Kanishka Poddar: My First Brevet 200
I never stopped after my first long distance ride from Bombay to Lonavla. I came back to Ranchi and started doing long distance rides regularly. I would generally do 25-30 kms ride on a weekday and go for longer rides covering 60 kms to 100 kms on weekends.
After a gap of almost two months, I decided to participate in Brevets de Randonneurs Mondiaux “BRM” 200 Kms event in Delhi. Brevets or Randonneur are long distance cycling events organized by Audax Club Parisien (ACP), a French club, who works with other randonneuring organisations worldwide and in India it is represented by Audax India Randonneurs (AIR). Successful completion of BRM event certifies you as a long distance cyclist and it is also a first step if anyone wish to participate in Paris Brest Paris ‘PBP’ 1200 km cycling event which happens every 4 years in France. And I do dream of being a part of PBP in 2019.
Every thing seemed like a dream, from my first 20 kms ride in January 2016, to my first BRM 200 km event in August 2016. I have definitely come a long way in last 8 months for even thinking of doing a BRM 200 kms event.
I’ve never been on a road bike earlier but then I decided to ride it in BRM 200. The ride was from Delhi to Panipat and return covering a total distance of 220 km which needed to be completed in less than 13 hr 30 mins. When I reached “The Bike Shop” in Delhi, the owner laughed at me for thinking of doing the BRM on a Road Bike considering I’ve never been on one earlier. But like always, somewhere inside me, I knew I can do it. I wanted to use the Road Bike for BRM event because I had to ride entirely on good paved road and it would also help me with speed.
I rode for 220 kms in 11 hrs 30 min @ 26 km/hr and completed the trail. It was surly an experience I will cherish for lifetime. The first 100 kms was really good but thereafter it was never an easy ride. Major downside was the sun and the heat waves. I was getting dehydrated instantly, my skin got burnt, had really soar bums and back which would make me stop every 7-10 kms. I managed to pull through the next 50-55 kms but when I saw Dhabha’s with Khatiya’s (bed), my body gave up instantly. I ended up taking a 15-20 min power nap haha J The power nap did the wonders, I woke up much fresher and energized and completed the remaining distance at a comfortable pace.
Thanks to my brother and his friends for a lovely evening filled with music, conversations and dance. Nothing can be more relaxing. And then, this trip was special because of the people I met and conversations we had. It is so nice to meet awesome people, who are just like you.
It’s really good that you are following your passion… good luck to you.