by shreyasmrao » Mon Sep 05, 2011 1:44 pm 
(I need to thank her for this)Firstly, thanks for all the wishes.
Secondly, Raj is right, gross underestimation of everything led to the results we see.
Bangalore is at a high altitude and where ever we cycle out, we end up climbing back in and there are reasonable amount of rolling everywhere, but little did I expect that rolling on the PBP terrain was so steep, both on the way down and back up again.
Rains made it difficult, so if anyone is a Lance fan, believe him when he talks about training in the Rain. It slows you down, but by how much... this is defined by your experience of riding in it.
Sleepless cycling: This is also complete practise. I have had a very hectic last few months at work and most of my long distance practise rides with Dipankar Paul (My PBP training ride buddy) started on Friday nights. helped big time, and those days when there was no long distance, there was Nandi climbing, probably saved my day.
Controls Screw Up: The biggest cause for downfall of most (not all, dont flame me) people according to me, is the time one spent at the controls. Good food catering to the rider and place to sleep and over and above it, another 500 riders sitting across you on the table socialising, you lose track of time very quickly.
I started a fever before Loudeac on the way back and was measuring 99F +/- 1F along with Low Blood Pressure at each control station after that (measured before they gave me a Paracetamol). However what was happening was that, after the paracetamol, body sweats and fever goes away, but my clothes are completely wet (I picked up a new inner thermal at Loudeac as I changed the dirty one at Brest) and the moment I stop cycling (like a downhill/break) I start shivering and the fever comes back. Finally at Villanes la Juhel, one doctor told me, that my condition was not good to continue and I had to stop. I had another 262Kms and obviously, I refused and told him I will come back after eating something and we can check my temperature again. I slept ON the plate, couldnt eat anything and went back to the Doc with tears in my eyes. This time there was another Doc and looking at me, he told me "I will prescribe a 3hour extension for you, but you are to sleep here in the hospital all the three hours, and you can continue after that". What choice did I have, I slept. A kid named Elizabeth (translator volunteer) took all my clothes, while I slept in a towel and washed and dried them (I need to track her and send her a card, was not in my senses then to ask for it). I was woken up and given dry clothes and left quickly. The finish was another adventure. Still to find time for that blog.
I had an adventure of sorts and finished before 12 minutes of the extended time after losing my way for about 25kms after Dreux and crying my heart out on the bike for my stupidity.
More details on the blog, will post again soon
