Riders brace against all odds of Humidity, Heat, Terrain, Road conditions & Rain to Finish 300km AUDAX BREVET
Mangaluru: Hearty congratulations to all riders of 300km BRM. Mangalore BRMs, Nicknamed the ‘most entertaining and challenging BRMs’ in India by the cycling fraternity, this BRM was no different. Passing through the rolling terrains towards the western ghats, it was heat, humidity and a scorching sun that caught the rides off-guard, and 1000m elevation spike in 10km at Agumbe Ghat that’s classified under Category 4 climb right before the turning point was made even the experienced riders to walk or drag through the climb.
Heavy afternoon shower gave some solace from the heat as riders struggled to keep up the time at the control points. After the descent, the route touched the beautiful Maravathe beach and then 100km back to Mangalore, costing along the Arabian sea. But for the tired legs, even this was proving to be a difficult challenge. The gritty riders continued and those not so well prepared had to pay the price for not keeping up the pace and time!!
Walter D’Souza, entrepreneur, an eminent industrialist was kind enough to grace his presence for the flag-off. While addressing the gathering he said events like these provide wholesome exercise to the body, mind and make one as precious as one can be. He hoped that Mangalore city corporation would come forward to create infrastructure for cycling and that he would champion the cause to pursue the administration for better Infrastructure for cycling in our city.
12 riders registered for the event, out of which 11 riders started off, including 62-year-old Jossie Mendonca (from USA), 60-year-old Joseph Pereira, Harivijay Kudva, the youngest of all, Gururaju Patil, Rajesh Nayak, Naveen Kotian, Mohibb Hussain, Koushik Boloor, Nithin Mohan, Shyamprasad Nayak, Sarvesha Samaga, 9 riders finished the event well on time and 2 dropped off for not meeting the Midway cutoff points. 2 officials Ashok and Shivananda were with the riders until late evening to oversee support and necessary encouragement, en route for all.
This wraps up the first BRM of the 2019-20 season and now we would gear up for our signature 600km event, the PALACE ON WHEELS. Are you all ready to challenge yourself?