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Strawberry Crush is a beginner’s guided tour to climbing on bicycles. With the cherry (or strawberry) on the top being the Ambe Nali HC Climb!
One of the greatest fears that new cyclists have is that of climbing. Forget hills, even a city flyover poses a seemingly insurmountable challenge.
Strawberry Crush is here to help you overcome that fear and to learn the love of climbing on your bicycle. Participants will be guided and instructed by expert & veteran riders throughout the course of the activity.
To add to the chutzpah, you will be riding in and around the strawberry farms of Mahabaleshwar and will be testing your climbing mettle on the Khardung La of Maharashtra, to enjoy that incredible sense of satisfaction.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Mahabaleshwar. Post early-lunch do a small check up introductory ride. Riders will be briefed on the many nuances of climbing on bicycles. Ride duration will be 30-60 minutes, ending with strawberries and cream.
Day 2: A 60 minute long climb. Putting into practice the theory of climbing. Participants, questions and doubts will be addressed in this session. Post lunch, drive to Poladpur and reach before Sundown. Early dinner and sleep to prepare for the next day.
Day 3: Ride the Khardung La of Maharashtra from dawn to dusk and beyond… The highlight of Strawberry Crush is the Poladpur to Mahabaleshwar climb along the Ambe-Nali Ghat. This HC category climb sees you gaining 1200+ metres in around 40 km. It is one of the toughest climbs in Maharashtra and is commonly known as the Khardung La of Maharashtra. Racers take around 3 hours for this climb, while beginner cyclists can take up to 10 hours to reach the top…
Once a participant reaches Mahabaleshwar, they will never fear a climb again! The sense of accomplishment is REAL.
Day 4: Breakfast and certificate distribution to all the participants for climbing. Post that, travel back to destinations.
What Participants Get?
- Climbing Instructions by experienced riders.
- Fully-supported ride including boarding and lodging and food.
- Experience of riding the scenic Mahabaleshwar countryside
- A sense of accomplishment of climbing the toughest climb in the state
- Certificates to all finishers
- CyclingMonks jersey
- Most importantly, eating strawberry and cream!
Instructor’s Profile
Lead Instructor: Sumit Patil
Sumit Patil, is an experienced endurance racer, who wears many medals on his chest. He was one of the first Indians to have qualified and ridden PBP and RAAM. Sumit is also the first Indian to complete a Full Everesting, way back in 2015. He also holds the record for the fastest cyclist to ride from Manali to Khardung La in 72 hours.
He has also for multiple years been the Field Director of YHAI’s Ladakh excursions. Where he has successfully helped new and beginner cyclists climb the mighty Khardung La.
Co-Instructor: Avinash Noronha
Avinash Noronha, is an avid bicycle tourer. He has many long and gruelling tours to his name. Including a month long ride around Mongolia, riding 90 days in the Indian Himalayas, riding from Goa to Ooty, Uttarakhand, Sirsi, from Goa to Uttar Pradesh and more.
He has spent most of his saddle hours, climbing some hill or the other. Mostly with a lot of luggage tied to his bike! He firmly believes in getting new cyclists to love hills as much as he does.
Ticket Price
Price Per Participant: INR 9900/-
Bring your friend and get 10% discount. That is INR 18000/- for two participants who register together.Contact Pushkar Kashalikar @ +91 94030 72202 for booking your spot.
Above Ticket Price includes:
- Accommodation for 3rd, 4th and 5th March nights
- Triple Room sharing
- All meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner starting on 3rd lunch and ending with breakfast on the 6th of March.
- Backup and support throughout the ride, including bike technician.
- Cycling Monks Jersey
Doesn’t Include:
- Transportation to and fro Mahabaleshwar. The ride starts ex-Mahabaleshwar.
- Items of personal nature: room service, laundry charges, alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, additional sightseeing in Mahabaleshwar etc.
Strawberry Crush Organisers
Organised by: CyclingMonks.com
Ticketing Partner: Duchakie.com
Strawberry Crush FAQs
1. How Many Participants are there in this Bootcamp?
Entry is restricted to 20 participants only and will be given on first come, first serve basis.2. What kind of bike is suitable?
Road bikes, hybrids or hardtail MTBs are suitable in that order.For road bikes, we recommend a minimum gearing of 34×28 for climbing.
3. Who is this ride meant for?
This ride is perfect for all new and beginner cyclists. Or even seasoned cyclists who are new to climbing.It will give you the confidence of climbing on your bicycle and never again will you fear a climb!
4. What do we need to bring for this ride?
Your bicycle and relevant accessories like helmet, lights, riding apparel, and other items you carry on your everyday rides.Identity Proof like Driving Licence, Aadhar, Passport etc.
Covid vaccination certificate of the 2nd dose at least 15 days prior to event date or RTPCR test 72 hours prior to the event date.
Most importantly, an attitude to learn!
5. What all is being provided in this ride?
Check ticket details above.6. What’s the weather going to be like?
Cool nights and sunny but pleasant days. Rain isn’t expected, but you never know, so do pack a rain jacket for riding.7. How do I get to Mahabaleshwar?
The best way to get to Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai or Pune is by bus. A number of Volvos operate to this hill station and it is a simple task to carry your bicycle in a Volvo bus.For more details on transporting your bicycle by bus, read this.
8. Will there be a backup vehicle?
Yes. This ride is fully supported. There will be a backup vehicle carrying midride nutrition and hydration, along with a seasoned bicycle technician.There are also two bicycle instructors, who will be riding with you and providing support to all the participants.
9. Type of accommodation?
Rooms will be in comfortable hotels and will be on triple-sharing basis.10. Food being provided during and after the ride.
Food will be nutritious wholesome food before and after the rides. During the ride, the support vehicle will carry midride nutrition and hydration.Photos from the Poladpur-Mahabaleshwar Climb by our friend Vivek Deshmukh…
The roads you will be climbing on…
Majestic views of the climbs…
Canopy of trees…
Getting to the top of this hardcore ghat…
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