Tackling some elevation today

From 3 February 2020, I will be taking on the epic challenge of cycling 4,500km across the entire length of India. Starting on the very southernmost tip in the city of Kanyakumari, I will end up 45 days later in Kashmir, almost in the foothills of the Himalayas! 

My goal is to raise $450,000 for the Loomba Foundation. Each cent I raise will help to empower widows in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.  

Day 6 From Salem to Krishnagiri – 600 km completed (3,900 km left)

Another day completed and the tally is now 600 km. Today was the first proper day in elevation and I gained 500 metres over 10 km. It was hot today so it was hard work and there were lots of heavy trucks that were too close to me.

I’m now in Krishnagiri and the altitude is higher here which is why the climate is much more temperate and more pleasant. It’ll be interesting to see what it’s like when we get into Bangalore tomorrow on day seven.

We’ve had our last meal in the state of Tamil Nadu this evening and I’m really exhausted now.

Looking older than my age

My mornings are really tough and I felt that way today after my early morning exercise. My eyes are baggy and my face looks craggy. I look a lot older than my 58 years and especially after a day of wind and sun.

Bulls yesterday and cows today

I was a cow herd for a bit. I was walking two cows down the road and the little one at the back got a bit excited and jumped on the one in front nearly knocking Atul over so he was terrified.

Shouting at motorcyclists

This is a clip of me shouting at some motorcyclists as they overtook me, sat on my left and slowed down. What I didn’t realise is that Sachin asked them to carry out this manoeuvre so I could overtake them, while he filmed it.

Dreaming of Jackie Chan

I was sleeping outside two people’s houses today for my lunchtime nap. There was some shouting by a mum to her kids inside one of the houses so Sachin goes in to ask them to be quiet. He explains there’s a man (me) sleeping outside so they came outside to check. They were quiet for a few seconds before starting to shout again. The husband then went inside and put on a Jackie Chan film and it was really really loud. So Sachin went in again to ask them to put the volume down and, they didn’t. After that Sachin left and the whole family came outside and started playing around me. There was banging, drums being played, cans being tossed around so I didn’t get much sleep but I did a get a little break

The man with long nails

We came across a man with long nails. He’s been growing them for five years and the only time they ever get broken is when he gets drunk and falls over apparently. You can see the nails quite near my face, in fact, a bit too near my face.

I’m not losing any weight

I looked at my Garmin details to check the average over the last few days and I’m burning about 3,000 calories in total a day. That’s the good news. The bad news is I don’t seem to be losing any weight. I think I must just be eating lots and I need the energy I guess.

Sachin the log

Atul had to get my cycle shoes yesterday and got back at about 10:30pm. He was exhausted after hours and hours of driving with Mahadev to get my shoes from Bangalore. Sachin had gone to sleep in the room they share but had Atul’s key. So Atul starts knocking on Sachin’s door and no response. Then he rings the button, no response. Then he rings Sachin’s mobile phone but no response. Then he goes down to reception and they call the landline but no response again. Then they go upstairs with the reception staff, buzzing the door, knocking on the door but no response. There are other clients in the hotel all knocking on the door but still no response. Nothing wakes Sachin up! In the end poor Atul has to end up in a tiny little box room because they have to give him a separate room because they can’t wake Sachin up.

Sachin’s excuse is that he’s so tired after a day of looking after me, nothing will wake him up so that was pretty impressive.

Atul and Sachin are a dream team

I have to say again that Atul and Sachin are completely outstanding. They make sure I have tea when I arrive at the hotel and that I have hot water. They got a heating rod for the water to warm it up. They make sure that I have towels, shampoo and soap. They make sure I have my physio. They make sure that we find a restaurant and that my bags are delivered… everything! I cannot tell you how lucky I am. They are just amazing and they’re providing every single bit of support I could ever want.

Appreciating the simple things in life

An adventure like this makes you appreciate the really simple pleasures in life. And none come more simple, nor pleasurable, than a hot bucket of water with a mug to pour over your head. I’ll tell you, it’s just a dream. And when you think life can get no better, after the mug won’t scoop any more water, you finish off your shower by getting the bucket and pouring it over your head. I can’t tell you how wonderful that is after a long day in the heat of the Indian sun.

Some of the locals I met today

That’s all for today.

Chris

PS Thank you for all your comments on the last blog and to Alastair Henderson, David and Holly, Clive and Damien.

Why I’m cycling across India 

Unfortunately, many widows in India are very badly treated when they lose their husbands. As well as facing verbal and physical abuse, rape and the threat of being evicted from their homes, they often have no income whatsoever after their husband dies. 

This is where the Loomba Foundation comes in. Through their empowerment programmes, the charity provides skills training and other support to help widows become self-sufficient so that they can support themselves and their families. 

I’d like to ask for your support I am already more than half way towards raising $450,000 – I’d love it if you could help me smash my target. Your support would mean the world to me and would help to change the lives of thousands of widows and their families. 

If you are in India, you can make a donation here: 

Ketto (India)

If you are in the UK or elsewhere in the world, you can make a donation here: 

JustGiving 

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