ROUTE: From Uthandi Toll Gate near Chennai (ECR) to Pondicherry Toll Gate and back.
DATE: December 18, 2011, 5:30 am to 6:55 pm.
Brevetsis an international cycling event, where the riders must
complete long distances in a particular time
frame. The distance is 200 km
and has to be completed within 12:30
hrs. Otherwise, you stand disqualified.
For the
first time, the event was conducted in Chennai and about 39 riders
participated, many of them are members of Tamilnadu Cycling Club.
In 2011,
my dream was to ride at least 200km for
a long-distance ride. The longest
distance I have ridden was a 183km (TOT-2010 launches) ride in 2010.
I have
been trying for the last 6 months to go for a 200 km ride, but could not do this
due to my running commitments.
So when
I got an opportunity to realize my dream, I participated in the event “Chennai Brevets 200km”. Since it was my last chance in 2011, I told
myself that “I WILL NOT MISS THIS EVENT”.
On 18th December, I woke up at 3:15 am and got
ready for the day.
I started riding from Velacherry (Room) to
Uthandi toll gate and I reached at around 5:00 am.
After
completing some formalities for the event, we celebrated NEVILLE’S Birthday.
The
event was flagged off by Mr Srinath Rajam and Mr Balasundram (Balaji Cycle).
We
started our journey at SBI Bank ATM, Uthandi Tollgate at 6:35 am, weather was
amazing and it was breezy.
First 100km,
I
started with Neville, Gopalan, Yuvraj and we did a 1-minute one-person leader
rotation. This means, for every four minutes, I will follow a leader for 3
minutes and then be a leader for a minute.
We
reached Mahapallipuram A2B restaurant and we had breakfast. After breakfast, we
continued the ride.
During
the first 100 km, Upto 70th km we maintained an average speed of 24~26
km per hour.
I had water
every 10~12 minutes and ate some Fruits, Chocolates.
I was a little tired and had to slow down. So I
missed my group at 70th km.
I reached
Pondicherry Tollgate on 10:50 am. I have
completed the first 100 km in 4 Hours and 15 minutes.
I did
some stretches and took a rest for 20 minutes.
Second 100km,
I started
with Suresh, Tamilarazan and Kriruba.
The
return journey was a KILLER. ECR (East Coast Road) had a very heavy headwind and it was a struggle fighting the winds all the way back. At times the wind was
so strong that it was pushing from someone off the road.
We could
not maintain an average speed, but we managed to keep riding.
I drank
water every 10 minutes, a few cups of coffee, juices, fruits and Chocolates.
I successfully
finished “Brevets 200km” at 11:25
hrs and we took snaps at the end of the ride.
I was dropped back to my room by Tamilarazan in his Car…
I like
to thank Partha, Arun and the volunteer support team.
104 kilometers in 4 hours and 29 minsMax. Speed is 39.79kph
Average cadence is 70 per minutes
This is my 10th hundred + km rode. So I’m very happy to share this rode. I wake-up on 4 am and ready to rode, Start rode from room at 4:30 am, Madhiya Kailash to Toll gate, meet Mr. Sunder, Mr. Suresh, Mr. Sham, Mr. Vasan, Mr. Krishna, Mr. Parda, Mr. Mahesh, Mr. Kannthappa and friends and continue rode to Mahapallipuram and back to toll gate. We are split move to home. Rode at OMR I need more than 10k so I rode Pallikaranai-Velachery and come back to room at 11:15 am. Weather is very cool but end of the rode very warm.
My 1St Trial Full Marathon (Training Marathon) – 2010
Category: Full Marathon (Maiden)
Finish Time: 05:28:26
Event Date: 25/07/2010
Venue: Anna University, Chennai
I have the plan to train for a full marathon and prefered a schedule. The schedule was for six months, and it's mixed with running and cycling.
Most of the day, I have tried to finish the scheduled distance by the end of the day. Unfornaturely, for A few days, I was unable to complete my schedule due to office work.
Day by day, I followed my schedule. There are no target and time limits, and only aiming to finish the distance.
Finally, I reached the training Race Day. I was testing my endurance and self-confidence.
I was planning to run in a loop and self-support (water and biscuits). So, I chose Anna University Camps and set a loop distance of 2.5km and safer to run over here. It is also my daily practising loop.
I want to run 17 loops and finish 42.5 km.
I started running at 4:00 am. Every loop, I took a water break. I take a few water and biscuits and hydrate all the loops. The break helped to keep continues running.
The ten loops over, I reached 25 km. My mind and body are fighting. I was thinking of quite the run and trying some another day.
Solo running is more challenging. Finally, I was thinking, this is the right time and don't give up the run. I kept running every loop.
Finally, I finished the running around 9:30 am. In the last loop, co-runners (Mr Shahid, Mr Shakar Lal, Mr Ramesh & Mr Bharani) from Chennai Runners joined my run and encouraged. I was happy to finish my Trail Marathon in 5:28 hours.