crank with procycle feb-2015

ISSUE 1 VOL 3 FEBRUARY 15TH 2015

INSIDE

THE YAK ATTACKRUMBLE IN THE JUNGLESHREDDING THE SMOKIES

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16 18

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4 6

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04 The Yak Attack

06 Rumble in the Jungle

10 Scott Scale 760

12 TrekSuperfly5

16 Giant Propel ADV 3

18 CannondaleSuperSixEvo5

20 Shredding the Smokies

24 18 Again

25 ThuleRaceway992

26 More than a Golf Hamlet

28 Looking back at the Road

30 BoysToys

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IN THIS ISSUE

A wonderful new year it has been indeed with biking pain and pleasure in equal measure.

This is a momentous occasion for us - our Second Anniversary! We’ve come a long way in that time and we at CRANK with ProCycle thank you readers for staying with us and encouraging us every step of the way. We are always delighted to hear from you and its your involvement that helps us strive towards making CRANK bigger and better.

This issue is more action-packed than ever. First, we head for the highest passes in the world and check out some freezing action in one of the world’s most challenging mountain biking races - the Yak Attack. Then we head for the tropical climate of Sri Lanka and watch riders sweat and grind it out in the Rumble in the Jungle. Take a look at some of the hottest bikes in the market these days in our feature piece. Whether you want a trail bike for that upcoming XC race or a machine on which to burn up the tarmac, you can’t do better than these beauties. We then join Gautam Desai as he takes on the trails of the Smoky Mountains with his buddies.

All this and more in this awesome 2nd Anniversary Issue of CRANK with ProCycle.

Here’s to an amazing new year with plenty more wheels turning and gnarly shredding! Turn the page and read. Then get out and ride.

Editor

The CRANK with ProCycle Team

Publisher and Managing Editor VikramLimsay

Editor Rahul K Thomas

Technical Editor Nilesh Dhumal

West Zone Bureau DivyaTate

Marketing and Distribution Joseph Anish

Bike Tester AjayKamble

Contributions by PhilEvans,GautamDesai,MohammadRafiShaik,KyleMarak,PyntngenLyngdoh,JeanDanieland

Phillip Ivor Marbaniang

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Cover A lone rider battles extreme weather as he takes on theYakAttack.ImagecourtesyPhilEvansandthe

Yak Attack team

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HEYA!

4 CRANK with ProCycleFEBRUARY15TH,2015

In an age of extreme races of all sorts, the Northface Yak Attack Nepal, has to be the ultimate mountain biking endurance challenge.

Internationally recognised as the highest mountain bike race on Earth and considered by many as one of the world’s toughest stage races, its hard to believe this legendary race began just eight years ago in truly humble fashion. Back then, only 3 international and 10 Nepali athletes took part. Today, the Yak Attack has today grown into one of those ‘must do’ races which attracts all sorts, from the extreme amateur looking to push his limits to ex Tour de France riders, and world famous adventurers. Every one of these riders looking to test their mettle in one of the most spectacular arena’s on the planet.

The original race in 2007 was a mere 180km, starting in Besi Sahar and finishing in Beni, but over the years, and with the increasing development of jeep tracks and trails in the area, the course now starts in Kathmandu and covers a staggering 400km with over 12000m of ascent.

Over 8 stages riders will encounter temperatures as high as +40c and as low as -30c and climb from a hot and dusty 300m above

sea level, to the snow covered, Thorong La mountain pass at 5416m.

Most competitors consider crossing the pass as the toughest stage of the entire race but also the highlight. Riders must “shoulder” their bikes for the 5km hike up to the pass into ever thinning air. At 5000m, oxygen levels are only 50% of that at sea level. High quality equipment becomes essential at these altitudes as frostbite and snow blindness are always a constant threat for the under prepared.

In these situations, legends are born and stories abound. Like in the 2013 race when rider Neil Cottam, in trying to avoid hikers, hit a rock face. With a disclocated shoulder and help some distance away, Cottam simply popped his shoulder back into place. Unable to continue riding, he set out on foot, reaching the day’s finishline just 3 hours after the last rider.

During its 8 year history, the race has never been won by a non Nepali athlete and in fact has been won by the same person 4 times out of the last 5 years - Nepal National Champion, Ajay Pandit Chhetri. The only break in his streak was in 2013 when fellow Nepali rider Narayan Gopal Maharjan took the podium.

ENDURANCE RACING

THE YAK ATTACK

A Yak looks on as a rider attacks Image courtesy Samir Jung Thapa

CRANK with ProCycleFEBRUARY15TH,20155

In 2014, Ajay came back with a vengeance. Pushed throughout the course of the race by Yuki Ikeda (Japan) of Teamp Topeak Ergon and by compatriot Narayan Maharjan, he managed to stay in front. In the end, Ajay Chhetri won 3 stages to Yuki’s 2, also managing to finish in the top 4 in every single stage. With a staggering time of 23 hours and 58 minutes Ajay took back his crown. Yuki Ikeda (Japan) who pushed Ajay throughout the race, finished in 24 hours, 57 minutes to take second. He was followed by Narayan Gopal Maharajan (Nepal) finsihed 3rd with an excellent timing of 25 hrs. 32 minutes.

For the ladies, Kate Aardal took the win with a performance which pushed a lot of the top men right to the very edge.

Riding through the most spectacular landscape

Hiking through thin air

Getting below the snowline


RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLEThe vibrancy and kaleidoscope of colours, aromas and breath taking scenery abounding around Sri Lanka are more than enough to satisfy the average tourist, but there was a new type of traveller arriving on the island and they were seeking adventure beyond the norm. The Rumble in the Jungle had landed.

On November 18th, 39 riders from 14 different countries boarded a coach in the beach resort of Negombo for a transfer to the little known area of Kuda Oya and for many, the experience of a life time. Kuda Oya lays approx. 50km inland from the south coast but is a world apart from the golden sandy beaches lined with a multitude of restaurants, cafes and quaint guesthouses. This was real jungle territory, home to snakes, lizards, spiders, chirping frogs and being sandwiched between two of Sri Lanka’s largest national parks, Uda Walawe and Lunugamvehera, was a well-known elephant corridor.

As the riders built and checked their bikes in preparation for the first stage start in the morning, the sun went down and the surrounding jungle came to life in a cacophony of sounds. A few riders were a little taken aback to be sharing their cabana’s with some of the smaller native residents, but this was the jungle and the adventure had begun.

With ‘some serious coin’ up for grabs, the race had attracted a number of top riders for an event in its first year. Cory Wallace - 2 times Canadian marathon champion, Ismael Ventura - Spanish XC

champion, Ajay Pandit Chhetri - 4 time Nepal XC champion, Sonya Looney - 4 time USA national champion, Myriam Saugy and Kerstin Koegler of team BMC, Yuki Ikeda of Topeak Ergon, Hannah Barnes, the list went on.

Day 1 Kuda Oya to Haputale

It was a relief for most to be welcomed to the new day by cloud cover and intermittent light rain. After a buffet breakfast feast and last minute preparations, the riders were flagged off by the second son of His Excellency, The President of Sri Lanka.

A very flat initial 20km start ensured that the majority of the riders arrived at the start of the jungle proper, as a group. The first river crossing demarcated the end of any human built roads and the start of a tentative trail through virgin jungle, rarely used by anybody except a few hardy locals that spend months at a time tending crops and battling elephant invasions, and a group of brightly clad mountain bikers!

The numerous river crossings and rough and greasy terrain soon split the field, with the expected top 4 of Ismael, Cory, Yuki and Ajay not disappointing and opening up a commendable lead on the remaining pack. Sonya Looney was also holding her own with the top males until her first puncture of the race lead to a 20 minute delay and no chance of catching them.

Having not been privy to the quality and speed of world class mountain bikers before, the local supporters could barely believe their eyes when the first rider, Ismael Ventura, appeared through the cloud encompassing Haputale main street, to cross in the finish line in less than 4 hours for the 80km course. On crossing the line Ismael professed, “Wow, that was tough. My friend told me Sri Lanka was flat, I now know that’s not the case!”

The Spanish XC champion had gone hard on this first day and had opened up a gap of 23minutes over the next finisher, Yuki Ikeda (Japan), who was followed closely by Ajay Pandit Chhetri (Nepal) and then Cory Wallace (Canada), having taken a wrong turn some 30 minutes back.

Despite her puncture, Sonya Looney (USA) was first female to cross the line, her usual ever smiling self, despite being wet through and covered in mud! Kerstin Koegler (Germany) was next lady over the line, followed by BMC team mate Myriam Saugy (Switzerland).

The day wasn’t without its casualties, Naveen Bharath Kavala of the Indian army was forced to withdraw from the race late on in the stage with back pain, and despite valiantly completing the stage in the dark, Asitha Pinnaduwa (Sri Lanka) was forced to retire from the race with a recurrent knee problem.

Adding to the action, it transpired that, a team of sweepers had been confronted by a group of up to 30 elephants and had been stuck in the jungle for 2 hours!

Day 2 – Haputale - HaputaleThe organisers had billed stage 2 as “an easier stage”, but during the course of the day it became apparent that even they had underestimated the task in hand.

A 60km loop around one of Sri Lanka’s famous landmarks, Lipton’s seat, with 1900m of climbing, lay ahead of the remaining field


of Rumblers. The route took riders, through tea plantations, to the summit of Lipton’s seat, before dropping 8km and 1200m, over what was later described by Cory Wallace as “probably the roughest descent I have ever done.” At this point the course deviated from the pre- planned route to avoid the tragic landslide that had occurred earlier in the month, taking the lives of many tea plantation workers. From here 2 more solid climbs and a final epic descent down the valley side would bring the riders back into Haputale.

Ismael Ventura again crossed the line in first position in 3hr and 15 minutes, followed by Cory Wallace andAjay Pandit Chhetri. The ladies finished in the same order as the previous day.

Day 3 – Kalapuhana to Nuwara Eliya

Day 3, on paper, looked like a “biggie” and had riders questioning their sanity for entering such a race! The piece de resistance today was a sweet section of trail that descended from the Horton plains conservation area. This particular section had been closed to the public for many years and was home to many of Sri Lanka’s more elusive wildlife, including leopards, and also happened to be one epic descent. At the front, a tactical battle between Cory Wallace and Ismael Ventura ensued, with Cory attacking over the final 2km, finishing a minute ahead of the Spaniard.

Ajay again finished in third and Yuki 4th and these 4 were the only riders to make it back without being caught in the tropical downpour that hit the area.

Day 4 – Ramboda to Kandy

With the female category placing’s virtually settled and Ismael Ventura having a 40 minute lead over the rest of the field, the only battle today, apart from personal ones , was for 2nd and 3rd place. Only 17minutes separated Cory, Ajay and Yuki but with a short 52km course, which was predominantly downhill, it was always going to be a tough ask to make up any time on closest rivals.

This proved to be the case with the top four males crossing the finish line at Kandy University in the order that they have started the day, with Ismael Ventura taking the overall Rumble in the Jungle title by over 40 minutes. Cory Wallace, after an epic year of racing, finished second and the consistent Ajay Pandit Chhetri , having

finished 3rd in every stage taking 3rd place overall.

Sonya Ewonus (Looney) took the opportunity, having a huge margin over her nearest rival, to ride the entire stage with her husband, Matt. But, with Matt also being an accomplished mountain biker, Sonya was still first female over the line, on the day and overall. Such was Sonya’s dominance; she was close to 2 hours faster than her nearest rival overall.

Myriam Saugy put in a solid effort through out the race to finish second overall, with the ever-happy Hannah Barnes, taking 3rd place in the female category.

For a short, relatively relaxed stage, it wasn’t without its drama’s.

Albert Kikstra, recovered from yesterday’s virus, finished strongly in equal 5th with Indian army riders, Makhan Singh and Purna Bahadur Pradhan, but needed immediate medical attention to a large wound on his arm.

Zbigniew Wizner, crossing the line as the fastest +50 rider also sported some cuts and grazes from a fall during the stage, and Eric Coomer crossed the line with a fractured finger after a pretty spectacular “off” at the top of the first descent. To conclude the mishaps for the day, Ivan Brown had to complete the final 11km 1 legged, after one his crank arms snapped !!

The race was over but there was one final surprise in store. After an evening spent in Kandy, and dinner at the Hotel Suisse, the next morning the riders were transferred to Kandy train station, for a relaxing and scenic 4-hour train journey back to Colombo. The train travels through some of the islands greenest and most spectacular landscapes and was the perfect way to bring the race to a close.

The general consensus was that Rumble in the Jungle 2014 will take some topping, but plans are already underway to ensure “The Rumble 2015” is even tougher, even more exciting and the post race party even more spectacular.

Entries open Dec 8th. You’d be crazy to miss out!

All images courtesy of GauravMan Sherchan, except where otherwise indicated.


The slick Scott Scale 760 in red and black stealth mode

Shimano Deore shifters with Acera-level brake levers

Shimano Deore level crankset with a triple chainring and Deore FD

MRP INR 90,000The very latest in wheel size technology, the Scott Sacle 760 sports 27.5 inch hoops and a superb package at a surprisingly reachable price. Don’t be fooled by that price tag, this bike is modelled on multiple World Champion Nino Schurter’s race rig, albeit in an alloy form without cable routing. Except for that, you get the geometry of international podium class. Spec is very respectable with bashworthy Deore drivetrain complemented by the light and responsive Rockshox XC 30 TK Solo air. That’s right, at this price you get all that AND an air fork. The icing on the cake is the very convenient remote lockout feature which sits right next to your thumb, so you can adjust your suspension on the fly. The Scale 760 is a rocket uphill and very nimble downhill too. So light and flickable that you can tackle technical terrain while still keeping up your speed.

SCOTT SCALE 760

FEATURE

10 Speed drivetrain with a Shimano XT RDRockshox XC 30 TK Solo air fork with remote lockout

The remote lockout for the fork

Shimano Acera level hydraulic brakes are budget offerings on a premium frame but they do the job well

Smart spec! The rear wheel is built around a solid Shimano hub

Syncros 27.5 hoops with Maxxis rubber make for a durable and versatile combo


The Trek Superfly in all its BLING glory

MRP INR 113,990If you’re in the market for a bike that’ll absolutely slay the XC competition, the Superfly is it. A superbly light frame, with internal cable routing, this is a world class platform at a reasonably gettable price. The fork is a Rockshox XC TK Solo with beefier stanchions at 32mm. Pop loc (the remote lockout) makes it super easy to tweak on the fly. Crankset is the rugged Raceface Ride mated to a SRAM X7 FD and an XT RD. What makes this a particularly attractive package is the superb wheelset which comes stock on the bike. Bontrager Mustang Elite tubeless ready rims shod in Bontrager XR1 Expert tubeless ready tyres make for an awesome package. All you need to do is put in the tubeless valves, pour in some slime and your bike is ready to take on the most thorn ridden terrain in style. So, if XC racing is your thing, the Superfly should definitely be on your list. Oh, and in case you didn’t notice, this bike is BLING!

TREK SUPERFLY 5

The gorgeous frame has slick internal cable routing

Solid, bashworthy Raceface Ride crankset with a double chainring and a SRAM X7 FD

Rockshox XC32 air suspension with a remote lockout

Shimano 10-speed drivetrain with an XT rear derailleur

Tubeless ready rims and tyres!

Shimano Deore shifters and Alivio-level brake levers

Shimano Alivio-level hydraulic brakes give you good stopping power

The Giant Propel poised to slice through the wind!

MRP INR 249,800You might’ve heard the phrase ‘wind tunnel tested’ but you haven’t really understood what that means until you see the Giant Propel Advanced 3 in the metal (or in this case - carbon). Wafer thin where it needs to slice through the wind and yet beefy in all the right places, this bike is based off the ADV SL series ridden by pro Tour rider Marcel Kittel. One look at that seatpost should tell you all you need to know. And yet, the massive BB and head tubes speak even more volumes about the supreme stiffness and extraordinary power transfer that make for a bike that whistles through the kilometers. It handles brilliantly too as is only to be expected from a bike with this pedigree. The integrated RideSense sensor can transfer speed and cadence data to any ANT+ device. The V-brakes on the Propel were designed by Giant and built by TRP - short travel and huge stopping power. Of course, if you’re descending on this bike, you want to stay off the brakes and enjoy the rush. Considering the ADV SL top-end model will set you back more than 10 lakhs, this is quite a spectacular package at the price. The 105 groupset and Giant’s in-house wheelset help keep the price down while still delivering decent performance despite the added weight. Having said which, an 8 kilo bike is certainly no slouch by any stretch of the imagination. In conclusion, the Giant Propel ADV 3 offers you a way to experience elite road biking technology at a surprisingly affordable price. No wonder its won awards by the bucketful.

The integrated seatpost is also designed like a wedge to make it more aero

Arrow-shaped Fizik saddle complements the package

The knife-thin blades of the front fork

GIANT PROPEL ADV 3

Giant - propelling you to greater heights

The rear wheel hides behind the seat tube minimising wind resistance

Even the brakes are aero!

The integrated RideSense sensor mates to any ANT+ device rendering clip-on sensors redundant

A monstrous BB ensures every little bit of power is transferred to the frame while maintaining great handling


Cannondale Super Six Evo 5 - low and aggressive

MRP INR 155,000The Cannondale SuperSix Evo Carbon is a speed demon which still lets you ride in comfort. Based on the same design as the Evo super bikes ridden in pro pelotons, this is a light, flickable and uber quick ride. The fact that you can get a bike of this pedigree at anywhere near this price is pretty stunning. The chainstays smooth out the roughest of roads and this is a bike perfectly at home in a sportive situation. And yet, crank it up and it will fly. The front end is pretty low due to its race pedigree so be ready to get aggressive. Keeping the cost down is the efficient Shimano 105 groupset and FSA Gossamer crankset. Shimano RS11 wheels are bombproof and roll brilliantly and the Prologo saddle is good for hours on the road. An excellent all-round package.

FSA Gossamer crankset

Prologo saddle - comfortable for long hours

Shimano RS11 wheelset with Schwalbe Lugano tyres

Shimano 105 shifters

CANNONDALE SUPER SIX EVO 5

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1YEAR ` 720


FAR FROM HOME

SHREDDING THE SMOKIESText and Images by Gautam Desai

It all started with an email from Dave – the idea of a trip from our home base in Michigan all the way south to the Great Smoky Mountains! Owing to its sublime weather and spectacular scenery, North Carolina is also known among mountain biking circles as the Utah of the East Coast; filled with miles of technical trails to please any level of biker. With the season just kicking off, everyone was aching to connect rubber to dirt, and not surprisingly at least a dozen of us said yes!

Twelve hours of driving got us to the first trailhead, a series of hills overlooking a massive lake fed by the Tennessee River. Wheels were slapped on, tires inflated just right, GoPros ready to go! The excitement was palpable. Phil knew the trail so he led us out, on to what looked like the Mouse Loop, with arrow straight pine trees to the left and the shimmering blue lake down on the right. I could imagine everyone grinning ear to ear inside their helmets – the trail was fast and flowing, with occasional rocks and roots that required little attention from bike or rider. A couple of miles in though, I realized two things at once – one, it felt incredibly hot and two, my bike was tuned way off! The trail was full of pine needles and I could feel my fork struggling to keep the wheel connected around the faster curves. We finally stopped at the top of the hill, it was at the tip of our trail loop and offered a panoramic view of the lake. As

everyone caught their breath a lone mountain biker stopped by, and forewarned us about the incredible amounts of gnar that lay ahead from this point on! My bike and I suddenly felt ill prepared; but to my relief, we made it downhill and back to the trailhead without anyone flying over the bars. It had been an overall great first ride of the season. That evening, a two hour drive through narrow winding forest roads brought us to the sleepy town of Brevard, NC. Our base just outside of town, was a house built on a lake nestled in the mountains! After piling on the calories at the local Mexican joint, and making plans to meet with two fellow riders at the next day’s trailhead, we watched the sun set over the lake and called it a night.

As dawn broke, I brewed some fresh coffee and wheeled my bike out to the pier. As the flaming orange sun rose over Eagle Lake, I dialed my suspension back where it belonged – even finding some loose pivot links in the process. Back at the house, everyone geared up for a full day of riding. Breakfast was had at a quaint café in town and we drove onwards to Pisgah National Forest. Barry, who knew these trails well, warned us of the climb up Farlow Gap. We took off down the fire road wondering how hard it could be, well it was six miles and a granny gear ascent almost all the way up to the top! I gave up halfway and decided to preserve my energy – after all what goes six miles up should also well... we

Sunset in the Great Smoky Mountains

knew some great trails were ahead! The other side was easily the gnarliest trail I’ve ridden. Or attempted to, before being unceremoniously dumped into nearby foliage every few hundred meters. For most of us it was a bike and hike – with incredible terrain features and physics defying lines! Natural rock beds chiseled flat by streams created three foot drops right before rock gardens on steep declines. The ground heaved up, down and around big tree roots. My suspension felt firmly dialed in today, so when we reached a fork towards the end, I chose the shorter but gnarlier route down.

From here, the trail was forgiving enough to keep us in our saddles, and a breakneck descent later we heard falling water and reached the waterfall, which was the end. The folks taking the longer route joined up soon after, and it was time for a well-deserved dip in the cool waters. Next stop, The Hub. Look it up, it’s a bike store that

A group of intrepid adventurers

Beautiful rigs in tow


also has beer on tap! Brevard truly is a mountain biker’s paradise. After a couple of beers and some food to help recharge our nerves, it was time to head back to the lake house and ease back into anything that wasn’t a saddle. Ben started playing the guitar, and someone else took to the piano, and one by one all of us lulled into sleep.

Day 3. Creaking joints and aching backs reminded us of what the Smokies can throw at a mountain biker. For some, today was the last day and we could go all out. The others would have to pace themselves if they were going to last another two days of riding. Restocked on energy bars, refilled hydrations packs, loaded the bikes back onto the truck, and we were off to Dupont State Forest. The day’s riding began at the base of Cedar Mountain; the trailhead led without preamble to short climbs full of roots, it was technical and slow going, but eventually we made it to a slick rock face looming at a steep angle. Not being the sort of biker who loves climbs, I sighed and settled into the grind. Much to my amazement, I started enjoying it! It was a warm spring day, and you could look up and see over the top of the hill straight into a cloudless blue sky. I even had time to hear the birds singing – and I might have even joined in! This part of the country

Shredding through a rock garden

A quick stop along the trail

CRANK with ProCycleFEBRUARY15TH,201523

is incredibly beautiful, and also incredibly challenging to ride. As we rested at the top and took pictures, there were contented sighs and talk of coming back here next Spring. On the way down, my Anthem found its sweet spot – I barely felt the trail rushing by as I flew down the hill, picking lines and braving the drops. Back at the trailhead, it was time to grab a working lunch and ride on. The afternoon was spent in what I remember to be exhausting hill work on another trail deeper in the forest, with every turn revealing a bigger hill ahead. The descents were fast pump track, and the climbs were broken by numerous waterfalls, stream crossings – the wet kind or over wooden bridges. Finally we crested the last hill, flew down it with exclamations of delight and after carrying our bikes one last time across a stream (Ben bravely rode across), it was all over.

Out on the patio back at the lake house, with the wood fire spreading its warmth against the backdrop of another brilliant sunset, and Steve at the grill conjuring up the best burgers I’ve tasted, I relished my cold beer with thoughts of Tsali, Pisgah and Dupont, the trails of the last three days that had forged a great riding kinship among us. With life thrusting on ever more responsibilities, the logistics of such a trip seem incredibly hard to pull off every year. And yet we promised to be back again, to feed our souls, push our limits, and shred that line!

The author (Gautam) and his beloved Giant Anthem 29er

Beautiful digs from which to enjoy sunset

18 AGAIN!Text by Phillip Ivor Marbaniang

The 18 Degrees Festival is an initiative by the Department of Arts & Culture, Govt. of Meghalaya which is powered by The Small Art Project. Interesting though, its partnered by Meghalaya xBhp. Why is a motorcycle group/brand in a cycling magazine though? Well, because they are immense supporters and promoters of cycling culture in Meghalaya and the North East. And the 18 degrees festival was no exception. Amidst the bike stunting, b-boying, art, fashion, literature, dancing and so on, BMX freestylers took centre stage and warmed the hearts of the crowd with their slick, reflexive and stunning tricks. Damewanki Suiam, Meban Suiam, Akash Bhawal, Ray Marak, Justin Jackson and their friends enthralled the crowd with the skills on their bikes. The highlight of the afternoon was when Dame and Akash both did an incredible 10-man-wide bunny hop which left the crowd cheering for more.

And around we go. Image courtesy Pyntngen Lyngdoh

Flying over 10 people! Image courtesy Pyntngen Lyngdoh

Tricky stuff this. Image courtesy Kyle Marak

EVENTS

GEAR REVIEW

The rack fits perfectly on a BMW. Location courtesy Ascent Consulting Services

The rack on a Merc sedan. Location courtesy IFIM Business School

MRP INR 32,990If you’re looking for a bike rack that complements your premium car (or cars) in style, look no further than the Thule RaceWay 992. Carrying three bikes (you can choose one which takes 2 but we can’t imagine why) this is one versatile rack. It fits on most sedans and hatchbacks without any problems, although we recommend you check compatibility against the exact model of your car. Installation is a breeze and it takes hardly seconds to set it up. Moulded rubber pads secure it perfectly to the car while ensuring that gorgeous paint job doesn’t get scratched. Thule’s ‘FitDial’ allows you to adjust the cable tension to perfection. The arms hold 3 bikes in three different positions, ensuring they don’t scratch each other. You can lock the bikes to the rack and also lock the rack to the car. The folding arms allow you to even leave the rack on the car when not in use, with worrying about it protruding behind. Or, you can fold it down and stow it away easily. Some great products have come from Thule but this has to rank among our favourite.

THULE RACEWAY 992Images by Joseph Anish

Excellent cradles also allow you to lock down the bike to the rack

Thule’s ‘FitDial’ allows cable tension adjustment

Beautifully moulded arms and padded hooks keep your card scratch-free

More than a Golf Hamlet

A golfer digs his way out of a bunker on hole 6 at Champion Reef

PARTNER CONNECT


THE LONG ROADThe writer (and rider) at the hills of Kolar - the first big milestone of his ride

LOOKING BACK AT THE ROADText and Images by Mohammad Rafi Shaik

Now a prolific long distance rider, three-time super randonneur Mohammad Rafi Shaik, looks back at his first long ride - the one that began it all. After completing three Super Randonneur series and multiple long distance tours, I was just reminiscing about my first, inexperienced, PAINFUL ride.

I was between jobs, with 15 days of free time before joining the next company, and a noob to the cycling world. This was just 4 months after buying a Trek 3700. Inspired by long distance riders of the Bangalore Bikers community in BOB, PBP, RAAM events, I thought I’d do a long ride.

I planned to ride to my home town on a bicycle - a distance of 630km in 2 days, along national highways NH-4 and NH-5, i.e. from Bangalore -> Kolar -> Chittoor -> Tirupati -> Nellore -> Ongle -> Guntur. This route is mostly flat terrain, losing altitude as moving towards the eastern ghats and tarmac is good in condition except few sections. I bought a handler bar bag, bike pannier, spare tube, puncture kit, rain gear. And I figured out how to remove my front and back wheels.

Day 1: Had a peaceful sleep the day before the ride and when I woke I was shocked to see a flat tire. I managed to the fix the flat for the first time and started ride at around 7:30 am from Bagmane

Tech park. After crossing Hoskote, got another flat tire due to the glass pieces on the road. Again fixed the flat and after riding few km’s noticed low pressure in the tire. All due to a bad fix! I pumped the air up and managed to ride to the next puncture shop on the way, which turned out to be for motorised vehicles. The puncture repair shop owner refused to fix the flat as he felt fixing a cycle flat is down grading himself from big vehicles. After convincing him about my journey and his much needed support for me to finish the ride, he finally agreed to fix the flat.

Two flats made me scared about forest sections on the way to Tirupati. I decided to get some more spare tubes at Kolar and ended up buying desi cycle tubes (which are neither Presta nor Schrader valves). I to continued ride with a few breaks for taking photos of the beautiful places.

By afternoon 3:30 pm, I saw the sign board stating “welcome to Andhra Pradesh.” I felt really happy, had a quick lunch and decided to reach Tirupati and rest for the day.

By sunset, I crossed Chittor, enjoyed a long downhill and then entered the forest stretch. It started raining heavily and this made me felt scared to ride on the double lane road (without dividers) and high speed traffic. I spotted an abandoned bus stop and waited

Mohammad’s ride kit - helmet with an LED light, pollution mask, puncture kit, air pump, bike computer, gloves, handle bar bag, tyre levers, rain poncho, extra tube, two bottles, a head lamp and a little oil can

for the rain to stop. With no sign of it letting up after a couple of hours, i started riding again and reached the outskirts of Tirupati. It was already 12 pm and I had covered approximately 260 km and camped at a petrol pump.

Day 2: I woke up early and witnessed the beautiful view of Venkateswara mountain range which made me think about the best treks in my life - all in this forest. I continued my ride and on the way I finished my breakfast and packed some food for lunch. Here I made a mistake implementing Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s secret. I purchased 2 half litre milk packets and replaced my water intake with milk. Finished entire milk with in 20 km ride and after an hour I was feeling some uneasy in my stomach. It was indigestion and you know what that means.

My ride continued further with multiple stops for both water and the unfortunate call of nature. I stopped taking food and water and the loss of salts made me deyhdrated. The ride became painful. I managed to push further close to Nellore and reached my Engineering college where I met some of my old lecturers and juniors. After a couple of hours of a break, I felt a little better.

On the way, I brought a used reflective vest from a road repair worker for Rs.100. This reflective vest allowed me to ride safely on NH-5 which was then under upgradation to a six-lane road. The milk took a big toll on my body, speed dropped and I continued to ride until I faced cramps.

Remember, I was naive then, unaware of how to manage diet, hydration, salts and so on. I still continued to ride slowly but cramps became more painful and forced me to camp at another petrol pump. On day 2 I was only able to manage 180km - a total of 440km in 2 days.

Day 3: I woke up 3am, stretched my legs and felt normal. I said good bye to the petrol pump operators, who treated me like their guest, and continued my ride. But my stomach was striving for something to eat. Finished breakfast at a road side shop and continued to ride. By noon, I reached Ongle and had just curd rice as the heat was intense. From there, home was just another 120km, the harsh sun pushing me to take rest for every 10km. Most of my body was aching and uneasy and I was starting to

hallucinate. By evening, I forced myself to eat some roti with egg curry. Post sunset, I felt better and was to ride faster.

I finally reached home by 8pm and knocked on my parents’ door. They did not know that I was coming all the way by bicycle and got scolded roundly.

What it taught me?

Well, plenty but the main lessons were - learn how to repair your bicycle, eat right and manage your salts to avoid cramping.

In the end, I managed to finish 630 km ride in approximately 62 Hours. With a lot of pain, dehydration, stomach problems, cramps, hallucinating and so on. How I finished I have no idea.

Today though, that seems like a breeze. Some day I will revisit that route and I plan on doing it in 34 hours instead of 62.

Mohammad’s eyes watered on seeing this board. So much further to go...

Fixing the flat with a friendly-neighbourhood pucture guy

The route

BOYS’ TOYS

HORNIT MINIWant your child to be as safe as possible on his or her bike? Well, consider the Hornit Mini - lights, bells and plenty of whistles all rolled into one. This bright, dinky little thing has a 12 lumen white light, 12 lumen green light, 25 different horn sounds and a remote trigger so your kid can reach it with just a thumb. Its clip-on ‘wings’ fit to the stem of any bike and its even ‘shower proof’. Its actually the perfect all-in-one solution. Its so good, even ‘big kids’ would love it

SCOTT MYTHIC HELMETAre you an aggressive trail rider? Then you need one of these! The Scott Mythic is an excellent Trail/All-Mountain helmet giving you peace of mind (and skull) when you ride the gnarly stuff. The venting is excellent and fit adjustment is via the MRAS II system - a harness and dial system that can be adjusted for three different heights. There is a well-thought-out flattened section at the top for mounting cameras and/or lights. And the rear offers superb protection, at least at par with anything else in this category. Ride safe while you ride hard!

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