20 November: At last the day is here. We are doing our first independent cycling challenge in Rajasthan. It was a major decision to undertake this challenging task so far away from our comfort zone. As I was waiting at the Delhi airport lounge, I was feeling a sense of pride watching the Kalypso staff in their uniform ready to receive our guests for the next 10 days. Met up with the Chairman of the Regain charity Lord Ivor Mountbatten and when introduced, I asked him (with an ‘if I may be permitted to ask’ prefix), if he was in any way related to Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of the British Indian Empire and the first Governor General of independent India. He happened to be the (more adventurous) nephew of LM. It was indeed a pleasure to meet him. I saw Vishal waving to the couple of faces he already knew, Ben & Justin. They were with us a few months back doing a recce of the cycling route. Of particular interest were the few very special guests we had. Steve Osborne, Chris Tucker, John Mackness, and Jonathan Harris on their wheel chairs. After a round of introductions we were on our way to Agra. The sights en-route were amazing as well as amusing with herds of cows in the middle of the road patiently waiting to cross. One step more disciplined than their masters on 2, 3 and 4 wheelers. 
After a brief stop over for a rather late lunch we were back on the road to Agra and to a warm welcome at Clarks Shiraz. We suggested a quick shower, dinner for those who are hungry and bed as they have had a long day. Needless to say late evening found the entire group checking out the all so famous Kingfisher beer at the bar. So much for the long day.
21 November: The team was down in the grounds of Clarks, fitting out their bikes for the next day. It is always a pleasure to see the enthusiasm of the participants when they go into the minutest details of fitting out their cycles. Seat heights, change of pedals, jell filled seat covers, bar ends and ofcourse gizmos like gps, horns and led lights. Of particular interest was the hand bikes meant for the tetraplegics. Complicated in looks and rather simple to assemble, these cycles are powered by hands (assisted by batteries) and were technically perfect to make the pedaling as easy as possible. To me it was a new experience and I wondered if in-spite of the fancy looks, they would be able to cover the average 70 kms a day on roads that were even worse than what we find in Cochin. Having got that done, it was time to head out for the magnificent Taj Mahal. To most it was a first time experience and was dazzled by the sheer beauty of the Taj.
Back to the hotel, a quick shower and we were at the next door restaurant where Vishal put up an excellent power point presentation of the days to come and Ben gave a summary of the do’s, donts et.al, followed by a typical north Indian dinner. A taste of things to come.. Early to bed ( I don’t believe it) and all geared up for the challenge next day.
22 November: The big day and it was an early wake up call for the team. All set to go by 0730, the team made an interesting spectacle in their riding gear. I’m sure it would’ve been even more interesting if it wasn’t for the briefing given by Ben (an more graphically explained by Anne) the previous evening regarding dress code. Taking into account the unruly (as mild a term as possible) traffic in Agra it was considered prudent to transfer the team out of the town in buses. Our team had already transferred the cycles sometime in the night and were ready for us when we reached the start point. The canteens filled, a final tightening of nuts, bolts and pedals done and the challenge was ready to go. For good measure, a local Hindu priest blessed the team, applied tilaks on their foreheads and tied a good luck charm around their wrists and the team set course for the first stop of the challenge, the camp at Bashawar. It was amazing to see the tetras on their way and keeping up with the other cyclists. The roads I repeat were horrible to say the least and only comparable to the ones in Kerala, the God’s Own Country.
After a welcome stop at the lunch point and treated to some north Indian delicacies, we were off again heading towards the welcome comfort of the camp.
The tetras out
did themselves and after a few stops en-route to refill their canteens and re-nourish themselves, we were at the camp just as the sun was setting. The camp was spread over a huge expanse of land and had all the ingredients of a good resort. A quick wash and change and the team was ready for the second challenge of the day at the bar cum dining hall. While early to bed and early to rise would’ve been the ideal norm for the challenge days, the team ended up with the unsavoury combination of late to bed and early to rise.
23 November: Today’s the longest day of cycling. Fortunately the weather is nice and not too hot. After breakfast, the team started cycling by around 0800. The destination for the day was Bhadrawati Palace.
Roads continued to maintain its quality and posed the biggest challenge to the riders. I had to get back to Cochin and had to say my farewells to this wonderful team of people. After seeing the team off, I started off for Delhi Airport for my onward journey.
(Continued from the excerpts provided by Vishal……. ). Stop over for lunch at Karikothi, a small village en-route and continued cycling. Post lunch the weather turned and the rains came down. Now that was a bit of surprise for everyone to have rains in Rajasthan. Blame it on the Global warming and climate change. But the team went on regardless and it sure was a sight to see, fully drenched and with the Rajasthan mud sticking on to every exposed part of their bodies. The Bhadrawati Palace was a welcome sight and after a nice hot shower and change, the team settled down to an evening of Rajasthani music and dance followed by dinner.
24 November: Another long day ahead and the rains refused to relent. The ride became more challenging with the rain and the mud and ofcourse the pot holes which had become part of the ride by now.
A heritage temple made an excellent back drop for a refreshment stop en-route. After a brief stop at Baswa, a small town for lunch, the ride continued. A herd of Sambar was a cheering sight and finally we came to the only climb of the ride, a 400 feet ascent to the Hanuman temple. And down below was the camp for the night, on the foothills of Sariska Tiger reserve. Unfortunately it was not so much a welcome sight as the grounds were muddy and slushy. Fortunately, the rains subsided and we were able to have a Camp fire and a sing song session before the hot dinner. The team went to bed, late as usual praying for a clear tomorrow.
25 November: The prayers seem to have been answered and we got a brilliant day for cycling. The terrain was undulating and very scenic. Cycling along the sand dunes was a nice and new experience. Comparatively an easier day. Lunch was once again set up near another Hanuman temple. The tetras were by now pushing themselves hard but were able to keep up. The undying spirit obvious in their sheer effort to keep up with the other cyclists. Steve however seem to want to take off leaving everyone else behind. He was much more experienced and been doing these rides on a regular basis. We had to literally hold him back. The Deola Camp was set up in the midst of the san dunes. An awesome setting
after a long day.
26 November: The final day of cycling. There was a sense of achievement as the team started off in the morning. Today was not a long day, but more of a relaxed day ending up at the beautiful gateway hotel at Ramgarh. It was a fitting finish for the challenge. An awesome spread awaited us for lunch. After a lot of back slapping and congratulating each other we settled down for lunch. Post lunch we transferred to the pink city of Jaipur. Evening was the time to celebrate their achievement. A round of speeches, congratulating each other and keeping the night young till the sun was almost ready to rise on the eastern horizon… It was a proud moment for us, the Kalypso team, when we were given a standing ovation for a job well done.
End of another trip for Kalypso. Another job well done. Another first for us when we travelled over 2500 kms with over 40 cycles and personnel, away from home port to conduct a near perfect programme. We have proved once again that we are the best. North or South, East of West, we are the best and we are proud of it.
Finally, hats off to the participants. Nothing was too tough for them. They could’ve stopped cycling and stayed back, cursing the weather and everything around them. The tetras.. It was a lesson in coping with unexpected adversities in life and facing it all with a smile. Not just a smile.. but a very broad smile. Thank you Steve. Chris, John and Jonathan. We enjoyed your company and we wish you many more miles of riding. Thank you Anne from Action for Charity. It was a pleasure to have you with us. Your cheerfulness kept the spirits high and even the winter rains couldn’t dampen that. Hey Ben, Thank you. It was a pleasure working with you. Looking forward to seeing you back in India Mrs & Miss in company. Thank you Pete (of Global Adventure Challenges) for putting your trust in us. I did guarantee you an excellent trip.
Here’s wishing Action for Charity and Regain all the very best. May your efforts reap fruit and may your tribe grow.
Signing off after my first blog.. Phewww..
1 comment:
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