SATURDAY, June 11. 2010
PANJIM FERRY ~ BETIM ~ VEREM ~ PILERNE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ~ SALIGAO ~ CHOGHM ROAD ~ BACK UP PILERNE ~ DOWN TO VEREM, BETIM ~ BACK TO PANJIM via MANDOVI BRIDGE.
I like this title that Joseph coined for the ride in his post on Fb - Advanced Cycling. The ride was set for 6.15 am from Panjim Ferry Point. I got back home from a friends wedding reception at 2 a.m and went to sleep setting the alarm for 5.45 a.m. As usual the alarm rang and i switched it off only to wake up to Josephs call at 6.15! I told him that i was leaving from home and I actually did - in less than 3 minutes!
At the ferry point were waiting Joseph Rodrigues, John Caldeira (from 6!) and Delfim Corriea Da Silva (bit late but perhaps there before the ferry left). While waiting for the ferry to return i realised i had forgotten to carry water and the late night was wearing its effect on me. Around 6.30 we ferried across to Betim. The ferry ride across River Mandovi has always been a very refreshing experience for me since childhood and the morning chill enriched the experience. We took the road from Betim to Verem. On the way were waiting Brian Sopher and Haresh Korde. After a quick introduction head to Verem Market and then took the road straight up to Pilerne.
The ride along the river bank is spectacular and the green fields along the road from Verem to Pilerne provided the perfect soothe to my tired eyes. Brian taught us about the sweet spot behind the wheels of the cyclist in front. It makes cycling so much easier for the following cyclists and the rotations make it enjoyable for the whole group.
From the green fields of Verem my eyes turned blue cycling up the slope of Pilerne Industrial Estate. My thighs swell, my lungs empty, sweat dripping from every inch and with all the other cyclists gone past me (and Delfim advising me 'keep straight and paddle slowly') I was wondering to myself is this real. The climb didnt seem to end and there was hardly any respite of a flat road in between. I saw John at a distance struggling yet determined on his 6 gear cycle and I told myself that I am either cycling all the way to the top or am going down slope and back home but i am not going to touch my feet down. Impossible is nothing and I saw the rest resting at a distance as the climb straightened and before long i was back with the group.
Vibhav gave me some water and that felt so good. Perhaps it was also the thought that now its down slope! Brian told us about sitting position and the positioning of the paddles while going down slope. The ride down was awesome.
Once down we cycled through the village past heritage houses and narrow lanes that opened out near the Calangute Police Station. We took the Choghm road and the plan was to cycle up to Porvorim via Sangolda but there was a change and we took the road back to the Pilerne Industrial Estate, which meant going up the slope again.
The thought drained out the little energy i had saved for the journey back via Sangolda and Porvorim and after paddling a bit up the slope I realised a cramp growing in my right leg. I slowed down and the others were now out of sight. The cramp was gripping me more than mt determination and I thought wiser to stop and rest rather than have the cramp take the toll. I stopped by a small 'Chai' shop had a Mirinda Limbu Pani that made me feel much better and text a message to Joseph about my latest 'development'. I text him that i would make it up. But the boy at the shop took a long time to fetch change to give back to me and by then Vibhav had volunteered to come down looking for me. I am forever grateful to Vibhav for this. We then cycled up together and the group was waiting at the gate of Saligao - Pilerne Seminary.
During this wait Brian gave out some important tips to the rest which John told me on the way back. We cycled down the slope back to Verem and Betim. At Betim Joseph decided that we will take the bridge instead of the Ferry. My thigh was hurting a bit but I would manage.
I reached back home at about 8.30. My T-shirt was drenched with sweat. There was sweat dripping from my helmet belt. I streched out, had a shower and looked at myself in the mirror and said 'good job Amey'.
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