TOUR DE SATPURA

Unplugged.

By Veloscope

October 8^th, 2017

THE IDEA.

The event was spearheaded by Cycle Safari, WE - The Working Element and CAC Allrounder, three groups with equal amounts of love and expertise for challenge and adventure. The idea was floated, details discussed, permutation and combinations made, seemed feasible, fair enough, but to actually materialize a tour spread over 400 kilometers with cyclists of such varied levels of skills and experience, where you have a RAAM finisher and also enthusiasts crossing the 50 kilometers mark for the first time, isn't really a straightforward task to say the least. Planning, routes, recces, permissions, sponsors, crew, volunteers, oh my!

But the thing with sparkling ideas and great initiatives is that once you decide to go all out, you do find ways to make it work and the people to support. In comes Madhya Pradesh Tourism, the pioneers of the new direction of tourism in India, for real.They didn't just extend a helping hand but guided the whole tour forward, offering their all out support and locations to rival the best of European tour circuits. The dream was going to see the daylight.

The Participants

The eligibility profile for the tour was quite straightforward -Anyone who can ride a bike, aged 18 and above. With that said participants from all walks of life gathered around to join in the glorious event. Doctors, army men, corporate people, veteran cyclists, men, women, families and some elderly gentlemen were all part of the big Satpura tour family. The star participant, however, was bicycle racing royalty Dr.Amit Samarth, one of the first Indians to complete the gruelling Race Across America(RAAM) solo, that too on his first attempt. Thus, it made for a very diverse group of people with one common feature – an insatiable love for outdoor adventure and sports.

Everyone had their own objectives as well. Some spirited participants couldn’t wait for the competitive segments of the tour so that they could showcase their physical prowess and stamina. Whereas, there were some who aimed to ride through the mountains at their pace, challenging their own limitations and reconnecting with their inner selves. The tour was clearly a place for all. Thrilling excitement and therapy all rolled into one.

THE SPINE.

An event spanning for days needs endless work behind the main stage. A dedicated crew of skilled technicians, mechanics, medical professionals, photographers, videographers and backup vehicles, to name a few. Their work started hours before the cyclists hit the roads and they were the last ones to hit the sack.

DAY 1 - MOMENT OF TRUTH.

As the squadron of cyclists line up on day one to begin their journey, the excitement and the hunger for adventure reaches fever pitch. Everyone geared up, equipment double checked, hearts fired up and ready to go.

The first day route covered a distance of 97 kms at an elevation of +1452m/-844m. The journey began at Ramakona with the finishing point and being Tamia. With a shot of coffee and some early breakfast down, everyone acquainted themselves with each other, partnered up and the tour was underway. Hurdle one crossed.

Riding down the highway, barely 8 kilometers in and the geography changes, almost startlingly from open highways to twisties and beautiful tarmac laid roads through the mountains of the Sillewani Ghats, which also presented the riders with their first competitive segment for the tour, a small but steep 5.8 kms uphill. This is exactly where the city lives, the daily work routines, household responsibilities, bills and taxes were left behind and what the tour actually promised was on display. The tour in it's actual sense had begun.

day 1 route profile.

Past the Competitive Segment which was won on the day by Yash Sharma and Aarthi Srinath in the respective categories, the route was mildly but consistently inclined, though the sting was taken off it by the endless streches of green fields on either sides. Back at the Tourist Motel Tamia, which was spruced up to welcome the riders, folks awaited the cyclists who in batches made their entries. With everyone through the first day, the evening was spent reviewing the ride, calming the first day nerves, a few cycle breakdowns here and there and sharing experiences among the riders and the crew.The first day was over, the anticipation however was only growing.

DAY TWO - THE QUEEN.

First leg of the tour done, butterflies in the stomachs for everyone almost gone, the road was once again beckoning. At the crack of dawn, the next leg of the tour began. Leaving Tamia at 6 am, the route for day 2 was an 81 kms ride through to the end point of Panchmarhi also known as ‘The Queen of Satpura’. The day 2 route consisted of an invigorating 24 kms downhill, which in the early morning breeze was the perfect way to kick start the second day. Another 40 odd kilometers were pretty much flat, punctuated with stunning forest cover and carefully placed stations to refuel the energy levels for the riders with energy bars, fruits and of course the famous chikkis.

These uphills are where you truly tested to see if you’re worth your salt. The 19 kms competitive segment occurred after some 61 kms right on a tough uphill lane and as every contestant huffed and puffed up the hill, pushing through with single-minded focus, you begin to visually see the passion each one possesses.

The riders then found themselves at the foothills of the queen, which meant another 20 kms. of pure uphill to reach Pachmarhi and the second Competitive Segment of the tour. Leader jersey and the Oakley as rewards up for grabs for the winners, time to put pedal to the floor again.

top of the hill.

Post another heroic welcome to the MP Tourism Highland Hotel and rest at Pachmarhi, the days labour were rewarded with a trip to the gorgeous Bee Falls and the ancient Buddhist caves steeped in history and culture.

day 2 route profile.

PEOPLE ON THE WAY.

day 3 - the gateway.

Day three dawned and it was time to leave Panchmarhi onto to the next stop of Madhai; a picturesque region of backwaters and meadows that is referred to as the ‘gateway’ to Satpura. Leaving Panchmarhi meant a thrilling 25kms of downhill and the entire squadron of cyclists clothed in the green-white jerseys soaring down the steep terrain made for quite the spectacle.

Great riding. Check. Productive brainstorming. Check. Successful day three.Double Check.

bird down!

The drone that was in it's own rights a star of the journey, got too touchy with a tree and took a fall. No casualties reported.

To reach Madhai one has to cycle through Pipariya, Shobhapur and Sohagpur. And that was by no means a dreary affair. The news had reached the people and local press of Pipariya and following villages, who opened their arms to welcome every cyclist with warm smiles, garlands and best of all food (the bananas and energy drinks provided during the day can get a little tiresome after a while). All the little villages that were crossed offered the same hospitality and their excitement levels kept rejuvenating the riders on the tiresome village roads. Children skipped their school to come see the TDS tour pass through their little town, dhabas offered refreshments and honest heart warming gestures from hundreds of people on the route had everyone overwhelmed. Oh the nonchalance simplicity and kindness that exists in the rural India.

Villages crossed and bad road left behind, the routes scenery takes another beautiful turn and it's evident that the much anticipated Madhai is nigh.

day 3 route profile.

50(or more) shades of the sunset.

The queen's company from the previous day had left everyone overwhelmed, but still, no one was expecting the treat they were in for once they touched down at the finish point at Madhai Forest Resort. End of the land place, followed by vast grasslands that vanish into the water from the Tawa Dam, a sunset that lit up the whole place and a star laden night, this evening was one which is not going to be forgotten by any one who was present there in person.

day 4 - THE FINAL DAY.

The night was a spectacle of stars and the next morning was here, there was a common reluctance to end what had been a journey from the story books, but the final haven was yet to be reached. It was time to put on the jerseys once again, saddle up and move on to the final destination of Tawa. The route was a cruise compared to the previous three days, 94 kms of flat profile, through grasslands and forests till the Tawa reservoir. It was almost like a time to look back and reflect upon the journey that had been taken.

conversation with the wheels.

the star.

As everyone continued on to finish the last stretch and make to the end point , is when everyone noticed the most inspiring sight of little 7 year old Ayaan, son of the famous Amit Samarth was also cycling along the last few kilometre stretch to the finish line. Well like father, like son. Ayaan rode a total of 87 kms throughout the entire tour, on a single gear cycle.The new generation of cyclists are already picking up the mantle, at the finish the loudest claps and cheers were reserved for the little tyke.

day 4 route profile.

stranger tides.

The tour had some rewards for everyone on the journey everyday, in prizes for the Competitve Segment winners, self findings for others, passing limits for the new ones, conditioning for the professionals and mother nature in it's complete glory for everyone. The best were saved for the last indeed, an exclusive cruise through the Tawa Reservoir and the final celebration party that was off the hook to culminate the event.

the evening.

The tour proved to be more than just a ride through the mountains, meant more than finishing and winning the competitive segments . On a deeper level, it served as a demonstration, an expression of a dream. A dream of a better greener world. A world without the suffocating shroud of pollution. A cleaner, healthier world where people regain the connection they have lost with nature. The tour was an inspiration and an invitation to everyone to join in bettering the world one step and a time. Or rather, more accurately, two wheels at a time.