To follow a narrative of the journey, please visit https://www.facebook.com/SiddharthMenonArchitect/
What?
I will be cycling from Mumbai along the western coast of mainland India. The idea is to keep as little distance as possible between myself and the sea by taking internal village roads instead of national and state highways.
On the Eve..
Why?
- Explore the stunning western coast of India through its rural ways of life and culture.
- Document some of the wealth and diversity in indigenous ways of building along the way.
- Capture some of the rapid change in this indigenous knowledge of building and possible reasons for the same.
Where?
Phase 1: Mumbai to Goa
Phase 2: Goa to Mangalore
Phase 3: *To be decided
Phase 1 from Mumbai to Goa
When?
After many false starts and delays (friends and family can vouch for this), I will finally begin the journey on February 18 2016 by taking the ferry across Bombay harbour from Ferry Wharf to Rewas. The plan is to cover 50-75 km a day and reach Goa in 7-9 days.
How?
This journey will be covered using the following things:
Schwinn Searcher Bicycle (2012 model)
Rear Bicycle Rack
Rear Bicycle Panniers
Helmet
Cable Lock
Front light
Rear Tail light
Puncture kit and Spare tube
Hand pump (Courtesy Shanjali Shahi)
2L Hydration Bag(Courtesy Kaustubh Khade http://www.paddlehard.in/)
Climbing rope (Courtesy Narayan Rangarajan)
Cap
Suncreen
Mosquito Repellant
Deoderant
Sleeping Bag (Courtesy Narayan Rangarajan)
First Aid Kit
Electrol
Dry fruits
Candy
1 pair cycling shorts
1 pair t shirts
1 pair shorts
Toiletries and inner wear
Point-shoot Camera
Note book
Book for the road: Eduardo Galeano-Open Veins of Latin America
Wind Cheater
Multi tool
Earphones and music
Urban & Economic Geographer 
Got to know about your adventure from my friend Pandey(Hitanshu Pandey). I wish you all the very best. I’m sure this is going to be a life changing event for you.
I’ve done over a dozen century(100 miles/ 161kms) trips and this is what I’d recommend
* Clean the chains and the socket, remove the grease. When you do longer trips on off-road/ terrain, the grease will add up the dust to create a dirt mass- which is counter productive.
* Reduce the weight. Longer the trip, heavier the backpack will get.
* For electrolytes refill, get the powdered one.
* Always have at least 2 spare tubes, one CO2 filler. Fixing the tube might not work all the time.
* Chamois cream: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/fitness/training/chamois-cream-explained-139014 (after 60 miles, your legs will be completely fine, but your butt will be on fire.
* Something like Bengay(pain balm) for back ache.
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you should try following the monsoon !
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