6 Riders from ABC went for Abu Ascent-2 on 6th-7th August 2011.
This Included
1. Anand Dalal
2.Haresh Mevada
3.Vivek Shah
4.Gaurav Shah
5.Jaikrishna Agrawal
6. Samir Shah
Abu Ascent - 2, from the pen of Jaikrishna Agarwal
It was 4:00 AM on Saturday 6th August, we 6 riders Gaurav, Vivek (on MTB), Samirbhai, Jaikrishna, Haresh & Anand once again gathered at Restore Clinic to set up another milestone in ABC. After loading our luggage and fixing up the cyles on the bicycle stands in 3 cars (special thanks to Dr. Harsh-eventhough he did not come with us but came only for getting fix the bicycles on the cars & Driver Jagdish who fixed up the bicycles on the stands-was with us throughout the tour lending us a very helping hand), we started at 4:30 AM on yet another journey which was very much needed for our forthcoming MLK Tour. Rainy season and the weekend had come as a perfect combination for us; but there were no rains in these two days. After crossing Gujarat border, one tyre of our Innova got punctured; thus delaying our climb by almost 1 hour. Reached base at 9:00 AM and started of immediately for our 1st climb at 9:35 AM reaching the top between 11:30 AM & 12:00 PM. In between, the front tyre of my cycle got punctured and Jagdish was immediately there to assist me in fixing the puncture. I reached the top at 12:00 PM, it was breakfast time, but Gaurav was already ready to roll down for his 2nd climb. Our stay was at Aranya Village Resort. A Team from the TOI, courtesy Gaurav, was there throughout our 1st climb. One Dr. Sharma had arranged a small ride with 15 local schoolboys. Only Gaurav alongwith the 15 local school boys on their cycles went with him for a short distance. He completed his roll down and climbed up the top by 2:30 PM (Hats off to him for this feat in the humid weather). After having lunch, we had little rest and then started for yet another roll down at 4:30 PM. with no signs of rain eventhough there were some dark clouds. After the climb and having dinner, we went to the mall to have a stroll & icecream. The weather was good. Then back to our hotel and retired to bed by 10 PM. Anand developed cold and he decided to skip the next day trip.
Got up at 5:30 AM on Sunday, had breakfast, packed up and then rolled down at 7 AM for yet another climb. Gaurav made his personal best at 1:21 hours and we all reached by 10 AM. At 6 Kms. Vivek (on his MTB), Myself & Haresh were together for the break & refilling. I asked Vivek about his MTB and he told me to take a try. I went about 50 metres and returned back. Vivek said, "JK Bhai, Pati Gayu" and we had a good laugh. But I took his MTB and he on my Cannondale and we went upto 9 kms. Now it was Haresh's turn to take a trial. After his trial, Vivek asked us whether we both will take the MTB to the top, turn by turn, we agreed. As soon as we agreed, Vivek zoomed on my Cannondale without wasting a single second, thinking, if we changed our minds, he would have to take the MTB to the top. But lo, we did it and were welcomed by Gaurav who was ready, waiting for us. It was a good practice. We Freshened up and decided to trek up the Bimali Mountains at a height of 5500 feet with the help of a local guide. It was a trek I ever did for the first time wearing normal shoes, lots of green moss on the trek route throughout the climb and down. Almost everyone of us slipped 1 or 2 times. But the guide made sticks for all of us so that we could trek smoothly; it helped a lot. On the top was Bimali Mata Temple, where we performed a small Puja, took some photographs of the scenic Mt. Abu and the surroundings. After returning from the trek, had lunch and started back on our return to Ahmedabad at 4 PM, stopped at Palanpur for icecream & paan. Reached Restore Clinic at around 9 PM to disburse to our homes. It was a Superb Team Work by every member without which this type of journeys are not possible and we thank the Mountain Gods for lending us a clear path for our practice.
This practice will definitely help us to sail through our forthcoming MLK Tour. God Bless us All. Take Care. Keep Cycling.
