Coorg 1000km BRM

 

The Registration and Beginning of the Ride

The registration for this BRM and Ranebennur 600k BRM ride were overlapping. The second day of the 600k was the last day to register for Coorg 1000k. I wasn't comfortable with it, coz, I wanted to wait for how my body reacted to 600k as it has been quite a while since I did 600k. This would be my first 1000k ride. In addition, this ride required me to ride for three consecutive nights, which I had not done. With no choice and a great dilemma, I registered for it, as this is a qualifier for Gates of Heaven (GOH) 24. The GOH is one of my bucket list items. To add to my dilemma was the date. It was April 6th at the peak summer and 3 major climbs. My thought process was to just register for it. Worse come worse, I will quit if I am not able to complete the ride.

Post 600k, I was feeling quite good with hardly any pain and tiredness. Also, one confidence boosting factor was, the second day, I rode in the intense heat with minimum breaks to catch up with my ride partners. In spite of all these, I was not fully confident completing the ride. I wanted to do some climbs the previous weekend but couldn't as I was in my hometown. I had a couple of runs, thinking something is better than nothing.

Come the ride day, I took off though the start time was 8PM. Spent morning waxing the chain and getting ready for the ride. Slept in the afternoon for an hour to ensure I don't sleep on the first night, ride the entire night, and build up as much buffer as I can. The days would be very hot and will not be able to ride consistently, and this buffer would help the cause.

Had lunch and before the ride had curd rice and a banana. Left home at 6.05PM and reached the start point. The organizers just arrived and started setting up the registration kiosk. During the bike check, I realized the taillights battery was about to die, and rightly, Dhanjay sir called it out. I assured him I would get a new battery and went scouting for the new battery. Found a shop and got 2 new pairs and replaced them. With still 30 minutes to the start, I thought to have another dinner and had Dalkichdi at the opposite restaurant. Wanted to ensure that I have enough fuel to ride non-stop until the first control point at 110.8km at Palacode. 

With the flag off, started the ride, maneuvering in the traffic until Electronics city was a challenge. Lots of trucks and zooming cars. At 64 km, mark had to take the right turn (through service road) towards Rayakottai. I missed that turn and went over the flyover, and Garmin started to shout. Fortunately, just after the flyover, there was a left turn to the service road. Took that and the left turn towards Rayakottai. From hereon it's countryside roads, calm, peaceful and deserted. Dogs were howling. Gopi from Chennai was riding at the same pace as mine. Started riding with him. Two riders from Mumbai joined us. All four rode together for a few kilometers, and then the Mumbai group broke away. Gopi and I rode together again. Two more friends of Gopi joined the party. Something fell off from Gopi's friend’s bike. All of us stopped, and they were searching for it. Gopi told me to carry on. I started and rode alone until the first control point. After getting the brevet card stamped, I had Pongal and juice. Started with Swamy and Prasad. The section from Palacode to the next control point Mettur was amazing. Winding roads, rolling terrain, and good road. Really enjoyed the ride with Swamy and Prasad.

 

Day – 1:

Reached Mettur CP around 5.30AM. Had yogurt and a bun. Swamy was looking to use a restroom, and he said they would start to look for a restroom at petrol pumps, and I follow them, as I was still having my snacks. I said "yes" and didn't meet them at all for the rest of the ride. I set off alone as soon as I finished my snacks looking out for Swamy and Prasad. Rode a few kilometers and met Pratap, who was riding behind me. Started riding with him. We were looking to have a solid breakfast before the Male Mahadeshwara (MM) hills climb. Was under the impression that we would find some restaurant before the climb. It wasn't the case, and the climb started. Slowly started climbing. No solid food was hindering the pace. At the midpoint of the climb, Mohan and Sagar were waiting with snacks. Felt so relieved. Had buttermilk and banana. 

There was a Panner-sandwich as well. But I didn't have it thinking I would be having a puking feeling. Set off again, and with great struggle, we reached the MM Hills temple. The climb wasn't over yet, and still no restaurants to have breakfast. Had an energy bar and continued pedaling. Eventually, we reached the summit and started descending. But the roads were bad, and it was a struggle. By the time we descended, it was close to 12.00PM, thought to have lunch, and started looking for a restaurant. By now, Abhishek had joined us, and we 3 were riding together. Found a restaurant at Hanur, had Rice-sambar and Buttermilk. Sun was beating down hard and opposite to the restaurant. there was a temple, and we thought we would take a nap for 30 minutes. Started riding post a good nap. The pace was slow due to heat and bad roads. We started taking frequent breaks. Abhishek broke away from us.  When we were about 30 odd kilometers from the next CP at Mysore, my left knee started paining very much. With a little over quarter distance done, I didn't want to take a chance and took the painkiller. At a medical shop, I bought the Omnigel, painkiller spray, and sprayed on my left knee.

Reached the next control point, Manipal Hospital, Mysore ORR. Took the selfie, and a rider from Punjab was sitting there. Asked him if everything was okay. He said he is quitting the ride as he is feeling the stomach pain. Provided him options how he can reach Bengaluru. He decided to stay overnight at Mysuru and then travel to Bengaluru the next morning. Spoke to Autorickshaw drivers to take him to the nearest lodge, and we stated off. We were looking for a restaurant to have dinner, and Pratap wanted to use the restroom as well. Found a restaurant on the ORR, had Vegetable Pulao, and left. I was feeling sleepy with not a single minute sleep the previous night. Found some shut shops. Slept for 30 minutes and started again. Was still feeling sleepy because of which the pace was slow. Eventually, we reached the Periyapatna CP. Had Dalkichdi and juice. 

We wanted to sleep for some more time. Thought, let us sleep elsewhere and left. Found a temple that had a closed enclosure between two deity structures. It was getting cold, and we thought that was the perfect place to take another nap. Pulled over for another 30 minutes of sleep. Continued the ride with sleepy eyes at a slow pace. Had ridden for an hour or so. Pulled over once again in front of a closed shop for a 30-minute sleep. There were too many mosquitoes and couldn't sleep at all. Wasted half an hour. Reached Byalakuppe, and it was getting very cold. Thought let's ride non-stop till Madikeri as we had lost quite a bit of time, and it was very cold as well. When it is cold, if we stop and start, it will feel hell of a cold. Started climbing Madikeri. Was about to reach Madikeri, found a cafe, and wanted to have filter coffee. Unfortunately, he didn't have one. It was ironical that coffee land café did not have filter coffee. Settled for tea, and he was preparing Mangalore buns, fresh. Pratap asked what that was. I explained, and he wanted to try it. He took two buns and I took one. It was heavenly. Reached the next selfie CP at Madikeri and started climbing down. It was a fast descent. Reached down, had Pattal (a rice based fried stuff) and tea for breakfast at a restaurant, and started off. The idea was to ride as fast as we could to reach the Puttur CP, the dropbag point (Hotel Rama).

 

Mid CP and Day - 2:

It was hot and humid. In spite of that, we maintained good momentum and reached the Hotel Rama, CP 12.30PM. We were told that we have only one hour and can only take a shower and no sleep. We thought let’s have a nap on the way. With great disappointment, I took a shower, checked out, and had lunch at the same hotel. With shower and lunch, I felt rejuvenated and we started again. 

Rode for a couple of kilometers and found a nice bus stop. Pulled over for a 30-minute nap. The plan was to reach the base of Charmadi ghat before 6.00PM. Rode as fast as we can. But the traffic in all the small towns was heavy. Stopped at Ujire, had Golibaje and tea. Reached the Charmadi base around 6.15PM. The climb was 23 km. The plan was to climb in 2.30 hours. But we reached the summit only by 10.00PM. Had juice before Kottigehara. By the time we reached Kottigehara, it was almost 10.45. Had a plate of idly for dinner and set off towards Chickamagalur. By now, Parthiban had joined us. After riding for an hour, others and I felt sleepy and pulled up in front of a post office for a 30-minute nap. It was chilling. Set off again, reached the next control point, a coffee shop. Took a selfie and started again. It was a slow tide as all three of us were feeling sleepy and were battling hard to keep the sleep at bay. Reached Aldur, and after that, we pulled over once again for a 30-minute nap. Started off once again and saw a coffee shop open. Stopped to have coffee and had filtered coffee for the first time in three days. Felt heavenly. Had one more glass of coffee and set off. From heron until Chickamagalur, it was full climb. Left knee started hurting again.

Day – 3:

Reached Chickamagalur around 7.00 and started scouting for the CP, which was a restaurant. We went ahead and, after asking, a couple of people and with Google's help, reached the CP, took a selfie, and before continuing the ride, we wanted to have breakfast. Found a restaurant, had ricebath, buns, and coffee. As it was the last day and the knee pain weighing my mind, did not want to take chance and took the painkiller again. Two more riders, Ravi Sharma from Punjab and one more (sorry, forgot the name) joined us. All 5 set off towards Hassan. The Punjab rider and I started riding together as Pratap stopped over to use the restroom, and he asked me to keep riding. He started pushing me to ride faster, and a strange thing started happening to me. All of a sudden, my mind used to go completely blank for a second or two, not realizing where I am. It started happening frequently, and a couple of times, I drifted right. I now started getting worried as to what to do. Stopped at a shop to refill water and was contemplating to quit the ride. I started feeling risky to ride on. I asked him to carry on, as I was not sure how long I will continue and may quit as well. He continued, and Pratap joined. I explained him the situation to him.
He suggested having ORS juice, and I obliged. After that, I started feeling better, and the mind blankness seemed to go away. Started pedaling faster as it was race against time from hereon. My father started calling me as him, and my mother wanted to meet me en-route (BTW, my hometown is Hassan). Had just crossed Belur, and it would take a good 1:30 to 2:00 hours  as the sun had started beating down hard. Because of the trees on the side, it was pleasant. Tried pedaling as hard as I could. At the back of my mind was, I didn't want to push very hard as the mind blankness was still playing on. Eventually, I reached Hassan and met my parents, who were eagerly waiting for me. My mother had brought coffee for me and had a glass of it. Bid adieu to them and set off. Had to cover 180km in less than 12 hours. With the sun beating hard, the third day of the ride, and the fatigue, it made it look hard but not impossible. Decided to ride as fast as we can with minimal breaks. Had Curdrice at Channarayapatna and set off. Decided to ride at least 20km before we take a break. Strangely, if I kept my hands and pedal position same the mind blankness seem to reoccur. Consciously tried to keep my feet moving all the time.

Final Dash:

We continued, reached the penultimate CP, CCD at Yediyur. Less than 100km to go, had juice and tea and set off again. By now, there was a lot of traffic, and we pedaled as hard as we could. Reached the Nelmangala toll. Decided to have some food before the last burst to the finish point. With the kind of traffic, I was sure it would be a big dash. I told Prathap that once we enter Tumkur road toll, we may be separated because of traffic and let's meet up at the finish point. I started the sprint. It was crazy traffic at around 9.30-10.00. Maneuvered between trucks, busses, and never-ending trail of cars. After a kilometer or so, the traffic got cleared, and I started pushing very hard. By the time I started to climb the flyover at Nagasandra, I had 40 minutes left for the cut-off and 16kms to cover. With so much traffic, it seemed unlikely that I would make it. However, my mind was not ready to accept, and I started pushing as hard as I could. I had severe saddle soreness and had to pedal mostly out of the saddle. I dashed and dashed. Fortunately, most of the signals turned green as soon as I approached them, except for the one at Basaveshvara circle. I jumped it (sorry about it) and eventually made it with 6 minutes to spare. Everyone clapped as I reached the final destination point. A great sense of accomplishment, and what a relief!

Unfortunately, Pratap reached 6 minutes late. Really felt bad for him as he was struggling with heel pain for the last 100km and the heavy traffic made matters worse for him. But what a gritty ride from him. Kudos for his never dying spirit and better luck next time. Pratap, you are a great source of inspiration. 

I cannot thank enough, my wife, Brinda, my kids, my parents, and my in-laws. All were mighty scared when I told them about the route and the distance. But they stood by me and supported me. Last, but not the least, Dhanjay sir for all the encouraging words during the start and at CPs, Swamy for his inspiring words not to give up at any point in time, Pratap who rode with me for almost 3/4th of the distance, Mohan who always remains a great source of inspiration and all the volunteers,  Abhishek, Dhanjay sir and Sagar.

Thank you all. You all inspire me.
Feels so grateful. 

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Ownership Tranfer of 4 Wheeler in Bangalore

Hi,

I recently bought a used car. Since brokers bribe the officials in RTO to get the job done, i wanted to do it myself.
I am jotting down my experience here so that it can help someone who wants to get the transfer done. The procedure is quite simple. Its just that we don't know it and are apprehensive about approaching Government office.
I bought the car which was registered in Yeshwanthpur (Bangalore North) RTO and i had to get it transferred to Jaynagar (Bangalore South) RTO.

Following is the procedure:

At Yeshwanthpur RTO:

1. You need to get the Hypothecation Cancellation and Clearance Certificate. For that you got to produce the following documents.

• Clearance Certificate or NOC from the original owner(You will get the all the required forms       docket from any of the shops in the RTO complex. In that set Clearance Certificate will be there).
• Form-35 in duplicate.
• Emmision Certificate.
• Insurance - Photo Copy.
• Authorization Letter (Some RTOs might not ask for it. But better to have it, in case if they ask for it. Authorization Letter will be there in the forms docket).
• Self Addressed Clothed Envelope. You need to put Rs. 12/- stamp on it. (This is required only if you are getting the transfer within the same RTO jursdiction. If the transfer is to another RTO, then you have to personally goto the RTO and collect the Clearance Certificate).                                       Note: All the above forms will be there in the docket. You just got to buy one from any of the shops in the RTO complex.

2. Get all these documents verified from the clerk. If all the documents are proper, he will ask you to pay Rs. 100/- towards Hypothecation Cancellation fee.

3. Submit all the documents along with the receipt of Hypothecation Cancellation fee in the designated counter.

4. You will get the Clearance Certificate after 10 days. (Either you have to go and collect it or it will come by post. Enquire it in the counter while submitting your forms).

Once you have Clearance Certificate in your hand, you are done with the first part.  Now, you have to contact the RTO to where you are seeking the transfer. In my case it was Jayanagar RTO.

At Jayanagar RTO:

1. You got to produce the following documents:

• Form 29 in duplicate (2 copies).
• Form 30, if your vehicle has Hypotecation or HPA or Lease coverage.
• Address Proof (Bank Passbook or BSNL Land Line bill or Voter ID will do. If you don't have any of these, you  have to get the affidavit done).
• Original RC book.
• Photo copy of the Insurance
• Photo copy of Emmision Certificate
• Clearance Certificate issued by the ealier RTO.
• Self addressed clothed envelope with Rs. 12/- stamp glued. (You will get this envelope in the xerox/stationary shops around RTO office)
• One or Two passport sized photograph.

2. Get all these documents verified by the clerk.

3. You will be asked to raise a receipt of a specific amount (in my case it was Rs. 400/-).

4. Go to the cash counter and raise that receipt.

5. Get all the documents along with the receipt with the verifier clerk. He/She will ask you to submit all the above documents along with the receipt at the specific counter.

6. Once you submit, you will be given an acknowledgement slip. Please preserve this slip for any further follow-ups.

7. You will get your new RC Book, having your name on it through post. If you do not get it by post, might have to go and collect it personally. The time period may vary from 10 days to 1 month. 

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