I am attempting to “Blog” first time in my Net life. Till date I was thinking on what to Blog On??? Finally this weekend inspired me to write something & share my ride experience with you all guys.
My post on cyclists.in for a night ride was a normal call for members to
accompany me. But as days past without a single HIT on my call for ride; I started thinking that this ride will turn out in nightmare as I will have to ride alone. But on the proposed ride day I got a call from a guy & shown interest in joining me for the night ride. I was bit relaxed.As I was leaving my home at night; again rang my phone from the same guy. My enthusiasm reached top level as I got confirmation from that guy. I met this guy at the CM Starting point, Shivaji Park…Mallik. I was about to ask him his full name & he told me his name is Mallikarjun & he is basically from Patna but is settled in Mumbai since 8 years. On the way to the posted route – we decided to change the route as we have started quite early at 11.30 (traffic was still in full swing). The older route was from Shivaji Park to NCPA & then from there to VT – Sion –BKC & was supposed to end again at Shivaji Park. We decided to return back from NCPA & ride to BKC. As we were riding with traffic I noticed one thing that I am riding at very high speed (Not very high but this was not the speed at which you will enjoy the night ride). Actually when I was trying to slow down I noticed one more thing; this speed is because of Mallik. He is really a pace rider. We were about to reach Worli Naka & I finally asked him "Mallik, kisake saath race lagai hai hamne?" he smiled & slowed down.
Till we reached Marine Drive; crossing the Wilson College; traffic was s
till On. After that we actually started enjoying the ride. On our way to NCPA many mama’s (Police on night Patrol) were staring at us suspiciously (or surprisingly…can’t say). Finally we reached the last point of our ride; the NCPA Apartments at the end of the Marine Drive. We took a small Water break of 5/10 mins. Mean while one huge family was sitting next to us enjoying the cool breeze at the beach. The little guy shouted suddenly” Abboo, machaliya kood rahi hai, muzhe dikh rahi hai” whole family started laughing & so we.We started our return journey after some time & headed straight towards BKC. Again plan was changed (again by me) & we decided that we will not take the BKC route instead head towards the Dharavi T-junction. This was the last point where We split to end the night ride. Mallik took the Dharavi – Sion way to his home near Priyadarshini & I took the same way back to my home. I was about to reach home & was just near Portuguese Church & god…… suddenly from nowhere appeared Aalap in his car. He said he saw me riding back & he just came behind me to say Hi……..We crossed almost 42kms in these 2 hours. That was really a fast ride. This was the day end for me & now time to sleep…Good Night Everyone.
Saturday Afternoon: 05.17pm – 06.40pm.
I have started my journey to thane quite late in the evening just to save myself from de-hydration in this Heat. Start from Dadar was as usual. But when I reach the Maheshwari Udyan, there started the problem of Heavy traffic & smoke. I decided to ride whenever & wherever I will get chance. May it be from right of the road or left. I was trying to cross the stretch till Priyadarshini as early as possible. somehow I managed to cross the path in 15 mins. Riding the Eastern Express Highway was a real fun with cool breeze throughout the way. Finally I reached my destination, Teen Haat Naka. My cousin stays there. I was bit apprehensive to park my bike in the society parking lot. But he said not to worry as there are many cyclists (school boys) in building. Know one thing – they have 3 well conditioned Cycle Stands in the society….Amazing. This was the end of my 2nd ride. The third was supposed to start next morning.
Sunday earllllllly morning: 07.45am -09.30am.
I messaged Renny at night asking the meeting point for Yeoor Ride. He gave me some idea & some landmarks for the same. But still the timing was missing in his SMS, so I sms’ed him again asking for time???. Then may be in frustration he directly call me & gave me the time & place to meet. Wow what a sleep that night I had (managed to sleep at 01.30 at night, had a good time chatting with cousin & his family). Early in the morning I phone rang…it was not a call it was my early morning Alarm. As usual I snoozed it. Again after some time I was about to snooze it one more time & I understood that ..this time it was a call from Renny. I was actually in bed & told Renny that I am ready & just on my way to leave home. Got up fast & finally left for Yeoor Hill. Both the thigh muscles were not ready to cooperate at all. But somehow I managed to gain speed after some time. On one signal I asked one Dabbawala uncle the way to Yeoor Hill (strange…what he was carrying on Sunday early morning ??), he told me to take the next signal.
I reached the Yeoor Hill gate & surprised to see some of buddies already reached there. One guy …Sunil….came all the way from Santacruz via LBS Road. After waiting some more time & for some more calls. The remaining team members appeared from Upvan Road. Then they had a stretched Juice Break (as they all have came riding from Charkop/Borivali). One more moral boost & all started the up-hill climb of Yeoor Hill. It was real fun to ride non-stop to the hill top. Our guys decided to move somewhat ahead to take
some rest. Cycle comparisons & discussion was on full mood ……. Kaustubh, Prabuddha & Hemant. Rest all were busy taking pics from every possible corner (Mallik managed to take one resting his camera on the wall). Then some 4 footed animals joined us. Great time that was ….actually for them……as everyone was running here & there……away from them. Then came the best part of the ride – going downhill in full pace. Awesome experience. Thanks a ton to Renny for this ride. I was fresh for whole day only because of this down-hill experience.Sunday evening: 07.00pm – 08.20pm
A routine come back home ride was with lots of traffic on. Nothing special to write about it. But the last 2 days were really worth calling Holyday this time………..totaling the 103kms.
06/04/2009.
