Keep Pedalling, Keep Cycling!!!

Today, I participated in NRM (Nashik Randonneur Milers) cycling event. It was my 2^nd event after a gap of a month.

This time NRM kept two options – Easy Route and Difficult Route (Daredevils Route). The Easy Route was going to 6 kms ahead of Trimbakeshwar from Gangapur Road and then coming back taking the same route. The Daredevils Route was half way like Easy Route and return was with different route from Trimbakeshwar - Rohile –Kashyapi Dam- Girnare – Gangapur Dam and back to Gangapur Road.   The choice to select the route was given at first check point which was 4 kms from Trimbakeshwar on Jawhar route. When I reached this first check point, some of the organisers were suggesting to go for Easy Route only since the Daredevils Route is quite difficult. Further, as per the NRM policy, 80 kms should be completed in 4 Hrs 26 minutes only to get the credit and eligible for Medal.

I thought for a minute and decided to take up challenge of Daredevils Route. I started return journey and observed that one of the senior cyclists was having trouble in solving the puncture issue. I helped him and invested 15 minutes. He really appreciated my help. When I started again riding…it was less than 2 hours for the cut off time and almost 42 kms to go. My mind told me that now its difficult to finish in prescribed time and I can relax and complete ride.

However, immediately my mind started giving me positive thoughts….wait….don’t conclude….keep pedalling…..the road ahead is new….you are unaware about the ups and downs….but you can stick to your basics of cycling and continue….decide your own check points and try to reach within time…. That’s how I started my ride…..decided ideal time to reach to Girnare then Gangapur Dam and finally Someshwar…..everytime, I managed to bridge the gap between the expected time and actual time which finally helped me finish the ride 2 minutes (sufficient to cook Maggi what Nestle claims) before scheduled time.

I think this what we need to do with our life as well. We face many challenges in life and sometimes, we give up in anticipation that we will fail. However, if we really break those challenges in small milestones and try to achieve them, we may end up successfully completing the challenges as well.

So, I would like to conclude saying “Keep Pedalling, Keep Cycling”