I heard of the “tour of nilgiris” last year as Jas tried to coaxing people into joining him to go for the tour. Most if not all thought of how absurd it was to spend a bomb on something as trivial as a bicycle. Since I had already registered for the Mumbai marathon, running the half marathon was close to heart than riding 900Km. But slowly as part of cross training for the marathon I took up cycling. All I had that time was a hero ranger swing. The Mumbai marathon taught one very important lesson. There were people of all age groups who ran in the marathon, but they did it to prove to themselves, and realize within themselves that nothing is impossible.
As Jas got back with his stories about TFN09, there was a sense of wonder and awe at the feat achieved. Of late cycling has meant riding towards Marine drive from Powai which is 35 odd Km one way, and back on every Saturday. It has meant making the most of my Ranger Swing, and Jas on his Trek 4300. Though my 18 shimano SIS with rear shox are no match for the 21 gears on the awesomely light Trek, it’s the challenge that makes it worth the while. This done with a view that some day i will ride the tour of nilgiris.
This year especially the tour is bound to be a lot more fun since the chosen 100 will blaze the trail of over a 1000Km from recce1 and recce 2 done by Rajesh Nair. Interestingly TFN10, with a 100 riders and 1000 Km seems like a calculation the organizers were aiming for since 2008. Must be a very subtle dream come true.
| Year | Riders | Distance | Days |
| 2008 | 55 | ~750Km | 6 |
| 2009 | 70 | 901Km | 8 |
| 2010 | 100 | >1000Km | 9 |
Although the riders in contention have already begun flexing their muscles, blogging about this leisurely ride through the hills, which is nothing short of a race is going to make the headlines for sure. This years ride promises to be special since the organizers have conceptualized a charity driven tour, a sort of giving back to the ecosystem that is their home. Riders like Sudarshan Krishnamurthi and Arun D Silva will be riding for their organisations Vidyodaya-ASHA and Aarohi Educational Trust respectively in order to rake in as much support as possible for their respective causes.
All and all the experience of long distance riding is similar to a marathon, the only difference is that you have a set of wheels that separate you from the ground, but the oneness that one experiences with the elements is unparalleled. None can explain it better than those who have been there and done it.
Riders speak
Rakesh Nair is feeling it with the recent surge in the TFN-related status messages by his friends. Never thought that cycling and the tour will one day become an important aspect of his life. TFN has become like Diwali/XMAS/Birthday – deeply awaited event in life !
Bharani Shivakumar 60 days to go and 10 kilos to lose. Tour of Nilgiris and Tour Of Tamilnadu are coming back to back… Come on BHARANI!!!! You cannot sleep until sunrise anymore!
Fundae
There are a number of websites that have a plethora of information you can use to train for the long haul. Some of them are as follows
To answer the two most important questions about why i wan to be there and write about it , here it is
1. Tell us why you should be the official blogger for TFN 2010
My blogging mantra is to write about what I love doing. Its been 2 years and 60 posts all ranging from poems to travelogues, to philosophy to some photography. And whatever is written is from the heart, a unique perspective woven into a story at times. Being at the TFNTen this year will be one short of inspiring me to take up the ride next year and make a serious commitment towards cycling, more so going green. The blog would catalogue the following
Riders speak
Views from the horses mouth as and when things happen ,the pains and aches, the thrills and the chill captured as they happen.
Fundae
Technicalities about cycles involved
Techniques involved that made or broke spirits of the riders.
Strategies of riders from the experienced to the newbies on or before each day of the tour
After hours
The lighter moods on tour. Riders come out with their best and the lightest mood when they are relaxing, so my aim would be to capture their views on the sights, scenes and their take home from TFNTen
A blog I feel is more to catalogue the riders perspective about it all, a tête-à-tête so to say with the riders as they converse with the asphalt.
thanks for the comments!