Sunday, May 28, 2017

Bicycle Diaries - Bangalore brevet 200kms

In short, Brevet are long-distance self-supported endurance ride that one has to complete in a stipulated time window. Read more about them - Randonneuring

After having a couple of 100km rides in the bicycle, I decided to try a brevet. Trichy does not have a randonneuring club and I have to travel to Chennai, Coimbatore or Bangalore to ride one. Bangalore BRM 200km ride was scheduled on May 20. We have to cover 200kms in 13.5 hours. It was a night ride, starting at 17:30 hrs. The forecast was predicted as no rain for the ride day!

Cue Sheet with distance and elevation map!

The above is the Cue sheet with distance and elevation map for the 200kms starting at Airline hotel via hosur and turn at Krishnagiri and reaching Bangalore again via hosur. As you can see the elevation map its downhill all the way from Bangalore to Krishnagiri for 100kms and then it all the way climbing back to Bangalore for the second 100kms. Before the ride, I did speak to the senior cyclist in Trichy to approach for the ride and watched the BOTS speaker series on how to ride the first brevet.

Everyone started assembling in Airlines hotel around 1700hrs and after a quick bike check, the brevet cards were handed out to the riders. A quick de-brief for the route and rules, the ride started. I was not familiar with a the route, since it was a long time driving inside Bangalore. I decided to follow the other riders until silk board junction and I knew that from then on it would be one straight road. Bangalore traffic was unforgiving on a Saturday evening even for a cyclist. It took a long time to cross MG Road signal and get on to hosur road. Followed by more traffic bottlenecks en route to the electronic city.After electronic city the traffic eased out and started keeping to started riding in a good pace (~30kmph). I made sure I did sip water ever 5-6kms.

Soon it started to become dark and every rider was on their own with their front light. I stopped at 47th km to help a rider with a flat. His new tube was not taking in air using his pump and we tried using my pump. A brief stop and I started riding back. Then the unplanned happens, it started to rain. literally, pour. Headwinds became stronger for every km we crossed. Visibility of the road was tested by rain and slush from fast movings cars and Volvo buses. It was difficult to identify potholes and started to become cold. Soon we reached at our first unmanned stop to refill water and take a photo for official documentation.

When I stepped down I realized my shoe was all soaked with water and water was dripping out of it. After refilling water and answering the curious waters of where we were off too. After riding a few kms from the stop we noticed another women rider from the group waved hands. Initially, we thought she had a flat, but looks like there was a guy following her in a motorbike and giving trouble crossing her again and again. We decided to ride along with her and soon the troublemaker was no were to be seen. I did find trouble identifying the u-turn hotel right after Krishnagiri. It became difficult to use the mobile phone to check the GPS location as it was continuously raining.

At the u-turn point, we got super hot tomato rice and refilled all fuels to start back. More bad news as it started it pour heavily in Bangalore as well. Also, the locals in the hotel warned about elephant crossing in the Krishnagiri Forest range. After warming up from the rain, it became so difficult to start riding again as the body had cooled down and we were shivering. Like most riders said, it was more mental than physical after the 100kms mark. I decided to take it one flyover at a time. Kept hydrating myself and continued back to Bangalore.

As we approached the difficult stretch of the journey from Krishnagiri to Hosur, I knew exactly how many climbs I needed to make. I stopped for a very short break just before the climb and conquered one climb at a time. Toe and fingers were so cold and almost numb as it was soaking in the rain for the last few hours. We were hoping for tailwinds in the return journey and nature sent us more challenges with headwinds during the return journey too. Climbing was so difficult, I was doing around 7-10kmph during the climb. Thanks to fellow riders from Bangalore who helped with terrain and pacing the ride. Around 2 am we stopped at a coffee shop before Shoolagiri. 135kms and finally the rain stopped.

More climb and chillness as we entered the early morning hours and crossed hosur. I could see elephant warning boards along the highway and only made me keep turning and being a vigil for elephants and how I could get help when needed. Most tourist buses start getting into the Karnataka border during that time and had to ride extra careful. After crossing the RTO office reached electronic city around 5am. Finally back to finishing point at 6am.

Official timings are here

Strava stats here

If you are riding for the first time, here are things I learned.
  • Plan and know the route, time of the day and weather condition you will be riding. 
  • Know you cadence and just stick on to it through the ride. Do no try to stretch by keeping up with other riders. 
  • Hydrate regularly and eat regularly, we burn a lot of calories than we think. 
  • Stick to flyovers and not below it in the night and especially during rain just to avoid any unexpected flats. 
  • Do not overload with items for the ride. Just a puncture kit and few energy refill are enough. 
  • Plan well for a wet ride, I did not. 
  • Practice in similar terrain.  
  • Last but not least, love and care your bike and it will definitely love you back. Give your bike a good wash and spot check everything from brake, cables, tyre fit etc.

Rider timings

When I finished


At unmanned control point

Brevet card, bad photo :(


When one does not get enough sleep

All set before the ride

Midnight tomato rice

Monday, March 23, 2015

Awk :: Log Processing Techniques - Web Server Logs

Re-posted from http://awkaslanguage.blogspot.in please visit and find more interesting tailored made awk training material.

As we have learnt some basics on AWK, lets proceed on applications like log processing. In this session we will see how to process webserver log files. Below is one example log file which we will use for our discussion.

Sample log file - download here
213.60.233.243 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:09 +1200] "GET /internet/index.html HTTP/1.1" 200 6792 "http://www.mediacollege.com/video/streaming/http.html" "Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; es-ES; rv:1.6) Gecko/20040413 Debian/1.6-5"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:20 +1200] "GET /cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209 HTTP/1.1" 200 6863 "http://search.virgilio.it/search/cgi/search.cgi?qs=download+video+illegal+Berg&lr=&dom=s&offset=0&hits=10&switch=0&f=us" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:21 +1200] "GET /js/common.js HTTP/1.1" 200 2263 "http://www.mediacollege.com/cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:21 +1200] "GET /css/common.css HTTP/1.1" 200 6123 "http://www.mediacollege.com/cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:21 +1200] "GET /images/navigation/home1.gif HTTP/1.1" 200 2735 "http://www.mediacollege.com/cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:21 +1200] "GET /data/zookeeper/ico-100.gif HTTP/1.1" 200 196 "http://www.mediacollege.com/cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:22 +1200] "GET /adsense-alternate.html HTTP/1.1" 200 887 "http://www.mediacollege.com/cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:39 +1200] "GET /data/zookeeper/status.html HTTP/1.1" 200 4195 "http://www.mediacollege.com/cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"



1) To get all requests from a particular webpage

151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:20 +1200] "GET /cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209 HTTP/1.1" 200 6863 "http://search.virgilio.it/search/cgi/search.cgi?qs=download+video+illegal+Berg&lr=&dom=s&offset=0&hits=10&switch=0&f=us" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"

 
2) To find number of hits from each IP address

213.60.233.243 has hit webserver 1 times
151.44.15.252 has hit webserver 7 times


3) To find all the requests within a time period(assuming requests are ordered sequentially by time)

213.60.233.243 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:09 +1200] "GET /internet/index.html HTTP/1.1" 200 6792 "http://www.mediacollege.com/video/streaming/http.html" "Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; es-ES; rv:1.6) Gecko/20040413 Debian/1.6-5"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:20 +1200] "GET /cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209 HTTP/1.1" 200 6863 "http://search.virgilio.it/search/cgi/search.cgi?qs=download+video+illegal+Berg&lr=&dom=s&offset=0&hits=10&switch=0&f=us" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"


4) To find number of hits each URL received

URL /adsense-alternate.html got hit 1 times
URL /internet/index.html got hit 1 times
URL /cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209 got hit 1 times
URL /data/zookeeper/status.html got hit 1 times
URL /css/common.css got hit 1 times
URL /images/navigation/home1.gif got hit 1 times
URL /data/zookeeper/ico-100.gif got hit 1 times
URL /js/common.js got hit 1 times


5) To group all the requests from a particular IP address

213.60.233.243=>
213.60.233.243 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:09 +1200] "GET /internet/index.html HTTP/1.1" 200 6792 "http://www.mediacollege.com/video/streaming/http.html" "Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; es-ES; rv:1.6) Gecko/20040413 Debian/1.6-5"

 151.44.15.252=>
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:20 +1200] "GET /cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209 HTTP/1.1" 200 6863 "http://search.virgilio.it/search/cgi/search.cgi?qs=download+video+illegal+Berg&lr=&dom=s&offset=0&hits=10&switch=0&f=us" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:21 +1200] "GET /js/common.js HTTP/1.1" 200 2263 "http://www.mediacollege.com/cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:21 +1200] "GET /css/common.css HTTP/1.1" 200 6123 "http://www.mediacollege.com/cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:21 +1200] "GET /images/navigation/home1.gif HTTP/1.1" 200 2735 "http://www.mediacollege.com/cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:21 +1200] "GET /data/zookeeper/ico-100.gif HTTP/1.1" 200 196 "http://www.mediacollege.com/cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:22 +1200] "GET /adsense-alternate.html HTTP/1.1" 200 887 "http://www.mediacollege.com/cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"
151.44.15.252 - - [25/May/2004:00:17:39 +1200] "GET /data/zookeeper/status.html HTTP/1.1" 200 4195 "http://www.mediacollege.com/cgi-bin/forum/commentary.pl/noframes/read/209" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; Hotbar 4.4.7.0)"

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Cashew Bite

We have got two Capricorns and one Aquarius in the family. So apart from the 3 birthdays there's Christmas, New year and Pongal to pack December-January with celebrations. So I've got another excuse to put on weight.

Today my wife bought a box of sweet, Cashew bite from Sri Krishna Sweets. I'm not a big fan of Cashews unless it's a Saturday (pun intended)! This box of Cashew bite is as good as it can get. It's not too sweet and children will love it for a quick bite. Plus the whole nut inside gives a twist with each bite. It costs Rs 400/- for a box and has a shelf life of 25 days. Each bar contains Chocolate, wallnuts, badam, cashews, ghee, pista and sugar. I'm not sure of the calorific value. I'd highly recommend to try it!



It comes packed in a nice box.

 A quick shout out to Nikita Containers for the neat work.

  It's hard to resist opening the box, when you see it.


It's wrapped in a double layered foil, giving it a rich look.


And with all that, you have one family of happy customers. :-)

P.S. I'm a photographer at Light Story. This post is not a sponsored one. 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Cat, dog & roosters

No, its not the once in a blue moon update post from me.
Recently I'm having more time to look at life at its natural best. With the nativity of my inlaws to a country side life we decided to get some pets at home. Primarily its easier to baby sit my daughter with them around. Thanks to the PWD engineer who decided to build this govt quarters with a lot of real estate space for garden and a small house in the centre.

We have a bunch of squirrels running in the garden eating the seasonal fruits. They are busy and fast.


Then we got 9 hen, 1 rooster and 2 Guinea type. Then patrol the house 250 times a day looking for insects, ants and other food wastes. A recurring alarm early in the morning, so I have literally sound proofed the bedroom.


With the new arrivals in the compound, the old god father cat from the neighborhood is annoyed. He stops by and has even started marking territory!



But the rooster and gang are determined to make a statement "இது எங்க area, உள்ள வராதேய்" [English: Its our area, don't come here] until the cat walks away annoyed.


Last but not least, Mac. A stray dog we adopted from a busy highway & my daughters favourite so far. Sadly we lost Mac to a severe viral fever. May his soul rest in peace in the beautiful garden.


Update:
I have to update this post, as the latest pet that interests Proton is Night Fury! I knew pets are at times downside, but this is extreme. Someone bring home a Night Fury (to be exact toothless).


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

My interview with SupportBiz


Software engineer Vijesh has always extremely passionate about photography, especially candid shots. He has a totally different angle of looking at the mundane things of everyday life, and that is through his camera. A little over a year back, Vijesh decided to convert his passion for photography into a business with Light Story.

How long has Light Story been in operation?
I have been covering weddings for a long time, but Light Story as a brand been in existence for a little over a year now...

Read the full interview here http://www.supportbiz.com/articles/top-story/conversation-vijesh-light-story.html

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Story of my Wedding ring

In Dec 2009, I was busy shopping for my Wedding. I had got the suits and dhoti's I needed. Only thing that was pending was the Wedding ring. I'm not a fan of gold or jewellary but decided that I will be wearing the wedding ring more often. My requirements were, I wanted to get a simple circular ring and wanted to emboss characters in it.


We started the hunt in Chennai. Most shops here did have a circular ring but did not have custom character embossing in them. Few of them were only able to carve the name in the ring, that was machine done so only standard character fonts were available. Finally my mom suggested to try Kirthilal, Coimbatore. After speaking with the sales guy there I was introduced to an elderly man. Soon the sales guy started gesturing that I wanted a circular ring. Yes, the elderly man was physically challenged (he could not speak and hear), though he had excellent lip reading skills and a god's hand in drawing. He has worked as a jewellary designer close to 18 years. I then gestured to him what my requirements were, he then drew a three dimension of the ring alone. Whola! Perfect. I was then asked to write the text that I wanted in it, I wrote them in small case. He then made small touch up and redrew the ring again in 3d with the name in it. That was all, my ring got delivered precisely as I had asked for.

Well, that was the story of my ring. What is yours?
It was our second wedding Anniversary! Happy Anniversary to us! :-)

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

விளம்பர இடைவேளை

Ads are inseparable part of India media. From serials my mom watches to the boring formula one race that no one watches in my home except me there are ads and ad breaks. So there is lot of importance that's stressed in the ad industry in recent times, they are sometimes given more weightage than mainstream. Here was an post by paramesh that gets you to the time of DD.

I picked one best, one worst and one all time favorite ad in recent times.

Best one: Kanjoos friend Airtel. I liked it for the fact, it was short & sweet and conveyed the message.

Worst one: Lalitha Jewellery. Watch it for yourself and I got no comments. Sad point is I get to watch it in cinema screen every time I visit PVR.


Favorite one: The Force: Volkswagen. No wonder its in the most watched videos of youtube.


If you have got your collection, scribble it in the comments. I'm interested to see them.