My Triratna India History

Here's me talking briefly about the history of my involvement in Triratna India and the birth of the idea of Triratna Kolkata.

Freewheelin'

I thought I'd introduce my bike to you. It is such an important aspect of my Big Ride. 

I have two bikes, both are British made. My training bike is a Genesis CDA10 gravel bike. It is great for training on, cycling around town, short tours or off-road ride along woodland trails.

My LEJOG (Land's End to John O'Groats) bike is quite different. It is a classic British touring road bike, the Ridgeback Voyage. Mine is four years old. If you buy it today it costs £1200. I payed £900 for mine. This is not a lot these days for a good tourer, as you can easily pay £8-9000 for a top-end touring bike. I don't need that. My Ridegback suits me fine, even if it's a little old-fashioned now, with cantilever brakes. Apart from being light, strong and a very comfortable ride, it is also very well-geared. It has three front chain sets and an impressive cassette of gears that will be more than capable of dealing with whatever hills the UK can offer. I've probably cycled at least 11000 miles on it now - 7000 in the last 12 months

I've also got puncture-proof tyres and a Brooks B17 touring saddle - possibly the best touring saddle money can buy. With 1200 miles to cycle on the LEJOG, I'm, going to need it!

On the tour itself, I'm travelling light, as I'm staying at B&Bs each night. So I have a large Ortleib front bar bag, and at the rear an expandable Zefal saddle bag - both totally waterproof. That's it. 

Apart from my cycling clothes and waterproofs, I just have: one change of 'civvies', basic toiletries, a mobile phone, Kindle and bike satnav. I shall also carry an essential toolkit along with a good pump and two spare inner tunes. I shall also have 3 litres of water on board and some high-protein snacks. My favourite are peanut butter and marmalade sandwiches and bananas!

Training to alleviate suffering

Hi everyone,

I'm preparing for my big cycle ride here in Cambridgeshire, and that's going well. I have 51 days before the start of my ride and already I have nearly half my fundraising target. I'm so happy. The money I have already raised will go a long way, but there's more to be raised, I'm sure. 

Today, my friend Jeremy filmed me as I was out training for the ride. I have done over a year of training riding for this LEJOG (Land's End to John O'Groats). I have covered 7,500 miles in that time through daily rides. That has been in absolutely all weathers. I always enjoy these rides. 

When I am out on these rides, I often think of my many friends in India. The Indian subcontinent is going through such a tough time at present with rampaging coronavirus. So many people are dying and the Indian health services cannot cope. Among the sad deaths are many Triratna Buddhists and I send them all metta and karuna. I feel very lucky to be living in the UK and having had two Pfizer jabs. 

One of the big helps with suffering of course, is the Dharma. If people have the Dharma, then they have a way of working with suffering and improving the quality of their lives that they would not have if they had no access to the Buddha's teachings. This fact drives me in my desire to develop activities in the historic city of Kolkata (once named Calcutta). If I am able to help fully establish Triratna activities and institutions within the city before I die myself, then I believe I will die satisfied.

Meanwhile.... back to the training and LEJOG logistics!