Re: [AI] Wings of Wheels- A blind cycling to the top of the world
Hi Ekinath, that was a brilliant piece of narrative. I almost experienced the moment. It took me 2 and half decade back when we went on an mountaineering expedition in that region. Vinod, it is all about challenging yourself and fighting it out, irrespective. Mere wishing doesn't work. If fascilities does not exist one needs to create it. It is more important to believe in what you are venturing to. Harish. -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Vinod Benjamin Sent: Monday, October 29, 2018 10:42 AM To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled. Subject: Re: [AI] Wings of Wheels- A blind cycling to the top of the world What a wow experianse with a great efferts, really appreciated , i actually like to do these kind of expodition , but i restrict my self thinking that it is not possible for me as i am bulkey and in chennai i dont think the awareness here is as good has there or my my ignorance , i have been cycling till 2008 when i had remaining sight. now its not. still my mind likes to do but . Regards, Vinod Benjamin On 10/29/18, ekin...@gmail.com wrote: > Thank u pinkesh, > Hope u r doing well. > > Sent from my iPhone with regards > >> On 27-Oct-2018, at 9:07 PM, Pinkesh Tailor >> wrote: >> >> Ekinath, >> thanks for sharing such a exautic and soothing experience. I hope many >> of us would like to be bestowed with such a courage and determination >> to achieve milestones in different phases of our life.. >> >>> On 10/27/18, Ekinath Khedekar wrote: >>> Dear Accessindians, >>> Hope you all are doing well. >>> Sharing my following write-up on our cycling trip to KhardungLa at >>> 18,379 feet from Manali having encouraged by my close friend to share >>> it on this platform. I have tried my best to pen my very personal >>> sensory experience in whatever fway I could experience. It was worth >>> every bit at those choking heights >>> Also sharing good news that India is a proud member of International >>> Blind Tennis Association. My efforts with IBSA, have borne fruit; and >>> visually impaired tennis players can now participate in any >>> international tournament by IBTA with official rankings. >>> We have about half a dozen players developing into very good smashers >>> here in Mumbai including couple of women. >>> I hope you’d enjoy the following reading and partially sighted and >>> sighted can enjoy the pictures >>> >>> >>> >>> Dear readers, >>> Ladakh for long was on my travel bucket-list for its enchanting >>> Himalayan ranges, serene lakes, prehistoric undersea desert, Buddhist >>> culture, Alpine flora and fauna and the unique experience of breathing >>> low oxygen in thin air. I consider myself fortunate to have travelled >>> there in the most experiential way, with also a higher purpose of >>> offering ‘visibility to disability’. Thanks to Adventures Beyond >>> Barriers, I got to do that on the saddle of a sturdy Treta tandem >>> bike. As photographs that follow depict, a visually impaired person >>> like me can sit on the back seat of the tandem bike and stoke pedals >>> to enjoy the opportunity of cycling. >>> In the month of August 2018, I successfully completed a cycling >>> expedition from Manali, Himachal Pradesh to the world’s highest >>> motorable pass- Khardung-La situated in Ladakh. My captain Trevor >>> managed the gears and the steering from the front seat and we both >>> covered more than 500 kms of distance in 10 days starting from the >>> height of 6,726 ft and finishing at 18,379 ft. I still wonder as to >>> how a guy with general fitness like me pedalled through one of the >>> world’s most difficult tracks characterised with steep climbs, bumpy, >>> slushy, dusty roads with an additional challenge of lack of oxygen all >>> along the route which made even daily tasks difficult. >>> But I’m glad that I was part of an inclusive adventure which also >>> invited amputees, cancer survivors and other excluded. I have been >>> working to make lives of my disabled friends as human as possible, >>> through sound ball tennis, goalball, cycling and other sports. >>> Disables are not just people with disabilities, they are ‘human >>> beings’ at heart and in spirit. Every human being, some time or the >>> other, feels ‘excluded’- for appearance, or for accent or for >>> something which is different than the majority. And that’s the >>> biggest disabling factor
Re: [AI] Wings of Wheels- A blind cycling to the top of the world
What a wow experianse with a great efferts, really appreciated , i actually like to do these kind of expodition , but i restrict my self thinking that it is not possible for me as i am bulkey and in chennai i dont think the awareness here is as good has there or my my ignorance , i have been cycling till 2008 when i had remaining sight. now its not. still my mind likes to do but . Regards, Vinod Benjamin On 10/29/18, ekin...@gmail.com wrote: > Thank u pinkesh, > Hope u r doing well. > > Sent from my iPhone with regards > >> On 27-Oct-2018, at 9:07 PM, Pinkesh Tailor >> wrote: >> >> Ekinath, >> thanks for sharing such a exautic and soothing experience. I hope many >> of us would like to be bestowed with such a courage and determination >> to achieve milestones in different phases of our life.. >> >>> On 10/27/18, Ekinath Khedekar wrote: >>> Dear Accessindians, >>> Hope you all are doing well. >>> Sharing my following write-up on our cycling trip to KhardungLa at >>> 18,379 feet from Manali having encouraged by my close friend to share >>> it on this platform. I have tried my best to pen my very personal >>> sensory experience in whatever fway I could experience. It was worth >>> every bit at those choking heights >>> Also sharing good news that India is a proud member of International >>> Blind Tennis Association. My efforts with IBSA, have borne fruit; and >>> visually impaired tennis players can now participate in any >>> international tournament by IBTA with official rankings. >>> We have about half a dozen players developing into very good smashers >>> here in Mumbai including couple of women. >>> I hope you’d enjoy the following reading and partially sighted and >>> sighted can enjoy the pictures >>> >>> >>> >>> Dear readers, >>> Ladakh for long was on my travel bucket-list for its enchanting >>> Himalayan ranges, serene lakes, prehistoric undersea desert, Buddhist >>> culture, Alpine flora and fauna and the unique experience of breathing >>> low oxygen in thin air. I consider myself fortunate to have travelled >>> there in the most experiential way, with also a higher purpose of >>> offering ‘visibility to disability’. Thanks to Adventures Beyond >>> Barriers, I got to do that on the saddle of a sturdy Treta tandem >>> bike. As photographs that follow depict, a visually impaired person >>> like me can sit on the back seat of the tandem bike and stoke pedals >>> to enjoy the opportunity of cycling. >>> In the month of August 2018, I successfully completed a cycling >>> expedition from Manali, Himachal Pradesh to the world’s highest >>> motorable pass- Khardung-La situated in Ladakh. My captain Trevor >>> managed the gears and the steering from the front seat and we both >>> covered more than 500 kms of distance in 10 days starting from the >>> height of 6,726 ft and finishing at 18,379 ft. I still wonder as to >>> how a guy with general fitness like me pedalled through one of the >>> world’s most difficult tracks characterised with steep climbs, bumpy, >>> slushy, dusty roads with an additional challenge of lack of oxygen all >>> along the route which made even daily tasks difficult. >>> But I’m glad that I was part of an inclusive adventure which also >>> invited amputees, cancer survivors and other excluded. I have been >>> working to make lives of my disabled friends as human as possible, >>> through sound ball tennis, goalball, cycling and other sports. >>> Disables are not just people with disabilities, they are ‘human >>> beings’ at heart and in spirit. Every human being, some time or the >>> other, feels ‘excluded’- for appearance, or for accent or for >>> something which is different than the majority. And that’s the >>> biggest disabling factor for that human being. Limitless opportunity >>> is a necessity for every individual to live a happy and fulfilled >>> life. >>> I think our expedition was inclusive in its truest sense. My captain, >>> who was going to steer my bike was a 65 year old Australian, Trevor >>> Ockenden. A couple of amputees, a cancer survivor and a South African >>> women pair with broken pelvic bones were also ready to take on the >>> KhardungLa challenge with other able-bodied persons. >>> I was aware that it was not going to be easy even though I had >>> previous experience of cycling, trekking and marathons. The Manali-Leh >>> road was situated at such heights to which my body was never exposed >>> to. No expert can predict how one’s body would react at high >>> altitudes. The unknown is always scary and it kept me under pressure >>> during my preparations. >>> I felt fit enough after six weeks of gym training on a recliner bike. >>> It was good to know that this expedition wasn’t a race like that of >>> Cliff-Hanger on the Pune-Goa track where our relay team had no >>> breather for a non-stop 30 hour ride. I got a big shot in the arm when >>> Mr. Anmol Ambani himself showed immediate interest and committed to >>> support me in whatever way possible. It i
Re: [AI] Wings of Wheels- A blind cycling to the top of the world
Thank u pinkesh, Hope u r doing well. Sent from my iPhone with regards > On 27-Oct-2018, at 9:07 PM, Pinkesh Tailor wrote: > > Ekinath, > thanks for sharing such a exautic and soothing experience. I hope many > of us would like to be bestowed with such a courage and determination > to achieve milestones in different phases of our life.. > >> On 10/27/18, Ekinath Khedekar wrote: >> Dear Accessindians, >> Hope you all are doing well. >> Sharing my following write-up on our cycling trip to KhardungLa at >> 18,379 feet from Manali having encouraged by my close friend to share >> it on this platform. I have tried my best to pen my very personal >> sensory experience in whatever fway I could experience. It was worth >> every bit at those choking heights >> Also sharing good news that India is a proud member of International >> Blind Tennis Association. My efforts with IBSA, have borne fruit; and >> visually impaired tennis players can now participate in any >> international tournament by IBTA with official rankings. >> We have about half a dozen players developing into very good smashers >> here in Mumbai including couple of women. >> I hope you’d enjoy the following reading and partially sighted and >> sighted can enjoy the pictures >> >> >> >> Dear readers, >> Ladakh for long was on my travel bucket-list for its enchanting >> Himalayan ranges, serene lakes, prehistoric undersea desert, Buddhist >> culture, Alpine flora and fauna and the unique experience of breathing >> low oxygen in thin air. I consider myself fortunate to have travelled >> there in the most experiential way, with also a higher purpose of >> offering ‘visibility to disability’. Thanks to Adventures Beyond >> Barriers, I got to do that on the saddle of a sturdy Treta tandem >> bike. As photographs that follow depict, a visually impaired person >> like me can sit on the back seat of the tandem bike and stoke pedals >> to enjoy the opportunity of cycling. >> In the month of August 2018, I successfully completed a cycling >> expedition from Manali, Himachal Pradesh to the world’s highest >> motorable pass- Khardung-La situated in Ladakh. My captain Trevor >> managed the gears and the steering from the front seat and we both >> covered more than 500 kms of distance in 10 days starting from the >> height of 6,726 ft and finishing at 18,379 ft. I still wonder as to >> how a guy with general fitness like me pedalled through one of the >> world’s most difficult tracks characterised with steep climbs, bumpy, >> slushy, dusty roads with an additional challenge of lack of oxygen all >> along the route which made even daily tasks difficult. >> But I’m glad that I was part of an inclusive adventure which also >> invited amputees, cancer survivors and other excluded. I have been >> working to make lives of my disabled friends as human as possible, >> through sound ball tennis, goalball, cycling and other sports. >> Disables are not just people with disabilities, they are ‘human >> beings’ at heart and in spirit. Every human being, some time or the >> other, feels ‘excluded’- for appearance, or for accent or for >> something which is different than the majority. And that’s the >> biggest disabling factor for that human being. Limitless opportunity >> is a necessity for every individual to live a happy and fulfilled >> life. >> I think our expedition was inclusive in its truest sense. My captain, >> who was going to steer my bike was a 65 year old Australian, Trevor >> Ockenden. A couple of amputees, a cancer survivor and a South African >> women pair with broken pelvic bones were also ready to take on the >> KhardungLa challenge with other able-bodied persons. >> I was aware that it was not going to be easy even though I had >> previous experience of cycling, trekking and marathons. The Manali-Leh >> road was situated at such heights to which my body was never exposed >> to. No expert can predict how one’s body would react at high >> altitudes. The unknown is always scary and it kept me under pressure >> during my preparations. >> I felt fit enough after six weeks of gym training on a recliner bike. >> It was good to know that this expedition wasn’t a race like that of >> Cliff-Hanger on the Pune-Goa track where our relay team had no >> breather for a non-stop 30 hour ride. I got a big shot in the arm when >> Mr. Anmol Ambani himself showed immediate interest and committed to >> support me in whatever way possible. It is tremendously motivating >> when your employer backs your positive efforts beyond the office >> space. >> Cutting to the start day: >> Day 1. From Manali to Marhi- 6,725 to 11,003 ft (38 kms) >> Our very first day was the second most difficult day in the whole >> expedition. We were to gain 4,278 feet in a mere 37 kms. Trevor’s >> experience and technical know-how came into play straightaway. We both >> soon found our rhythm and started climbing up the Beas valley via the >> upper-Manali road. What unfolded there was my ‘Avatar’ m
Re: [AI] Wings of Wheels- A blind cycling to the top of the world
Dear Ekinath, Words are not sufficient to salute you. I have learnt a lot not just about an adventure but a philosophy of life reading your experience. I also enquired about this adventure with Divyanshu but could not dare to take up the challenge. While reading your journey makes me shiver at the very thought of taking it up, your thought of pushing ourselves beyond what we think we are surely motivates me to take up similar challenges in future. As someone said, and you rightly demonstrated, life is all about searching within ourselves for our strengths and growing beyond ourselves with our achievements. Would love to talk to you and catch you up sometime. Salute to Divyanshu also for the path breaking activities he is taking up for PWDs. If you have a group for your team, convey my regards to all of them. On 10/27/18, Pinkesh Tailor wrote: > Ekinath, > thanks for sharing such a exautic and soothing experience. I hope many > of us would like to be bestowed with such a courage and determination > to achieve milestones in different phases of our life.. > > On 10/27/18, Ekinath Khedekar wrote: >> Dear Accessindians, >> Hope you all are doing well. >> Sharing my following write-up on our cycling trip to KhardungLa at >> 18,379 feet from Manali having encouraged by my close friend to share >> it on this platform. I have tried my best to pen my very personal >> sensory experience in whatever fway I could experience. It was worth >> every bit at those choking heights >> Also sharing good news that India is a proud member of International >> Blind Tennis Association. My efforts with IBSA, have borne fruit; and >> visually impaired tennis players can now participate in any >> international tournament by IBTA with official rankings. >> We have about half a dozen players developing into very good smashers >> here in Mumbai including couple of women. >> I hope you’d enjoy the following reading and partially sighted and >> sighted can enjoy the pictures >> >> >> >> Dear readers, >> Ladakh for long was on my travel bucket-list for its enchanting >> Himalayan ranges, serene lakes, prehistoric undersea desert, Buddhist >> culture, Alpine flora and fauna and the unique experience of breathing >> low oxygen in thin air. I consider myself fortunate to have travelled >> there in the most experiential way, with also a higher purpose of >> offering ‘visibility to disability’. Thanks to Adventures Beyond >> Barriers, I got to do that on the saddle of a sturdy Treta tandem >> bike. As photographs that follow depict, a visually impaired person >> like me can sit on the back seat of the tandem bike and stoke pedals >> to enjoy the opportunity of cycling. >> In the month of August 2018, I successfully completed a cycling >> expedition from Manali, Himachal Pradesh to the world’s highest >> motorable pass- Khardung-La situated in Ladakh. My captain Trevor >> managed the gears and the steering from the front seat and we both >> covered more than 500 kms of distance in 10 days starting from the >> height of 6,726 ft and finishing at 18,379 ft. I still wonder as to >> how a guy with general fitness like me pedalled through one of the >> world’s most difficult tracks characterised with steep climbs, bumpy, >> slushy, dusty roads with an additional challenge of lack of oxygen all >> along the route which made even daily tasks difficult. >> But I’m glad that I was part of an inclusive adventure which also >> invited amputees, cancer survivors and other excluded. I have been >> working to make lives of my disabled friends as human as possible, >> through sound ball tennis, goalball, cycling and other sports. >> Disables are not just people with disabilities, they are ‘human >> beings’ at heart and in spirit. Every human being, some time or the >> other, feels ‘excluded’- for appearance, or for accent or for >> something which is different than the majority. And that’s the >> biggest disabling factor for that human being. Limitless opportunity >> is a necessity for every individual to live a happy and fulfilled >> life. >> I think our expedition was inclusive in its truest sense. My captain, >> who was going to steer my bike was a 65 year old Australian, Trevor >> Ockenden. A couple of amputees, a cancer survivor and a South African >> women pair with broken pelvic bones were also ready to take on the >> KhardungLa challenge with other able-bodied persons. >> I was aware that it was not going to be easy even though I had >> previous experience of cycling, trekking and marathons. The Manali-Leh >> road was situated at such heights to which my body was never exposed >> to. No expert can predict how one’s body would react at high >> altitudes. The unknown is always scary and it kept me under pressure >> during my preparations. >> I felt fit enough after six weeks of gym training on a recliner bike. >> It was good to know that this expedition wasn’t a race like that of >> Cliff-Hanger on the Pune-Goa track where our relay team ha
Re: [AI] Wings of Wheels- A blind cycling to the top of the world
Ekinath, thanks for sharing such a exautic and soothing experience. I hope many of us would like to be bestowed with such a courage and determination to achieve milestones in different phases of our life.. On 10/27/18, Ekinath Khedekar wrote: > Dear Accessindians, > Hope you all are doing well. > Sharing my following write-up on our cycling trip to KhardungLa at > 18,379 feet from Manali having encouraged by my close friend to share > it on this platform. I have tried my best to pen my very personal > sensory experience in whatever fway I could experience. It was worth > every bit at those choking heights > Also sharing good news that India is a proud member of International > Blind Tennis Association. My efforts with IBSA, have borne fruit; and > visually impaired tennis players can now participate in any > international tournament by IBTA with official rankings. > We have about half a dozen players developing into very good smashers > here in Mumbai including couple of women. > I hope you’d enjoy the following reading and partially sighted and > sighted can enjoy the pictures > > > > Dear readers, > Ladakh for long was on my travel bucket-list for its enchanting > Himalayan ranges, serene lakes, prehistoric undersea desert, Buddhist > culture, Alpine flora and fauna and the unique experience of breathing > low oxygen in thin air. I consider myself fortunate to have travelled > there in the most experiential way, with also a higher purpose of > offering ‘visibility to disability’. Thanks to Adventures Beyond > Barriers, I got to do that on the saddle of a sturdy Treta tandem > bike. As photographs that follow depict, a visually impaired person > like me can sit on the back seat of the tandem bike and stoke pedals > to enjoy the opportunity of cycling. > In the month of August 2018, I successfully completed a cycling > expedition from Manali, Himachal Pradesh to the world’s highest > motorable pass- Khardung-La situated in Ladakh. My captain Trevor > managed the gears and the steering from the front seat and we both > covered more than 500 kms of distance in 10 days starting from the > height of 6,726 ft and finishing at 18,379 ft. I still wonder as to > how a guy with general fitness like me pedalled through one of the > world’s most difficult tracks characterised with steep climbs, bumpy, > slushy, dusty roads with an additional challenge of lack of oxygen all > along the route which made even daily tasks difficult. > But I’m glad that I was part of an inclusive adventure which also > invited amputees, cancer survivors and other excluded. I have been > working to make lives of my disabled friends as human as possible, > through sound ball tennis, goalball, cycling and other sports. > Disables are not just people with disabilities, they are ‘human > beings’ at heart and in spirit. Every human being, some time or the > other, feels ‘excluded’- for appearance, or for accent or for > something which is different than the majority. And that’s the > biggest disabling factor for that human being. Limitless opportunity > is a necessity for every individual to live a happy and fulfilled > life. > I think our expedition was inclusive in its truest sense. My captain, > who was going to steer my bike was a 65 year old Australian, Trevor > Ockenden. A couple of amputees, a cancer survivor and a South African > women pair with broken pelvic bones were also ready to take on the > KhardungLa challenge with other able-bodied persons. > I was aware that it was not going to be easy even though I had > previous experience of cycling, trekking and marathons. The Manali-Leh > road was situated at such heights to which my body was never exposed > to. No expert can predict how one’s body would react at high > altitudes. The unknown is always scary and it kept me under pressure > during my preparations. > I felt fit enough after six weeks of gym training on a recliner bike. > It was good to know that this expedition wasn’t a race like that of > Cliff-Hanger on the Pune-Goa track where our relay team had no > breather for a non-stop 30 hour ride. I got a big shot in the arm when > Mr. Anmol Ambani himself showed immediate interest and committed to > support me in whatever way possible. It is tremendously motivating > when your employer backs your positive efforts beyond the office > space. > Cutting to the start day: > Day 1. From Manali to Marhi- 6,725 to 11,003 ft (38 kms) > Our very first day was the second most difficult day in the whole > expedition. We were to gain 4,278 feet in a mere 37 kms. Trevor’s > experience and technical know-how came into play straightaway. We both > soon found our rhythm and started climbing up the Beas valley via the > upper-Manali road. What unfolded there was my ‘Avatar’ moment- due to > a steep climbing road with winding switchbacks angled at 180°, which > allowed me to shout out to my other cycling peers right below me. It > felt as if I was on the air-borne mountains of the James Cameron
[AI] Wings of Wheels- A blind cycling to the top of the world
Dear Accessindians, Hope you all are doing well. Sharing my following write-up on our cycling trip to KhardungLa at 18,379 feet from Manali having encouraged by my close friend to share it on this platform. I have tried my best to pen my very personal sensory experience in whatever fway I could experience. It was worth every bit at those choking heights Also sharing good news that India is a proud member of International Blind Tennis Association. My efforts with IBSA, have borne fruit; and visually impaired tennis players can now participate in any international tournament by IBTA with official rankings. We have about half a dozen players developing into very good smashers here in Mumbai including couple of women. I hope you’d enjoy the following reading and partially sighted and sighted can enjoy the pictures Dear readers, Ladakh for long was on my travel bucket-list for its enchanting Himalayan ranges, serene lakes, prehistoric undersea desert, Buddhist culture, Alpine flora and fauna and the unique experience of breathing low oxygen in thin air. I consider myself fortunate to have travelled there in the most experiential way, with also a higher purpose of offering ‘visibility to disability’. Thanks to Adventures Beyond Barriers, I got to do that on the saddle of a sturdy Treta tandem bike. As photographs that follow depict, a visually impaired person like me can sit on the back seat of the tandem bike and stoke pedals to enjoy the opportunity of cycling. In the month of August 2018, I successfully completed a cycling expedition from Manali, Himachal Pradesh to the world’s highest motorable pass- Khardung-La situated in Ladakh. My captain Trevor managed the gears and the steering from the front seat and we both covered more than 500 kms of distance in 10 days starting from the height of 6,726 ft and finishing at 18,379 ft. I still wonder as to how a guy with general fitness like me pedalled through one of the world’s most difficult tracks characterised with steep climbs, bumpy, slushy, dusty roads with an additional challenge of lack of oxygen all along the route which made even daily tasks difficult. But I’m glad that I was part of an inclusive adventure which also invited amputees, cancer survivors and other excluded. I have been working to make lives of my disabled friends as human as possible, through sound ball tennis, goalball, cycling and other sports. Disables are not just people with disabilities, they are ‘human beings’ at heart and in spirit. Every human being, some time or the other, feels ‘excluded’- for appearance, or for accent or for something which is different than the majority. And that’s the biggest disabling factor for that human being. Limitless opportunity is a necessity for every individual to live a happy and fulfilled life. I think our expedition was inclusive in its truest sense. My captain, who was going to steer my bike was a 65 year old Australian, Trevor Ockenden. A couple of amputees, a cancer survivor and a South African women pair with broken pelvic bones were also ready to take on the KhardungLa challenge with other able-bodied persons. I was aware that it was not going to be easy even though I had previous experience of cycling, trekking and marathons. The Manali-Leh road was situated at such heights to which my body was never exposed to. No expert can predict how one’s body would react at high altitudes. The unknown is always scary and it kept me under pressure during my preparations. I felt fit enough after six weeks of gym training on a recliner bike. It was good to know that this expedition wasn’t a race like that of Cliff-Hanger on the Pune-Goa track where our relay team had no breather for a non-stop 30 hour ride. I got a big shot in the arm when Mr. Anmol Ambani himself showed immediate interest and committed to support me in whatever way possible. It is tremendously motivating when your employer backs your positive efforts beyond the office space. Cutting to the start day: Day 1. From Manali to Marhi- 6,725 to 11,003 ft (38 kms) Our very first day was the second most difficult day in the whole expedition. We were to gain 4,278 feet in a mere 37 kms. Trevor’s experience and technical know-how came into play straightaway. We both soon found our rhythm and started climbing up the Beas valley via the upper-Manali road. What unfolded there was my ‘Avatar’ moment- due to a steep climbing road with winding switchbacks angled at 180°, which allowed me to shout out to my other cycling peers right below me. It felt as if I was on the air-borne mountains of the James Cameron hit movie. The lovely sunshine filtered by tall oak trees, the burbling sound of the fast flowing Beas and gusty cold winds on these steep climbs built a surreal ‘virtual reality’ for me. Upon reaching Marhi, it wasn’t that pleasant. Strong icy wind coupled with rains and struggle for oxygen did not promise comfort that I was looking forward to after 8 hours of hard pedalling. The smallest 6 by 4
