Four
Murali Iyer
3 reasons…
- Just for the joy of cycling
- Meeting people and having fun and
- Exploring my endurance limits…
It’s funny I learnt cycling when I was 16 and was quiet a subject of ridicule to be learning at such a late age 
but never looked back after that and have had more than enough fun biking and I looked forward to more. Strangely I learnt cycling on a BSA Mach1 probably just to start my preparation for all the fun that lay ahead. Interest in cycling after the initial fun days actually happened when I moved to city of Gothenburg, Sweden. Biking is such a pleasure in the country… Separate tracks that go on for miles, beautiful landscapes and am fortunate to have lived through the experience. The only worst thing about Sweden is the weather cold almost 6-7 months making cycling difficult.
That brings me to the most interesting experience my first attempt at over 100 kms. It’s called the Hisingen runt (Round of Hisingen) basically covering 110 kms around the Hisingen island, I was hardly prepared just doing about 30-40 kms during weekends and totally unaware of what I was about to face. What a day it was raining all through, constant wind speed against you at about 10m/s, temperatures of+7 degrees on 17th May 2007 (yes May and just +7) and me on ordinary hybrid 21 gear bike. I have cursed myself through this ride, shouted at myself , walked through empty valleys but managed to complete it and was the last rider to return. Big thanks to my friends who kept cheering me till the end. Do I regret it…not for a moment for from then on began a journey which has been phenomenon. Have been biking regularly from then on and am also an avid half marathoner.
On the professional front I am in the field of Finance and have been working with the Volvo group for the last 12 years. Motivation will come from faith, friends, family, training and my first long bike ride experience.
Editor’s note: ..and you’re welcome!
Vinay Dev M.D
Now I am really happy and proud to participate in the TFN 2011.
Editor’s note: Besides being fun and adventurous, cycling can also make mundane commuting stress free. You’re a proof of this!
Aparjeet Singh Nakai
I am a 43 years old Colonel in the army serving at Bangalore. I belong to Chandigarh. I play various sports but had been out of touch with cycling until Arun D’Silva, who had done TFN twice, suggested that I do it. It sounded exciting to go back to my cycling days. In college, many years ago, I used to motivate a few friends to take cycle rides from Chandigarh to nearby Shivalik hills. Many a times I could not get friends to join me so I would do it alone. Long cycle rides used to reward me with three things, namely, Solitude, lovely sights and a sense of achievement. After joining the army in 1989, I was fortunate to be part of some cycling tours organized by the army in the Garwal hills and the Dehradun valley.
My role in the army has been primarily been that of a logistician with some years of combat experience. The army has helped me maintain reasonable fitness levels. I have been able to remain thin due to regular jogging, swimming and other sports. Recently I have been able to revive another interest of mine which is horse riding. I ride 5 days a week now.
I like reading books and my interests lie in history, biographies and financial/ business books. In 1990 I read a book on Tiger Tipu Sultan titled , ‘Storm Over Srirangapatam’ and since then I wanted to see the areas surrounding Mysore including the Nilgiris over which Tipu travelled to make a fort at Palaghat(Kerala) as also Coorg where Tipu faced a strong opposition to his rule. I did see the area partially between 1996 and 98 when I was earlier posted at Bangalore but the idea of doing it on a cycle was exciting. Coorg again, had an added attraction as it has produced some of the best Generals of India (Field Marshall Carriappa and Gen Themmaiyya) as also some excellent sportsmen especially in Hockey. I hope to read more about the area’s history before the tour. My other interests lie in poetry (Hindi and Urdu) and gardening. I have collected quite a few plants from the Nilgiris and surrounding areas.
V Sreekanth
I am a software developer by profession, and run my own small startup called ActiveSphere.
I’ve been cycling on and off for a while now, and was privileged to take part in the very first TFN, each year i do one long cycle tour, last year it was Tour of Tamil Nadu which was amazing fun and a year before we rode to Leh from Manali, which was exhilarating, and I hope to ride with the elites this year and have fun.
Editor’s note: TfN is the only place where both newbies and pros feel comfortable, rubbing shoulders.
Abhilesh Gupta
I work for a Japanese Industrial Sewing Machines as Director-Operations, India. My office is in Singapore but I am deputed in Bangalore.
I used to weigh 97 Kilos till 2005. Slowly took up to many ways of reducing my weight including Gym, Running, Dieting (careful eating), Yoga, and similar activities. I weigh less than 80 kgs now.
A group of my friends from Sherwood had started cycling in the beginning of 2010 (Ameet Bhide and Priya Kulkarn – fellow TfN’ers) and I also bought Trek 7100 on 14th April. First ride was 20 kms and then slowly just increased my distances. I did my first 100 Kms on 5th July 2010 (Bangalore Bandh day) and had to complete this ride with one bottle of water, some chikkis and thatte Idlies, in Chikka Tirupati. After that did my Nandi climb in the same month, which gave me one of the best feelings
Have done plenty of century rides since then in and around Bangalore.
Bought Roadbike Cannondale CAAD 8 in the month of Oct last year. Have done more than a 1200 kms on it. Had to stop cycling in between as had issues with my lower back but restarted in the beginning of May. Have been riding since then and whenever I am in Bangalore, including weekdays, I do 40 kms minimum and can go up to 70 to 80, without any break. I feel great while cycling and the feeling is amazing.
I have already started preparing for TfN by trying and doing minimum 150~200 kms per week ( My job takes me out of Bangalore, almost every week and can only ride on the weekends).
Most unique experience, I am still looking forward to which may be in December. I have decided to do continuously 100 kms for 2 days, then 3 days and then 4 days, to prepare for my TfN’11 experience. I have also taken to running again and when I am travelling, I try and run 7~10 kms/day. But, being flatfooted, it is difficult to increase this so love cycling, instead. Other than cycling, I enjoy playing community cricket in my apartment Complex (Tata Sherwood) and also have been playing Golf for almost 9 Years. I make sure that I do some sort of work out, everyday to stay happy and fit.
I am looking forward to meeting all the TfN’ 11ers, including the wonderful people, who take all the pain to arrange this one of the best rides of India.
Editor’s note: TfN has never disappointed and we’re not about to start now!
