This is my first endurance event experience. The dream started when I received the first notification of Tour de Kanyakumari about a month ago. In the notification flyer, it was mentioned about the 200 km endurance ride and a puzzle medal for it. I thought of getting that medal. So, I forwarded the flyer to Bharath as he was the first to talk about this event.
Bharath told that he will talk to his club, Cyclotrivians, and make a group registration with me in it. After that, the topic went cold. Recently, a week ago, I saw Robin’s ride post stating “with cyclotrivian jersey”. I asked him like me too wanna be a part of cyclotrivians. He shared the contact details and I became one among them.
The head of Cyclotrivians, Dr. Rigel, added me to their whatsapp group and posted the text about Tour de Kanyakumari. He asked in the group if anyone else is interested in joining. I immediately raised my hand and joined for 200km main event. So, thats how I was registered for the TDK2026.
The event starts at 5:30AM in a school in Marthandam. So, the vehicle arrangements were discussed in the group and I planned to join with another rider, Anurag in his car. He is from Balaramapuram. We planned to start by 3AM morning from Balaramapuram junction, and I planned to reach there by early morning/midnight ride.
I got the gatepass to leave by 12:30AM and left the campus with my bike. I chose the route as Nedumangad - Poovachal - Kattakada - Balaramapuram. The ride was excellent with 2 - 3 dog group chases. I reached Balaramapuram by around 2:30AM and waited for Anurag to come. Once he came with his car, I removed the wheels of my bike and loaded them in his car. Then we started to move.
On the way, I met Dr. Nigel and Jithin. Nigel is riding 50 km entry level ride and Jithin is riding with me for 200km. We reached the school in Marthandam, got the brevet cards and prepared for the ride. I was given the base plate of the medal at the starting point, and as we go to each checkpoint, we will be given pieces of medal. One piece for one type of land in Kanyakumari: Neithal, Marutham, Mullai and Kurinji. The ride route passes through all the 4 types of land in Kanyakumari.
Myself, Jithin, Anurag and one more from Cyclotrivians were riding the main endurance event of 200km. We were briefed at starting point about the ride route and plan, then the flag off happened sharp 05:30AM. We four were riding together until first selfie-point, there were selfie-points where we need to take selfie with our bikes and landmark to confirm that we went through that route only, those are unmanned checkpoints.
Anurag was lagging behind, he was so slow. The other two, Jithin and the other one ride faster and left us behind. I was going with Anurag till the first checkpoint which is the Kanyakumari zero point. There I was given the first medal piece, the one of Neithal, seashore area. Then the challenge started.
The route was headed to the next selfie-point at Kavalkinaru. This was through the highway, but the cross-winds made it so challenging. Myself and Anurag, joined with another group and were riding through this route. This other group was taking too many breaks. I reached Kavalkinaru selfie point before these people, and took rest for a while till they reach. We took the selfie and proceeded. This phase was the windy phase, while the next one was with rain and wind.
I was going ahead of them, and lost them behind. A few other riders joined with me and we were going for the second checkpoint of Marutham near Kulasekaram. On the way, the rain with head and crosswinds started. The wind was pushing me away from the road, and I saw a rider going ahead of me, he was tilting on to the side of wind and riding to counter balance. Somehow we reached the Mullai check point and got the medal piece. We also had lunch, they gave curd rice. After that, we left to the next checkpoint of Pechipparai dam.
Pechipparai is the hill and agricultural region and comes under Mullai. The route was beautiful. We went there and got the medal piece of Mullai. We then have to proceed to Netta selfie point. We reached there, took selfie and returned the same route. I was still travelling with another group and I didn’t see Anurag and his group for a while. I saw them when we left for the Netta at Pechippara dam.
While going to the final checkpoint, which is the same as starting point, we lost track and went into another route. This added several steep climbs and rough roads. We got delayed a bit and somehow reached the final checkpoint. There I got the final medal piece, and to my surprise, Anurag has already completed before me. Seems that they took the correct path and we took the longest wrong one.
The same night, the final ceremony happened and I was given the certificate. They gave a small dinner as well. After dinner, we packed our bikes and I left with Anurag. Anurag, Jithin and Rigel asked me how did I come and I will I go back from Balaramapuram. I told that I will be riding from Balaramapuram the same route I came in the morning. They thought like I cannot ride as it would be another 40 km addup. They told that they will drop me at Kattakada.
Rigel, Jithin and Anurag dropped me at Kattakada. On the way, they talked about Tour of Thekkedy as well and said I can participate in that. It is the same ride event where Sreeganesh had participated last time. It will happen next year March. So, I will participate in that too!
In this event, many lady riders had participated. One of the lady rider, Swapna, had completed the 200km ride with me. I was looking for an opportunity to take a photo with her, she will be an inspiration for many people to come to cycling. But, I coudn’t get the chance, however, her photo was shared on the google drive and I took that below.
Overall, this first event ride experience was excellent! Below are the photos and videos I took on the ride.
Below is the Strava log of this ride.
