Biked more - Lived better more

The thunders and lightning last night woke me up during my sleep and for a few minutes I was wondering how it would look the next morning. But morning when I woke up it wasn't too bad at all. There were the frequent potholes etc. symbolizing the monsoons season. But it was no where like the large pools I was anticipating. I took it as a good omen.

After reaching IMAX I saw that Steven, Kapil and Saradhi had already reached there. I had to park my car and assemble my bike quickly. I had to take care not to smear tyre marks on the beige interiors of my newly delivered car! That said I have let you guys all know that I have been newly Sparked! It took me a few minutes to assemble the front tyre, the seat and put on the cyclometer. Well, you might wonder if the cyclometer is worth mentioning. But when its drizzling, you got sight glasses and yours hands are a little slippery even this simple task could seem an acrobat. Atleast for me. After putting my car to sleep in front of the Dr. Car parking lot I headed towards IMAX again only to realize that I was late and I had to ride in the opposite direction. Midway, probably around Jalavihar I saw Habib, Steven, Kapil, Saradhi and Srikanth pedaling towards me. I joined them and we took a tiny break after reaching NTR gardens to get to know each other better. We decided that a chai at the diagonally opposite end will be nice too. We then went on on the second lap.

Irani chai is a wonderful invention and I still after so many years wonder if it did have its roots in Iran. It can at times even surprise you. If you are passionate about fishing you might find an opportunity or two to polish your prowess in fishing out the tiny somethings these Irani chai cups can surprise you with at times. In this occasion I did get a chance to use my deft fingers to weed out one. The rest of the tea was impeccable. Steven, however might have other opinions beginning with how tea and milk are not the best friends. Having had tea a.k.a. chai we resumed with our second lap.

The drizzle had started gaining in thickness by then. It was a great feeling to be drenched in the rain. It’s a nature of the tropical climate that one feels good to be drenched in the rain. And this rain in particular doled out a misty aura. Usually like the ones we pay hefty amounts for, to see in hill-stations. It was also satisfying that we were doing our little dharma to help in its preservation by bicycling and not motorcycling. After the second round we were almost dripping like the fish. We thought that we will then exchange the third lap for a walk in the newly developed park nearby. It was there that we HBC bikers again did our bit. Steven, meanwhile preferred to go on for the third and go back thereafter. Saradhi too called it off.

Its common wisdom that what goes up comes down. But occasionally we offer exemptions to such universal knowledge. Cases such as when a truck with a full load is stuck in sludge even along a slope. But for our able shoulders it would have been that way for a long time. Or so I would like to think! :) Such events teach you what they don’t teach you at Harvard. Psst..! I quote this to many people to tell them why I didn’t go to Harvard!

We wandered around in the park discussing all possible trivia and suddenly we realized that it was time to bid goodbye. It was a ride worth a saturday morning. Not to mention the pursuit of our philosophy and belief that biking is a wonderful thing whichever way you see it.

Bala Aluru
Team HBC