started off... (on my TERK 3700 )
Pending from so many days(infact for months). Longing to commute to office by cycle. Whether apprehension(as to what would happen if i commute to office by cycle, would i be able to go back by cycling again), or lazyness and procrastinating it almost forever.
Atlast, broke the barriers, and woke up for a fresh start, early in the morning got ready. But when the moment came to take the cycle out, it started to drizzle lightly. Yes, the rain god wanted to play spoilsport. But then, I was already committed, to go by cycle today at any cost. I got my cycle out. But then, something quickly flashed my mind. Isnt that what I exactly wanted??? go on cycle, in light drizzle, with cool breeze. Ask any biker(whether motor or without, gear or gearless) whats the ultimate way to ride a two wheeler, the much obvious reply would be to ride slowly(at around 20kmph), against cool breeze, with light drizzle, greenary on either side. Exactly what they term as cross country ride. But luckily, it was available for me when I took the route inside cubbon park. I cant express the feeling in words(but would give it a try), it was so sensuous, gratifying almost all my senses to a great extent, riding in such cool weather in a great city Namma Bengaluru.
Started off from rajajinagar Rammandir(exactly the place where i Stay), went via okalipuram. Remembered not to use flyover, in this case the Anand Rao circle flyover(thanks to our dear friends' discussion on BBC not to use flyover if we have an option). Then, via KR circle, went inside cubbon park. This was where I felt, the timing was perfect for a first ride of such magnitude.(ofcourse, to a person who hasnt done 15km at a stretch, it feels so. Moreover, I have had short rides on and off of some 7km at a stretch)
And then took MG Road, had so many onlookers, at which momemt i felt should have worn a t-shirt which would say "Saving on fuel, to spend on GirlFriend" (unfortunately and also very luckily, am currently single, how ironic, may be statement is kinda oxymoronic)
Splashes of muddy water(since my bike is new one, didnt get the mudguards, for the sheer fun of it). Had smile on my face every time I saw a small pool of muddy water, went thro it on some of them, and avoided few others. When was the last time I enjoyed muddy water being splashed across???? (No not so far in my childhood, just a couple of weeks back, on my motorcycle amidst curses and sanskrit verses from the ones affected :P)
Man, I must say, I loved it.
Then came domlur flyover(my destination was EGL), have heard of harsha(who spends most of his weekends in BOTS) saying ppl "belt at 40/50/60kmph". When I saw the loop of domlur flyover, thought it would NOT be BELTING, it would be more of PANTING later. But surprisingly, on my TREK 3700, the crossing was made so easy, a moment before at the bottom and next moment, I had crossed it. Then the drizzle became a bit heavy, rain drops on my spectacles, had to stop midway to remove it and then continued towards the main gate of EGL. Amazingly, I wasnt panting much, showed the security guy my ID. The look on his face gave signals "why all this fuss, when the company provides transportation facility and y to take such trouble of coming on cycle". Anyways, signals and looks doesnt matter much, when the journey is enjoyable and reached destination on time.
Proudly showcasing my helmet in my cubicle and ppl asking me whether I came by bicyle.
To cut it short, it can all be summed up in a simple and yet powerful WOW...
Exactly took about 45min from home to EGL - around 15km stretch.
