5 Good Reasons to Ride

Why I Cycle...

“Our happiest moments always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else.” — Lawrence Block

Anju Khosla: Among The Firsts

Anju Khosla never imagined that some day she would find her calling as a pioneer woman cyclist. An Army kid, her school years at TAFS were focussed on being a career woman and her academic inclinations were amply evident as a JMC pass out with B.Com. Hons and a Masters in Business Economics from DU. With an internship at NIIT under her belt, she set out on a career path in the financial sector and as destiny would have it, that's where she met her future husband, Yogen. Marriage followed shortly and Yogen being a sports enthusiast lost little time in introducing Anju to the many joys of sports. In fact, her first pair of running shoes were bought while on their honeymoon at Goa, soon followed by forays into golf.

Early Years 
Cycling happened to Anju in 2006 when Gagan Khosla, her brother-in-law, inspired by a solo cyclist doing the Leh-Manali route, went on to do the same with a few friends. Upon his return to Delhi, he started the cycling group, GKB with five members, Anju being one of them. It didn't take long for her to graduate from the short rides around Nehru Park on a borrowed bike to pedalling off for her first long ride from Manesar to Jaipur, the first of many as the endurance cycling bug bit her.

Memorable Ride
The Manali to Leh ride in 2010 has been the most memorable one she feels as it tested her limits and pushed her to the wall. The challenges ranged from increment weather conditions, inhospitable terrain, altitude sickness to having the thought, "god! another 8 hours of cycling today" flit across her mind. But all of that paled into the inconsequential realm when compared to the experience of being at one with nature, riding through the grand expanses of Leh and the unique bonding and camaraderie with fellow riders that comes about in such tough situations.

Toughest Ride
Anju cites her very first 200 km Brevet as the toughest ride, The first 70 km came by comfortably as she kept pace with a bunch of riders but at the 100 km mark the fatigue started to creep in, forcing  her to slow down. The remaining 100 km were done with sheer will power and buddy spirit with fellow rider, Vijay, stopping to take a break virtually every 10 km, motivating each other, they went on to complete the Brevet together. The takeaways from this ride were the importance of keeping an easy pace, ensuring that the heart rate should not be too high; replenishing salt and water levels; and eating on time.

Challenging Ride 

Desert 500 from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer in 2012, proved to be very challenging as Anju started to cramp after the first 100 km itself. At the 125 km mark, the cramps got worse and the thought of stopping to take a break, even giving up had to be brushed aside as she decided to keep going the best she could. Fortunately, relief came after she ate and rested at the Time Station, and the next 250 km went by comfortably. As she approached the end of her ride at the 500 km mark, she felt the euphoria of wanting to continue riding on for longer.

Achievements
Being a pioneer in the cycling fraternity, Anju is always willing to step out to motivate others to take up cycling. As a matter of fact, many women have taken up the sport on seeing her. She believes that if she can do it, anyone can. Her biggest motivation is the response of her children, as their sense of awe at her achievements give her immense satisfaction.

Cycling Partner
Anju and Yogen are the first couple of cycling and complement each other perfectly. They provide each other with the much needed push whenever the other person is down and are a source of constant support and company to each other on the rides. Downtime is spent on planning weekly rides and out station cycling trips with their group.

Cycling Means
Cycling to Anju means the spark that keeps her buzzing. It gives her a sense of the extraordinary in an ordinary life. Her week is divided into the 'up days' when she cycles and the 'something is missing' days when she doesn't.

As A Woman Cyclist 
Not having other women to ride with has been a downside with regard to the social aspect of cycling. There are times she would have enjoyed riding in female company as men tend to have a more competitive streak. Therefore, on occasions when she doesn't want to feel guilty of holding anyone back, she ends up cycling by herself.

Cycling Scenario
People are more cycling friendly than was the case 7 years ago when Anju started out, though the insensitivity towards cyclists on the roads remains as bad. There's a lot that needs to be done with regard to the road conditions and traffic situation. A glimmer of hope comes with initiatives like dedicated cycling lanes but there's a long way to go still.

Tips For Nutrition While Riding
To neutralise the effect of burning about 600 cal/hour, an intake of 350-400 cal/hour is recommended.
Nimbu pani with electral and salt; Gaitorade are effective for keeping hydrated.
Banana; dates; jam sandwich; energy bars are good options while on the saddle.
Eat every half an hour, even if it's just a bite.

Advice For Beginners
Don't be in a hurry to get competitive.
Train over a period of time to test your body for long, fast distances.
Keep an intelligent pace.
Night riding needs a lot of caution.
Interval training helps a lot.

Cheers all!!

Bike Lines...

• Bicycling is the perfect marriage of man and machine. You are the motor, so you get all the credit when things go right." "And when things don't go so well?" "Then you blame the bike." "That doesn't sound like my perfect marriage."  Jef Mallett 

• The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community. Ann Strong 

• Government must help to eliminate cars so that bicycles can help to eliminate government." Advocacy slogan in Holland 

• Cycling isn’t a game, it’s a sport. Tough, hard and unpitying, and it requires great sacrifices. One plays football, or tennis, or hockey. One doesn't play at cycling.” Jean de Gribaldy 

• Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize fishing is stupid and boring. Desmond Tutu

• Marriage is a wonderful invention: then again, so is a bicycle repair kit. Bill Connolly

Two Wheels & a Chain...

This is Just a Bicycle...

Why Go Mountain Biking??

Why Not? Around the world on the saddle!

Alastair Humphreys at TEDxHull

Alastair Humphreys has spent over four years cycling round the world, a journey of 46,000 miles through 60 countries and five continents. He's walked across Southern India following the Kaveri river, rowed the Atlantic Ocean, ran the Marathon des Sables, completed a crossing of Iceland by foot and packraft and participated in an expedition in the Arctic, close to the magnetic North Pole. Alastair has also recently returned from walking across the Empty Quarter retracing the route of one of his heroes, Wilfred Thesiger, walking 1000 miles in 45 days through the desert in Oman.

On roads less travelled...

Go as a pilgrim and seek out danger
far from the comfort

and the well lit avenues of life.

Pit your every soul against the unknown

and seek stimulation in the comfort of the brave.

Experience cold, hunger, heat and thirst

and survive to see

another challenge

and another dawn.

Only then will you be at peace

with yourself

and be able to know and to say;

“I look down the farthest side of the mountain,

fulfilled and understanding all,

and truly content that

I lived a full life and one

that was my own choice”

~ James Elroy Fleck

Ride & Shine...

Predawn ride, I pass my neighbor on a run. "Why are you riding a bike?" he asks. "Running gets you in shape faster." It's not about that. It's about how riding makes me feel. The speed. Leaning into gentle curves. Charging up hills. How strong my legs feel. Riding gets me fit. But thats just luck. I don't ride to get fit. ~R. Todd Barker.  

So, do what it takes to get out there...find your passion...follow your heart...n Just Do It!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SuPLxQD4akQ

Get Inspired!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QDmt_t6umoY

The Holstee Manifesto: Lifecycle

This is Your Life, Do what you love ...and do it often. 
If you dont like something change it. If you dont like your job, Quit!
If you dont have enough time, STOP Watching TV..
If you are looking for the love of your life, they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love.
STOP over analyzing,..

LIFE IS SIMPLE.

Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people.        
WE are united in Our differences.
Some opportunities only come once, seize them.

Travel Often; Getting lost will help you find yourself.
All emotions are beautiful..
When you eat..Appreciate every last bite.
Ask the next person you see what their passion is..
Share your inspiring dream with them
LIFE IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU MEET.
and the things you create with them..
SO Go out and start creating

..LIFE IS Short...

The Zen of Cycling

A Zen Teacher saw five of his students return from the market, riding their bicycles. When they had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, "Why are you riding your bicycles?" 

The first student replied, "The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!" The teacher praised the student, saying, "You are a smart boy. When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over, as I do." 

The second student replied, "I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path." The teacher commended the student, "Your eyes are open and you see the world."

The third student replied, "When I ride my bicycle,  I am content to chant, nam myoho renge kyo." The teacher gave praise to the third student, "Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel." 

The fourth student answered, "Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all beings." The teacher was pleased and said, "You are riding on the golden path of non-harming." 

The fifth student replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle."

The teacher went and sat at the feet of the fifth student, and said, "I am your disciple."