Nandi Hills Trip

'Twas a nice Sunday morning
And a cool winter weather
Four brave souls of Bangalore
Went on a trip together

It was not just another trip
Where you eat, drink, and make merry
For it was a trip on bicycles
No flight, no bus, no ferry

Two colleagues had an idea
“Why don't we just go biking?
We have got a few nice places
We'll find one to our liking.”

Cycling was one of their hobbies
And a major one at that
But one of them got recently married
And the other one had gone fat

So finding a place wasn't easy
“Could we make it?” - was a fear
“Nothin' is impossible. We're gonna do it!”
Said one finally with a cheer

And thus it was that Nandi Hills
Was the place chosen to go
A few more colleagues showed interest
“We'll not promise anything, tho'.”

Then it was the turn to plan the tour
The route, the halts, the date
“It's almost seventy kilometers
Better prepared than have mis-fate.”

Hence they laid the initial plan
Start on a weekend they will
Take their bikes the entire way
And spend the night on the hill

The fat one had some fancy thoughts
“What's a biking trip sans a team?”
He's sure too big for le Tour de France
But it's fun chasing a dream

With the plan he came to his mentor
A forty-something Commander
“Well planned my boy! I'm definitely in.”
Boomed the ex-navy man with a thunder

He had an idea for the trip
“Write a mail to all
Tell them we're doing a biking tour
I'm sure many will call.”

So the fat chap went to write the mail
Inviting others to join
“Don't think many will”, said the married one
“I can bet this flipping a coin.”

Many people said they would like to go
“But don't you think it's too far?”
“Actually, I'm not free this weekend.”
“Hey I can come on a car!”

All that were left were the planning duo
And the Commander, all geared up
The rest of the gang who'd earlier said yes
Found gaps 'tween lips and the cup

Some were busy in projects
Some had sudden special meetings
Some said they've got ol' pals
Coming from the States with greetings

Even the married one wasn't so sure
To where the trips is gonna tend
For suddenly his sister made plans
She would visit him on the weekend

“We'll cut the trip to a day”
“And not take our cycles to the top.”
Said he, conscious that the changes
Must not make the tour plan a flop

That's still okay, but then came the twist
The news had gone to the Boss
“You're crazy!” said he, with a tight fist
“Your bones will be gone for a toss!”

“There ain't no way you're gonna make it
This is going to be a peeve
And if you don't join work the next day
I'll cross off the rest of your leave.”

This was a challenge, if not on paper
But there can be no looking behind
No matter how tough the ride might be
The brave souls will take the grind

Meanwhile the wise Commander said
“Remember, when you bike
Take enough supplies and tools
So you don't need to hitch-hike.”

So the time went by, the plan was fixed
The date was coming near
The fat one came across a rock show ad
And he charged on the top gear

“I am not going to miss this show!”
Saying this he booked the pass
Then he realized that the dates coincide
There's no point making a fuss

So there it was, the tour and the show
Were both on the same day
The fat one had to go on both
Happen whatever may

Before the tour, the married one
Said his friend was coming on the tour
Now he, his friend, the Commander
And the fat one, made 'The Biking Four'

The fat one went to his colleague's place
To stay there the previous night
They planned to start from his place
When the world's yet to see light

The friend and the Commander came before dawn
The first in a car, the second riding
They started on their bikes at 5 in the morn
Before the Sun came out of hiding

As they rode, it was still darkness
But the day was sure to begin
The best thing was, it was a Sunday
There would be no rush or din

Slow but steady the light was showing up
They had taken the highway
The peace around, and in their mind
Told them it's a great day

An hour had passed, they chose to stop
And have their morning tea
By this time, they were pretty sure
They're definitely going on a spree

They also had to calculate
When they'd take their pause
Because they knew for all it's worth
They don't want a medi-claim clause

So off they went for the Nandi Hills
While enjoying the roadside scene
It's the best thing they could've done
Even the Commander felt like a teen

Riding and riding, miles and miles
Only stopping to take some snaps
The nature unfolded her treasures
Which sure can't be revealed in maps

After five hours, including breaks
They reached the foot of the Hill
The trees, the lakes, the winter breeze
Why can't the time stand still?

The married one, and his very fit friend
Were till now leading the team
While the friend was keen to go to the top
The fat one needed anti-UV cream

“It's going to be tough to get to the top!”
Proclaimed the wise Commander
“And besides, if later we can't make it back
It'll be one big blunder.”

So the quartet decided to rest
They'd return only from there
But before that, they must take pics
To show others, it's only fair

After taking some snaps with locals
The team thought of having food
But all that the hotel had to offer
Was beer, the rest was of no good

“What the heck!” the riders thought
Commander and the friend took the drink
The married chap told the fat one
“We did make it, come to think!”

Quarter to an hour they left for home
The Commander told the rest
“If I get a van I'm gonna take it
Else I'll try to give it my best.”

On the way back it's a downhill ride
But still there are ups and downs
Added to it, it's close to noon
And the Sun sure showed its frowns

What else, they've crossed more than fifty
And it's not just the kilometers
They still have to do some forty more
It could leave them in jitters

So whenever they felt that it's tiring
They looked for the shades
Where they could halt for a while
Until the tiredness fades

If that was not enough, there's more to come
The friend's bike developed a leak
Passers-by said they could fix it nearby
But on a Sunday the chances are bleak

In the meantime the Commander had
Got a van on the way back
“I am going to take this one,” said he
And put his cycle on the stack

“You should also do the same
It's going to be hot and dry.”
He said, “I don't think cycling
All the way back is worth a try.”

The fat one and his colleague nodded
As they waved him on the van
“See, we've made this far”, they said
“And the remaining we sure can!”

Their luck was good, they found a man
Who'd repair the friend's bike neat
The fat one observed that he had no cover
And wondered how he bore this heat

Once it was done, they started again
The highway has no trees
They missed the Nandi's eucalyptus
Now there's no winter breeze

It was hot, but they carried on
And the friend looked on for a shade
Biking could be a tiring thing
Even if it doesn't leave you dead

They took small breaks, finished chocolates
And continued to ride
Company gates, billboards and signs
Passed by their side

They could tell by the signs of the road
How far from home still they are
But they were still high on hopes
And adrenalin raised the bar

But at last they neared the starting point
And the married one showed a garden
The friend said, “Don't you get us lost
Any new route's an additional burden!”

“I know it all, just follow me!”
Said the married one
The route was nice, and a short cut
At the end, it was fun

The cycle trip had come to an end
Tired they were, but happy
They chose to have some refreshment
Loads and loads of Appy

Then it was the turn of the fat one
He had a rock show planned
He went for a bath, and realized
He'd become a few shades tanned

Anyways, it's time for the rock concert
To Palace Grounds he had to go
Enjoying the music, the band and the babes
To his colleague's place he returned from the show

He picked his bike, bid good night
And started for his PG
On the way back he felt real good
But was still in a dizzy

As promised, they were in the office
Early in the morning next day
“Not age, not weight, could pull us back,”
Said Commander, “Come what may!”