15th Edition of Tour of Nilgiris – TFN 2024 kicks off!

Hon Minister of Revenue for Karnataka, Mr. Krishna Byre Gowda flagged off the 15th Edition of Tour of Nilgiris from The Rio Meridian hotel in Mysore. 85 riders from all over the country and outside the country made it to the start of this year’s tour.

We went around the majestic structures of Mysore to get out of this amazing palace town just as it’s dwellers were getting out of their Sunday morning slumber! 

The weather was perfect with a slight chill in the air. The enthusiasm of the riders was definitely shining brighter than the morning sun trying to peek out of the overcast skies.

The Golden Paddy Fields and Sprawling Back Waters of KRS!

As we exited Mysore we were greeted by the backwaters of KRS! The plentiful water in the area courtesy the KRS Dam meant the agricultural yield is typically bountiful.

As we rode part miles and miles of golden paddy fields on both sides, I was grateful that I not only get to ride through these beautiful roads but also get to witness the farmers working in the fields before sun up to bring food to our tables.

TFN An Addictive Dose of Fun!

I met my friend Amit Ohja first time ten years ago at TFN 2014. He came back last year with another 4 of his friends from Delhi/Gurgaon and had a blast. He came back this year with another friend who signed up last year but couldn’t make it.

Last month in Goa he successfully completed his first Ironman 70.3 triathlon. Today, as we rode on towards Virajpet, he was sharing the experience of training for the triathlon and the injury woes along the way. He learnt swimming in the last year or so and had to overcome his deep fear of open water to successfully complete the triathlon.

It is great that the passion for a sport is pushing the old dog to learn new tricks and keep evolving.

TFN Best Enjoyed With Friends You Make on the Tour!

Return of the OG!

My first TFN back in 2011 was a life changing experience for me. I was the star struck kid(34 year old kid anyway) eager to watch and learn as much as I can from whom I considered pro riders. At the top of the list was Rajesh Nair aka BabaVelo and other riders from Spectrum Racing. I was just a goofy newbie riding my fixed gear bike. But, I never felt out of place among these “pro” riders because they were kind enough to treat me as one of their own. I rode with them day after day, watching and learning each day.

Competitive segments at TFN was started in 2011 and there was a fierce competition between Rajesh Nair and Mark Anderson. Rajesh won the overall on the last day in spectacular fashion on the 20km Ooty climb after a crash earlier in the day and in bandages. It was such an inspiration to watch him ride.

Rajesh along with Ravi Ranjan and other were among the co-founders of Tour of Nilgiris back in 2008. It was great to have Raj back at TFN after all these years riding the tour that he helped start. Although I’ve ridden with him at many other events in and outside India, it is always special to ride with him on TFN again!

One of the learnings from my first tour was how Raj would have a few of us start ahead of each other acting as carrots for each other so that each of us trying to catch the one at the front and would give our best in the process. I’ve used that strategy many times over the years at TFN and other races.

Today on the Competitive Segment, I was his carrot(one minute man) and he caught me with 2km to go in the 9km segment. He was flying. The 9km course was partly uphill but has lots of technical downhill stretches and a few speed bumps and potholes. If he was able to go that fast on a course that’s not really suitable for him, it’ll be interesting to see him on proper climbs.

From The Paddy Fields to The Coffee And Pepper Country!

As we entered the Coorg region, the coffee and pepper plantations lined the roads on either side. The breathtaking beauty was a distraction as we rode on. Distraction because we also needed our eyes focused down to spot the road among the potholes in some segments!

The last 40k was a constant rolling terrain and I sat on Raj’s wheel as he kept it as smooth as possible on those not so smooth roads.

Rider Volunteer?

Retired Major General Dr. AVK Mohan sir is avid cyclist, runner and a motor cyclist. He has done many mind blowing rides both on cycle and motor cycle over the years. He was part of TFN multiple times as a rider but this year he showed up on his Royal Enfield Himalayan to volunteer as a moto support crew for us. Once a TFNer, always a TFNer.

What’s Ahead!?

Today we are staying in the lovely Club Mahindra property in Virajpet. Tomorrow we ride to Talakaveri and back. Talakaveri is where the river Kaveri originated. It is at the top of a 5km five percent hill. The climb is also a CS tomorrow. Time for all the skinny climbers to shine.