MbC members literally break 'butT' to prepare for Ultra Spice Race 2020

MANGALURU: Mangalore Bicycle Club l(MbC) iterally broke butt of members in gearing up Ultra Spice Race in 2020 with its ‘Butt Breaking Challenge 2019’ that ended recently. Three riders from MbC had qualified for 1000-km relay category in Ultra Spice Race 2018 securing first place. Earlier in the year, MbC committee members came together to set its next yardstick by rolling out planning and preparation for 2020 Ultra Spice Race in full swing.
For the Butt Breaking Challenge 2019, MbC zeroed in on Kalhatti Ghats enroute Ooty as the climbing practice destination.This stretch comes with steepest 36 hairpin bends in South India and is a dream route for endurance cyclists. Next, MbC identified riders who could take up this task while allotting time for their practice daily in addition to managing routines and business. The training sessions last a month for the event was scheduled from March 1-3.
The plan was to cover the entire stretch from Mangaluru to Ooty and back covering more than 800-kms with a support vehicle carrying necessary supplies. Riders swung in to regular practice sessions on roads and hilly terrains of Mangaluru for a month to improve their fitness levels and get ready for the grind. Detailed plan was made after two members from support team travelled the same stretch of route in February for comprehensive assessment.
The Butt Breaking challenge rolled out on March 1 with six riders with support team from KPT at 4am. Finish point for day 1 was Mysuru via Madikeri. The cyclists followed the Ultra Spice format to keep the spirit of endurance riding and had the entire route, pit stops, duration taken by the entire team to reach each point as decided in the planning stage. Team had multiple stopover points for refreshments and hydration throughout the ride.
On Day 2, two riders opted out and remaining four continued their ride starting from Mysuru at 4am. After a minor hiccup that awaited them at Bandipur National Park gate, where forest officials refused entry citing their safety, the challenge proceeded after they agreed to accept responsibility for any adverse events that may occur. The ride continued through Bandipur Forest area to Mudumalai reserve and reached the base of Kalhatti ghats.
It was motivation and constant support from the support crew that helped the cyclists climb the 36 hairpin bends and reach Ooty. While Sreekanth Raja finished the climb first, he was followed by Masood Teekay, Hariprasad and Gururaj. While they were keen to head back for Mysuru the same day, the support crew gave them a pleasant surprise by conveying that they earned a well-deserved rest for the remaining part of day two at Ooty.
Day three started at 7am and saw the cyclists start from Ooty and cross over to Bandipur. Stopped at Mudumalai forest gate for safety reasons, support crew transported all four bicycles on the support vehicle till Bandipur Gate. Since it was last day of riding and riders had to head back to their offices the next day, re-planning, deviation saw them reach the city at 3am. Raja, Masood, Hariprasad and Gururaj successfully completed the challenge.