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! 

 

A big summer ahead

Welcome to my blog! I’m Saddharaja. You may also know me as Richard Smart. This summer is a big one for me, I’m cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats in the UK during July/August. I want to raise money for a Triratna project in Kolkata, India. It’s an iconic bike ride for any endurance cyclist. The furthest point South of the UK to the highest point North.

You can follow my progress daily on this blog. You’ll see videos of me struggling up hills and whizzing down them. You can share my experiences of the beautiful UK landscape, weather, people and crazy stuff I meet on the way. You can follow the drama of my 1200 mile ride, with daily video updates, maps, stories and anecdotes.

I’ve worked periodically in India for 18 years in Triratna projects. Having spent time in Kolkata West Bengal, I’ve met many, many Buddhists keen to see Triratna activities develop within the city. I’m part of a team aiming to do that. Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is called the ‘cultural capital of India’ with its unique poetry, arts and theatre culture, film industry and traditional music. Metropolitan Kolkata has 14.1 million people. The potential for developing Buddhist activities is vast. So many people’s lives could be enhanced if we do this. So many Bengalis could meet the Dharma for the first time. I want to help this project happen. Part of this means raising funds.

So far, our team has led two successful retreats in Kolkata and interest is strong. We need to take the project onto the next stage – Indian Order members living in the city – teaching the Dharma. I’m raising money to facilitate this.


I live in Cambridge, am 62 and have suffered Rheumatoid Arthritis for 21 years. It’s a painful condition and slowly getting worse. The good news is that daily cycling (and other exercise) helps greatly and holds my condition in check. I know I can do this ride. I’ve been in training for over a year now and cycle 20-25 miles daily. My general fitness for my age is very good (though I could do with losing a little weight). The GP has pronounced me ‘fit to ride’. I would also like to donate 5% of my raised funds to Arthritis Action, a UK charity that has helped me and many others.

If you would like to support me in this once-in-a-lifetime Big Cycle Ride, you can donate on my Gofundme page. Whatever you donate will be doubled, as a generous anonymous friend has offered to double whatever I raise.

So please join me on my 26-day journey, as I prepare and cycle the length of Britain. Below is my itinerary. I look forward to sharing these places with you.

Land’s End, Truro, Liskeard, Okehampton, Honiton, Street, Bristol, Cheltenham, Garway, Knighton, Malpas, Leigh, Burnley, Carnforth, Keswick, Gretna Green, Abington, Glasgow, Callander, Killin, Pitlochry, Aviemore, Inverness, Lairg, Kinbrace, Thurso, John O’Groats.

With love,

Saddharaja