I’ve uploaded a selected set of 206 pictures. You can see them here. Click here to view a slideshow.

Some stats of the trip:

Duration : 21 days
Distance : 2373 kilometers
Maximum Speed : 55.5 km/hr on the slopes of Simhagad
Average Moving Speed : 15.2 km/hr
Maximum Distance covered in a day : 226 km, on Day 20, from Dhule to Kadodra (near Surat)
Minimum Distance covered in a day: 64 km, on Day 3, from Margoa to Panaji
Average Distance covered per day : 112 km

So did I actually reach Admadabad on the cycle ? Not completely on cycle. I had two and a half days left after seeing the Ajanta caves. And 600+ kilometers to be covered. I tried - but not with success. Note that I did 226 kms in a desperate attempt on Day 20! That is the highest distance I have ever travelled on a single day. In spite of that effort, I had 260 kms to cover on the final day. Honestly, cycling without sight seeing is no fun. So, I ended up hitchiking around 170 kms to reach Ahmadabad. This still rankles me sometimes…

I had carried a GPS receiver along. Move the mouse over the red dots to get a feel. Here is how the trip went from Mangalore to Ahmadabad:

And here is the altitude profile. Move the mouse over the red dots to get a feel. Mahabaleshwar was the highest point. The trip distance includes hitchhiking, so don’t get confused at the end of the graph

I reached home on the 9th morning itself. Been busy with a lot of cleanup work, orienting myself to office duties.

Check this page on Monday (16th Jan). By then, I would have finished uploading and labelling the images. The GPS trail will also be online. A long writeup on the entire trip as well. Stats crazy people - I will have all the answers for your queries

Thanks for your patience.

Please accept my apologies for the lack of posts till now. During this trip, I have been ending in places where either there is no internet connectivity, or it so happens that the cafe is closing. I hate to say this, but now I have enough experience to say that you shouldn’t expect many posts till I am back in Bangalore on the 9th Jan. Do check sometimes, though

That said, I’ve had a whale of a time till now. Since my last post from Hubli, I’ve seen the temples of Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal. The Gokak Falls was also good, though not at full glory. I’ve climbed the hill station of Mahabaleshwar (1440 meters above sea level). I’ve scaled Simhagad (does Tanaji + gadh aaya, par simha gaya strike a chord somewhere?) an ardrous climb. I reached Pune yesterday. Today I saw the caves at Bedsa and Karla which date back to 4 AD…

I reached Lonavla today, having covered around 1480 kms in 14 days. Seven more days remain in the trip and some tought decisions are in order. First off, I’ve realised that if I goto Mumbai, I won’t be able to cover Ellora and Ajanta and still reach Ahmedabad without straining myself to the limit.

For tomorrow, I will visit Khandala (aati kya, Khandala?) and then go back to Pune. From there I will goto Aurangabad over Ahmadnagar. My other tourist spots would be: Daulatabad Fort, Ellora and Ajanta. I might have to drop Lonar. There is Chandbibi’s fort near Ahmadnagar, I remember.

Regarding troubles, both my front and back tyres had got punctured. Both punctures happened near cycle shops I also had some loose motion troubles But everything is fine now, except for a sore throat. I must have lost quite a bit of weight too. I will conservatively put the loss at 5 kgs - two people at Simhagad said that I look like a fauji. Now, who would have said that when I was in Bangalore? I am fit and fine - there is no pain. My legs are a bit tired, though.

I’ve received and made quite a few phone calls. Thank you, everybody, for your encouragment. It’s much appreciated.

And, just in case I can’t post anything tomorrow, advance wishes!

Have a Happy and Happening Year 2006 !

I am in Hubli as I post this. I reached here yesterday.

On the way from Panaji, I’ve seen the Dudhsagar falls. I’ve also ascended the Anmoda ghat. It’s taken me two days to come to Hubli.

Thankfully, there is an internet connection at my Uncle’s place (where I am put up). I’ve taken the opportunity to add the ride story for Day 2.

Don’t forget to see the pictures here.

From here, I intend to go on and cover Aihole, Badami, Pattadakal, etc and then return towards Mahabaleshwar via Gokak. Expect updates in a few days.

And, before I forget : Happy Christmas to you. May you get the best cakes that your christian friends can buy .

And happy holidays to my colleagues and other “shutdown” happy people

BFN!

I had a great day today at HiPC. It was also my birthday. Many of my friends called me up to wish me and it felt nice. Thanks!

I have managed to post only the story of my first day. These Sify “broadband” internet centers are a major pain, I’ll tell you. Not only do they deny all sorts of facilities to their customers in the name of security, they then remove the broad in the broadband as well ! I’ve struggled for two hours already, trying to get my GPS data, pictures, etc - but all I managed was nought I hope the situation will be better in Hubli so that I can post the stories for the other days stories.

Looking at the brighter side of things, I’ve had a good days rest today. I regret that I couldn’t do much sightseeing. I spent all my day at the conference. I do hope to see fort Aguadem tomorrow morning. I am told that evenings are the best time to view the fort, but tomorrow morning is all I can spare.

Meanwhile, I will be off to Dudhsagar tomorrow. No idea how much water there is to see in the waterfalls. Dudhsagar is an estimated 90 kms from Nerul, the place where I am staying. I also have the Almoda ghat to climb tomorrow on my way to Hubli. The optimist in me tells me that I can make it to Hubli tomorrow. Hubli is atleast 150 kms away, but the ghat is a tough nut to crack. Let me see what tomorrow brings.

BFN!
(PS: I see that I am left with only 5 minutes in my Sify account. Now, that’s good news!)