Aashish Solanki

Last year a bunch of known and some unknown people approached me to do “something” for the cycling community. I being my impulsive-self jumped on the opportunity. Little did I know their secret agenda was to unfurl and initiate country’s biggest cycle tour!!

My tryst began after meeting Pradeep (read ‘The Tour Director’ and ‘My Good Pal’), Ravi (the Doer and Cycle Champ), Sharath (the Model, the Marketing-Whizz, Cycle Lover) and Arun (brand lover, perfectionist, the boss). As they poured out their plan for the tour and the ideas behind it, I was left wide-eyed with the sheer passion that exhilarated from these gentlemen. One could feel their love for cycling, and clearly see that they were out to do something BIG.

And as I was listening to them, the old school days came tumbling down the less-trodden memory lane. Those long cycle rides were the most memorable moments of my life till date. While cycling, you realize how connected one can stay to the place, people and all the beauty around. You think you could care to stop on a bike than to lower your car window every time you wanted to experience something?

Now that I knew about their plan, which was called ‘Tour of Nilgiris’ (TFN from here on), I think I was more than fortunate to design the brand (posters, website, badges etc), including one of my best works: The TFN logo.

And trust me, I haven’t stop talking about these guys ever since!

What is TFN?

Imagine yourself away from the hustle-bustle of the jam-packed roads, away from the daily routine, away from the world of Internet, cell-phones or anything that keeps you connected with that materialistic part of your life that keeps you ‘busy’ and far far far away from the deadlines and the worries.

And, now imagine yourself on an 8-day breakout for once-in-a-lifetime experience amidst the forest ranges and the small pathways, traveling through the tiny villages breathing the fresh air, pushing your limits without the need to fuel your saddle. To add to the adventure you won’t be alone, you will be accompanied by 80 odd new people who wish to cherish all this beauty along with you in crudest and purest form possible.

Just imagine the HIGH! Experiencing it is twice as much as said.

So much will happen over these 8 days and at the end of it possibilities of new human beings are created. Why do I say so? Because participants go Eco-friendly, a new sense of comradeship emerges, self-confidence multiplies and of course you get to beat your own cycling record with the feeling of triumph!

So what does it really take to do a TFN? Money?  A kick-ass bike?  Prior experience? Nah.

It takes a heart and the will to do so. Last year I saw Dattatreye Patil ride bare foot on a cycle no better than a hero hawk, I saw people take on cycling for such long distances for the first time, I saw young women challenge the men on the track, I saw 12 year old Sukhdev cycle all the way up to Mysore. One thing was common; each one had the passion…the zest. They hardly cared about the world around or the reasons not to do it. They had the two wheels, a saddle and a journey calling them…

And if TFN08 was such an experience, you can well guess what TFN09 could be. If you haven’t done TFN, you haven’t done much yet.

Now this boils down to why I posted this write-up almost 10 months after the tour. Simply to relive the magic moments in the virtual world and look forward to a bigger, better, exciting TFN09. Well this also happens to be my chance of being the official blogger for TFN09. I want to capture the Nilgiris, the ranges, the green & wild with it, the trail, the people, the sweat and blood behind (literally), the local food, the spirit of sharing and spirit of  ‘2 wheels and a saddle.’

Are you game to experience the spirit of cycling? I AM!

TFN09 -  “LETS RIDE AND SHINE.”

This post is tagged TFN, TFN09