Sunday, December 07, 2008

CYCLING: My first 50+ Kms on a my Merida 880..

 
 
Today was my first ride out to Nandi Hills (base).. 
It was my first 100K+  attempt , and formed a part of the TFN training.
 
My route:
Indiranagar - Outer Ring Road - Hebbal - Met the gang (names below) - Nandi Hills base - Bfast - Return Airport Exit (then i had a flat)
 
The ride was great. By far my best experience on the road. I started from Indiranagar @ 5:50 am. Reached Hebbal by 6:30 and Nandi Hills base by around 8:30 -8:40am . Except for a 10-15 min wait at Hebbal it was a non-stop ride.  At Nandi base i had some idlis for the breakfast.  Saw a car with the cycle attachment, guess it must have been Nupurs. Started back to bangy by 9am.
 
The morning drive in the outer ring road was an awesome experience in the back of trips to Hoskote where i need to keep dodging the traffic. The Ride to nandi is definitely recommended over Old Madras Road.
 
The return trip was not so pleasurable. I got a flat near the Airport exit. Then had to hop onto a Truck carrying stones till the nearest town and then take an Auto all the way back home.
It is here i realised the handicap of not  having a standardised Tube. It needs a special valve to fill air and hence couldnt get the tyre repaired at any of the cycle shops on the way.
 
At home i checked my speedometer. It read 81+ kms in 3hrs 15 min. With an average speed of just below 25 KM/ Hr.
Still short of the average 27-28km/ hr that Venkat says could be the average TFN speed on a road bike.
 
A failed attempt to join the 100K + league. Can't wait to get my bike repaired and give it another shot.
 
Reached home by 12Noon in time to have lunch with my visiting parents.