What a privilege it was to take part in that race...it was 2016...we came down to Mumbai Tata Memorial Hospital from Kohima, Nagaland. I like to explore through the medium of cycle so I took my road bike. I meet Dhren(Bike Sharks) through F.B and he told me about the race after reaching Mumbai. Luckly I got the race tag 😁... I was pumpes up...first cycling race on a proper road bike.... The race begun...I could hang on with the faster riders on the front around 15 of them...I choose to stay behind them as I was not aware of the road( No garmin edge 520 or so)... after reaching Panvel there is a descent and that is where the lead group srarted to attack. They put up huge watt at the same time I was not aware what was happening at the front...so the bunch disappeared from my view...and those who were in their MTBs were way behind. Without knowing they way I took straight road...on and on I went thinking that I may catch a glimpse of the front riders... but to my surprise, I could hear a police following me with sirens😁😁😁😁 Then the police told me I should not be on the road. I replied "No.I'm in a cycling race and I'm trying to catch riders who went ahead of me"...to which his reply was the shock of the race. The cop told me I'm in Mumbai- Pune Express Highway and that no 2 wheelers are allowed !!!!🙄😳😳 The cop was kind enough to show where I can take a U-turn away from the express Highway and go back towards Panvel again... Around 4kms I came back...when I reach the fly over I saw a group of MTB riders with jersey pinned to their bips going underneath the fly-over and taking right turn. My instinct told me definetly I will be the race riders 😁 And yes, it was the race course. I was delighted to have crossed the finish line. That memory will remain for the rest of my live. I hope cycling as a sports would become popular day by day in our country. Hats off to all those organizers who are making these events possible. By the way I was wear jersey number-67 (1:10) 😂😂😂😂😂😂
