With the rise of cycling synopses in India. There are lots of organization coming up with loads of cycling accessories. As most of these are imported.  Viaterra cyclist came up with a nice concept of having touring bags for cyclists. And guess what they are lot different and cool. I had used the touring bags they had for motorbiking and I love them. And as expected they understand the customers and their requirements and create as per the need.

Now we can get much better products at less price. Touring bags concept is new in India. Even though people do buy cycles,  but they keep themselves only to weekend few km's of the ride. Very few serious riders are out there. But still kudos to these guys for coming up with these amazing products. I got the opportunity to test one of these. It was monsoon and planned to do goa ride from Pune, approx 500km, 2-day ride, now carrying a bag pack is different while you are on a motorbike, but once ur starts pedalling,  it's a different version altogether. Now for 2 days ride, it's not an intelligent idea to carry panniers, being huge in size they need proper panniers holder to attach them to your bike, and if you own a road bike, then forget to use them.

So, Viaterra came up with this nice concept,  a handlebar bag, it was perfect for my 2-day ride, and enough capacity to carry 2 days, required essence, but to make it clearer, I carried,

• Extra tees,
• Shorts,
• Daily use material,
• Extra tubes,
• Some eatables.

It was a monsoon, so the rain was obvious, now this bag comes up with rain cover enough to handle showers to heavy rain. But if you keep the bag in heavy rain for hrs, then nothing is going to work, in that case, so have a break. In my day 2 of the ride, I was in the rain for 4 to 5 hrs and the cover worked in a good way. Moreover, the materials used to make the bag is good, u need not worry about it anytime soon, once u buy this bag.

This bag is easy to attach to cycle. It comes with 3 straps, 2 on top to get tied with handlebar one to keep it steady and avoid from jumping everywhere. Now road bikes are not designed to carry luggage,  so faced issues attaching it in front, as it was causing problems with breaks. So moved it in opposite side. You can see that in pictures. Other than these in back I carried my tent and a sleeping bag that's it. No more extra unnecessary stuff.

You can check the ride story from here.



The bag comes up with splendid zip pouch on top to keep your mobile and screen will be visible from one side as it is made of transparent plastic. I found this very beneficial.  Every part of this bag is composed and made with a thought process, not just a bag. It can be called as a cyclist friend as it is easy to carry, easy to attach to the bike, removes the burden from rider back, can be attached to any bike, good capacity, waterproof covers, good material, what else you need. 

Mtb nationals championship 2015, which was held in Pune, Golf Country Club. Picturesque location,  excellent climate, great arrangement, lots of sponsors and everything was favorable to make this event a sensational event ever happened. Riders, cyclist,  mountain bikers, national athletes all around the nation gathered at this gorgeous location surrounded by flourishing mountains. All of these temptations forced me to leave my office work and spend a whole day at the event venue.

During these two days, I spent lots of time meeting, talking, discussing, sharing with hell lots of people, few I knew, few I meet the first time, made many new friends, discussed lots cycling, mountain biking and everything related to cycling.  And this was obvious as most of the people at the venue are from cycling fraternity.

Giant Starkeen cycles did a good job in executing so many arrangements and make the event look like a huge event, sharing lots of photographs,  pictures,  huge flex, online marketing and guess what, it did work, as all of these covered the dark truth and secrets which hurt every true cyclist out there.

You must be thinking,  I am making baseless rumours to so-called cycling federation event. So I would point out few details:

And the list is endless.

This is the first national event I attended,  and I guess, this was my last too. In history I had attended lots of countless events, and they were much better. Setting up huge banners everywhere with sponsors name in it, don't make an event better.  CFI needs to learn a lot from the way international races are organized and improve themselves, than showcasing their arrogance, ignorance and attitudes.

I am a cyclist,  I love cycling, I spend time learning new skills, Improving myself, increasing my stamina and energy. Not to get wasted in these kinds of event. I would like to be in events, where I am challenged, where I am treated as a cyclist,  not like any favour, I like to be in event where I meet athletes across the world, and where track is so tough to break my bone, so that I can rise up and ride hard next time, instead of jaywalking on race track.  I would attend the event, where cycling and cyclist are respected.

Goa international mountain biking challenge stage 3 at Panjim came to a nail-biting finish in front of hundreds of spectators and riders of Goa. The crowd roared and cheered as Goan riders cross passed them in every lap. And final race ended with obvious and deserving winner Rohan Buddhi Tamag from Nepal, the way he finished every stage astonished everyone.

There were over 40 participants across the globe including Australia,  Nepal, Zurich, India. Even though this was only the very first year for Cycling Goa to organize such an international race, but the event was up to mark and expectations of all riders. Even the track crafted for all the stages are of international standards and tough to make you realize the true sense of a cross country race. I consider it more of Enduro race as there were downhill portion,  rock patches,  blind curves, single tracks, few technical small jumps, gruelling uphill, large river stream. Race comprised of 3 stage from which first two days lap was 4.5km approx and last day was a 2.4km circuit. Obviously race was no childs play, to complete in provided time period, you need skill to control your bike, skills to conquer those humongous uphill, skills to maneuver easily in blind turns, skills to race fast in horrifying downhills. And its not only skill which got tested, you need to have stamina, energy, endurance, power and a huge positive spirit to compete the race in hot and humid climate of Goa.

Pointing about race management, it was conducted in a very good manner with everything at the position, from the hotel to food, transport, race venue selection, route marking. Every participant enjoyed a lot and stay at Jungle Book resort which was our first 2day stay location,  situated in the extensions on Dudhsagar waterfall river. It was one of most astonishing, marvelous, and extraordinary place we could ever have. Even the last day also when we got shifted to Panjim for stage 3 race and prize ceremony,  the hotel provided was too good, situated near to Miramar beach. Organizers took care of participants and their satisfaction level. And this helped us to focus on the race and perform remarkably.

This was my first mountain biking challenge while I was struggling with my bike and such a technically challenging and demanding track, there were participants who literally flew on their bike and finished 1 hour prior to me. First two days I was so stocked with the race struggle I was not able to finish in time. The third day I succeeded to clock a good time just 15min late from the first rider. Good enough for a seasoned rider. This race taught me so many skills and technicalities and virtue of mountain biking. Now that I am back, I am still dreaming about those woods where I rode to finish my circuit. And I have already made up my mind to compete next year, but with lots of more preparation, training and discipline.

Even though the festival ended, to me it felt like the new beginning of mountain biking era in a country like India. If you ask me, this is what India needs at this stage, we need more races like this to push riders to a whole new level and tackle top athletes around the world. Hope next year GIMBC will keep up its standards and make the race worth attending again.

"If you don't ride in the rain and get dirty, then you don't ride".

Pune MTB Dirt Race - Edition 1, organized by Team Pune Racing, was not about just cycling, it was a phenomenon which has just started, a whole new level of  competition ever experienced by riders.

As mentioned by few rides "Awesome trail, a very different one and it was fun riding".

And we guess this is what MTB Dirt Race is supposed to be, a tough, rugged, unexpected, muddy, rocky path to test a rider true cycling spirit, to test his stamina, endurance, his skill and maneuvering qualities as a mountain biker. Surrounded by scenic hills of Sus Gaon, this cross-country race gave riders chance to explore and understand different types of Mountain Biking  genre.

The terrain was fabricated of single tracks, forest tracks, downhill portions, gutwrenching uphill. With the total distance of 3.5km. Also rains 2days prior to the event, made the track little more interesting. The format was very also very different, there were 3 categories based on riding skill Elite, Pro and Women's categories, and all categories had different laps. As the race progressed, riders rushed to get hold of that podium and results were  unbelievable. Even the army brats gave a tough competition to experience downhill and MTB riders of Pune. Pune Racing an initiative by Raw Adventure Solutions have started with new series of cycling, running and all different kind of race activities. They are planning to have mountain biking races, road races, trail marathons and the list is uncountable. These races will help Pune Cyclists learn more about cycling, different kinds of races which happens in cycling sports and will also encourage cyclists to understand more and love cycling sports.

Disclosed here few pictures from the race.

15th August 2015, 6:00 am.

Started early with little snacks and in few hrs I was out of Maharashtra borders. You can feel you are in Karnataka, roads feel like heaven decorated with lots of trees and flower plants , peacocks and sky get more colorful and dramatic.

Early mornning breakfast point

Bangalore Highways

To GOA, there us a turning after Nipani which we have to follow and it will end up in Goa highways, crossing some of the beautiful terrains, jungles, waterfalls and streams. Before turning  for GOA, I had my breakfast, meet many bikers of Kolhapur who are again on Enfield doing some Independence Day Ride.

Kolhapur Bikers

But most interesting was when I meet one more cyclist who was riding from Bangalore to Leh. We discussed for hours, regarding respective experience on cycle touring. It was cool meeting this guy, he shared lots of information, as he had already done many rides like this. The coolest guy I meet, he was travelling all alone and he was also happy to see me as mentioned " a cyclist after 13 days of the ride".

This is the cyclist, who is going leh from bangalore

Soon we bid good bye to each other and started towards our respective destinations. Goa is not only about beaches, it holds much more, the flora fauna, the beautiful jungles, majestic  ghat sections, and soon it was raining. Even though I was carrying my raincoat, I didnot used it, was not interested to spoil the fun of riding in rain shirtless. Removed my shirt, shoes and was riding as fast as I can in that rain, it was too fun. Kids crossing  were shouting as I waved my hand.

Who says road bikes cant do offroading

Dark forests before Amboli Ghat

Reached Amboli Ghat around 1pm, being weekend, it was overcrowded resulting police had to jumpin for creating space for ongoing vehicles. One of most beautiful and picturesque place to be in monsoon, complete valley was covered with green and colorful trees, with clouds passing by making the place like heaver. I spend few minutes enjoying whole scenario and started , after that it was downhill for 10 to 15km. I had to be cautious of bad roads, but there were none, that 30 min was best moment of the whole ride, crossing effortlessly.

These guys took lots of my photographs

Amboli Ghat Waterfalls

After Amboli Ghat I entered the last city of Maharashtra, Sawantwadi. a simple and beautiful city surrounded by mountains with a lake in between which is a popular place in the city. I spent some time relaxing and enjoying the evening sun going down. It was slowly getting dark I was approx 50km more from Mapusa, increased my speed to reach my destination in time.

But guess my fate was bored of all good things that happened to me. And the real game started. The highway was  too dark and only light I was having was a small torch and the ongoing veichles, adding to my misery  there were many small but very bad patches which are enough to bring a road bike down to earth. I missed one such pothole a  very small one, and then,

"Thud, thud"

And I knew the inevitable had happened.  I was stuck in a dark highway 50km before goa, surrounded by dense forests, with no lights and with my bike gone flat.



But there is always a hope, saw a small restaurant nearby,  went there and started repairing, as I was riding a road bike, so the tyres are different, glad I had one extra tube, changed it, repaired the second one. After 4 to 5  trial and struggle which lasted for 2 hrs I was ready with my bike, but it was not in perfectly repaired. Seems im not jack of all trades after all.

With a broken bike,, plus the uphills and the dark rainy night, I was sure, not even superman can help me to reach Mapusa City

Somewhere around 11pm , I managed to enter goa, found one resturant, had my dinner. After talking with restaurant owner, he allowed me to camp in resturant itself, as I was his last customer and he was anyway going to close. Problem solved. Spent few hrs talking with the cook and guard regarding my trip. Sometime it is really fun to talk and spend time with strangers. That night I can never forget.

16th Aug 2015, 6.30am
Woke up. packed tents and other stuffs, repaired bike properly and after a good breakfast I was again on the road enjoying beautiful morning of Goa. Everywhere it is green and clean, not much crowd, cheap rates and awesome weather. Sun was shining bright as if welcoming me to my destination.

Resturant where I camped at night

Morning Breakfast

In few hrs I was at Calangute Beach, had awesome breakfast, a bear, went to shack and spent rest day  having fish, resting , enjoying beach and cool breeze of sea.

Calangute Beach

Fort Augwada, took my bike inside as there was no security.

In this whole trip I saw lots of ups and down literally, meet so many people, spent best time being myself, enjoyed riding in rain, playing in water stream, eating most tasty food, talking to many people about my self, my trip. Over all , this trip gave me things which I was carving for long. Complete Freedom. Now what can be better way than this to celebrate the Independence Day.

As I am already done with all those Independence Day rallies which happen in Pune city. Most of the groups, be it the motorbike, cycle, running, photography all do their respective Independence day ride.

2015, I wanted to celebrate in some better way. As it is the monsoon, a weird IDEA popped up.

"How about a cycling road trip to GOA, exploring different places and  as per google maps it is approximately 425km, and as per my calculation it would take me 2 days."

Took Leave from Office. Had the call with Viaterra guys, for a cycling bag, they managed to send me a handlebar bag which was big enough for 2-3 day ride.

14th August 2015, 6.00am

When everyone was busy getting ready for office and most of IT guys were waiting at the bus stop, I packed my bag, tied my tent, sleeping bag, raincoat on the back carrier of the bike. Tied the Viaterra Handle Bar bag with some clothes and left. I had already received the road bike from the bike store 1 day prior on rental. And soon I was out of city cruising in highway enjoying music, calm weather as there was no rain, but clouds make the climate cooler. Most of motorcycle, car drivers, trucks were crossing me giving me a weird look. And all I did is smile at them.

This thing continued, captured photographs, selfies, videos. Road where not that good for a road bike, there were many bad patches which forced me to slow down, just to avoid going flat. I stopped at regular intervals, had water and refreshments and again started. There are lots of uphills and downhill, where down last for the fraction of seconds, uphill goes on for hours, sometimes it gets irritating. Anyway I was at the advantage due to my road bike and 27 gear ratio helped me a lot.

The best part of my trip started when I crossed Satara which was 100km from Pune, as the roads after that were in good conditions and I was able to take full advantage of having a road bike. And many times people use to come by and ask same old questions.

Where am I going? 
Where am I from? 
Am I  in some kind of race. and when I mention I am going GOA in the cycle. all of them had some expression. and it was too funny sometimes.

What  I loved is people are not that bad either, many wished me for my trip. Many enjoyed talking with me, some also took my photographs and it was an overall new experience which I never had during motorbike trips. Every solo trip I did it helped me a lot, to learn many new amazing things which I would have never learned.

Soon it was dark and I reached Kolhapur by 9 pm, 200km done for Day 1. Booked a lodge near to highway for 400 bucks. Already was in lot pain and, was dehydrated badly so had my dinner and what an awesome sleep I had.



Hoping for next day to recover and reach my destination in time.

180km, 120 participants, 2 days, 1 destination this is what describesPanshet Parikrama .   

A journey of going round of Panshet dam covering beautiful backwaters and near by villages crossing uncountable rugged hill , soothing waterfalls, dark forests. Pashet is my favorite place near to Pune, come monsoon and this place crosses beauty of heaven.   I got to know about this from Mera Event website, n on reading the description i was like :

I am Doing this for Sure

Campsite, taken at 10pm night

Even though i dont do cycling regularly i knew 180km wont be tough. And the ride day arrived, came back from work around 3am in morning, collected stuffs i would be caring, and at 6am started for the pickup point, was not able to get enough sleep. But the excitement was so much was not tired at all, when i reached Vishnu ki Rashoi, which was 2nd pickup point, there were around 3 4 people already waiting and soon many others came and soon the area was crowded with people wearing white tees saying panshet parikrama, approx at 7am carry van came where all participants uploaded their bags n other stuffs.   

Before Turning for Panshet Dam

Refreshment time

Riding Hard in some village

Everyone taking break after lunch

So after warm up, we started towards Khadagwasla dam which was first meet point. Riders from all age group came, some college kids, few school kids, many elders above 40 and others youngsters. So it was a group of people of all generation, and it was obvious that they cant stick together,  n that's the reason we had few meet points after specific distance.   The breakfast point was chimbalkar resort, near to Singhagad fort,  reached there around 9am many were already tired, all had stomach full of breakfast, resort was good and was maintained in beautiful fashion.

Small View of Panshet Dam

Bikes were also taking Rest

After breakfast ride started again, roads till panshet are too good to ride slow and I was riding at 40kmph. Soon my honeymoon period ended as i entered panshet,  took left turn for the real journey to start and then it was all sad journey, as the roads are in bad condition and there were hell lots of uphill and downhill ride. Was scared initially going downhill at full speed, but later during the ride, learned to control my bike and drive easily through rough patches taking full advantage of my MTB. Was also able to take turns as the full gripped tyres helped a lot in controlling my bike, that road was truly for MTB, anything else will keep u worrying and wont let u enjoy. Few hybrids did good job, but rides keep complaining about bad road, but then what kind of offroading event has butter smooth roads.   We reached the camping place at 5pm, had few small breaks for lunch and refreshments in between. Upon reached camping place the happiness and tired ness all disappeared only looking at the tents in between hill surrounded by water from 3 sides. Organizers had really done a awesome job the way event was ,managed, there were many newbies also and belive me no one was left out, everyone enjoyed a lot.

Captured while i was trying some offroading near to lake

Campsite in morning time

We had a backup van for repairing of bike in case of damage, a freshment truck with all food and water. More over there was vikash and his raw adventure team on bike to show was n help.  Hats off to these guys. After 80km  of ride all were exhausted, even then everyone enjoyed the campsite and the cool water around it. Consumed our dinner had lots of gossips about biking, cycling, marathon, bullet and went to sleep.    

While returning back to pune , found this place to have fun

This 15year kid did what most of us wont even think.

Day 2, early morning line up and briefing session.

Next day we started around 9am with national anthem and breakfast. The ride planning to complete next 80km n back to pune by 5pm. As the route was same up n down n blind turns. At 12pm reached Panshet Boating club, had our lunch n started back to pune.     Over all it was an amazing ride, if you are not a regular rider then also u wont face any issues, the event was planned perfectly, no was left behind. There was also a backup and refreshment van at the end.

Campsite after while leaving on day 2

Uphill part while most of riders were trying hard

While getting ready to take a dive