It was a stark contrast from the evening before as we left Siliguri at 6:00 in the morning. Different road conditions – quiet, less traffic and almost devoid of people! It was a good start for the last stage of the BB 2010 ride.

A thin, secretive veil of mist covered the hills as we approached it and the cooler air was very noticeable. The temperature drop didn’t go unnoticed - it was closer to what we would be experiencing back home minus the snow. No more tea gardens in sight; the landscape had dramatically changed once again – thick, silent wooded forests with only bands of rhesus monkeys strolling unperturbed on the road!

I recall, forty five years ago, encountering wild elephants on this very same road whilst being driven to school via Sevoke. Today, the total area is designated an animal sanctuary and no sign of the tuskers!

After riding for an hour, our first stop was at Sevoke; here, a railway line from Siliguri, crosses the Teesta  heading towards Gauhati, Assam - past the Dooars tea gardens. Way back, this used to be a regular journey for me on 'going home day' as my father was also posted to the tea gardens in Assam.

From this point and for the remainder of the ride to Kalimpong we were about to encounter a new challenge – riding up HILLS! And I might add no mean feat either! Up until now it had been all flat going! Of course this meant a widening gap between the leading and rear support cars; as it was quite an uphill task – requiring every last ounce of strength and perseverance for most of the riders – but since traffic was almost non-existent due to the ‘Bandh’(strike) this played superbly in our favour and didn’t matter too much.

Before stopping for lunch at the Teesta Bazaar – we halted before the ‘lions’ on the aging Coronation Bridge (if she could only talk – all the tales she could tell) to take photos of course. Before arriving here one more incident comes to mind. Jonathan (with two previous punctures to his name) was 'chased' by a monkey, finally landing into a ditch with a ‘double’ puncture!! He is the only rider this time round to have not one but four punctures – rightfully claiming the title – ‘BB 2010 puncture champion!’ 

After a brief rest to finish a packed lunch and not forgetting the old custom of tossing coins into Teesta for loved ones and friends, we summoned up our last resolve before assaulting the final ascent of the 4000 ft 20 km ride up to Dr. Graham's Homes, Kalimpong.

 

Again, due to the varying stamina/fitness levels of the bikers - this was going to be a “solo” effort - each undertaking this on their own tempo – no group endeavour here. There were those who took one look at the hill before them – deciding to surge all the way up to the Soods Hotel; missing the beauty of the place enfolding around them. Many like me did not have that level of fitness – so we “stopped to smell the flowers” ; taking turns to ride and walk we enjoyed the majestic beauty of the Teesta valley and the Kalimpong Hills; stopping to chat with some of the friendliest folk on earth! 

But by 3:00pm we were all gathered at the hotel - warmly greeted by Philip Gibson, David Foning and Mrs. Hishey, a BoM member and Chairman of the local DGH committee. Having learnt from my past mistake I rode directly to the hotel without stopping as the cameras rolled!!

We stopped briefly at the Tibetan school whose principal Kesang Bhutia, also an ex-student and classmate ('72) was there with his students to greet us. He looks just the same as he did 36 years ago (I still think he was 44 yrs old back then!!).

Not quite done though - we still had another 500 ft of climbing (about 3km) before we finally hit the school grounds! Lining the route from the stores to the Jarvie Hall were excited children clapping and cheering us on - an emotional, poignant moment for the riders but even more so for me. Words cannot express the gratitude I felt to be able to experience this moment with my son next to me!

Philip Gibson gave a welcoming and warm speech - congratulating us on our achievement and also thanking us for our support of the Homes. The next deed was indeed a joyous one – playing postmen/mistress by delivering letters in special envelopes to some of the sponsored children from their sponsors back in the UK.

A long, tough but worthwhile day was coming to a close as we finally headed down to the Himalayan Hotel – to a well earned meal and sleep. It has been a ‘one of a kind’ experience and achievement for many of us. I’m sure I speak on behalf of the others when I say - one that we’ll all hold dear in our memories. I would as an ex-student like to express my gratitude and personally thank each and everyone for their involvement, support and interest in the Homes. We all come from different backgrounds and age groups making it even more notable. I have immensely enjoyed their company throughout the seven days. We've faced challenges that we've overcome as a team and experienced and enjoyed a part of India the best way one can and only a few do - on a bicycle! What can top that?!

A thank you also goes out to my blog followers for taking the time to read my postings. I hope it will increase your interest in the Homes and enlist your support in the future. Please spread the word!

Last but not least a big thanks to Natasha Stemberg! She was listed to take part in this bike event but had to withdraw rather late in the day following her doc’s strict orders. Hugely disappointed needless to say – she nonetheless offered to edit and publish my blog. She made sense of my ramblings and thoughts sent to her – not always coherent because they were written after a long and tough day out on the roads.

(Natasha here) What Ken omitted to mention was I only agreed to do it in exchange for some churpees!! Thanks Ken!

(Ken here) Natasha, I TRUST you have received the churpees, toffees and the other smelly stuff?

Sight of the week: Tina sitting on the hotel steps - calmly puffing away on a cigarette; not in the least fazed by all the hectic preparations going on around her for the start of the cycling day. Impatiently waiting to get on the road were her 18 team mates – cigarette smoked, she then got her stuff ready and joined us. Only 15 minutes late! Talk about priorities!!