Last Saturday, someone, more later, who has done a legendary level of bicycle touring called for a ride on a Facebook group. I signed up. I ended up being the only person along with him. What a ride!
Got to be a cyclist, or a runner, to get up at 5 AM on a Sunday Morning. Well, those who do, know that pre-dawn offers the golden hours for such activity; the weather is pleasant and roads are generally devoid of traffic, until even mid afternoon.
Kharghar Hills are a ghat (a stretch of hilly or mountainous road running for few to several kilometers) - a 5.5km hill ride with Cat 3 and Cat 4 Climbs and average 7.4% gradient gaining 205m in elevation.
Got to be a cyclist, or a runner, to get up at 5 AM on a Sunday Morning. Well, those who do, know that pre-dawn offers the golden hours for such activity; the weather is pleasant and roads are generally devoid of traffic, until even mid afternoon.
Kharghar Hills are a ghat (a stretch of hilly or mountainous road running for few to several kilometers) - a 5.5km hill ride with Cat 3 and Cat 4 Climbs and average 7.4% gradient gaining 205m in elevation.
The hill also provides unique views of Mumbai and natural vistas; a really forest-y feel with early morning mist, the smell of the forest and general lack of 'population'. Sure, there were a few dozen runners, riders and walkers interspersed through the trail. As in Dec 2014, the road is rough and broken. There is a lot of gravel. It is not a comfortable ride on a road bike. I was worried of skidding if not puncturing a tube from all the rattling. But, the views made the effort worth it!
The trail touches two tribal villages, more like planned settlements for locals; with housing and other basic infrastructure. I talked to a few men who were making wooden handles for their pick-axes. Eventually, every conversation with a local contains an inquiry of the bicycle at hand and the purpose of the ride. There is a sense of appreciation mixed with subdued amusement on knowing it is just a hobby to ride a hundred kilometers on a bicycle. (Is there no monetary reward?)
The ride was called by Mahandar Kumar. You can find him on Facebook and probably elsewhere. You will also find a few chosen accounts of his travels in his page. This gentleman has traveled 59 countries in the last 30 years that he has been cycling. In India he has toured to places where commercial routes did not exist until a few years ago. Every year he makes an international tour at his pleasure and leisure. Sometimes he travels with his friends. Sometimes, people join him in his tours across countries for as much time as they can afford.
The ride was called by Mahandar Kumar. You can find him on Facebook and probably elsewhere. You will also find a few chosen accounts of his travels in his page. This gentleman has traveled 59 countries in the last 30 years that he has been cycling. In India he has toured to places where commercial routes did not exist until a few years ago. Every year he makes an international tour at his pleasure and leisure. Sometimes he travels with his friends. Sometimes, people join him in his tours across countries for as much time as they can afford.
Unlike many of us 'newbie' cyclists, he rides plain and simple, bereft of gizmos and electronic gear. He uses paper maps, and from my observation, has mastered the art of meticulous planning of a bicycle tour. Expectedly, he is very practical and has a keen sense of direction. I enjoyed listening to his stories.
One of his stories told me that you can't do a tour just by yourself. What do you do...When you find that there are no restaurants in a sparsely populated European countryside? ...When you find there are are no rest stations for 100 km along a desert route south of the Equator? You learn to seek local help. You take from them and you give them back (or pay it forward with someone else?). Connecting with the locals is a key part of touring.
One of his stories told me that you can't do a tour just by yourself. What do you do...When you find that there are no restaurants in a sparsely populated European countryside? ...When you find there are are no rest stations for 100 km along a desert route south of the Equator? You learn to seek local help. You take from them and you give them back (or pay it forward with someone else?). Connecting with the locals is a key part of touring.
Something about his way of cycling has stirred an interest in cross country bicycle touring.
