from my 200:

First 100 - 4:24 @ 22.7
Second 100 - 4:35 @ 21.8
Overall 200 - 8:59 @ 22.3

The CC McDonald's CC loop I was 12 min ahead of pace. Fresh legs on the toughest (71 km) climbing leg helped. The Devil's Horns in the gradient map below.



Till Dehu (94 km) I was 9 min ahead of pace (based on previous recent efforts, all pace targets based on recent ACT efforts obviously, and not best overall, which would invariably be the 6 kilo lighter much speedier CAAD).

Then I started losing time in the second 100 (including a JIT pre bonk misal at Talegaon), so that

At Lonavala (129 km) I was 15 min off

At Dehu returning back (163 km) I was 10 min off (clawed back 5 lost min here)

And CC back (186 km) I was 20 min off (losing a further 10 min in the Dehu CC leg in blinding torrential rain, and bypass flyovers construction where there were rivers of flowing debris where you just prayed that your front wheel wasn't going to catapult into a big submerged pothole)

By home (201 km) I was 14 min off my 8:45 target , having clawed back 6 lost min in the final 15 km from CC to home. My usual home stretch on countless rides.

Total Stopped time was 27 min in the 8 hrs 59 min, including a 14.5 min misal pav break at Talegaon, the rest of the breaks being to fill my bottles (at CC back from McDonald's, at Lonavala, and last at Dehu road on the return leg - so 8 bottles over 9 hours, near perfect hydration even in the pouring rain. That's nearly 5 liters of water. In spite of that my first urine was dark yellow at home, and my feet and toes were cramping in the last 60 odd km).

Come to think of it, @ninjatalli was right. 14 min off over 200 km and 9 hours of riding is a near perfect ride, where by the grace of God everything fell in place and went to plan.

Looking forward to doing this a month or two down the line when the rains are done and roads are patched up, on my CAAD, and aim for a sub 8.

Chala!!!

Cheers, Doc

[drive_angry]

Unleashing pics from my recent rides. A special thanks to our very own Doc! His guidance and experience is unmatched and has been very helpful in shaping the cyclist in me. Thanks Doc for everything!

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by drive_angry

Unleashing pics from my recent rides. A special thanks to our very own Doc! His guidance and experience is unmatched and has been very helpful in shaping the cyclist in me. Thanks Doc for everything!

Any time man. Love talking bikes with enthu cyclists .

That lovely roadie literally fell into your lap. Which bolsters my theory that in used bike deals tge bike chooses the rider, and no deal fructifies till that happens.

The great thing about these bikes is that they are all getting used, as you are churning out some serious mileage. Including your first century ride day before!

Cheers, Doc

[amol4184]

Some fabulous after rain days and scenery nearby. Climbed up a hill. It was the toughest till date, and I returned from half way.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by amol4184

Some fabulous after rain days and scenery nearby. Climbed up a hill. It was the toughest till date, and I returned from half way.

Wow! Tri bars. Be very careful while riding on those. Even very seasoned time trialists and ultra cyclists crash quite badly on those in a flash if the concentration wavers. And never ride on them in a close group or in traffic.

Cheers, Doc

P.S. Why did you leave the bracket of the mudguard behind on the seat post?

[ringoism]

Getting myself to this spot had been a longtime goal... I've been to higher places a couple times this past month, but probably not to prettier. This via a little known (and at points badly broken) "shortcut" coming down from Koti to Palchan.

The bursitis in my left knee, which had persisted for a month, cleared up after a few days' motorbike ride to Solan/Shimla; but pedaling up towards this spot I (regrettably) pressed through a couple km's worth of pain in my right knee -which 24hrs later is still very much with me... Hoping it clears within a few days, and that better sense / more heed to that "little voice" will prevail in the future...

I got the shot , but...

I really need lower gearing on this... currently 1st is around 23 inches / rev. Others of my cycles as low as 17+... makes a huge difference, and besides the unnecessary persistence on display, the high gearing must have had its negative physiological effects.

-Eric

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by ringoism

Getting myself to this spot had been a longtime goal... I've been to higher places a couple times this past month, but probably not to prettier. This via a little known (and at points badly broken) "shortcut" coming down from Koti to Palchan.

I really need lower gearing on this... currently 1st is around 23 inches / rev. Others of my cycles as low as 17+... makes a huge difference, and besides the unnecessary persistence on display, the high gearing must have had its negative physiological effects.

-Eric

Beautiful photos! Yeah I can see now why somewhat wider gravel or small button/pimple tyres would be better suited to your terrain.

My Top Gear with 26 inch wheels is 21 inches, the ACT 23 and the CAAD 30.

With 700c (28 inch) wheels, I don't see how you can dip below 20. With 26 inch wheels yeah

Cheers, Doc

P.S. This is what my Ladakh/bikepacking bike is going to look like ... 35c Bedrocks ... but with an added full 2x9 Tiagra groupset. 28 spoke wheels though. That's the only concern. Nice solid steel fork. I love it! Will see if I can get a 11-34 on it for fewer gear inches in the granny gear.

[twin-turbo]

I thundered through the thunder on a lovely morning in Delhi (not really). The sudden rainstorm made it feel like being stuck in a washing machine on full load.

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Wow! Tri bars. Be very careful while riding on those. Even very seasoned time trialists and ultra cyclists crash quite badly on those in a flash if the concentration wavers. And never ride on them in a close group or in traffic.

Cheers, Doc

P.S. Why did you leave the bracket of the mudguard behind on the seat post?

Definitely. Steering control needs getting used to. I will remove them if I don't use them frequently. For now, I liked leaning on them on while on flats.
Was too lazy to remove the seat post just for that bracket. Today the cycle got a proper wash and have removed the bracket finally! No traces of mudguard left now.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by amol4184

Definitely. Steering control needs getting used to. I will remove them if I don't use them frequently. For now, I liked leaning on them on while on flats.
Was too lazy to remove the seat post just for that bracket. Today the cycle got a proper wash and have removed the bracket finally! No traces of mudguard left now.

The bracket has a Philips screw I thought which clamps the C shaped bracket around the seat post?

How else do you tighten it to stay in place?

Cheers, Doc

[AutoIndian]

Today one of my bucket list items of riding upto the nearby Bedse Caves got fulfilled. This is an Archeological Survey of India heritage site.

Courtesy Wikipedia:
Bedse Caves (also known as Bedsa Caves) are a group of Buddhist rock-cut monuments situated in Maval taluka, Pune District, Maharashtra, India. The history of the caves can be traced back to the Satavahana period[1] in the 1st century BCE.[2] They are some 9 km from the Bhaja Caves. Other caves in the area are Karla Caves, Patan Buddhist Cave and Nasik Caves.

Further details can be found here --> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedse_Caves. The distance from my home to this site was shown as 35kms by Google maps through Somatane Phata, Kadadhe, but we took the longer route through old Mumbai-Pune highway. Went right till Kamshet, took a left from there towards Pavana dam. Within few kms after passing underneath the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, we reached our destination.

On our return ride we took the route via Kadadhe, Thugaon, Somatane Phata. Took a pit stop at Thugaon where the Pavana river takes an abrupt 90 degrees turn here. Also there is a drop of 10-15 feet resulting in these beautiful waterfalls.

Below are some pics.


On the banks of Pavana river @ Thugaon


This is just few kms from the bank of river, resembles Kaas Pathar (those from Maharashtra would know)


One of the many wild flowers basking in morning sun


Another view of the same flower


Another beautiful bright yellow flower


The group of Bedse caves on one shot


Second larget cave in the group called Vihara


This is the main cave called Chaitygriha


Beautiful arch at the top of main cave


The grand entrance glowing in morning sun


See the geometry and symmetry of this beautiful structure carved out from a single rock


The two huge pillars at the entrance with beautiful statues at the top


Bike on one of the bridge overlooing a water stream


Kedarnath Temple of Shiva after a small climb towards Bedse Caves


This was just about a km or two after we took a left from Kamshet


Our Bikes overlooking the Bhakti-Shakti flyover