Back home, I can reflect on the DNF on the trip to Khardung La. I had planned the trip and posted it in the public domain in case anyone wanted to join. We soon had five people - only one of whom was known in the cycling circles that I am acquainted with. Of these, eventually three dropped off including the known cyclist, leaving two of us. Another one, who had absolutely no experience of cycling but was claimed to be fit, joined in, making it a group of 3 cyclists. This was a red herring I did not pay heed to. At the back of my mind I wasnt able to decide whether to do it as a solo, self-supported trip or whether to go with the plan. But then again, I was told there were a few cars and at least 5-6 motorcycles (bullets) accompanying us. I decided 3-together would be a better than a solo ride given the distances involved. Two days before we were to start, the plan was delayed by another day because there had been some confusion about the date. Again, another red flag, which I ignored. Then I got a change of route because the route I had mapped had dhabas with khatiyas which were unsafe and the new route was such that there were army bases everywhere where we could stay in comfort. Also, the first leg was changed because the car and motorcycles accompanying us had fizzled out and one of the riders brother was based in Udaipur and we would get his car... Another warning sign I chose to ignore. Then till the evening before we departed, there were just two bicycles - the third one for the rider was yet to be purchased... I though of opting out, but then, it is difficult to let go of your dreams, even in the short term. I met one of them at night, voiced my concerns and said I would like to stick to the route I had charted since a lot of planning had gone into it. I was told not to make an ego issue of things. I should have opted out then, I didnt. I said I would go till Punjab from where I would be on my own. Saddlebags packed, we left in the morning. Three of us, 2 cyclists on the road, one driving the car. The speed was a mismatch. The other two wanted to maintain a speed of 30kmph (they were alternating car driving and riding), I was the slow-coach, doing 20-ish. They decided to go ahead - both the cyclist and the car. We met at the Gujarat-Rajasthan border, then decided to stop 55k away and 65k from Udaipur. At Rishabhdev, these two did not stop - they had taken turns at cycling and obviously werent as cooked as I was. I stopped for a break at Rishabhdev. 15-20 minutes later I got a call that one was suffering from migraine and needed to go sleep and the other was accompanying him, so they had put the cycles in the car and had driven off - I was left to reach Udaipur by myself. Murphys law kicked in - my headlamp failed. The other lamp too started flickering before it too went off. I was riding on the national highway without headlights in the dark!! I should have quit there, but then reaching Udaipur was better, I thought instead of stopping in the middle of nowhere. Somehow got the headlight working and managed to reach Udaipur past 11:30 that night, having been chased by dogs, dead tired and while the truckers were very careful, smaller vehicles had scant regard for a lone cyclist on a dark highway... I decided I would sleep it out and start the next day whenever I felt rested and ready instead of sticking to a regimented program. The other two had decided to take a break at Udaipur anyways and as I discovered during the ride, we had very different objectives - they were in it for the tourism, I was in it for the endurance. Next morning I was chided for being so slow and making the other two worry so much about me. I was also chided for having slept in and not having left at 5:00am. I was told I should carry my saddlebags, since I had brought them along. I refused. Those were packed such that I would use them after Amritsar when our paths diverged. Again, I was jeered at for being such a sissy and not carrying my saddlebags. Leaving at about noon, I traversed the mountainous region from Udaipur to Ranakpur, stopping at 2 places due to wind storms; the distances between hotels and the heat was making it a challenge to have water last till the next watering hole came up. I was not on the charted route and I was faced with a problem... At Ranakpur, the road was dug out (the kinds one sees in rural India - where illegal pipelines cross the road). The mud removed was mounded up into a speed breaker which hid the ditch behind it. I was doing about 45-50kmph when I hit the speed breaker and then the ditch behind it. As that happened, I lost my grip on the handlebars...and the rest is history. I could have gone on after resting a bit as I did for some distance, but then, given that there was no support and I was not prepared to simply do it solo, I chose to quit. On the way back, I was just dropped at the bus stop because the other two wanted to see the city. And then a fantastic experience! I left my saddle bags (and my cycle unlocked because my hands werent working) and went hunting for the bus that would take me to Ahmedabad. I found the Volvo and returned to pick up my saddlebags and the cycle and they were actually there!! My faith in humanity restored. Quite a few valuable lessons learnt, which I shall surely implement as I prepare for the next attempt, come October. This is not to blame anyone at all; just stating what I went through and that i have learnt some valuable lessons - I maintain the ride was fantastic and I just wish I was better prepared so that I wouldnt have to give up. October, I await you.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:37:39 +0000
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