[kat]

Originally Posted by ebonho

We have a somewhat similar brutal 300 here called Strawberry Fields. I did that in 2017. On my ACT. You keep climbing on the rolling route, with Katraj, Khambatki, Pasarni as the big climbs, and then the painful Satara climbs and the climbing back from Shirwal. 3200 odd meters. Did that in under or just around 17 hours. Not a nice ride for sure! LOL

This seems like an equally tough ride. Kudos to you doc
I feel, the rolling terrain is much more difficult to manage than a constant climb due to continuous variation in power/HR which almost makes it like an interval training session.

I have never ridden anywhere outside TN and it seems like your place has a lot of short/hard climbs. Should be great to plan a cycling trip around your place sometime.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by kat

This seems like an equally tough ride. Kudos to you doc
I feel, the rolling terrain is much more difficult to manage than a constant climb due to continuous variation in power/HR which almost makes it like an interval training session.

I have never ridden anywhere outside TN and it seems like your place has a lot of short/hard climbs. Should be great to plan a cycling trip around your place sometime.

Absolutely agree about the rolling. It kills and demoralizes in equal measure. Most of our Indian riders who are seasoned SRs and have done 1000s and 1200s here but DNF at PBP and LEL are because they are unable to maintain even a reasonable BRM pace on that rolling terrain. Of course the cold and rain is another factor but rolling training paucity is heard most often as a prime reason.

[ninjatalli]

Also a very important factor is regular practice on such routes.

Back in Pune nearly 8 years ago, I did the Panchgani 200 brevet "easily" (that covers ~70% of the elevations in the 300km brevet link @doc shared) - my toughest ride till date. However today, the rolling hills in and around Bangalore are proving to be a different case entirely. IIRC, back then even short 20km - 30km rides used to be on rolling terrain (usual for Pune terrain) so it came naturally. The last few years over relatively flatter Bombay roads have softened me (I think!). Time for more practice!

[ebonho]

Evening 80 to Vadgaon, following on from the morning Kamshet 100. One day, 110 km And 554 meters to go.

Kerala parottas make it worthwhile.



Cheers, Doc

[AutoIndian]

As discussed yesterday did a 38km ride to the nearby Tukaram Maharaj Temple & Kasarsai dam, the three of us. It was a wonderful morning with the bright yellow cosmos flowers blooming everywhere. Sharing some pics below.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by AutoIndian

As discussed yesterday did a 38km ride to the nearby Tukaram Maharaj Temple & Kasarsai dam, the three of us. It was a wonderful morning with the bright yellow cosmos flowers blooming everywhere. Sharing some pics below.

Those flowers are really beautiful. There are kilometres of carpeted fields of these on both sides of the highway right now. Like a rolling sea of orange blossoms.

I suspect you are using the same headlight as mine. Can you provide a closeup shot and/or link?



Ditto for the tail light. I had a similar one but the internal USB socket got loose and then the charging circuit connection became iffy, and I had to keep moving it around to get the red charging light to glow. And finally gave up on the damn thing.

Cheers, Doc

[amol4184]

Did a post post-vaccine syndrome ride and saw my energy deplete by 7km mark. Huffed and puffed to my favorite chaiwallah. Clicked few photos and returned without realizing Strava had conked off somewhere en route. So there is no record of my hardships anywhere. I rode like a man from stone-age. Anyhoo, this was the start of mid day rides. Partially sunny and yet as hot as dine-in at BBQ Nation. Runny nose did not help either.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by amol4184

Did a post post-vaccine syndrome ride and saw my energy deplete by 7km mark. Huffed and puffed to my favorite chaiwallah. Clicked few photos and returned without realizing Strava had conked off somewhere en route. So there is no record of my hardships anywhere. I rode like a man from stone-age. Anyhoo, this was the start of mid day rides. Partially sunny and yet as hot as dine-in at BBQ Nation. Runny nose did not help either.

Clear blue skies. Next 6-7 months till the heat starts, is basically our cycling season, till March-April.

Then 3 months of early morning or late night rides, and then 3 months of rain.

Cheers, Doc

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Those flowers are really beautiful. There are kilometres of carpeted fields of these on both sides of the highway right now. Like a rolling sea of orange blossoms.

Indeed, September is the month when nature is at its best. Just a month ago the Zinnia flowers in my terrace garden were looking so dull and colorless and now they are in full bloom. Same is the case with these wild flowers. And you are right, the old Mumbai-Pune Highway and the Expressway have these in abundance.

I suspect you are using the same headlight as mine. Can you provide a closeup shot and/or link?

No, I don't think so. Mine is a different one. It's make is "Victgoal". Bought this from Amazon in Dec-2019 for Rs 1329/-. Both headlight and taillight have good illumination. Here is the link on Amazon --> https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B07...?ie=UTF8&psc=1







However on pitch dark roads I use this in combination with my DOCOSS make Head Torch light, which has even better illumination. Though you have to fit it on your forehead, the advantage is, it has adjustable focus (zoom) and the angle can also be adjusted from zero to 90 degrees. It can also be used for night camping, running or even repair work. This I bought in June this year for Rs 745/-

Here is the link on Amazon --> https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B07...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by AutoIndian

Here is the link on Amazon --> https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B07...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hey look, new gear to purchase!

Note to myself: Never underestimate the repetitive levels of expenditure one can get into wrt cycling accessories.

edit: How (un)comfortable is it to wear it over a long ride? Does it stay on your cycling helmet comfortably? Any pic that can be shared?

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Hey look, new gear to purchase!

Note to myself: Never underestimate the repetitive levels of expenditure one can get into wrt cycling accessories.

edit: How (un)comfortable is it to wear it over a long ride? Does it stay on your cycling helmet comfortably? Any pic that can be shared?

Hey Ninja, the band can be stretched only to a certain limit. Initially I tried to wear it over the helmet, but that didn't work. So I have to put it on my forehead first and then wear the helmet over it. It can absorb sweat, so sweating over long rides is not a big problem. The main problem is, since it has a very focussed beam of light, night flies easily get attracted to the source of the beam & it being very close to your eyes, the flies may come dangerously close to your eyes. Since I wear glasses its not a big issue for me, but one must protect eyes from flies while wearing this gear.

[ebonho]

130 km solo to Lonavala. Brought up my 34,000 km mark, 50 km short of the 8000 km mark for 2021, and completed the 1250 km distance challenge for tge month of September, third month in a row. This month managed to complete the 7500 meter climbing challenge as well, unlike tge last two where I was putting in highway base miles. Had to scramble and do 400+ km in the last 3 days to get there. But that's wgat challenges are fir. They're not meant to be easy!



Cheers, Doc

[Sherlocked]

I usually bicycle during evening time and return just before dark. These days I have to begin early as it gets dark after 6:45 PM. A couple from some of my evening rides:

[amol4184]

Did a mid day ride. Traffic was worse than the sun honestly. Similar ride planned for tomorrow too!

[vb-saan]

Saturday morning ride – 75kms. There was a slight drizzle when I started off, but then it settled and the sky stayed gloomy throughout; ideal for the morning ride. Progress was slow as the roads were wet from the overnight rains.

Around 6:30am



And the journey continues…



Another random shot



After the trip – will need some good cleanup in the afternoon…