1st August 2011
A loop around amchi Mumbai, started early morning from Ghatkopar Garodia nagar with Pushpa Ji, my coach and friend who gave me not only physical but mental training too on strength and endurance. She had more confidence in me than me myself. It was for her I could participate and complete the YHAI cycling expedition to Khardung la, 18K ft, supposedly one of the highest motorable roads of the world. Cycling for 17 days 600 km from Kullu to Khardungla top and securing an entry in the Limca Book of World Records.
This was my training ride before embarking on our expedition which started on 14th August 2011.
It's monsoon in Mumbai, I remember being wet by the time we hit the eastern express highway (15 mins), it was a series of drying up and getting wet again. We had packed food (paranthas), around Thane I bought Anaar(pomogranates) from a roadside village vendor and went overboard bought like 4 kgs (stupid of me), but in my defense they looked great. It started raining heavily and now I had 2 poly bags balanced on either sides of my cycle handle. What I didn't expect was that the road ahead was not as smooth!
Around Bhayandar gate, roads were flooded with 2ft or more of water, to top it up there was a lot of un-managed traffic coming from all directions including 2 wheelers, lorries, cows and if that was not enough there were huge potholes hidden beneath the rough brown/black waves. I maneuvered hard and tried to keep my heart rate in check, I was still riding my bike.
"Dhachaak" I bounced in one pothole, the water filled poly bag couldn't handle the weight anymore and off if went, I tried to look for it but immediately gave up on the idea, trucks honking, rain pouring I chose life over pomegranates (so glad I did), within seconds I lost the other bag too...but I carried on !
Soon we were back on smooth roads, we took a food break at Borivali national park, had the paranthas, deep within there was some sadness for my lost anaar's ( till this date I feel I shouldn't have bought them !). The journey continued, we took the next break at the milk shop outside Aarey and had a couple of flavored milk shots, my energy levels were depleting, still soaked, a little cold and I longed to get back home. It was 4pm by the time I reached back home. My mausi's place in Garodia Nagar, Satikripa apartments. She was babysitting my then 3 yr old daughter.
Although tired I had the kick of completing my longest ride, this happened in the time of no gps/ garmins but plotted the route on google maps and it was a brilliant 86 kms. The trouble was after getting off the saddle climbing 3 floors to the apartment, every muscle in my legs craved attention !
Had a quick shower, food and back to being mum, a happy (satisfied), winner mum !
(Captured the maps screenshot on the same day, blog written on 14th Jan 2021, nearly 10 yrs later, time flies)
Fantastic feat Keerty. Your sheer grit is unbelievable!
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