Fwd: Blue Mountains Bicycle Tour

[Srikumar Natarajan]

Got this from Balu last evening but couldn't forward the same right then.  Those interested, can talk to Balu (Blr) if they want to take up the full tour or parts of it.

Srikumar

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Balu <sbk....@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Dec 6, 2012 at 7:47 PM
Subject: Fwd: Blue Mountains Bicycle Tour
To: Srikumar Natarajan <natarajan...@gmail.com>



Please spread the word...

-Balu

On Thursday, 6 December 2012 18:09:07 UTC+5:30, Balu wrote:

Hi,

Sorry for last minute notice, we have a few slots left in our informal "Blue Mountains Bicycle Tour".

It is mostly people from the Veloscope team, but we have some slots left.
It will be small group: 12 riders & 2 Support crew

8 riders are already confirmed, only 4 slots are open.

For all days we have a harder "A" ride option, and an easier "B" ride available as well.
And of course for the repeat Coonoor nights there is the "C" option of not riding at all :).
We will be staying in nice places, but with room sharing.

Cost is determined by actual expenditures: Lodging, food, transportation and support vehicle/staff (min 2 support vehicles and 2 volunteers).

Estimated budget for this trip is 14k

Women, couples, and "B" riders are specially invited, since we are trying to make it suited for such riders. (Currently there 2 female riders)
And people with a nice van are *especially* invited :)

Most meals are included. Of course if you choose to eat elsewhere, that is up to you.
It will be buffet-style breakfast and dinner. On some days, parcel lunch is provided.

Please respond ASAP. (send me a private mail/call me)

Payment details: TBD
Information to supply:
  Full Name:
  Phone:
  Email:
  Emergency Contact Name/Phone:
  desired plan for getting to Masinagudi
  likely to do "A" or "B" rides:

Itinerary:

Day 0 (Saturday Dec 15): Bangalore -> Mysore
  Its Called Day0 since, Riding is optional. You can ride/take support car to Mysore
  Distance (km.)    157.4    Ele. Gain (m.)    1167 (via kanakapura rd)
  Accommodation: Arpritha Farms (guest house)
 
Day 1 (Sunday Dec 16): Mysore -> Masinagudi
  Distance (km.)    112.2    Ele. Gain (m.)    1233
  Accommodation: Tamarind Tree http://www.thetamarindtree.in/tariff.php

Day 2 (Monday Dec 17): Masinagudi -> Coonoor
  "A" group rides up 36 bends to Coonoor, with little support.
  Distance (km.)    49.3    Ele. Gain (m.)    2462
  "B" group rides to Gudalur and then towards Ooty, picked up at Pykara,
  and driven to Coonoor.
  Aprox : 50kms ride to Pykara with steady gradient.
  Accommodation (for next 4 nights):
    Salvation Army http://web.salvationarmy.org/ind/www_ind.nsf/vw-sublinks/80256E520050A2E280256CA60073B07D?openDocument

Day 3 (Tuesday Dec 18): Coonoor -> Coonor (Kodanand or Mettupalayam loop)
  Both groups ride to Kotagiri boundary, then part ways.
  "B" group gets van through Katagiri to start of Kodanand ride.
  They get catered lunch there at Kodanand, then van back to hotel.
  "A" group descends down to Metupalayam from Kotagiri. Then comes up
  up main Metupalayam-Coonoor road.

Day 4 (Wednesday Dec 19): Coonoor rest day

Day 5 (Thursday Dec 20): Coonoor -> Coonoor (Upper Bhavani)
  All riders go together on the Coonoor-Manjur Road:  http://goo.gl/maps/JYJiT
  That is 30km of some rolling riding - enough for B group. They can wait for A riders,
  or get a ride back to hotel.
  "A" riders go on to climb Silent Valley (additional 700m climbing), then
  reverses back.
  Distance (km.)    113.7    Ele. Gain (m.)    5459

Day 6 (Friday Dec 21): Coonoor -> Allurvayal (in Mudumalai)
  Route is reversal of the "B" route of first day:
  depart Coonoor by bike, ride through Ooty, and descend (mostly downhill)
  to Gudalur and then to hotel in Mudumalai park.
  Distance (km.)    74.4    Ele. Gain (m.)    2311
  Accommodation: The Wilderness http://www.wilderness.co.in

Day 7 (Saturday Dec 22): Mudumalai -> Mysore (Bangalore)
  Bicycle ride or Van to Mysore. (100kms ride to mysore)
  Then train/bus or van to Bangalore.


Please reach me if you need any details 
Balu
sbk....@gmail.com
974 Zero 5 Zero 139 Zero

PS: This is not TFN which is why we are not calling it "Tour of Nilgiris" even though we will be doing some of the same roads.