My first long distance ride — Bombay — Lonavla — Bombay!
Ever since I completed my first 20 km ride early in January 2016, I got fascinated with the idea of long distance touring on bicycle. I even started planning a trip to Europe and ride from Munich to Budapest on Eurovelo Route 6 but sadly it never happened for hundred other reasons.
I didn’t stop here. A work trip to Bombay happened in June 2016 and I already had a plan brewing up in my head. The very next day in Bombay, I went to the Bike Shop to rent a bike and rode back to my cousin’s place where I was staying. She finally came to know about my plans and said a big no to it. I did sounded insanely crazy when I told her that I will be riding from Bombay to Lonavla and will ride back to Bombay on the next day. Lonavla was 105 kms from where I was staying and I had never been on a bike for more than 40 kms before that.
But then I was so determined that no one could have stopped me. I had a sleepless night but then I was ready at 4 AM to start my ride. I was certainly scared and skeptical about the idea of riding all the way to Lonavla, all alone, but then something kept pushing me. I wanted to experience the joy of cycling alone for hours after hours and test my endurance level.
The ride to Lonavla was interesting. It rained for most of the time but got sunny later when I had to climb the valley. Haha. The first 88 kms was easy but then my back screwed up in the next 2 kms. The thought of riding another 15 kms to Lonavla was certainly scary and it seemed impossible. The next 15 kms was steep climb and something I was not ready for.
I kept pushing my self and I would give up after every 10 mins. There were moments when I was give up completely and try to hitchhike with my bike. But no one came for help and I knew I had to ride all the way up to Lonavla. It took me over 2 hours to cover the 15 kms distance wherein I walked with my bike for 5–6 kms, slept on the sides of road and kept asking for a lift.
The joy of reaching Lonavla was certainly priceless. Something I have never experienced in past. I ordered Sangria, raised a toast and patted my own back. Smiled and told myself that many more such madness shall happen in days, months and years to come.
