Golden quad bike ride

[Pradeep Naidu]

Hey folks
Have you come across this guy, Amit chilka
He's attempting 6000kms golden quad bicycle ride in 20 days..
Saw his plan.. Riding 300kms everyday.. Few days exceeds 300. And surprisingly no rest day.
I m doubtful of this.. I think it's a over ambitious plan...
What do you guys think?

[Prashanth Chengi]

If it was Anil Kadsur, I wouldn't have called it over ambitious, but since it's NOT Anil, I'm inclined to agree with you, Pradeep! :)

/Prashanth

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[Pradeep Naidu]

Hahaha.. Yes yes.. I totally agree with the comment on Anil kadsur

[Basker Ramachandran]

Tell me, you meant even Anil is on fixie. Didn't you??

[Opendro]

Let me jump the gun here. If the roads are good, this is pretty much possible for anybody. If I were in his place, this is how I would do - four hours of sleep a day, 2 hours of refuel/refresh and 18 hours of ride (which includes 5 mins of stretch every hour), which is less than 17 kmph average. Minimal things to carry - probably sleep in day when ride efficiency is low, but warm enough to sleep without a sleeping bag while ride the night which gives the best efficiency. Pack the next meal while eating the current meal. Fill water wherever possible. No shoes, only sandal (eliminates socks and sore feet problems). I'm learning to bathe without soap/shampoo/toothpaste/cold water. I'm without soap and toothpaste since August. I would not need them again in my whole life. I'm off shampoo this month only. I tried a few herbal alternative. But the aim is to get rid of the alternative too. This will keep going anywhere - it just needs a small handkerchief and a mug to take bath. Carry an extra shorts and jersey which I can wash using shampoo and dry on the ride on the bike. I'm learning how I can fight the stinks of sweat over days of no bathing or washing. Deepak Mhasavade sent me a bunch of links of which I had read these two http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/25/magazine/my-no-soap-no-shampoo-bacteria-rich-hygiene-experiment.html?_r=0

http://www.thehealthyskinblog.org/is-showering-without-soap-better-for-the-skin/ Really awesome links. I suppose, I'm with the microbione all over my body, because I don't smell anymore even with clothes worn over two days, but still bathe everyday with plain water. One day, I will be able to skip bathing and washing. I don't usually get saddle sores and I believe that people can escape from it with some care. I don't use any lotion/cream. Ride without gloves was also fine for me. A light weight poncho for rain. Drink regular water, not fussy about bottle ones. Eat whatever is available - not fussy about the menu. Learn to patch the tubes, carry a pair of new tubes. Use an efficient light - I bought magnic light for the purpose so that I don't have to worry about batteries anywhere. Use phone only on emergency. Else in flight mode, click photos sparingly. Charge in food stops if possible. Load tracks on a GPS watch and turn it on only when lost. Use the regular cyclocomp otherwise for distance.

Most important thing: conserve in initial days till body tones up. One can burn out towards the end, but not necessary. Don't see the 6000 km. riding for 18 hours a day is more important than the total distance covered a day.

As usual, my arm chair theories ;) Hopefully I will be able to do it myself some day!

[Sandeep]

>A light weight poncho for rain

Open, that is not in line with the rest of the mail; rain is nothing but plain water.

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[Opendro]

Ha, you got a point :)

Actually, occasional rains need not be bothered at all. My experience with incessant rain (Kolhapur 1240 km in 2013) tells me that we need protection from rain if it rains continuously.

[Pradeep Naidu]

Yesterday, I saw his update. He only road some 220 kms it seems.. Due to cramps he had to call of the day.. Imo, he is not prepared for this kind of rides.
Don't know much about him. But when I saw his fb page.. Looked like he hasn't done much of long rides as preparation.

[Opendro]

It depends on how his body works. Cramps will disappear from second day. He can tone up the muscles in a couple of days. That is the beauty of long distance rides - you can embark on one without any training, because you have time to build gradually. I always compare with a farmer who is staring at a field that is going to take him the next three weeks to toil everyday. It only gets better by the day. On the contrary, one has to train hard for a 10 km ITT.

[Prashanth Chengi]

To a very large extent, it's in the mind (psychological) too.  When I signed up for my first ever 300k ride, my longest ride had been a 140k ride which I'd done over 10 years ago! Since then, I'd lost out on both confidence and fitness.  In preparation, I did a 100k ride, and then a 150k ride and simply got the confidence back. Since then, I've been able to go on to longer rides without getting daunted. This is also the same confidence that'll allow one to ride through cramps etc, which go away if you drink some electrolytes and spin more for a few km. Without the necessary confidence, the same cramp could result in a DNF.  This guy might have aimed too high given his experience, but I'm sure he'll have more confidence now, than he did before the attempt.

/Prashanth

[Karthick Gururaj]

BTW, will he have support vehicle trailing him? That can make a big difference I suppose.

Many here will of course know Tommy Godwin, who averaged 320km per day for an entire year - unsupported. So it is possible :)

- Karthick

[Meera Velankar]

He is Tommy Godwin and this one is Amit Chilka, i met this fellow in Mumbai two days back and he has done marathons in good time. Having said that, he was asking me if Firefox road runner can be converted into a folding bike. His knowledge about cycles made me worry more about what he is aiming at than his planning or endurance. 

What we can do is only wish him good luck, or make him practise Anchetti!! or add him in this group..BBC

[Karthick Gururaj]

"So it is possible :)"

                   ^^^ -> The smilie is for the likely difference between Tommy Godwin and Amit Chilka :)

[Pradeep Naidu]

Loll.. Meera. add him to BBC..hahahaaa.. Good one..

Yes, that was the concern I had on this guy too..
Karthik,  it's a self supported ride..

[Opendro]

Guys, lets not mock at him as of yet. I honestly believe that many people can do this if they just stay focused on the goal.

Also, doing a marathon in good time is a lot tougher than riding 300 km for consecutive days. They just cannot be compared. Marathon is a shorter version of race where one is supposed to finish in one single session without any break. Moreover, running (or even walking) is much more tougher than cycling when done longer hours.

I would be more curious if he knows how to get four normal meals plus four hours of sleep a day or not. If he can get that, I bet, he will do it even without much knowledge of hydration or nutrition.

Anyway, we will get an idea after a couple of days. I wouldn't judge him based on how he fared in his first two days. His third and fourth day will give more accurate picture of how he will do for the rest of the journey.

I'm an optimist :)

[vivek]

This guy had shared his page for funding this ride. Frankly speaking I had dismissed his post earlier thinking he won't do it. But I will be glad if I'm wrong. Will be checking his progress.

@Pradeep: Where are you following him? I saw updates only on his FB profile. Has he created any page for this ride? His funding page (https://www.ketto.org/amitchilka) also does not have the daily updates regarding his progress.

Regards,

Vivek

[Opendro]

10 pairs of brake pads. LOL. I bet, he will not even finish the stock pads. The page seems to suggest that he knows what he is doing. Retiring from the first day at mere 210 km is surprising then (info I got from the fb).

[Meera Velankar]

Yes Opendro Sir!!

[Narayan R]

Yes, if one can manage the routing for gear, one can convert firefox road runner into a folding bike. It would good excercise though.

[Pradeep Naidu]

Check the screen shot
I will bet this guy can't survive 10 to 15 days.. Forget the distance..

I'm following on this Facebook page..
I'm not being sarcastic.. With all my riding experience in these years.. I m pretty sure, this guy isn't prepared..

[Pradeep Naidu]

Guys this guy is crazy..
reading his fund raising page.. Is this a pleasure ride for him? He has budgeted 2,500₹per night sleep... Wow... Im amazed..

 

  

Golden Quandrangle - 6000 km, 20 days

by Amit

Raised

Rs.50,500

Goal

Rs.2,15,000

Days Left

17

CONTRIBUTE NOW  ►

About

About

Hello everyone, I am Amit Chilka from Pune. Travelling, running and cycling has always been my passion. This passion has given me a desire of being the fastest person to complete a circuit of the Indian Golden Quadrilateral route by bicycle. Surprisingly, no one has attempted this feat before, which drives me even more towards it. I would be doing this all by myself i.e. without a support vehicle!  I am looking at beginning on Jan 26, 2016 and finishing it on Feb 14, 2016 or earlier!

The Cause

The idea is to cover 300 km on an average every day and complete this 6000 km cycle ride in 20 days or less. 

I am a regular runner and a cyclist. I have been running several marathons since Dec 2011 and have been cycling since a year. With 2 more months of rigorous practice I am sure to achieve the goal I have set for myself. 

Funds and Appeal

Like any journey, my journey needs funds and financial support from well-wishers. Your contributions shall be to fund my cycling gear, my nutritional needs, boarding and lodging en-route.

Do support me I assure in this. Your contribution shall be one of the most important cogs for my 2 wheels for 6000 km feat!

If you have questions, please feel free to write to me at chilk...@gmail.com 

Expenses Break-up (approx)

Hotel Stay Expenses @INR 2500 per day for self 

As I will be riding 300 kms (per day) I will be staying in hotels situated within 10 kms of my end point for the day. INR 2500 x 20 days = INR 50,000

Food Expenses @INR 1250 per day for self 

INR 1250 x 20 days = INR 25000 

Hydration / Sport Nutrition Expenses – Rs 15,000/-

Cycling 6000 km along the golden quadrangle route will not be an easy task. Hydration and right nutirition will be the key to keep going despite all odds. I will need Hydration- Water, Sport Drinks, Energy Drinks, and calorie supplements Energy Bar, Energy Gels and Protein Shake to recoup  the calorie and nutrient loss.

Cycle Accessories Expenses – INR 25,000/-

List of Requirement for Bicycle Accessories-

7 pairs of padded cycling shortsHelmetGlovesSaddle for long distance ridingHydration bottlesHeadlight and tail-light setGPS, cycle mountable

Bike Tools and Spares-

Portable air pumpPatch repair kit (5 set)Spare tube 6 pairsBrake pads 10 pairsSpare chain 2 linksBrake cables Front / RearDerailleur’s cables Front / RearMulti Tool Kit

GPS Multiactivity Watch – INR 25,000/-

Insurance, First Aid, Medical Emergency Expenses, Medical check-ups, pre-ride preparation expenses, clothing (jersey, shorts, other daytoday clothing), campaign fund raising fees & other miscellaneous expenses - INR 75000/- 

Total = INR 2.15.000/-

[Karthick Gururaj]

It looks like he needs some good advice... and looks like he is not very well prepared for days ahead.. (gel seat cover and undergarments..) but we never know, people can sometimes surprise us with their tenacity.

- Karthick

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[Prashanth Chengi]

It's clear that his butt isn't used to long hours on the saddle! While I agree that anybody in some decent physical condition can do longer rides, the butt is something that really needs to be used to a hard saddle and long hours, else he's going to suffer like hell. I was barely able to sit down on the saddle for the last 30k, during my first 300, for the same reason.. and it took me a couple of days to recover. This guy is really in no shape and is subjecting himself to a lot of torture just because he fears loss of face. Bold but foolish.  Ideally, he ought to have done a bunch of brevets for practice and butt hardening, before he ventured on this exercise.  Tenacity cannot make a sore butt get better overnight, so I really feel sorry for this guy!

/Prashanth

[Prashanth Chengi]

Oh my god! Just realized that he's carrying all of those supplies on his back! That's the craziest thing by far.. The only thing I could imagine carrying is a hydration pack which gets lighter with use.. now that he's had to send back gear, and he's not supported, his options are going to get fewer and worse. Damn!

/Prashanth

[Opendro]

He has not done any home work. Sorry guys, I am not betting on him anymore ;)

[Pradeep Naidu]

Lol..lol.. Check this guy folks.. He's getting hilarious everyday...
Attached his funny write up for the day

[Opendro]

Hahahaa... I'm also getting embarrassed of my earlier optimist statements :-p Probably making an escape plan himself with all these mishaps!

[Pradeep Naidu]

Ha-ha... Yes.. Looks like it.. Today I directly commented on his post saying you can't complete and asked him to return back...

" You cannot finish 6000 kms .. Take a call and return back.. With the pace you are doing, it's going to be nearly impossible ...

In 3 days, as per your plan, you are supposed to be finishing 900 plus kms.. You are at 500 something.. To cover the deficit of 400, you need to be doing 350kms for the next 4 days to even think of trying to finish the distance in 20days.. With all my riding experience, it's going to be extremely difficult.. Or near impossible.."

--

[Prashanth Chengi]

For somebody with so little experience and planning, it's creditable that he's done 500 km. If only he'd not made such tall claims and promises, he could have pulled out and felt proud, instead of bad.  Forget making up the deficit or anything, as time is not really of any real concern to anybody but him, but I think he'll run the risk of actually injuring himself if he pushes on, when clearly his physical conditioning is not up to the task. 

/Prashanth

[Karthick Gururaj]

Amen to that. 500km is no small feat with such preparation. He should be happy.

[Pradeep Naidu]

But he has collected 50,000 fit this ride plus nutrition partner plus insurance sponsor.. To me, this guy has made fun of all this..

[Pradeep Naidu]

For*

[Opendro]

No. If you read https://www.ketto.org/amitchilka, he is a regular marathoner and also a cyclist since 2011. Honestly, I have just done two marathons so far and if he is capable of running marathons at good timings, 300 km on cycle a day looks quite simple.

Anyway, his trip is a useful one because a lot of us can learn what we shouldn't be doing, though we cannot learn much on what we should be doing ;)

[Prashanth Chengi]

I think that's the part that I also find quite objectionable; he led people to believe that he was capable of doing something which he clearly wasn't.  Then again,  I only attribute stupidity to him and not malice. It's not like he knew he knew he could not do it and deliberately cheated.  Most of the funds must have been put together by family and well wishers who probably wouldn't mind too much, even if he doesn't really finish!  What this might do however is make it harder for somebody else to get similar sponsorship.. he's reduced the credibility of bikers.  His hashtags on fb are most amusing! #GuinnessRecord #LimcaRecord etc :D

/Prashanth

[Prashanth Chengi]

Also, he considers listing a 25,000 INR 'fitness tracking watch', 2500 INR per night hotel stay as necessity, but chooses to do the ride on a crappy heavy-ass bike, carrying a ton of gear on his back.. Seriously misplaced priorities.

/Prashanth

[Jayaprakash E]

Running and cycling are different type of activities. He may be wrong to consider his running fitness to long distance cycling. He averaged the distance and planned it. If anyone is new to endurance cycling, average math will not work. It is a hard lesson for him.

[Opendro]

He has quit just a while ago as per fb. Not able to manage lose motion.

[Pradeep Naidu]

Yup... Saw that.. Due to lose motions and he mentioned after so much preparations... Lol..
Attached his quiting note..

On 30-Jan-2016 5:20 AM, "Opendro" <ope...@gmail.com> wrote:

He has quit just a while ago as per fb. Not able to manage lose motion.