GMC 2010, with all it's well wishers, was hugely successful in meeting its 3 main objectives :
To give bikers the most scenic, enjoyable, yet challenging experience of mountain biking in South India
Showcase Western Ghats and KARNATAKA as a premier ‘Cyclo-tourism’ destination in India
Spread scientific awareness against superstitious beliefs among students in rural schools and recognize talented students in remote villages along the ‘Road Less Taken’.
Inderjith Lankesh is the Brand Ambassador for GMC.
This write up makes an attempt to summarize more than 10,000 photos, thousands of miles traversed on bikes, hundreds of scenic spots enjoyed and numerous of those light moments shared among the enthusiastic 27 bikers of GMC 2010.
The GMC-2010 Route: Madikeri, Subramanya, (through Bisle to) Belur, Kemmangundi, Mutthodi, Kudremukh, Agumbe, Khundapura, Kodachadri, Jog Falls.
The GMC-2010 Distance: 810 km
The GMC-2010 Days: 23rd Oct 2010 to 31st Oct 2010 - 9 days
The GMC Participants: Nitin Dahra, Hitesh Mamgain, Manjunath Krishnappa, Kiran Hebbar, Paramesh, Guruprasad Nayak, Prashanth MB, Jayananda Kotri, NC Mohan, Karthik S, Prashanth Rao, Balaji Adkani, Kaushal Pilikuli, Naveen Guruprasad, Satish V, Suresh Vedagiri, Manjunath MS, Mahesh Patil, Srigandh S, Dwarkanand Chikkanna, Sunil PV, Pooran Chandra, Girish S, Sunil Calnoor, Ameeta Baindur, Shamser Virdi, Raghavendra Rao. In all 26 Men, 1 lady.
Youngest:17, Oldest:42
Day-wise Details:
Day 1 -- Flag off at Madikeri to Subramanya: 76 km, Hi-1082m, Lo-13m
GMC Flag off was presided by Mr. CV Shankar, veteran and former Hockey coach of Indian Hockey team. All the GMC participants clad in GMC branded jerseys were given words of sporting wisdom by Mr. Shankar in the presence of various media agencies. The GMC team stopped for lunch at a river base and proceeded to Kukke Subramanya for a real hearty welcome by the local sport and cultural oorganisations. Night Stay was at ‘SheshNag Ashraya’
The management of hotel ‘Sheshnag Ashraya’ had organized a welcome party and a ‘Press Conference’ for the GMC with all the major media personalities. Eminent Bollywood star Ms.Amisha
Patel also presided over the GMC press conference and appreciated the efforts of GMC participants.
Day 2-- Subramanya to Belur: 112 km, From Lo-13m, Hi-985m
Highlight of the day was the 30 km off-road climb through the scenic Bisle ghats. Throughout the 2,800 feet scenic ascent we hardly encountered any vehicle throughout the entire stretch. Most of the bikers reached Belur at around 5 to start the celebrations. Night stay was at KSTDC Mayura Velapuri.
Day 3 -- Belur to Kemmangundi: 73 km, From Lo-790m, Hi-1345m
The team was greeted by ‘The District Science Forum’ and the local press with roses and garlands in Chikmagalur. After frequent fresh coffee breaks, highlight being the one at Coffee Barn), sumptuous lunch did another killer 1,800 feet climb to reach Kemmangundi. Night stay at Horticulture Guest House.
Day 4 -- Kemmangundi to Mutthodi via Mullangiri: 90 km, Lo-664m, Hi-1758m
Unanimously agreed by all bikers as the most scenic part of the GMC trail. All the bikers reached Mullaingiri, the highest point in Karnataka, with a mix of sweat and fog, well before lunch and continued towards Mutthodi relishing the steep ascents and the picturesque off-road downhills. Night stay at Mutthodi Nature Camp.
Day 5 -- Mutthodi to Kudremukha: 86 km, Hi-976m, Lo-590m
With almost half of the GMC trail completed all the bikers were in full flow and the ascents were now getting easier. Sanjay, from Decathlon joined the team and it took him a while to stop the ‘Wow’ing about the route. Lunch by a river side where most bikers took a dip in clear water, while some braved to cross banks. Fast bikers missed the evening mist that clouded the Kudremukh area. Night stay at KIOCL Guest House. Day 6 -- Kudremukha to Agumbe: 70 km, Hi-964m, Lo-550m
Started the day’s ride through pleasant mist, a great day for photographers. Except for the initial ascent, the entire day’s stretch was descents and ‘Malnad Flat Roads’, now a common terminology meaning usual ups and downs. Most bikers reached Agumbe by late afternoon. After a presentation on astronomy in which most bikers saw most stars had dinner at ‘Doddamane’, where the ‘Malgudi Days’ was shot. Night Stay at Hotel Mallya Residency.
Day 7 -- Agumbe to Khundapura: 84 km, Hi-900m, Lo: -87m
Reward for the all the uphills done. The day was mostly downhill and bikers reached the destination as early as 11 AM, eager to relax in the beach. Beach volleyball, soccer and even cycling on the sands….
After almost 650 km of cycling in Malnad. Night stay at Turtle Bay Resort.
Day 8 -- Khundapura to Kodachadri base: 74 km, Hi-570m, Lo: -87m
After few kilometres of Malnad flat terrain, the bikers were greeted to a 2,200 feet climb in a 10 km stretch from Kollur. After lunch at a scenic spot, the bikers reached Simha Farms and started a short cricket tournament, while some took solace in flowing streams. Night stay at Simha Farms.
Day 9 -- Kodachadri base to Jog Falls: 83 km, Hi-608m, Lo: 387m
All good things have to come to an end and so did the GMC trail after a speedy day 9 trail. Each biker was given a welcome at Jog with loud cheers and the celebrations had begun. The First GMC was successfully completed by all the bikers.
Food / Beverages / Energy Supplements:
Every GMC day began with a sumptuous breakfast, Omlettes, Idli Vada, Pongal, Poori, various Baths (kesari, khara, bisibele) to name a few. After a GMC lunch, mostly at river banks and scenic places, the involuntary action was to have a so called ‘Power nap’ which lasted anywhere between 10 minutes to 1.5 hours, the more powerful ones. Every lunch had Chappatis / Phulkas, Sabzees, Sambar, Rasam / Dhal, Curds / Butter milk, sprouts etc. On the last day we were treated for Ragi Balls with Chicken / greens gravy. Energy supplements were flowing aplenty and unlimited in the likes of
Tropicana, Electral, ORS, Carbo-Plus, Lime Juice, Chikkis, Chocolate Bars, Dry fruits, bananas, Nutralite tablets etc. All the 3 support vehicles swept among the riders providing water and any other supplements.
GMC School Connect Program (GSCP):
-- Starting from 27th October, the GSCP team with Karnataka Rajya Vijnaana Parishat conducted seminars in 3 to 4 schools each day. The seminars were aimed to promote rational thinking among students in rural schools, exposing the scientific principles behind common religious beliefs, which otherwise are presumed to be magical. In all more than 1,500 students in 10 schools were benefited from this program.
-- GMC conducted a Quiz program in all the 10 schools in association with Grey Caps. 3 winners in each school were given merit certificates and books on Scientific thinking as rewards.
-- In each of the 10 schools 5 children, identified to be below poverty line were given 1 year’s supply of notebooks and stationeries.
On day 8, certificates were given to participants for successful completion with feedback session around a campfire : Some of those captured were :
‘As a cyclist it’s a sin if you are not taking part in GMC’
‘For next GMC I will ensure I will be the first to register’
I never knew there was so much of beauty in Western Ghats, I will relish this every year’
I will invite the GMC cooks for functions at my home’
We had never done mountain biking with such minimal traffic and roads like these in GMC - truly Road less taken’
Tandem Trails has lived up to its slogan’
Do not feed us so much, we have come here to lose weight’
Thanks to all the GMC Partners who were critical to the success of first
GMC:
BTwin: Btwin, the leading brands in bikes and bike accessories was the Ride Partner for GMC. BTwin provided a whole range of accessories exclusively for the GMC trip and facilitated Sanjay, their technician to join GMC for the invaluable technical support
Printo: One of the most reliable and professional printers in town had partnered with TandemTrails and was responsible for the design and printing of posters, certificates and e-Brochures
Bangalore Bikers Club: Bangalore Bikers club, the most active and informative forum for biking has been the platform to communicate the GMC ideology and the updates. All the practice rides for the GMC has been promoted through BBC
Gokak Textiles: Being an ardent supporter of cycling initiatives, Gokak Textiles was responsible for the delivery of the Fleece Jackets gifted to all the GMC participants and volunteers
Karnataka Rajya Vignaana Parishat: Karnataka Rajya Vijnaana Parishat, an autonomous organization dedicated to advancement of scientific attitude and science education conducted an awareness program in 10 rural schools to enlighten students about magic and superstitions.
Grey Caps : PickBrain: The second largest quiz company in India was responsible for the preparation quiz questionnaire which was circulated among all students in 10 rural high schools.
American Color: A keen Supporter of cycling initiatives, they sponsored t-shirts to all participants and also donated towards the school connect program.
Please find below some of the selected photos of the the event
http://picasaweb.google.com/TandemTrails/GMC_2010#
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