Tour De Golden Triangle. Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Delhi On A Bicycle Part 1 TDGT

The Prelude:

The seeds were planted last year, I guess in April. Nothing takes place in vacuum. In April 2016 I created a Facebook event - Noida - Agra - Noida on Cycle 400 KM. This was when I first got my Btwin Rock Rider 300 on Yamuna Expressway. There was a milestone next to the road reading "Agra 200 KM". A thought, followed by a strong feeling started creating cadence in my head; that if I can do this, then I will be prepared to face from worse to the worst in life. I will grow in strength, both mental and physical. A strong desire started giving shape to this thought like a potter's hand on the revolving clay. This was the phase when I was clean; off from Alcohol and smoking for 4 months now and was struggling with the relapse phase. 'Easier desired than done' is my twisted version of the cliched saying 'easier said than done'. I was not prepared physically for such long rides. Lack of experience and physical stamina were 2 biggest roadblocks. So this Facebook event's date was moved from pillar to post. Initially it was 4th April 2016; postponed to 4th May; then to 4th June. This epic drama went on till 4th September when I finally decided to take the event down completely. I could have deleted the event, but could not delete the strong desire from my consciousness to attempt something like Delhi to Agra and back on cycle.

So what have I been doing these 8 - 9 months? The answer to that question is I had been preparing myself mentally and physically to live up to the challenge. Preparing, in case some opportunity in time and space befalls my way.  Riding regularly on an average 200 - 220 KM per week, with a few occasional long rides of 100 - 150 and 200 Kilometres were the part of my preparation. Also, I had been saving up to buy a new cycle because after doing Delhi - Rishikesh one way I realised it will be very hard to cover long distances on a sub average bicycle. So I finally bought a new cycle (A big thank you to my grandfather who contributed more than half in this extravaganza), with all mental and physical preparedness. Then came the Facebook event from EDR (East Delhi Ryderz) popping up on my timeline. The event's name was - Tour-De Golden Triangle. It didn't take even one tenth of a nano second for it to capture my imagination. That desire which I had been keeping and nurturing in my subconscious for these last 8-9 months; suddenly rekindled, and came to the surface. There was no doubt in my mind and no reason for me to not go this time. I was both prepared and ready now. I felt both confident and prepared this time around. Applied for leaves in office, paid the event fees (Rs. 10,000 only for everything, backup vehicles, Hotel stays, food and support) which led me to India Gate on that windy Friday morning of 3rd March 2017.

The Fugue - Day 1 - Delhi to Agra

With excitement and adrenaline levels at a Super high scale. Alertness and awareness at its peak. Mood and mental disposition placed at upper curve of the happiness index graph. We started off this epic ride of a life time, knowing perfectly well that all 13 riders with their 5 Marshalls are not going to be the same after this. Something or the other from their beings were going to be taken away by the wind, the trees and the concrete. Some fear, some guilt, some doubt, some acrimony, some hesitancy were about to be getting dissolved in these coming 3 days; making way for contentment, virtue, clarity, love, and conviction to enter. 

The bonding arising from human suffering is the easiest to understand. Just a nod of a head, an eye contact, or a smile says it all "I understand and respect the battle in you; that you are fighting against your sufferings and fears". I was talking less during the ride on Day 1. I had a few conversations here and there with Gurleen Ma'am, Kamal Sundriyal Sir, Gaurav Dasgupta, Bora Sir, but I felt I had known all these 17 people for a very long time and we have just got reunited. It was a pleasant March morning, with less traffic and less pollution, as we made our way to the Borders of Delhi. Looking at the sunrise that day behind the multi-story buildings and bridges, I felt my character which had survived all those scars from the past. It filled me with a new energy and a feeling of self contentment. Looking at others, pedalling their way; Ayn Rand's words "Love, friendship, respect, admiration are the emotional response of one man to the virtues of another, the spiritual payment given in exchange for the personal, selfish pleasure which one man derives from the virtues of another man’s character." came to me at once. Selfishness of this sort seemed so right and apt. Everything seemed so right and apt. 

I had learnt to value myself and was fighting for my happiness as we were making way towards Agra at a cruising speed of 24-25 Kmph. The roads towards Mathura highway; as Yamuna Expressway is not for cycling; are kind of a mix of good and bad. 60% good and 20% not so good and 20% bad. If you are taking a road bike, you might feel a little discomfort on a few stretches, but nothing that you cannot be able to manage. I will not discuss the story of Indian roads and traffic, because everyone knows how in India everyone follows all the traffic rules quite scrupulously and diligently, no kidding! 

Taking optimum breaks, after stopping to eat lunch at a highway McDonald's in Mathura and keeping ourselves hydrated we made our way further towards Taj Mahal. 

I was carrying a backpack with basic cycle repair kit, USB chargers and powerbank, Rain Coat, and a big pump in it. I was being advised not to carry anything when there is an option to keep it in the backup vehicle and that I was being foolish (in good sense of course). But that is the way I am. I wanted it to be toughest the first day so that in comparison the next two days will seem easier (which was a bad reasoning and a foolish thinking, later it will prove). That was my thinking behind keeping that monkey on my back. But I was telling everyone all sort of bullshit. That it is my second organ, I feel comfortable with it, I am a trekker and what not. Probably out of some remaining immaturity in me which I was about to shed in the coming 2 days. 

The Cyclist With Monkey On His Back

By 4:30 PM we all congregated at the Great Akbar's tomb. Regrouped, recharged the lost energy on the way pedalling 200 Kms; and taking a few pictures we all made our way towards Taj Mahal together. As one group, as a unit, a battalion!   

First Group Of Riders To Reach The 200 KM Mark!

Riding further 5-7 Kms there it was "The Taj Mahal" in sight. The sight of Taj Mahal did not manage to impart or stir the level and quality of happiness and satisfaction; which looking at the happy and content faces of each one of my fellow riders did. From the young and impatient jubilation of Nidhi and Dhruv to the silent contentment of Sanjeev sir, everyone was beaming with childlike happiness and excitement. We all gave bites to the local media people and went on to greet the Taj Mahal towards Mehtab Bagh with our Clits and Helmets, symbolic to armours of a warrior fighting a battle or war. The saying goes in our cycling groups लड़ाई तो खुद से है (The fight/battle/war is within us); standing in front of majestic and mighty emblematic reminder of limitless human capabilities; we all felt victorious that day in our own personal battles!

  At Mehtab Bagh - Taj Mahal

P.S. : For character descriptions of riders and ride Marshalls, please refer to my other blog post.