Biking

The Road to Rediscovering Me

For most of my childhood and throughout my life until 2022, one thing people around me consistently noticed was my energy. Family, friends, colleagues, and almost everyone who had interacted with me would often describe me as someone with a lot of energy, enthusiasm, and drive. Three years ago, I made a decision to redefine what I wanted from my life. I wanted to find something that wasn't simply another goal to achieve, but something that would challenge me, consume me, and make me feel truly alive. I found that in road cycling. What began in 2023 as an interest gradually became a passion, then it became a discipline. And eventually, it became a part of who I am.

Cycling has given me something I didn't know I was looking for: a place where there is nowhere to hide from yourself. On a long climb, there are no shortcuts. Your legs hurt, your breathing gets harder, and eventually your mind starts telling you to stop. The only thing you can do is decide whether you're willing to keep going.

I've learned to appreciate those moments. The pain doesn't bother me anymore. In many ways, I have come to enjoy it — because there is something deeply satisfying about knowing that you are voluntarily putting yourself through something difficult because you believe in what you're working toward.

There are days when the weather is terrible, the legs are tired, the ride feels endless, and the numbers on the bike aren't what you hoped for. I have learnt that those are often the rides that teach you the most, the resilience.

Cycling has taught me that progress is rarely comfortable.

You don't become stronger by always staying within your comfort zone. You become stronger by repeatedly stepping beyond it, failing, recovering, and trying again. That mindset has gradually found its way into other parts of my life.

I started training seriously, learning about power, endurance, nutrition, recovery, and the incredible limits of the human body. I began chasing goals that once seemed unrealistic. Eventually, in 2026, I took another step and entered amateur Cat 5 road racing.

Racing brought an entirely different dimension to cycling. Training is about controlling your own effort; racing is about managing uncertainty, pressure, strategy, crashes, and the people around you. It has taught me that being physically strong is only part of the equation. You also need patience, courage, discipline, tactics, strategy, and the ability to stay composed when things don't go according to plan (what more can a sport teach you in life? Isn't this life?)

But ultimately, I don't cycle just to race, I cycle because of how it makes me feel.

There is something incredibly freeing about being on the open road for hours, watching the landscape change, climbing a mountain, descending through the other side, and realizing that your own body carried you there. Sometimes the ride is fast. Sometimes it's brutally hard. Sometimes it's simply beautiful. And sometimes, after hours in the saddle, when everything hurts and you are completely exhausted, you experience a strange kind of peace.

Those are all the moments I ride for.

Cycling has taught me to embrace the process rather than obsess over the destination. The FTP number, the race result, the personal best, or the next mountain will always be there. There will always be someone faster and another goal to chase but the real achievement is becoming the person capable of chasing goals.

That's what cycling has given me.

Discipline without losing passion.
Suffering without losing joy.
Ambition without losing humility.
And the courage to keep going when the road gets hard.

I don't know exactly where cycling will take me. Maybe I will race for years and never become a pro cyclist, maybe I'll eventually chase different challenges. But I know that discovering this passion changed the way I see myself and the way I see life. Whatver happens in the future, the road keeps moving forward, So will I.

Harish

Racing 2026 - CRC -First ever Crit- First ever win! 🥇

Check my strava to see what it takes to win a race ;)

CRC - 🥇 | StravaView Harish Chakrapani's Ride on July 23, 2026 | Strava

Racing 2026 - Murchie Mega RR

Came back stronger- Finished with the Group

Racing 2026 - Thunderbird Circuit

First ever Road race, obviously getting dropped!

Duathlon? Why Not?

Length: 82 km, Elevation: 858 m and a 10 km run in 1 h 8 min after the ride.

Quadruple Crown- 2025

Length: 150 km, Elevation: 2800 m. My solo, Fondo for 2025

Porteau Cove- Vancouver- 2025

Length: 110 km, Elevation: 1382 m, 3rd Fastest 100 km in 4 hours- Beautiful ride through Sea to Sky

Alouette Lake- 2025

Length: 128 km, Elevation: 965 m

Gran Fondo 2024

Length: 121 km, Elevation: 2094 m, Fastest 100 km in less than 4 hours, and no stopping for 5h 4 min 🥇🎖️

Golden ears, Allouette lake tour- 2024

Length: 145.9 km, Elevation: 1168 m, Longest ever ride 🥇

Touring the commonly trained zones, solo Endurance -2024

Length: 131.7 km, Elevation: 721 m, Long ride with just 20 min break!

Tour de West stretch -2024

Length: 134.6 km, Elevation: 1,047 m, Longest ever ride🎖️

Mt. Seymour, Stanley park and UBC loop -2024

Length: 100.1 km, Elevation: 1,602 m, Highest continuous elevation gain🎖️

Cypress and HSB loop -2024

Length: 106 km, Elevation: 1,730 m, PR'ed Cypress mountain 🎖️

Iona and Richmond tour, 2 loops - 2024

Length: 102.1 km, Elevation: 191 m, Fastest 100 K in 4h 10 min! 🎖️

The first ever 100 km ride to kick of the biking season, 2024.

Gran Fondo Whistler- 2023

Length: 127.24 km, Elevation: 2,120 m

The journey started in the morning around 7 am in the morning from Stanley park. With two months of biking, this was an incredible acheivement for me. Never give up!

Cypress, Horse Shoe Bay, and UBC loop -2023

Length: 127.6 km, Elevation: 1,943 m

The training for Fondo. The Cypress climb before attempting HSB and UBC. Biking teaches patience and perseverance. This ride with similar distance and elevation had 1 hour and 40 min longer than the Gran Fondo, which was a significant improvement in 2 week timeframe.

The Ribble Ultra SL is an exceptional aero road bike, weighing around 9 kg. Designed for optimal aerodynamic performance, it’s an excellent choice for both training and casual riding. If you live in North America, you’ll likely need to have it shipped, so be sure to update your location for an accurate shipping estimate. I paid about $550 for shipping, which is on the higher side—especially when compared to Canyon, which charges roughly half that. However, considering that similar aero bikes in North America can cost between $8,000 and $10,000, the Ribble Ultra SL offers fantastic value for the price. It’s well worth the investment!

I highly recommend you to check the gears below!

Bike: Ribble Ultra SL
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Review: Aero bikes are known for their sleek design, speed, and impressive performance across various terrains. They tend to be slightly heavier than lightweight bikes but excel in flat and downhill sections due to their aerodynamic frame. While they perform well on mixed terrain, their weight can make them slower on steep climbs. For a first-time bike owner, however, a lightweight bike might be a better option. Lightweight bikes typically offer more flexibility, as they often come with adjustable stems and handlebars, allowing for a more personalized fit. In contrast, aero bikes usually feature integrated, non-adjustable handlebars, limiting customization. If you're considering an aero bike, it's essential to test ride it to ensure it meets your comfort and performance needs.

BIB/Shorts: Decathalon
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Review: This is hands down one of the best bib shorts I own. They offer exceptional comfort, especially for rides lasting over 5 hours. The addition of two pockets is a practical feature, making them perfect for long-distance rides. While Rapha also offers bibs with pockets, I find the cushioning on Decathlon’s bibs superior. Given that Decathlon bibs cost about a third of the price of their competitors, they provide outstanding value without compromising on performance. I highly recommend them for any cyclist looking for comfort and affordability in one package!

Biking gloves: Amazon
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Review: These cycling gloves have been a game-changer for me. I used to experience numbness in my fingers after long hours on the saddle, but after researching ways to reduce discomfort, I discovered that quality gloves can make a significant difference. These gloves provide additional comfort by absorbing vibrations from the terrain, which greatly reduces strain on my hands. Since wearing them, I’ve noticed an immediate reduction in discomfort, and I no longer suffer from numb fingers during rides. They’ve truly enhanced my cycling experience, allowing me to enjoy longer rides pain-free.

Powemeter: Assioma DUO
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)
Review: The Assioma DUO powermeter is an incredible device that has significantly improved my training by providing precise power data. Unlike training by speed, which can be influenced by factors like wind, drag, and gear weight, or by heart rate, which can vary due to sleep, caffeine, and other factors, a powermeter offers an accurate measure of the effort you’re putting in. It also calculates the exact number of calories burned during your ride, helping you fine-tune your nutrition and fueling strategies.While the DUO model provides detailed data on power balance between both legs, it’s not always necessary, especially considering the higher price point. The Assioma UNO still delivers excellent performance and reliability, though it won’t track power imbalances between legs. For most riders, this information isn't critical, making the UNO a great, more affordable option.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse