crank with procycle june 2014

ISSUE 5 VOL 2 JUNE 15TH 2014

INSIDE

LIGHT AS A FEATHERMEANDERING THROUGH MALNAD POCKET ROCKET: SCOTT SCALE 740

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IN THIS ISSUE

7

84

16

24 26

20

24

10

14

04 Light as a Feather

07 ProCycleProfiled

08 Gaerne G Chrono review

10 MeanderingthroughMalnad

14 Q&AwithArunAlagappan

16 Scott Scale 740 review

20 History in a Bylane Part II

24 TheMountainsBeckon

26 Boys Toys

Heya!

This issue we bring you the hottest hardtail to hit our shores in a very long time. The Scott Scale 740 is modeled on XC World Champion (and racing savant) Nino Schurter’s rig. We blasted it down the trails and muscled it up the slopes to see whether it lived up to the hype. In short, it did. And how! Check out the scoop inside.

In the meantime, I headed back down to Ulsoor to unearth more cycling treasures. Read all about it in ‘History in a Bylane Part II’. India got a new weight weenie record in the form of a BMC RM01 with so many custom parts, I can’t mention them here.

Divya Tate caught up with Rudransh Mathur - an explorer of the hills of Mahabaleshwar. In ‘Meandering through Malnad’ Karthikeyan recounts anecdotes from his first pedal- powered road trip.

Turn the page and read. Then get out and ride!

Editor

The CRANK with ProCycle Team

Publisher and Managing Editor VikramLimsay

Editor RahulKThomas

Technical Editor NileshDhumal

West Zone Bureau Divya Tate

Bike Testers IgnatiusChen AjayKamble

Contributions by KarthikeyanBalasubramanian,NobalMohan

VinodEshwar,NKumar,KNarayanand RuranshMathur

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2 CRANK with ProCycleJUNE15TH,2014


WEIGHT WEENIES!

This one’s for the weight weenies! The Limca Book of Records has just certified the lightest bike in the country. And it belongs to a buddy of ours - Sanjay Ramaswamy. Readers might be familiar with the name as he is also the proud owner of the gorgeous Brompton we featured a few issues ago.

But how does one go about assembling or building the lightest bike in the country? Well, through a lot of pain and hardship it appears. Funnily enough, for Sanjay it all began with the pedals. The UL titanium pedals were so light, that he had to build a bike worthy of them. And so it began.

The soul of the bike (its frame) is a nice BMC RM01 Race Machine. That’s probably the only stock thing on this. The cassette is custom titanium. The rear derailleur was customised to take titanium and carbon bolts and parts. The saddle is by ‘Passion of Parts’ and weighs in at a measly 59 grams. Even the wheels haven’t been spared. Built in Germany with Enve rims, the drive side spokes are of titanium while the non-drive side are steel, to shave even more weight off. The clock in at a jaw-dropping 890 grams for the pair. The Tufo tyres add just 160 grams more each. The gear cables

LIGHT AS A FEATHERGotta love Swiss technology!

Zipp Super Light bar with Lizardskin DSP Tape (52 grams)

Extralite stem (78 gms)

SRAM Red drivetrain with a few weight-saving adjustments

are made from carbon while the brake cables are custom titanium from Germany.

The list goes on and on. In the end, the bike weighed in at a take-flight-in-a-breeze weight of just a shade over 5 kilos (5.125 to be exact). If that isn’t enough to knock you down with a feather, we don’t know what is.

CRANK with ProCycleJUNE15TH,20145Sliver-thin!

SRAM Red shifters

Custom ultralight titanium cassette

890 gm wheelset with Tufo tyres (160 gms each)

Carbon gear cables

Custom-made carbon cages with titanium bolts

Ciamillo Negative GSL Brakeset (200 grams a pair!) with custom titanium brake cables

PROCYCLE PROFILED

VINOD ESHWAR

Vinod began riding a mountain bike a little more than a year ago. Feeling the need for speed, he tinkered with it to make it go faster, even going to the extent of adding drop bars to it. Finally, he took the plunge and picked up his Scott Speedster 60 just a short while ago. Now his commutes are a breeze as he whips through traffic every day. This lad likes hammering his road bike on kaccha roads and dirt trails. We’re pretty sure he’s going to switch to cyclocross soon. Crank on Vinod!

GEAR REVIEW

GAERNE G CHRONO COMPOSITE ROAD SHOESThis month we have a brand that peppers the professional peloton but is still largely unknown to the general public - Gaerne (pronounced ‘gar-nay’). Their G Chrono composite road shoes which we’ve tested are the more affordable (if you can call a price of INR 26,900 affordable) little sibling of the ‘full carbon’ pair sported by the likes of Fabian Cancellara and Chris Horner.

Available in white and black, we of course plumped for the gorgeous, glossy, inky black with green accents. First impressions are simply swoon-worthy as befits a product that is hand made in Italy. The G Chrono is an all-weather shoe with plenty of vents all over. This makes it perfect for most Indian conditions. Closure is provided by the highly regarded ‘Boa L5’ system. This comprises two separate sets of dials which use 6 flexible steel wires to give you as snug a fit as you could possibly wish for. The dials allow very small adjustments so you can ensure comfort and even pressure across your foot. Below it is a mesh tongue which gives plenty of padding while being very durable. Taking your shoe off is now a matter of mere seconds.

The soles are very stiff, as befits a shoe favoured by the pro peloton. This provides excellent power transfer. This model use a composite sole while the elder sibling would be pure carbon. The heel of this though is the same as the higher model, being made of pure carbon fiber. The design is supposed to cup your heel in such a way as to minimise tendonitis. What we can definitely say that this is extremely comfortable, even over very long rides.

Our only gripe would be that at this price point, Gaerne’s competitors offer a custom fit with their heat-mouldable technology. But, then again, hand made in Italy must count for more than something.

Bottomline: a gorgeous bit of kit which a roadbiker would swoon over. Buy it if you can. If you can’t right now, save up and buy it!


THE LONG ROAD


One day, a friend of mine (Nobal Mohan), tagged me on a Facebook post titled ‘4 Day Malnad Cycling Tour’. Soon a posse had been formed and 10 days later, we were off.

Nobal, Ambika, Supraja and I reached Kempagowda Bus Stand at night to catch our bus. Believe me when I say loading a cycle onto a KSRTC Airavat Volvo bus is something of an art and we found that Nobal was pretty good at it.

Day 1: Chikmagalur to Horanadu (90 kms)

Reached Chikmagalur at 4 a.m, freshened up and began to ride towards Horanadu at around 5:30 am. Nobal was very organised and had loaded maps on his Garmin GPS.

I was up front on my Specialized Allez Elite, followed by Nobal on his Schwinn Frontier Elite, Ambika with her Scott Aspect 620 and Supraja on a Trek 3700.

Breakfast was at Aldur at 7 a.m with a brunch of Mangalore bun, omelletes, coffee and juice at 11 a.m on the banks of the Badra river.

Ordinarily I ride highways and focus on endurance but this was a whole new experience. We were cycling through lush, verdant, rolling countryside, completely surrounded by Mother Nature. It was delightful!

We stopped at the beginning of the Magundi-Balehole road - a road bike unfriendly place if there ever was one, but a good place for MTBs.

We spent about an hour here relaxing and started again at 2 p.m with the firm decision that we would ride more and stop less in future. That was quickly broken as nature forced us to stop, admire and photograph her.

By 6 p.m we reached Horanadu where we found a good home-stay (Sri Matha Home Stay) costing just INR 800 for two rooms. Dinner was had at Annapoorneshwari temple which had the double advantage of being both delicious and free of cost.

Thus, our first day ended with deep sleep in cold weather at Horanadu after 90 kms of riding.

The sheer beauty of the scenery made the climb worth it.

MEANDERING THROUGH MALNADWritten by Karthikeyan Balasubramanian, Images courtesy Nobal Mohan

View from Agumbe over the ghats

CRANK with ProCycleJUNE15TH,201411

Day 2: Horanadu to Sringeri (85 kms)

We set out towards Sringeri after breakfast, at 7 a.m. We rode via Kudremukh. Though I had the roadie advantage my gear ratio was rather more unforgiving than that of the MTBs, making climbing tougher. I did manage to ride straight through without stopping though.

After some distance I found that I had a flat. By this time, my riding friends were ahead of me. Funny thing - my bike had never had a flat during previous rides and so I hadn’t ever fixed one. And no, I hadn’t bothered to practise before my first tour either. I tried the pump I had brought but nothing happened. I had never checked the condition of the pump before the tour. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.

Luckily, I found an auto-rickshaw. We loaded the bike and moved on. We did about 10 kms in the auto before finally catching up with my friends. Ambika’s pump worked and Nobal fixed my flat for me.

Karthik on his road bike on the way to Horanadu Agumbe to Sringeri

Now we were riding through the Shola forests on our left. Nobal, Supraja and Ambika are avid trekkers and they regaled me with tales of their experiences in the western ghats.

It was now almost 4 p.m and we were riding through dense forest. It was lush green everywhere - no vehicles, no pollution, no humans. Just my bike and I rolling down at a speed of more than 60 kmph. Until then, I had never experienced inhaling such pure oxygen in my life. We stopped for snacks and coffee in the evening and realised we still had to cover about 25 kms.

After riding for around 10 kms in the dark, we finally reached Sringeri town by 7 p.m, where we found rooms.

Dinner at a nearby hotel and then sweet sleep by 9 p.m.

Day 3: Sringeri to Siddapura (90 kms)

Our friend Vipin joined us on this our 3rd day. We set out at 8:30 a.m for Hosanagara.

After some bad stretches of road, we stopped at a lake for a short dip. Nobal found several jellyfish in the open water - a rare occurence. We continued to ride till 2 p.m stopping for lunch at Edur. Post-lunch we grabbed a quick nap under a Banyan tree. Then we quickly moved on to Hulikal

We then headed towards Siddapura. After crossing some stretches of bad roads, we reached a Reserve Forest area. We never expected it to be such rolling terrain. All five of us were flying along the road. Until my front tyre hit a pothole and copped another flat.

They all stopped and Nobal kindly fixed my flat for me again.

We finally reached the destination Siddapura at 6:30 p.m. Contrary to what we’d been told in Hulikal, there were no hotel stays available. Nobal took the (wise) decision to move on to Kundapura the same night.

We grabbed dinner and then loaded all the bikes and ourselves onto a TATA ACE for the 35 kms to Kundapura.

In Kundapura, we checked in at Hotel Shiv Prasad at around 9 p.m. We had planned to take 4 days to get here but ended up doing it 3 so had no plans for the next day.

Day 4: Kundapura

I did my 14 km morning training run along the coastal road and then we had breakfast. Later spent time at Maravanthe beach, lounged around in the backwaters and had a good lunch before catching the night night bus to Bangalore bringing to an end 4 beautiful days of riding in Malnad.


Agumbe to Sringeri

Q: TI has a glorious cycling history. Take us back to where it all began.

A: TI Cycles was established by the Murugappa Group in the year 1949, in collaboration with Tube Investments, UK. This was the first factory in India to indigenize the manufacture of bicycles. The first Hercules bicycle rolled out in 1951. Three more brands were added to the portfolio - Phillips in 1959, BSA in 1964 and Montra in 2011. Today, TI Cycles is the leader in the ‘specials’ segment. The energy of the company can be felt nationwide, thanks to a network of around 1,500 primary dealers and 10,000 secondary dealers.

Q: The last few years have seen the emergence of ‘lifestyle cycling’ in these parts. How has this has impacted the Indian cycling industry and where do you see it going from here?

A: Cycling is taking a turn back into the lifestyle statement and here the consumers are segmented into professional and recreational categories. I understand the next phase of awareness will be on the Urban commuting segment. The growth in these categories will help the Indian industry to wake up to need for capability enhancement and focus on global innovation and trends. With the emergence of these consumer categories we see an overall improvement in specs, geometry and visual appeal of Indian made bicycles. International influence of shapes , colors and graphics are strongly being felt on Indian bicycles.

Q: Tell us a bit about your tie-ups with international partners

A: We have a exclusive distribution tie up with Cycleurope and CSG for our Track & Trail range bikes since 2008. The brands we

deal with for the moment is Bianchi, Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose. We are working on strengthening the relationship to an assembly and manufacturing set up for some of these brands in India.

Q: Montra has now been around for a few years. How did the journey begin, where is the brand today?

A: Montra was the first Indian bicycle to launch its indigenously manufactured products in carbon and aluminium alloy. Since the launch of Montra in the year 2011, we have come out with 4 Hybrid models 5 MTB models and 1 road model. We are proud to be the first Indian company to design and manufacture a wide range of world- class performance bikes. Karun Chandhok leading F1 and super car champion driver is also proud to

be associated with “Montra” Bicycles, as its brand ambassador. Today we see the brand has gained its popularity among the trade and cycle enthusiasts and is a preferred choice when it is compared with specs/price against other comparable brands. We will continuously strive to give the best Internationally comparable products at competitive pricing to the Indian consumers under the Montra banner.

Q: Has there been a change in the marketing strategy for Montra? Where to from here?

A: Our motive is always to promote cycling and we continue to do so always. We have been actively supporting and sponsoring as title sponsors, premium India flagship cycling events like Tour of Niligris, MTB Himachal, Cyclothons and few others. We also actively support riders and clubs at both professional and amateur levels to bring the joy of cycling back to all. We will continue to do so along with a renewed vigour on our presence in the social media and other emerging platforms.

Q: What are TI’s plans for the international market, particularly Asian markets?

A: TI has invested in a world class manufacturing facilities for Exports and is the only company which boasts of complete in-house manufacturing set up for aluminum alloy bicycle frames. Today TIs products of frames and complete bicycles in steel & aluminum are sold to leading OEMs and global brands across 10 European countries. TI is focused in this endeavor and will continue to drive the revival of the cycling exports from India to the developed economies of EU and US.

Q&A

ARUN ALAGAPPANPresident of Tube Investment of India (TII)


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1YEAR ` 720

BIKE REVIEW


The Scale makes the trail a blur

POCKET ROCKETSCOTT SCALE 740

What we have here for you is a mountain bike right from the very cutting edge. But, we’ll get back to that shortly. Here’s a bit of a history lesson.

About 3 or 4 years ago, Scott began experimenting with their mountain bike wheel sizes at the very top of the competitive level. Back then, the 29-inch wheel reigned supreme and there seemed no end to its world domination. But, in testing, they saw potential in what was then radically different from the pack. They decided to put their money behind the wheel size that is only now taking the world by storm - the 27.5 inch wheel (or 650B as it is sometimes called). Well, it paid off. Nino won the World Championships in 2012 on a 27.5 inch Scott and repeated the feat in 2013. His bike is the mould from which Scott’s entire Scale 27.5 inch range flows.

And this is no exception!

Weight weenie!

The Scott Scale 740 is an alloy bike that weighs in at about 10.8 kilos without pedals. While this may sound a tad hefty compared to Nino’s ridiculous 8 kilo race machine, it is an absolute stunner for a non-carbon ride in this category. What’s even crazier is that when in the saddle, it performs as if its even lighter!

As first impressions go, the Scale 740 is more reserve and elegance than droolworthy hotness. Scott’s almost ubiquitous black and white paint jobs are pretty much the same whether you’re looking at road bikes, hybrids or mountain bikes. The

hydroformed superlight alloy tubing however is a thing of beauty. Further evidence of weight saving are the forged hollow dropouts, the frame-mounted callipers and integrated headset with the tapered steerer of the Fox fork. The ‘bridgeless’ seat stays reduce weight while giving huge clearance so as to accommodate larger tyres if needed.

But how does she ride?

Well, the ‘pocket rocket’ doesn’t even begin to describe it! This is one bike that simply begs to be put under the hammer. Stomp down on the pedals and it takes off like a bat out of hell. As befits a bike modeled on a world-champion’s steed, the position is low and attacking, almost roadie-esque. The wide 700mm Syncros bars provide excellent control as you muscle through pretty much anything. We did wish for lock-on grips though as the stock ones tend to move on you which is an annoyance when you’re concentrating on whipping down trails.

The wheels are generic Syncros rims laced with DT Swiss spokes to a Deore rear hub and what we think is an OEM Formula hub up front. They held up and did the job but

this frame deserves something better. Upgrade the wheels and your grin is bound to get even wider.

Shifting is absolutely flawless with the budget-racer’s SLX groupset being augmented by the XT rear derailleur. On the fly, under load, while climbing or descending, the Shimano RD works like a dream - silently and efficiently. In fact the only noise


Shimano Deore-level callipers directly mounted to the frame Notice the hollow dropouts which save weight

to be heard from the bike was the chain slapping against the stay. It was then that we really did wish that Scott had ponied up the extra rupees for their clutch-type XT derailleur, instead of the older ‘Shadow’ design that has been used. If you’re wondering what that is, the clutch-type derailleur integrates a clutch mechanism into the RD which ensures that the chain remains under tension even when smashing through tough sections. It disengages only during shifting and this pretty much negates chain slap. Either way, its a quibble.

As the bike eats up ground, you have to silently say a prayer and thank the Trail Gods for the invention of things like our Fox 32 Evolution Float fork. While that may be a mouthful to say (or write), it is worth every syllable as it simply does ‘float’ through anything. This incredibly light air fork lets you know why you pay the Fox premium, allowing you change compression damping and rebound at will. But, Scott didn’t just spec this fork, they went a step further. They’ve designed their own proprietary ‘remote’ system called the ‘Rideloc’ which allows you adjust the fork at the push of a lever while riding! Rideloc has 3 different settings which allow you to either open the fork up completely for plush travel, stiffen it up a little or lock it out completely. So, you can be charging down the trail at full pelt and when you see a climb, you just flick your thumb, lock out your fork and mash your way straight up without pause. If we could possibly have a grouse at all, it would be that Scott has elected to spec the Fox with the 9mm dropout, instead of the 15mm on their international model. This is a bit sad because 15mm is the new racing standard as it gives the bike more lateral stiffness and most high-end wheels are specced with 15mm hubs and skewers.

Aiding the fork in helping you climb is the Scale’s beautifully selected gear ratio with a double up front and a 11-36 at the back. We found it comfortable to use the big ring up front for most purposes, even climbing. Aided by the fork, this bike had our test riders easily overtaking anyone on climbs.

Now, XC racing is mostly about endurance and straight line speed and so we

Climbs like a mountain goat!

SLX drivetrain with XT RD

The ‘Rideloc’ allows you to control the fork on the fly

The gorgeous Fox 32 Float Evolution fork

expected this to be a demon out on the flats. But what came a real shocker was how well the Scale 740 handles. The more you throw yourself into corners, the more it responds. Even though its equipped with Schwalbe Rocket Ron tyres which aren’t really for technical riding, this bike takes everything in its stride. For hardcore trail riders, the position would be a little aggressive but that is only natural considering this bike’s pedigree. Most of our team are die-hard 26ers who have scoffed at larger wheel sizes due to the handling sacrifices they entail. But, on this, for the first time, our tester at times forgot that he wasn’t on a 26er. That itself is clear testament to the amount of research and engineering Scott has poured into developing this wheel size.

If you’re going that fast, you’d better be able to slow down in a hurry. Scott has specced Deore-level non-series Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. Which is just fancy talk to say that the levers and callipers don’t have the ‘Deore’ badging but are just as good. They are matched to a 180mm rotor up front and 160 at the back. At the rear, as we mentioned, the callipers are mounted directly to the stays, without the use of an adapter. These brakes bite like a mangle and stop on a dime. Make sure you don’t use more than a single (gentle) finger, or you’ll be biting the dust pretty darn quick.

The Last Word

The Scott Scale 740 is a brilliant piece of engineering designed for the aspiring competitive mountain biker. As this is still a niche product in India, it has to be ordered at a price of somewhere around INR 200,000 (give or take a few thousand based on the fluctuating rupee and air freight costs). Now, while we know this sounds like the price of a car, we think it is actually quite reasonable considering the package on offer. Today we see amateur kit on mid-level bikes flirting with the 100,000 price range. This however is an altogether different animal - a thoroughbred race machine. The Scott Scale 740 proves that 27.5 wheels have well and truly arrived and is the wheel size of the XC racing future. If you can afford it, buy it! If you can’t, then save up! It’ll be worth every single rupee.

The bike loves to be muscled and hammered down trails!

The Scott Scale 740 in all its glory

HISTORY IN A BYLANE: PART II

HISTORY IN A BYLANE: PART IIText and Images by Rahul K Thomas


A frontal view of the Paratrooper cycle

It was all too much to take in a single visit. So I let it sit and stew for a few weeks. I pored over the pictures I had taken and absorbed what Kumar and his father had told me. I trawled the net for more information about the history of bicycles. And then I headed back there, to try and do some measure of justice to his collection.

On this occasion, I got to spend more time with the odd one out in his collection - a beautiful army green paratrooper’s bicycle from 1939. Impeccable restored (as all his machines are), this one sports beautiful lines. Lines that do justice to a hallowed name familiar to each and every Indian out there - BSA or ‘The Birmingham Small Arms Company’ as it was known. The BSA was originally a single-speed but Kumar had added a little touch of his own by adding a 3-speed Sturmey-Archer internal-gear hub at the rear but what fascinated me was naturally its folding capability. It reminded me of the folding bike my grandfather had, when he was in the Indian Army, albeit inestimably more elegant. The bike could be folded in a trice by loosening two nuts - one on the top tube and one on the down tube. In addition to this, the fork could also be removed easily by undoing a nut at the top of the steerer tube.

The next in line was gorgeous 24-inch Raleigh Gentleman’s edition from the 50’s. With a 4-speed

The 1939 BSA Paratrooper cycle

Nut on the top tube

Folded in seconds

The nut that opens up the fork column

Dunlop rims ‘Made in England’

Nut on the down tube

internal-gear hub which also acts as a dyno hub, this one positively bristled with technology. It sported a battery attached to the seat tube, which would store energy during the day and then boost the throw of light from the Miller lamp at night. A brass bell, Dunlop rims and an original Brooks saddle completed this imposing package.

The last but far from the least, was the Belle of the Ball. A 1930’s 23-inch Raleigh Ladies Sports edition which still sports the original coat of paint on the bike. With a 3- speed internal-gear hub and the rear and a dyno hub up front, in its day it was the bicycle for a lady.

But, we weren’t quite done yet. Kumar opened up his cupboards and out tumbled history by the handful. His collection of lamps spans nearly a couple of centuries. From carbide lamps stained with age to those which have never been used to oil lamps, electric lamps powered by dynamos and battery-powered lamps. These rubbed shoulders with tachometers, turn indicators, lubricant

The 24-inch 1950s Raleigh Gentleman’s Edition

Sturmey-Archer shifter

The dyno hub 23-inch Raleigh Ladies Sports Edition from the 30’s

Sturmey-Archer internal-gear and dyno hub

The Miller Lamp

The battery which stores power

from the dyno hub

dispensers and so on. Brass vied with aluminium and steel gleamed through them all. Each and every one of them was a treat to the eye. Entranced by the stories they could tell, I nearly forgot to photograph these relics.

I walked away filled with a odd sense of happiness. One that I feel when, in the unlikeliest of places, I meet people who passionately collect, restore and treasure objects which tie us to our shared history. In a frenetic use-and-throw world which values change over all else, its a lifeline which, every once in a while, helps me stop and dream of bygone days of seemingly endless time and grace.

Lucas petroleum lamps Lucas carbide lamps from the 1800s

A never-used carbide lamp from the 1800sA German-built headlight with an inbuilt tachometer

Lucas turn indicators

A rescued Humber frame from the 1800s awaiting restoration

OFF THE BEATEN TRAIL

The mountains beckon, and have done so for centuries! In times past, pragmatism drove humans to the mountains. Today compelled by the spirit of adventure, and a need for challenge, people navigate paths laid out decades or even centuries ago by men and beasts. In the verdant hill slopes around Mahabaleshwar, the British laid out horse trails or bridle paths in the 19th century. Even today these trails are often the only way to penetrate the dense forests in the region.

Rudransh Mathur, a designer and film maker who has lived in Panchgani most of his life has spent the past few years exploring and mapping the trails. Riding 40-50 kms on his MTB he has discovered trails that go deep into the forest, leading to waterfalls and long forgotten shrines, and sometimes ending at cliffs that offer him a vista of up to 13 waterfalls.

A vast plateau set at 4400 Ft, Mahabaleshwar is the source of the Krishna River, receiving up to 100 inches of rain in one month in Monsoon. Blanketed by a forest that enjoys a staggering biodiversity, 70% of all plant species in Maharashtra can be found in the forests around Mahableshwar.

MAHABALESHWAR: THE MOUNTAINS BECKONText by Divya Tate, Images by Rudransh Mathur


Blue Valley ride

Not surprisingly, Rudransh has often discovered secret trails that had to be cleared so he could continue. And his efforts have been rewarded. Cycling through the thick undergrowth with only the sound of his wheels as they scrunch on the leaves on the forest floor, the wealth of the forests, have been revealed to him. Spotting wildlife on these trails in not uncommon, including the shy state animal of Maharashtra, the Giant Squirrel!

These paths are mostly recreational off-road trails, sometimes leading to trailheads of single track routes with a little more challenge. For those with a desire for more, there are long distance paths laid out centuries before the Britishers, by the Maratha warriors. Even today one can see ancient stone blocks along these paths, marking the routes. Called Rajmargs and purportedly used by Chatrapati Shivaji, they were also laid out for the use of riders on horseback.

One such route follows a ridgeline from Satara to Mahabaleshwar over Kaas Plateau, also well known for its biodiversity, particularly wildflowers. Though these slopes are bare of forest, they allow for breath-taking views of the lakes and valleys, as one rides up and down the hills on red mud trails.

Mahabaleshwar and Kaas Plateaus both bear the brunt of callous tourism that has threatened their delicate natural state. Only recently have they both received protected status. Cycling these trails one is brought close, not just to the terrain but to the people who have occupied it centuries before us. Hopefully these routes will be available for generations to come.

BOYS’ TOYS

ZEFAL SPIN REAR VIEW MIRRORTired of looking over your shoulder? We have the perfect product for you - Zefal’s ‘Spin’ rear view mirror. This is a wonderfully adaptable mirror which can be used on both roadbikes and flat-barred bikes. The spin can be twisted and turned to suit your viewing angle and will always ensure that you know what’s coming up from behind you.

LIMAR X-MTB SUPERLIGHT HELMETThe X-Mtb is a ridiculously light helmet at just a shade over 200 grams. Its monoshell in- mould frame gives brilliant protection even on the toughest of trails. With 16 air vents, a fit system that allows height adjustment, antibacterial pads and more, this is the last word in offroad protection.

For more details drop us a line at [email protected]

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GET OUT AND RIDE!

crank with procycle june 2014

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