- ODO: 7049-7275 – 100 Miles!
- Location: Gokarna, India
- Weather: 12-33 Clear and Hot
When I work to a deadline I get into a zone where I’m thinking very little about what I’m doing. I know I have to do it and I get on with it. That’s helped me a great deal in the weekend up to leaving Goa as I finish several freelance projects that have been running since before Christmas.
Today I entered this same zone in my cycling. I started gradually but fast-paced as I always do when I’ve had a break from the pedals. My legs were fresh and full of energy. By lunch, I had covered 90km. Looking down the map for the coming days I saw one of my many stars on the map. Everyone I spoke to in Goa told me about Gokarna beach. Apparently, it was what Goa was like 20 years ago.
The sun began dropping and dropping just as my legs began to wobble. I pushed on and my stomach felt sick with the effort but I had my sights set on the beach. Each hill rolling to the beach pushed my legs and my lungs. Each bus that pulled in front of me delayed me a few seconds.
The rural road turned gradually and became lined with shops selling holiday tat. Gradually narrowing I saw more and more shaved white heads in flowing white robes. Finally, I wound down to the sand, parked up my bike and was soon up to my knees in the ocean.