Endurance - personified

Working for a local media has many advantages. One of them that appeals to the social scientist in me, is the opportunity to meet and interact with people - and sometimes the variety you meet in one day - blows your mind.

The day started with the MTV Roadies crew in the studio - the anchor, Rannvijay and the twins, Raghu and Rajeev, who created the show, were here to talk about the Roadies 9 auditions in Pune. These guys n the show, need no introduction. They will have 5000 kids falling over themselves tomo @ Balewadi stadium to be part of that select group.

An hour later, i met Girish Kulkarni, a 29 yrs old Pune boy who is attempting a Limca Record 2011 by riding “Gearless bicycle” for 100 KM with an average speed of 30 KM/Hr! This blog is about him. He is the star who needs to be written about. He is the guy who has to be talked about. He is self-motivated. He is humble. He stays in Kothrud and has a regular 9-5 job. Every year, he takes 15 days off and goes on wilderness holiday. Every year, he also celebrates his birthday by attempting an impossible act of physical endurance - and mental toughness. I mean, imagine the motivation you need to take that kind of pain...

I must mention few of his achievements which are recognized by "Limca Book of Records" under "Endurance" category and enrolled as "National & World Records" in their book so you get an idea of what we are talking about here. 

(Folks from Pune will understand the records more, as they are about landmarks from here.)

2003 - Climbed Parvati Hill (Pune) 21 times in 3.00 Hrs

            www.parvatidarshan.in

2004 - "Limca book of National Record" for climbing Parvati Hill 44 times in 7.07 hours.

            www.parvatidarshan.in

2005 - "Limca Book of World Record" for climbing Sinhagad Fort 11 Times in 23.40 hours.

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinhagad

2006 - Climbed 41 Forts in 250 hours from 3 different regions. Total Height covered during this event is 97,000 meters which is equal to thrice the height of Mount Everest.

2007 – Climbed Parvati Hill 101 Times in 20 hrs.

Parvati hill has 103 steps (One Way) www.parvatidarshan.in

2008 - Walked a distance of 135 Km in a record time of 26 hours 40 minutes from Pune to Sajjangad (In Satara District).

2010 - Bike Expedition to Leh Ladakh via Manali to Jammu. Distance covered is 2500 kilometers in 11 days.

Before his actual radio interview, i wanted to have a chat with him. You know the health and fitness freak that i am. Jokes apart, Girish is an extremely fit person. To give you n indication, he can jog up Sinhagad in 28 minutes flat. Just like that. 

And he is dedicated too. He has thought of the next 5 records he wants to set. Five years, five records. And all of them are things that haven't been attempted before. Ever! In fact, this gear less cycling feat that he is attempting next Sunday, is a new category they have started - cos all records are with geared cycles! 

The sentimental bit that i loved most is, he is going to do it on the bicycle that his father got him in 1998 when he passed his board exams. A regular cycle. You know the rickety bicycle that we gave to scrap vendor - yes, that one.

Why i am blogging about him, is people like him matter. The whole human endurance angle is too Nat Geo for me. I see passion. Here is someone who does something fantastic every year to celebrate his birthday. He remembers every birthday and what he did. He has a certificate too!! 

When he was 22, he set his first endurance record. He hasn't stopped since. And people like him should never stop. Especially for something so trivial as sponsorship. I am hopeful that his radio show is heard by someone who will help him out. Or this blog finds a way to someone who can do something for this lad in his next attempt.

Event Details - Record Attempt 2011

In this Gearless Cycle attempt he will be covering a distance of 100 Kilometers in the shortest possible time with the minimum average speed of 30 KM/Hr. The LBR (Limca Book of Records) has given a green signal to continue with this event.

Event Date – 25^th September 2011

Road – National Highway 4 (Mumbai – Bangalore Highway)

Venue – Covering a distance of 100 kilometers from Satara to Pune

Start Venue – National Highway 4 (Satara) – at milestone 100 kms.

Estimated Start Time – 06.00 AM

End Venue – Sarasbaug (Pune)

Estimated End Time – 09.00 AM

Sponsorship Details

1.      Emergency Spares               

2.      Standby bicycle

3.      Mechanic

4.      Packed Food and water for approx 30 volunteers

5.      Energy drink for self.

6.      Fuel and other toll charges for the volunteers.

7.      You can arrange for an event management company to cover the event.

8.      You can arrange a Press Conference or print invitation cards.

9.      Documentary Film is necessary as evidence to be submitted to LBR.

10.  Presentation / Banners as per your rules.

11.   You can name the event under your banner.

12.  Branding the venue at the main entrance on the day of closing ceremony.

13.   Award ceremony under your banner.

14.   Announcement by your compere during the event.

15.   Display stalls of your product at the closing ceremony venue.

16.   All required permissions from the appropriate government organizations from the start, during the event and for the closing ceremony would be your responsibility.

17.   Any other expenses or cost not covered above.

(His friend, Milind Datar is helping him find funds. You can get in touch with him on milind.datar@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog and i will send you his mobile phone number.)