The 100 km cycle ride

This has been in drafts for over months. Gosh !!!

So I had been to this 100 Kms cycle ride from Bangalore to Kamat Lokaruchi on Mysore road.

From my home, its around 65 kms. To and fro would be 130 kms. 

I decided to start riding from home, instead of carrying cycle in car till Jayanagar. To catchup with the bunch of people, I had to start early, so probably I started around 5.15 am. Had a very good hot bath for warm up. And it all started well. 

On Mysore road, the traffic was bit worrying. Too many vehicles sometimes scared me. After Kengeri traffic reduced a bit. But I was almost exhausted after 35 kms. That was the longest ride without break for me. Took a break near a hotel for some time, was hungry too. Had couple of bananas and couple of 5 stars to energize myself. I started rolling again. People had started returning back when I was about to reach Ramanagaram. But they were all well experienced and had started even before 5 am. 

There were signs to give up when couple of kilometers were left out to reach Ramanagaram. I took another break and then a lady joined me. From then we sticked together till we reached Kamat lokaruchi. The last 10 kms was kind of punishment. 

Had a good breakfast and rested for quite sometime. I was completely tired. My thoughts were how will i return ? Somehow started peddling back.

There were too many ascents and it was tiring and paining. The sun was burning. Hardly there was anybody behind me. 

After reaching Bidadi, I requested a truck driver to drop me till Nice road junction and he obliged. He covered around 25 kms. That was a big relief. From there I peddled till Rajarajeshwari nagar.

There wasnt any energy left. Called up Jyoti and checked if they are at home. Took an auto from there and reached Seeta Circle.

Here are some stats of the ride.

Overall stats

Ascents and Descents

Stayed back at Jyoti's place that day. The next day morning I returned home. I took a day to recover.

I couldn't complete 100 kms though, probably 8-10 kms short. But then I attempted. 

It was a nice experience and put myself to test. Haven't been so much physically active ever. Had I prepared a bit for the ride, I would have completed 100 kms.

From then I have hardly peddled. I have been into running/jogging. 

Chinni - one worrying subject

Iksha is growing. But we aren't coping or adapting to her growth. I mean, the time and attention given towards her well being, development is little less than it should be. As a working couple, we are struggling. 

Quite a few things to be noted here

1. Her school syllabus is vast, huge. The teaching done at school isn't enough and also proper revision isn't done. The entire burden is shifted onto us. 

2. She is always in a playful mode. Even at 8 pm, she still wants to play. Phew, I as a child never troubled my parents so much. So when should we sit and teach her ? The option left out is tuitions !!! and tuitions at this age ??? 

3. In general, she doesn't accept anything that is told to follow. No matter how many times it's repeated, she commits the same mistake. For e.g: Leave footwear at the doorstep. 

4. I want her to stay away from me and N for a week or two. I just feel she has to go through that process. Want to check will she be able to adapt herself without us being around ?

5. She is such a lovely kid, once I look at her face, my eyes refuse to move away. I prayed to god that "I want a kid who would ask anything and everything she wants". Now I feel, God said "Yes", I regret !!!

6. Her outing ideas are superb. She suddenly wants to end up in a beach. That's exactly being a kid. I regret not doing that as a kid. We really try to fulfil her wishes. 

7. She is missing her sibling. This is one thing I have been thinking off lately, but can't help. She has to pass though this phase. I am being a little selfish here. I want more time for myself, there is more in life than just raising another kid. Another kid would throw my life apart. N would be literally be struggling with Chinni as well. So why another one ??? No !!!

Remembering Dad

Almost a year that Dad left us. Even though life moves on, the impact of his absense is disheartening. I remorse the way he lived last few months. We couldn't do much or we didn't do much, not sure which is the correct statement. 

Whatever it is, he smiled when he talked to me and that keeps lingering in my mind and heart. 

Love you Dad and I miss you.

Getting out of comfort lifestyle

Life is blissful when you get into comfort mode.

Define Comfort mode : I would define it as leading a managed life. Live as the life passes by. Don't ask for more. Don't think of spending extravaganza. Planning a trip could mean saving for couple of months. Unexpected expenses would rip you apart. And a lot many things, but still don't bother, just manage.

I was in comfort mode for probably 2 years now. Once I decided to step out of it, feels like the whole earth's responsibility is on my shoulder, seriously!!! But yeah, I have stepped out and walked a couple of kilometres now. I need to keep going. 

Comfort zone as in profession, lazy lifestyle, contribute to society etc etc. I haven't looked into contributing to society yet, but will soon do. And managing my own interest (chess, cycling, marathons) along with excelling in profession is quite a uphill task. 

I should have stepped out of comfort zone at least 3 to 4 years back. As always, I take time to realise. It takes it own course.

2014 - One more year that counted

Just going to recap the year in short. 

1. Dad's demise 

It was sad by the way he lived his last couple of months. He lived in pain, but always smiled till the end. I regret a not to have talked to him before he breath his last. 

You are always going to be in my heart Dad, I miss you.

2. Health awareness

Started off the year with the desire to peddle cycle again. Bought a cycle, went for rides, but had never thought it would be part of my commute to office. It was a tough decision to cycle to office, but then it has lasted for over a year. I have enjoyed cycling till date and its going to continue. I have peddled atleast 600 kms in 2014, isn't that good ? Got to do much better in 2015.

Rockrider was the first one. Then I upgraded to Riverside 3. 

3. Embracing diabetes

Finally I have it in my blood. Got the tests done several times and its evident that I carry along. But haven't consulted doctor for medication yet. Hoping to do soon.

4. Renovation of Gadag home

This was a long pending one. Didn't get it done as per my expectations, but atleast the painting and a little bit of unfinished job was done. Mom again took over the tasks and executed it all by herself.

5. Chinni completed 6 years

Ohh, looking at her growth seems like the days are moving so fast. She completed 6 years. Barbie is her favorite and she got loads of Barbie gifts this birthday. She was excited and happy too. 

6. Chess Academy flopped

Chess has been my passion and I want to take it forward. Academy is one thought that came to my mind, if I want to be it in touch. Framed a group, gathered a lot of ideas, spent a lot of time finding a place of it and lost the interest. Even if the academy didn't come up, I started coaching and its still continuing. Hopefully and if possible, I will have the setup.

8. Trips to Chikmagalur and Bijapur

So we did 2 trips. One being to Chikmagalur with Navneet, Jyoti, Sushma and Srinath, which was awesome. It was a 2 night trip. Enjoyed a lot. Kids enjoyed too.

Bijapur was another. Recollected old memories. Climbed up Gol Gumbaz again, Chinni was most excited to climb and as usual she enjoyed the trip. Also we visited Koodal Sangam on the way. Our car performed the best after getting a new set of tyres. The decision to retain the car and having new tyres was a good one. And its been with us for 7 long years. Its time to retain :)

9. Alcohol

The year marked the begining of alcohol intake. Its been only vodka throughout the year.

So that was the year 2014. The year ended with a party at Jyoti's place. This was the 4th new year party we celebrated together.