Cycling in Rain

It was around 10.15 that night and it was drizzling, i was on my way back to digs after a normal day's work pedaling my cycle - Giant, Revel2. In front of me is Ganesh, pedaling hard his Roadeo Torrent. I Observed he is pedalling in his lower gear and me in the moderate 5, because for every two or three rotation he made with his pedal i did one, and resting in the meantime (Think this is why i'm nt losing any weight). I felt the cold when the rainwater hit my head through the gaps in the helmet, they have such gaps for better air circulation (Technology pissin on me!!), as i raised my face forward i felt the rainwater in my cheeks and lips.

I remember later that evening when Me, Ganesh and Prakasam were chatting over coffee that he'll join me today. We work in shift 12.30 to 9.30 UK timing (gosh). Thing i love about working late is that the office will go to silent mode as time goes beyond 07.00 in the evening. I love it that way. I went to my friend Ganesh's Cubicle, were he was all ready in his Dark Blue with Red lined, Full length Lower and his SST COMP and speaking over his 'nanTholaipesi' aka iPhone to his MOM. I signaled if its okay to leave and we started descending down the building. Just as we reached the Manual access controlled Door, saw the ATM was blinking which wont work most of the time. I was withdrawing some money, when ganesh informed in his familiar tone, 'Mazhai besha varuthu!'(It's gonna rain) and started covering his bag with rain cover. Right then it dawned on me that i didn't carry my rain cover. I was wearing my all time Black shorts and Light blue roundneck which said, "I Can Clearly See Now, My Brain is Gone", and had on my Nike 474 and usual BackPack and Helmet. I urged myself for not bringing the Rain cover which atleast could have covered the bag with all electronic and electric gadgets safer inside. I carried my Roomie's mobile (so comes the cautiousness) as mine got repair, MW600, Security Token, earphones, Torch. 

We were cycling along the path most trodden by many of our fellow colleagues, the short cut road which connects our office with kundalahalli aka brookefields which maintains its decorum as i have seen it four years back even right now. The sodium vapour lamp lit streets, Flower gals selling jasmine in front of Vinayaka temple, illegal roadside shops selling plastics or fancy items or shoes and slippers depending on the season, corner golgappa stand surrounded by people, Corner Fruit shop, Mobile Dosa shop and spreading the sweet aroma arnd. However those things were not present now as it was too late. We reached the Marathahalli main road, Tarmac was wet, clean, shinny and empty except one or two cabs passing by us and cold wind brushed my skin without mercy, i got goosebumps. We pedaled along BEML, Hypercity and reached Kundalahalli gate, which is were i wanted to give it a try. I pedellaed hard and took the lead ( or rather he din want to chase) and reached marathahalli in nxt 5 or so minutes.I have to go left and he has to go straight, so waited for him to show up. when i thought whether he has passed already, tring! tring!! he rang the cycle bell and passed by waving me off. i waved back and Joined Outer Ring Road.

Before starting, i had this strange feeling it might rain only in some parts of the city and as i go the rain might fade away. But nw almost all parts of me are wet and its still drizzling. I feel betrayed. Cycling for the past three months gave me the insight as how to efficiently manage cycling fr a longer distance. My Body got used to the pain and it started to utilize the energy more efficiently, blood carrying the energy to muscles effectively, muscles straining lesser than before to apply the pressure at exact points. The Idea is to breath harder. The more oxygen you intake the more energy you get, as simple as that. i remember reading in some fitness webpage, "..if possible suck in some more oxygen through your eyes and airs..".

It started to rain little harder when i crossed Iblur, so i took residence under the bridge for some time. i stood thr for some 5 to 10 min, under the traffice light which kept changing make me look like a chameleon. Orange, Red, Green, again Orange and it went on. I madeup my mind somehow that i shld reach home before it starts to pour. so i started again, it will not be even 3 min, i was in midway between iblur and agara, rain started to pour (thank you god). No bridge, shops, building nt even a bus stop, only trees. I took shade under a tree where one guy was already standing thr with his Hero Honda bike. i pushed my cycle between him and the sidewalk and exactly under the main trunk of the tree making sure the backpack wont get wet. That guy wat not wearing a helmet and had a lot of hair on his head, may be out for a short trip. He seemed cool in his jean and Tee, looked at me and i smiled immedietly (i think its my strength evn to smile at strangers). He said "thanda hogaya yaar!!", i somehow understood what he is saying and replied "yeah".. obv that is what i would have replied anyway. he again said somthn in hindi, this time a longer sentence, my mind raced to understand wat he is tellin bt a vain attempt, i cldnt evn observe the words in the sound of rain, replied saying "sorry, i dont knw hindi" (felt shame that i cld nt speak the national language), he was polite enough to translate it to me "it is raining pretty harder now".. (oh tats it, i cldnt understand tat), i replied again saying "yeah!!" this time with proud. It rained like tat for next 10 min aftr it was over, it thought the god varuna got tired! after all this rain. I reached room before it started RAIN'in again.