Bangalore ASCENDers

Monday, September 12, 2011

Hercules City Challenge 2011 - Bengaluru

Posted by Mudassar on Monday, September 12, 2011 11:16 PM with No comments

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Four out of the top 10 finishers were from our club (30kms in less than 60 minutes with mountain bikes).

1) Nagaraj Cannondale Harsha (First MTB rider who reached the destination - 50 min)
2) Rajesh P Nayak3) Vivek Kubaji4) Mohammad Rafi

Some tips to the first timers

Day Before Race Day:- Make sure your bike maintenance is complete at this point and don’t leave anything untested.   Clean your chain and wipe your bike down with babywipes. A clean bike is a happy bike.
- One of the most frequent questions beginners ask is "what are you supposed to eat the day before a race ?" The answer is: Nothing different that you’d usually eat the day before a ride. Don’t go and eat a mountain of pasta the night before if you’re not used to it.   That’s the biggest wives tale in sports. If you’re going to carb load, do it right.
- Make sure you have all your water bottles filled, your energy foods organized and your equipment laid out, etc. Get absolutely everything ready the night before so that you’re not stressing about it on race day.
- What do you eat and drink while racing you ask? Well, if it’s a 1hr crit, I wouldn’t recommend having anything more than a bottle of energy drink and maybe a gel. If you’re doing a long event, you might want to read this post . Anything more than 70-90km for your first race is highly unlikely. Basically, try to eat and drink about 500 calories per hour after the first hour. For example, a bottle of energy drink has ~200 calories, a gel has ~90 calories, and a powerbar has ~250-300 calories. Mix and match based on preference and the length of the race.
- Don’t take a full rest day on the day directly before a race. Do a race preparation ride to get the body used to recruiting those specific muscles that you’ll be using tomorrow.- Hydrate!- Get all the start times, directions and maps for the race printed out. Know where the start line is and be there 100% ready to race 1/2hr before you need to.
- The preparation is the best part of the race. All of the stuff above may seem overwhelming, but in my opinion it’s the most fun part of the process. Savor it!Race Day:- Since this is your first race, it’ll probably begin very early in the morning (most of the lower categories do). Have a good breakfast about 3hrs before the race start if possible.     Eat either some toast, oatmeal or muesli along with some fruit, and juice and coffee. Also have a small amount of protein (maybe an egg, yogurt, or some peanut butter on your toast). The protein will slow down the absorption of sugars into your bloodstream. Nothing too massive or out of your ordinary routine.- Before the race make sure you have your race license. Double and triple check this! You won’t be able to race without it.- Check the forecast and make sure you’ve prepared the proper clothing. Take a look at some of the A-grade or Cat1/2 riders and look at what they’re wearing. Wear what most of them are wearing.- Once you get to the race, get signed in, and have your number pinned on your jersey, go and check out the stretch before the finish line. If it’s a road race, check out the final kilometer.   See if there are any turns or round-abouts in the road, and get familiar with this stretch of the road. This is when things will really pick up and you need to be prepared for that. You don’t want to be near the back of the bunch in the last km or lap.- Positioning plays a massive part of road racing. Being at different places in the pack will require different amounts of energy to stay there. Its not a good idea to be at the back of the bunch nor directly at the front (unless it’s 100m from the finish).   If you’re not a strong climber, make sure you’re one of the first people to start the climb so that you can slowly drift back and still be in the bunch by the time you’ve hit the top. If you’re not good at accelerating, don’t be at the back of the bunch in a criterium.   There’s no better way to get the hang of this than experience. I could write for days on positioning.- try to drink one bottle of fluids every hour. If the race is a crit, eat your gel in the last 20 minutes of the race. It’ll perk you up and give you some more energy for the finish. It’s amazing what a little bit of sugar can do.
- The goal for your first race should not be to win.   I would not recommend trying to take part in the final sprint at this stage of your career. These can be extremely dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. You are also likely to be a danger to everyone else out there if you’re too eager. Watch and learn. The goal should be to gain the experience you need to eventually win.

Reference:http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2009/02/your-first-bike-race/

Race FAQ’s:Check here
Complied by: MudassarEvent coordinated by: RafiImage Galleries: Anand and Rafi

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Kashmir of South India- Munnar in Kerala:Treknic4

Posted by Jinu John on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 12:00 AM with No comments

Munnar is an incredibly beautiful hill town positioned at a height of 6000ft in the Idukki district, Kerala. With an extensive stretch of tea plantations amidst the high mountains and unspoiled valleys, Munnar gives a very pleasant feeling. The scented cool air is filled with the aroma of spices. The rising and falling terrain of Munnar is covered with forests and grasslands.

Day 0 - Preparation & Meet Up

Munnar has always there in my visiting list. All friends occupied themselves for Rakhi & Independence Day weekend and I was going through my options. However, nothing seems to be finalized until I received a mail from BASC regarding Munnar Trip. After few dropouts, I was accommodated.

We met on 12th Aug @7.30pm. A total of 20 BASC Members few known, many unknown started for the Journey.

DAY 1 - 13th Aug

When I woke up in the morning, we were in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu. After some time we saw many windmills across the road... we were in Pollachi. A few hours later, the dry forest started with monkeys around :) and later we reached "Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary".

After sorting, the permissions and taking pics of few monkey families around, a forest guide took us for a trek inside the sanctuary.

During the initial 150mts, we spotted some animal “pichvada”. I can only remember "yellow tail" :). The forest was full dry and we spotted nothing after day. The guide took us to a small river flowing down from Thoovanam waterfalls with a caution. We relaxed ourselves @river, doing eating / brushing / extra... (The other way around literally speaking). I also see "Tiger" (Nickname of My friend), doing monk eying around. Anyway, it soon ended and we started back. In the mean time, we visited a watchtower, took some snaps and went back to sanctuary base. We finished our lunch and started forward to Munnar our main destination.

On the way to Munnar, we visited Lakkam waterfall. Chk the pic to read its story :) Here few of us had "teetar" bird egg bhurji. It was OK, a litter bitter to my taste. Soon we started and we were presented with majestic tea garden across. A road in the middle, surrounded by Tea Garden.... It was beautiful to say the least. On the way, Jinu enquired about the timing of "Eravikulam National Park". He mentioned it as 7.00am. Anyway, through the scenic beauty of tea garden we reached our accommodation at AIDA by 5.30pm. We accommodated in three room. Few of the members opted to stay back and relax, few took their cameras and headed north/south/east/west.. I don't know the direction as I was busy sleeping. :)

Hang ON!!! Day 1 is still to be closed. My roommates and I started around 7.30pm for the dinner. In the market, we can see only Tea Shops... not for drinking but fresh tea for taking home. Infect, there are hardly any tea stalls. Ok.. Moving on.. we had our lunch in the outside dhaba (others No idea) and came back move to play cards. We played cards for 2-3hrs ... having blanket maar for winning/forcing others to loose. Thts it.. we retired for the day after spending not so amazing time outside as most of time we were in the bus :P

DAY 2 - Munnar Visit

The day started with the visit to "Eravikulam National Park". It opened @8.00am and we were the first batch to reach there. We were taken to the park base and left there to enjoy the scenic. We already knew there were no Animal sightings. Hence, we wandered through and came back with good pics.. thts it. It is told that blue blooms happens once in 12yrs and is worth a visit. During this visit, few of the members started proposing there places to visit but they themselves delayed and hence more places were not explored.

Hmm.. we then spend half-n-hour roaming around the market near the national park until Jinu figured the bus. In the mean time, we had fresh carrot, green mangoes, buttas to name a few. There were truly delicious :) Tht contributed to good breakfast since we were further delayed due too traffic jam. Anyway we reached Munnar by 11.00am, had our breakfast/lunch, and headed to Mattupetty Dam.

The dam was crowded. We parked our vehicle after few knots and headed for the river. Few clicks and again the journey started. This time to 'Kundala Dam'. Here, three of the gates were open however, there was hardly any water flowing through it. We thought of boating but being a Sunday, it was too rush.

Then, through "Lock Heart Gap" we traveled to the "echo point" and "Top Station". The trip through "Lock Heart Gap" unveiled the breathtaking panorama of evergreen tea estates, undulating valleys, a spine of hills in the horizon and streaks of cloud drifting over tea gardens. We traveled to "echo point" and then headed to "Top Station" for the final visit of the day. Some of the members decided not to visit the "Top Station" viewpoint because of Fog (better to say passing cloud), Rain and Crowd. For others those things contributed to disappointment especially there was hardly any view and they decided to stay back.

We came back and struck in traffic in crossing ourselves not bus (it was far ahead). On the way we stopped near Kannan Devan tea plantation and posted for pics :). Soubrab was left when we started from this place. In addition, here we saw Mandir, Majid and church location within 5KM giving the prospects of communal harmony.

Thts the end of Day 2 with more visits but for less time :( since the traffic was eating up the time. Similar to Day1, we had our dinner, cards playing and rest.

DAY 3 - Kolukkumalai Tea Estate

The initial plan was to keep our language at the hotel and come back for lunch & vacate it. However, Team decided to check out the hotel @morning only since checkout was possible within 12.00pm.

Anyway, we started for Chinnakkanal by 7.30am. On the way we halted near periyakanal waterfalls. It was one of source of drinking water for Munnar. He had our photo sessions before proceeding further. Here again Sourab and other person was left behind. Jinu had to go back around 500mts to get them... They didn't knew & were still busy photographing. Crazy guys!!!.

Next, we suddenly stopped somewhere and Jinu went and came back with three Jeeps.

Well.. It was to take us to 'Kolukkumalai Tea Estate', the highest organic tea garden. The ride to the estate about an Hour was one of the memorable experience to say the least. I definitely recommend a ride here for those think they are the best drivers.

The road to/from this tea estate is unpaved and very uncomfortable... It like getting free massage for your leg, body, silence mind. It was a horrible drive. I guessed I would have trekked in less time. Anywayz, the view from the top of the estate was zero for the fact that huge cloud cover. We later went to estate tea estate company for a demo of the tea preparation. The tea factory is about 70+ old and still uses traditional method for tea preparation. Later after purchasing tea we came back to base where our bus was parked, again via un-describe road. My mind was roaming like anything once we came back. I had to take instant food & water to get going.

Anyway, we started back to Bangalore via Body-Theni-dindigal route.

Summary:

Day 1 - Chinnar Wild life Sanctuary , Thoovanam, Lakkom falls

Day 2 – Rajamala, Eravikulam National Park, mattupetty dam, Kundala dam, Echo point, Lock Heart Gap, Top Station

Day 3 – Chinnakkanal, Periyakanal waterfalls, sooryanelli, Anayirangal dam, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate

Pics Courteousy: Tanoy, Girish, Debashish, Pratab, Gururaj, Jinu, Naveen

Original Writeup by: Tanoy

Event organized by: Jinu John

Image Galleries:Naveen, Debashish, Gururaj, Tanoy, Girish, Guruprasad S, Pratap, Jinu John

Monday, July 25, 2011

Gavi and Thekkady – a treknic to Kerala

Posted by Jinu John on Monday, July 25, 2011 11:03 PM with 6 comments

Gavi..?? where in Kerala? Is it a tourist place? Which district it is? etc these were the queries i got after posting the event in the website. Monsoons in its peak time,bad time to visit the forests of Periyar tiger reserve. Good response and a bunch of people registered within the first week and was forced to close the registration within few dates.
So Friday night I reached Shanti Nagar bus stand from where our bus to Kumily was booked. People started coming and finally after all late comers majority seats of the bus were filled by the ascenders. We started of to Kumily, morning when woke up we were in the plains of Tamil Nadu near Kumbam. Hills far ahead, grape farms and drizzling, a good sign to start up with the day. We could see a waterfall sliding through the hills and I made an announcement its Chellarkovil waterfalls and we will be visiting that today. All heads out of windows to see it:):).
After 1 hour of climbing up from Cumbam we reached Kumily... cool and pleasant atmosphere welcomed we crossed the check post in border to Kerala. We checked in to hotel and decided to start by 10.00AM after breakfast with a Jeep ride. mean time went to the forest office and made the arrangements for Gavi passes. By 10.00AM 4 Jeeps were in front of the Hotel and all occupied the best seats and we headed off to Ottakathalamedu (camel head top, if I translated correct ) view point in Kumily. When we started climate was good but as we attained altitude it started drizzling.

We reached the peak and drivers showed doubt of going to the peak by vehicle through muddy paths. Rony chettan decided to give a try and after some struggling crossed the muddy area to reach the view point, followed by other Jeeps. Even tough drizzling, rain coats, umbrellas, click click click... click mine... see that peak, mist , people started framing the natures beauty. The view of the hills around and the Thekkady lake and forest all framed and captured well. A failure attempt to have an introduction section due to rains and we started to Chellarkovil waterfalls as promised in bus. Down pour was more and was non stop. We reached an estate and waited for the rain to stop. We had a nice lecture about the Chellarkovil waterfalls, the life around Kumily and the farming in the high range. Slowly rain reduced and we moved through the estates to the waterfall view point. Disappointment spreaded to all the faces... mist every where and cant even see anything, not even the plains down was visible. Waited for more than 1 hour and no chances of the villain moving out, we started back. Went back to the estate and climbed the tree house, and a call from the top.. "he's moving out lets go back.". Huge energy and all started running back to the view point... what a beauty the valley down and hills spreading across. The plains of Tamil Nadu in Cumbam and Theni down, the hills of Kerala dividing it with Kerala. Chellarkovil waterfall going down to Tamil Nadu side was a fest for the eyes. Mist playing hide and seek and with lots of satisfaction we moved back to the tree house. Checked the time and its almost 3:00pm, all forgot about having lunch only and we headed towards Ampady hotel and had a tasty lunch and came out. Again some clicks around the hotel surrounding. We decided to walk towards Thekkady lake through forests dropping the boating plan, and it proved to be right decision thick forests in both sides and little wild life and some leach encounters we reached the Thekkady lake. Spent some time over there and headed back to Kumily where a martial arts show was going on. Got tickets and all occupied their seats and the show started, one by one the items were shown and was surprised to see their body language and the rhythm they followed in the show. They even performed some fire works in the dark which too was a feast to the eyes.

The first day programs over and the gang dispersed for shopping and dinner.. Kumily being a good place to buy spices and handicrafts people got a lot to shop, and food of all types. All went to sleep as we have check out from hotel and start early morning by 5:00 AM to Gavi.
Morning 4:00AM the annoying mobile alarm, snoozed and went back to sleep under the thick blanket. Again alarm, this time realizing the time got up and freshed up. Went to all other rooms and gained all the bad words for waking them up. Jeeps had come, chilling morning and all got into jeeps. 1,2,3...29 head counts, multiple times, 3 people are missing. Went every where searching and Rony chettan suggested to check the rooms. Got the key back from reception and opened the rooms one by one... what the hell... 3 Kumbakarnas still sleeping. All scoldings and a time line to reach reception with 15 minutes. By 5:40AM all started off to Gavi. Green carpet of tea plantations,civilization and all disappeared behind us and reached Vandiperiyar forest check post. Check post entries and the jeep roof tops opened we enter the forests of Gavi. Beautiful landscapes and streams flowing between them and the music from nature welcomed us. We climbed a small hill as instructed by the driver and spotted some Indian Gaurs on a near by hill. These jeep drivers have a sharp eye in locating wild life, and they have some favorite spots and they tell that wild animals are usually spotted in those places. Time was 7:30AM still we had a feeling that it was only 6:00AM due to the mist and darkness in forest. green green every where we traveled and stopped at view points, pictures and finally reached Gavi. The Gavi is an isolated village hamlet deep inside forest with very less population. Wildlife is abundant here. This area was unknown to the most of outside world before tourism started. The trek to wilderness, lake in Gavi and boating in that is a highlight of the place. The delicious breakfast from the canteen and guides were assigned to our team to trek in to the wild. We were given leach socks, rain coats and all all set ready. Rain gods having no mercy continued, but we couldn't stop trekking and followed the trail. Beautiful landscapes and mother nature in full glory, and no doubt it became a monsoon trek.

We descended to a hut deep inside the forest, the guide showed us a tiger pug mark. Just down the hut there was a stream and waterfall, visited that and here comes challenge.. we need to cross the stream. By forming human chain crossed the stream and ascended back to Gavi. After a tiring trek had a delicious lunch there comes another news , elephants appeared near Pachakkanam forest.
We asked the guide and our drivers to take us there. Jeeps started and headed into wild routes again to Pachakkanam forests. Jeeps stopped and we could see a group of elephants in a distant peak. the guide advised its not safe to go near, on requesting again he asked people who's ready to run on being chased by elephants can come. I passed on the message and few of the people started hiking. By this time elephants realized our presence and started showing their digress of our approach. We went nearer to an adjacent hill and took photos. They again started showing their dislike to our presence , and our fear of having more elephants in the near by grasses made us to go down. We returned back as it was getting late and we need to finish our boating and exit the forest before 6:00PM.

Went back to the lake where boats were ready for us. We divided into 2groups as there were no sufficient boats and life jackets. A pleasant sail in the Gavi lake headed us to a surprise a waterfall on one edge of the lake. Got down and headed close to the waterfalls and lot of fun and bath in the ice cold water.

Headed back to the canteen where the next group was waiting. While the other group went to waterfalls we had a visit to the store room where lot of skulls and bones of elephants and other animals were kept. Surprised to see so huge elephants skulls and all. All back and few of us climbed the hill behind to have a distant view of Shabarimala temple deep inside forest. When we were there our guide came and told its time to head back.
We sat in Jeeps and headed back to Kumily, on the way a sudden stop and shh..sh... See a step ahead in the forest. A group of elephants so close again.

Again clicks and clicks.... Satisfied all head back to Kumily. Reached Kumily and end of 2 days Treknic and truly a monsoon treknic with a bunch of like minded friends.
This treknic was with Bangalore Ascenders, a non profitable trekking group based in Bangalore .
Video composed by Navendu,

Kumily and Thekkady:

Kumily is a town near Thekkady and Periyar Tiger Reserve in Idukki District, Kerala. Its one of the major tourist locations and main spices trade center.
Nearest Airport: Even tough Kumily is inKerala, nearest airport is in Madurai, which is some 120 Kms
Route : bangalore- Salem - Dindigul _ Theni - Cumbam - Kumily - Gavi
: Cochin - Vandiperiyar -Gavi
Regular buses are there from Cumbam in Tamil Nadu. Also regular buses ply from Kottayam and Cochin in Kerala.
Gavi lying in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala is a must visit place where lot of eco tourism projects which you should book in advance. They have one day package and camping packages depending on season.
From Kumily Gavi is approachable via Vandiperiyar. The road continues via Pachakkanam, Kochu Pamba till Pathanamthitta which you may not be permitted to do by Forest officials. one or two KSRTC buses runs to and fro between Kumily and Pathanamthitta via Gavi which is a rewarding trip if you have time. It starts early morning and ends at evening.

Accomodation and Food: Gavi accommodation if required you should book well in advance. Kumily there are lot of options available for food and accommodation.