Bikepacking through the city

For 49-year-old Ravindra Reddy Vanga, Inspector of Police, ACB, Hyderabad City, the 300-km brevet was liberating. Pointing out that he’d taken to cycling to improve his fitness and health, Ravindra adds, “I’ve been into running earlier and have participated in several marathons. But after I took to cycling, I started feeling better physically and mentally and started relishing these rides.”

Ravindra also reveals to us that he hopes to be a Super Randonneur, a title earned by cyclists who complete a series of brevets (200 km, 300 km, 400 km, and 600 km) in the same year.

“While practising running, we have cross-training modules such as long-distance cycling, which also helped me cycle religiously,” he adds.

But brevets require more than just practise. For instance, imagine doing a 300-km brevet where

80% of the roads are on an elevation. Well, that’s what 40-year-old homeopathy doctor, Dr Srikanth Pilli, remembers of the brevet, telling us how the ride tested his endurance, while making new friends.

“Most of us only wanted to check whether we will be able to cycle for 16 hours. And I am glad that we did it because this has motivated me to prepare for a

400-km brevet next,” explains Dr Srikanth. As for making friends, Dr Srikanth says he made many friends and expanded his network.

Another

cyclist

Rajeev

Reddy (39) describes the brevet as a ‘freedom ride’. The term makes sense especially when he states how bored he’d gotten during the lockdown. Even so, the ride came with its challenges although, as he points out, all the riders could manage their time, food and water by taking frequent breaks.

“All said and done, this ride gave me the required fillip to turn the spotlight back on cycling. Observing nature up close is something you cannot do while going in a car or a bike. So the brevet doubled up like a sense of achievement and a great opportunity to explore the landscape,” says Rajeev.

I’ve been into running earlier

and have participated in several marathons. But after I took to cycling, I started feeling better physically and mentally and started

relishing these rides.”

— RAVINDRA REDDY VANGA, Inspector of Police, ACB,

Hyderabad City

Just when we began our ride at 6 am it started raining. But that did not dampen our spirits as we kept on riding. In fact, because the weather was cloudy for most part of the day, we did not have to ride in the heat.”

— CHAITRA NATARAJ,

techie