Fidelity 3rd Corporate Ride

Hi All,

Its been just a month since i cam back for USA from my assignment. Guys were in so much enthu that they wanted to go for another cycling trip. So after the Adventure Trip to Jungle Mount Camp twice, Tandem Trails conducted another trip to Coorg, That is to Jade Home stay (Coorg)on 6th and 7th of Oct 2010.



This is two day fun trip emphasizes development of outdoor skills, environmental awareness and wilderness exploration by means of cycling, rafting and camping through some of the most scenic forest trails in the westerns Ghats. It is also a great opportunity for all to learn and manage their emotions with nature, stretch their physical and mental endurance to discover that they can do.



Its been couple of days since I have send you all the details of the Adventure Trip to Jade Home stay (Coorg). Highlight of the cycling will be around Irpu falls on the first day. Highlights is cycling around Irp falls on the first day and rafting on the second day.


Each and every participant made every moment of the trip so enjoyable, with their non-stop singing, dancing, and tackling challenges including young lady participants, who showed 'never say die' spirit throughout the trip, showed the meaning of why women should be treated as equals. Hats off to them!


Poorna.

Life in USA

Fidelity Corperate Ride

Hi All,

Its been just a day after the Adventure Trip to Jungle Mount Camp, Coorg but I am yet get over those wonderful moments. This event was organized by Tandem Trails guys.

I have been into cycling since so many years and share good association with Tandem Trails. So it occurred to me to propose some adventurous activities for my colleagues who work under PWI (Bhavani and co). Surprisingly, I got a very good response which resulted in an awesome trip.

TandemTrails took care of all the logistics provided which included transport, cycle rentals, tents, life Jackets, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Highlights

Bhavani Rocks

Bhavani completed the 40kms cycling terrain much ahead of most of the participants. Infact many participants were inspired to keep pace with him.

And trekked the highest peak of Coorg, "Tadiandamol"

Other than climbing he helped some of the young participants to get down from the peak as it was slippery (there was a passage through a small forest in a valley, which reminded us of the Avatar movie settings) .
OVER ALL Bhavani ROCKS …………..!

Vagish, Arasikere also participated and completed and we could feel the shouts of encouragement and excitement from him. Very motivational throughout the trip.

Along with them there were many other participants who completed this trip:

Prakash, Jyoti (XINBM2F);
Patel, Vimal (FMR-India);
Pilikuli, Kaushal
Someshi, Shyamasundara
Krishnegowda, Nikhil
Paranjape, Sachin;
Pylichen, Mathew
Sandhu, Jaspreet
Kumar, Ramakrishna
And few of their friends.

Each and every participant made every moment of the trip so enjoyable, with their singing, dancing, and tackling challenges including young lady participants, who showed 'never say die' spirit throughout the trip, showed the meaning of why women should be treated as equals. Hats off to them!

It was part of the Go Green Movement started by Tandem Trails people.

Poorna
--
TandemTrails - The Road Less Taken
tandemtrails.co.in

Coorg- Canopy Experience

This was the most amazing adventurous cycling tour of my life so far. I had not cycled for a very long time. When I came to know about Tandem Trails, just thought of giving it a try. But still scared thinking about the long distance of about 160 kms in 2 days.

I would like to thank the Tandem Trails guys for making the trip so perfect from the time we boarded, the break fast, the lunch breaks, dinner which was well planned.

Main thing which I liked is the kind of motivation these guys gave us to complete this challenging trip as some had never cycled before. As the Locations and the routes were very challenging, and felt that I would not make it these guys were everywhere to cheer us up to complete this trip with such success. The back up guys who supplied juices, sweets, dried fruits, water, electrolytes were all part of me to complete this trip and best of all the motivation.

I would love to be participating in further rides like those, tough challenging, and with out the need to worry about the cycle transportation, food and stay.

The kind of cycles they provided was in great shape which made us to drive more easily. The food was of great taste but bit oily which can be ignored as we had such a wonderful trip. In fact all the participants completed this trail which had the scenic of coffee estates, great landscapes and Nagarahole forest at one side. Just cannot forget the lunch we had on the 2nd day in Nagarahole forest. Those 2 days were the most adventures cycling experience of my life which I can proudly tell all

The Great Malnad Challenge - 2010 !

Dear Bikers,

Please find the sneak peek of "Great Malnad Challenge" route plan and profile map. This is going to be just after the Malnad Monsoons and the Western Ghats will be at its Green Best and clear. Plans are 5-day celebratory ride and a 9-day full mile ride. Cost and other details will be shared with you later as its been worked on since there are lot of dependencies on logistics. We can assure you that Tandem Trails will be cost affordable.

We have seen lot of participation from people whom all I know and they have proven themselves with their strong nerves. This is going to be a big challenge, so we have to start preparing for this from now itself. We hardly have five months.

Block your calendar from "Oct 23rd - Oct 31st 2010"

Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses. So lets not have excuses.. Lets rock..

Please get in touch with tandemtrails.co.in for more details or questions

Poorna
--
TandemTrails - The Road Less Taken
tandemtrails.co.in

(TT) Aura Of Agumbe 20th-21th Feb 2010

Overview
Another classic one from Tandem Trails, blending natural splendour of the Sahyadri with its historical significance. Starting from the temple town, biking through the picturesque green peaks to reach where the sunset is at its best - Agumbe. And for those who dare to attempt, a rewarding 4 kms of gasping ascent to reach a 17th century temple on top of Kundadri hill, which is 1200 feet above Agumbe. The sojourn of the trail would be in a 110 year house, the same famous house where the legendry TV fiction 'Malgudi Days' was pictured.

The 2 day trail ending at the foot of a 9th century 7-layered fort, entails a 30 minute trek to reach the peak, from where one can get a 360 degree view of the entire Sahyadri range.... reached through the road less taken!


This was one of the last trip for the Tandem trails team as we were getting a Summer Break. So thought of have a great route around Agumbe. Altogether we had 19 participants




We reached Sringeri early morning. Checked in for rest and morning freshening up. !!! A sight to behold as they gather for the food being sprinkled by the devotees.
Start of Cycling

Got a very sumptuous breakfast in the traditional way at sringeri.

Soon after that we flagged us off. Support team in place.

On route to Srimane Falls, it is a curvy nice road with sweet challenges thrown in between, but most of us can make it very well. Srimane Falls is a very nice place to visit.


Further cycling towards Agumbe. Enroute stopped for Lunch !! The support was excellent. Enough refreshments provided on the way.
Now the big surprise that awaited me was the Kundadri hills. It was amazing one. The road was very steep. Those who feel Nandi hill is a cake walk, then should try this uphill.. !
Each guys giving others tips on how to tackle such challenges and was just wondering how most managed to come up all the way here


The most beautiful moments were watching the sunset from that hill.

Zipping down we wind up at DoddaMane (Malgudi days fame)... ! Kasturi Akka prepares excellent food for us - Dinner and breakfast.

Since she came to know that we are cycling she prepared a special concoction of herbal roots mix in to tea. They call it khashaya. A mixture of 25 plants roots. Well i got to see the famed house, the interiors are so nostalgic of the movie fame.
Got to have nice warm water bath in the morning.. and set out for newer challenges.

This time i am wondering what would it be like.. but the road is a lovely stretch with minimal traffic. Just love the beautiful nature around it.

The TT guys tell me the challenge is towards KavaleDurga fort. So save my energy for the final stretch of trekking they tell me.

Man if i could some how manage Kundadri hills, this should be a cake walk??? I am mistaken.. Trekking and cycling are two different things.. !
it is a 45 mins nice climb with it own challenges. I really wonder how those kings made the fort in such impossible places. And wonders of all how they managed to build beautiful temples there.


This fort has several layers of fortifications. At the 2 level, i cried out for a stop.. and we had lunch there.. ! It just gave me energy to trek the upper parts of the fort.. ! the sights were breath taking.
And they said the big gates were for the elephants to enter... i really wonder how the elephants managed to climb up there.. ! see me .. as big as an elephant..

This was the feed back which TandemTrails got from couple of guys.

worth the ride.. the support is excellent.. motivation.. without it , i would never have managed the Kundadri hills or the Kaveladurga Fort

Second

Agumbe was my first and now this mammoth trail which promises to cater to the biggest of cycling enthusiasts. This has got me wildly excited and I have started my countdown already for the GMC(Great Malnad Challeange) which they are conducting. Am already looking forward to the imageries of the countryside and rides at dawns with mists condensing on my face. Agumbe still rests fresh in my mind and I was so glad that I took it up and I have been a fan of Tandem Trails since.


As spectacular and vivid the challenge sounds, I am certain it is not for the faint hearted. Far from demotivating anyone, I am only stating that the challenge over the ghat regions demands the highest levels of mental and physical resolve. I am not the fittest person on the face of the earth but I know that the ghats are not for slouches. Cycling in these regions for 100+ odd kms a day is no joke and that too over 7 days demands fitness levels of a different level altogether.. I am sure Tandem Trails is doing a fantastic job with the logistics etc, but I maintain that aspirants should seriously get themselves tuned up otherwise they would only end up in the vans as spectators.

Earlier the thought of snakes was on my mind.. but not a single snake i saw enroute.. so you can be assured that it is safe... with regards to snakes.

(TT) NewGen Software- Corporate Ride to Kodachadri 31th/1th Jan/Feb 2010 ....

Its been just a day after the cycling trip to Kodachadri. Its was a wonderful feeling I had individually cycling along with all of you guys.


I spend lot of time in these two days with each one of you giving you all company while cycling. I just happened to meet some people who were very good and some having a great deal of attitude to complete the terrain. Hats Off to all of you.

I am still shocked to know that most of you are first timers and completing this terrain which is Simply Great. Being so hectic with your personal and official work, it was very nice to be part of Tandem Trails for this cycling expedition. All the Participants were very good for each other and all were able to bond well and they were like a group, sharing great jokes.

By the end of these two days cycling with you all it was as though everyone knew each other from a long time. This is what I thought about each one of you…..From the Bangalore head of Newgen India Software, Harsha to South Country Head – Vinod.
Other than these senior guys, there were other enthusiastic guys who accompanied this trip. Altogether there were 11 guys. Each one coming out with their will power to complete this beautiful terrain.

Again let me complete this mail thanking each one of you for being a part of Tandem Trails and continue for many more years to come.