Virpur Ride:19th February 2011.
ABC rides continue to enjoy very high success rate.
Out of 11 riders - 10 finished.
We started from Restore Clinic at 3:30 in the morning after mounting the cycles on the car and reached Bagodara. Got down on the side of the highway and started pedalling at 5 in the morning. Pretty chilly early in the morning but with the effort of pedalling, the chill vanished quickly. We had the cars coming slowly behind us so that we can see the road in the dark and be yielded by the upcoming traffic. Beautiful full moon also beaming light during our ride.
Winds picked up as the morning broke but till Rajkot - these were mainly side winds blowing from our right to left. So there were periods of head wind and tail wind till Chotila - but neither having much positive or negative effort on riding effort.
Once we crossed Chotila - it was predominantly tail wind and once we crossed Rajkot - strong pure tail wind. Thus last 65 kms could have been ridden almost without much effort. The sun was shining brightly by that time but the atmospheric temperature remained cool throughout - so no much issue with heat.
From 1 pm onwards - one by one the riders started reaching Vijay's place - cheered by other riders, Vijay's wife Shefali, his mother and ever smiling staff Chikuben. Each rider beaming with joy and a sense of achievement and eagerly awaiting the call to hog onto the Thepla and Butter.
Rest of the stay was a mix of relaxing, visiting ancient Buddha caves near Virpur, visiting Vijay's farm, having freshly prepared Jinjra (baked Leela Chana - right there in the farm) - but most of the activities revolving around the huge dining table - be it lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and breakfast. And yes - a lovely night time kesar-pista warm milk on his terrace with the family - in the Virpur crisp and chilly air under shining stars was the highlight.
We all T&B riders to Virpur whole heartadly thank Vijay and his family for hosting us and feeding us with some of the most sumptuous food you can ever test. It's not easy to have nearly a dozen riders and five drivers decent upon a functioning household. They made us feel at home and we treated it like our home.
Haresh Mevada had to cancel at the last hour to assist his wife suffering from cold and high fever. But in ABC - generosity galores. To ensure no last minute hitch to the ride, he sent his car and driver as promised. We thank him for this selfless act from the bottom of our hearts. We wish Mrs. Mevada a quick recovery.
Greatly improved pedalling from Shravan, tenacity of not yet fully recovered hemiplegic Dr. Anand Dalal and determination personified by Parvez Hashmi were the highlights.
By reading this if you have a slightest degree of amazement - don't. Such rides are not heroic acts but a result of practice, perseverance and determination. Everyone has these qualities. You just have to believe that it is within you, recognise it, accept it and act on it.
The Route
