Thriller BRM 1000KM
Good to be back with my blogposts…. several things on my mind right now, top of the list is to loose significant amount of weight for healthier living and secondly what race/event to sign up for 2024.
Huge dilemma between TransAM and Northcape to Tariffa - can’t do every race as a matter of fact, transAM definitely on top of the list, however several changes in the route and registration is not yet opened, finally made up mind and submitted by application to one of the races in the Europe, lets see if I get qualified.
Completing Northcape 4000 is definitely one of the highlights this year, though I kinda managing what I’m gonna do next, felt something is missing in the puzzle.
How to end 2023 is been there for quite sometime?
Been, on and off the bike,quite a lot of hospital visits lately, good news is training is resumed successfully with coach Niel Copeland, so “time to focus on what I love”, my deep inside claimed.
Lately my eyes are on India and some BRM’s too.
Two things that fascinated me to explore BRM’s are cut-off times i.e 1000KM in 75 hours which I have never done, so if I’m able to do it or not, again the exciting aspect of the unknown, so why not? Secondly they are short, 3days races plus an opportunity to fly back home to say hi to my folks, no brainer isn’t?
Here we go… boom…let’s sign up for a 1000KM BRM 😁.
Two things in a nutshell:
Respect towards cyclists in India has multiplied 3X
Every race/event is a great learning opportunity and as i mentioned before it gives me a whole new perspective and makes me vulnerable.
Working with one of the best coaches, had a post race review with Niel, very positive and constructive feedback, some strategic plans and actions on areas that needs improvements.
Let me take you through..
Race itself:
It is a 1000KM BRM, started from Trichy to Kanyakumari and rode back to Trichy, with a cut off time of 75hours.
In terms of course it is a false flat with 100’s of flyovers. Race was on the state and national highways, quite thrilling as first time to ride on the highways, so many variables to factor in.
What worked extremely well?
Knowing one self, accepting and coming in terms with:
My curiosity to experience the BRM doubled right after I got out of the Trichy Airport - I started panicking when I saw the traffic, I am never used with riding bike on a traffic, well that’s where I decided this BRM is all about learning and understanding the Indian Roads and safety culture linked to it.
One of the decisions that came along with that is, I was able to choose to ride with riders that already have this experience, so I rode with experienced riders from Tamilnadu, South India. Though I had a intrinsic goal of completing it in 65 hours, I immediately got in terms with the current situation, paradigm shift to learn and observe rather than fulfilling my target. At times it is hard to change your mindset, but it is ok, at times it is rewarding
People
People were super kind and accomodating - they are super strong as well.
Day 1 and Day 2 got along very well with Achyutha Krishnan - very seasoned and experienced rider who has completed PBP in 2023, he rode 30,000KM in this calendar year, to add he is a T1 diabetic as well, so we both rode together, we planned our breaks and stop overs together, in fact Achu wants to take break after 440KM however convinced him to stop at 350K which we both realised it was a wise call.
Aryan Sri and Thambi Pradish rode with us on Day 3, so we 4 of us decided to ride and finish the BRM together, pretty much we were in line with the cutoff time.
Tallking about people and cannot stop talking about Prashant - Organiser of this ride from Trichy Randonneuring - he has been very supportive from the time I registered.
During the ride he almost called every couple of hours to make sure we are safe and all CP’s are manned with sufficient facilities. He went above and beyond, impeccable organising and very compassionate human being.
Comfortable being uncomfortable
(Thanks to Jimmy - picked up this phrase from him).
On the third day it was raining heavily. There were days where I used to skip my rides because of tiny drops of rain, but thanks to TFN 2022, RAR, NC4K 2023, those water drops or pouring water don’t matter to me anymore, coz I’m in terms with it, accepted and embracing, as it is part of ultra cycling and more importantly I can say I’m a bit prepared as well with jackets, shoe covers etc(though i didn’t use it inspite of having them 🤦🏽♂️).
What could have done differently?
My mindset :
No shame in admitting - I didn’t go with the Ultra racing mindset. I should have taken my tailfin loaded with minimum required things, I didn’t. I was in between bag drop and saddle bag, in the half way decided to carry the saddle bag, rain made all my clothes and items in the bag wet.
I should have studied the route - I didn’t - at 350k mark wanting to sleep but didn’t know where the hotel is - if Achu wasn’t there, would have been a disaster for me.
As a matter of fact, this is the real ultra race I admit, rode longer than any other events, proper test of lighting, stayed longer on the roads, so definitely bag full of learnings.
Breaks:
There is one thing that kills my time is breaks. I did very well with managing my sleep and stayed longer on the bike, but if my breaks would have been managed well - would have been fantastic, some voluntary breaks for naps did kept me going.
Having said all - I’m still a student when it comes to ultra cycling and these events comes with a bag of learnings which in turn helps me significantly.
Whats next?
This BRM had taught me valuable things, whole new perspective on managing heavy traffic and more importantly great human connection. Definitely an eye opener.
Very keen and excited about 2024, by the end of January 2024, will come to know more about 2024 but one thing for sure, cycling in India is on a next level, what people do out there is insane, they are simple but extra-ordinary effort with no cycling infra-structure - this is why I said my respect towards cyclists in India has grown 3X.
Very keen on exploring BRM’s in India, there are pretty hard ones so yeah..it is in the unknown and thats what makes ultra cycling more exciting.
Hope you enjoyed my BRM story.. You being here means a world to me.
Many thanks for your valuable time
Stay tuned and watch this space..