Sports

BRM 100KM Is Not That Easy Sometimes

BRM 100KM Is Not That Easy Sometimes

This BRM 100 was planned for 20th Dec 2020 and I was excited as I was planning to ride my friend’s MTB, Trek Superfly 7. I had never ridden MTB for a long distance and wanted to experience this BRM 100.

I got the cycle and got it serviced at Chainpullers, Pawan serviced it and gave me my bike in a couple of hours.

I was so excited I got the cycle on Sat 19th Dec in the evening at 4ish. I came home and started setting up the cycle. Moved my Garmin sensors and Knog lights holders from my Cannondale Synapse 105 Road bike to Trek MTB. I Lubed it well, also attached a saddle pouch (normally I carry an extra tube and repair kit in that), and finally stuck the rider tag.

The Ride day, Sunday 20th December

I woke up at 3:50 and got ready, went through my checklist, and left at 4:25 at a meeting place where a few riders were waiting, Rohan was on his Honda Activa to support his wife Pallavi. She was doing her first 100km.

My excitement ended about 2kms when I got a puncture on the rear wheel, it seems the tire had cracks. I had ridden the bike before but had no issues.

I had two options: either fix the puncture and move ahead or come back home and take the Road bike.

I made a quick decision to move back home, I took my bike on Rohan’s activity back home and started shifting things.

I felt like the situation you must have noticed in Formula 1, Pitstop. My wife started getting tools from the house and got an extra water bottle as I had two cages in the road bike, while Rohan helped me move the saddle bag and added rider tags. While this was going on I moved my Garmin Sensors and lights. In the end did a tire air pressure check. 

My road bike was ready in 10 mins clock, thanks to my wife and Rohan who were my saviors for the ride.

I left the house at 5:10 am and the flag-off was at 6:00 am, I started riding fast to reach the venue as I had to do my bike check and get my Brevet card stamped.

I reached at 5:30 am, well in time. First thing, got my bike checked and stamped my brevet card. Post that I started chatting with my fellow riders.

Get Set Go – First 50kms

The ride started at 6:00 am, I had the plan to ride easy and help fellow riders. We had many first-timer BRM 100 riders. This BRM 100 was special for my club Malad Cycling Club (MCC) as we had many female riders from MCC.

I started slow for about 500 meters and my legs started acting and I took pace. The weather was really good and my pace grew better and started riding at an average of 29kmph. I thought of stopping at 15 km for all riders to cheer them on. However, I stopped at about 20kms post-Vasai climbs as that is the point where most riders are tired and stop. I met mostly all the riders at that point.

I started riding with fellow riders and had a quick chat with Vishal, Mehul, Dinesh, and Dillon who were riding with their spouses.

We had refreshments arranged at 25kms by the  Cycling For All Club, here again, I met all my fellow riders.

Post this point I started riding at a good pace and around 46kms I had a front tire puncture, this was the time I remembered my first puncture in the morning. 

I quickly started fixing it. One good thing I did was put a new tube into the saddle bag. I found a 2mm glass piece in the tire, removed that, and quickly replaced the tube. I also discovered that the air pump handle was broken, this tool took a little time to fill the air. I manage to get 55 PSI. I was up and running in 7 mins.

I managed to reach 8:45 at the control point where I first took the air pump arranged by the club and got air pressure in the tire at 80 PSI. I took 2:45 hours to complete 51kms

Here I had a chat with my fellow riders, took some snaps, and started my journey at 9:15 am back to the start point.

Final 50kms

I rode back at a good pace and finished the ride in about 2 hours with just two quick breaks. I had an issue post-fountain as there is a climb and I got cramps in both thighs. This is due to a lack of water as it is winter and I had less water. I stood for 5 mins, did some stretching and massage on my tights, and started riding. This was the first time I moved my front gear from 2 to 1. I always ride in 2nd gear.

Again, one thing I registered was to keep sipping water while riding. 

I am really happy to know all the first-time riders finished their BRM 100, this is what I call the power of groups.

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32 comments

Mehul Parmar December 21, 2020 at 3:42 pm

It was amazing to read your experience in words. Point to point u have wrote, what you witnessed. Maja aa gaya bhai padh k.

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Ajay Lulia December 21, 2020 at 3:53 pm

Thanks Mehul, hug 🙂

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Sherwin Pais December 21, 2020 at 4:05 pm

Great read Ajay, glad you could share your experience.

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Ajay Lulia December 21, 2020 at 4:13 pm

Thanks Sherwin

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Haresh lakhani December 22, 2020 at 4:03 pm

Yes some days its fun and pain both at the same time ….buts excitement and encouragement from friends / groups sail us through , experiences & efforts are always worth it …!! 😊 Happy riding

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Ajay Lulia December 23, 2020 at 6:18 am

Thanks Haresh ji 🙂

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Vishal Nanil December 21, 2020 at 4:11 pm

Well said and hopefully the meeting time which was earlier than usual helped in getting in time for start . Thanks far all the clicks as u were just stopping for us to motivate us 🤗🤗🤗 once again selfless 🤗

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Ajay Lulia December 21, 2020 at 4:15 pm

Thanks Vishal, anytime for MCC… Hug 🙂

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Nimesh Thakker December 21, 2020 at 4:14 pm

Well written bhai… relived the ride again!!

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Ajay Lulia December 21, 2020 at 4:19 pm

Thanks Nimesh, you were too good on your MTB. More power to you. 🙂

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Kartik Mistry December 21, 2020 at 4:15 pm

Good summary, Ajay! And, nice pictures!

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Ajay Lulia December 21, 2020 at 4:20 pm

Thanks Kartik, You are one I know who is always there to motivate every rider.

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Lavina Bhatia December 21, 2020 at 4:19 pm

Amazing write up and experience sharing 😊😀

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Ajay Lulia December 21, 2020 at 4:22 pm

Thanks Lavina 🙂

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Piyush Vishwakarma December 21, 2020 at 4:24 pm

Congratulations Sir! Such presence of mind in pressure situations.

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Ajay Lulia December 21, 2020 at 5:42 pm

Thanks Piyush 🙂

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Apurva Kenny December 21, 2020 at 5:04 pm

Shared good experience and lot to learn as cyclist. To always keep plan B for such events. Very thoughtful and nice pics

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Ajay Lulia December 21, 2020 at 5:42 pm

Thanks Apurva

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Sachin Khatavkar December 21, 2020 at 9:28 pm

Nicely narrated Ajay. Would really help new riders. Congratulations to you as well for the ride

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Ajay Lulia December 22, 2020 at 7:42 am

Thanks Sachin

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Dr. Shweta Salian December 21, 2020 at 10:57 pm

What an honest write up! Quick thinking is required during long rides and your experience shows that anything can happen anytime to the best of cyclists! Thank you for motivating us, sharing a cup of tea, boosting confidence, not to mention the innumerable clicks you took that got converted into memories!✨ 🤗💗

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Ajay Lulia December 22, 2020 at 7:44 am

Thanks Shweta, you rode well with great confidence. Keep it up.

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Neelam Raichada December 21, 2020 at 11:13 pm

Wow….very well expressed .
your dedication is amazing and also you are a great motivator. Congratulations 👍keep going…all the best.

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Ajay Lulia December 22, 2020 at 7:44 am

Thanks Neelam 🙂

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Sanjay Sharma December 22, 2020 at 9:20 am

Good write up … well narrated !!

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Ajay Lulia December 22, 2020 at 11:54 am

Thanks Sanjay

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Sonia December 22, 2020 at 2:22 pm

Very interesting

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Ajay Lulia December 23, 2020 at 6:16 am

Thanks Sonia 🙂

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Aarti December 22, 2020 at 2:56 pm

This is a very well written article. Congratulations bro! You should be proud of yourself. More power to! keep it up. Sai bless👍

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Ajay Lulia December 23, 2020 at 6:17 am

Thanks Aarti 🙂

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Ritu Sethi December 26, 2020 at 9:46 pm

Congratulations Ajay !!! You keep us inspired and motivated by your first – hand experiences. Keep IHO the fitness regime

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Ajay Lulia December 29, 2020 at 1:31 pm

Thanks Ritu…

Reply

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