Saval Quarterly Newsletter - Q2, 2025

July 29, 2025

TLDR;

It feels like just yesterday we gathered for the Saval party, yet two quarters of FY-2026 have already flown by. The year kicked off with exciting milestones, including the launch of Ninja Challenge categories, engaging virtual team challenges, and new community features designed to foster social connections. We also rolled out the fully featured, self-service Saval App on Android and iOS—and we’re continuously adding new capabilities to keep both members and non-members engaged on the platform

What’s new in Saval 2025

  • We’re excited to announce the launch of the feature-packed Saval App, now available on both iOS and Android! With the new app, you can:

    • Track your progress with a personalized dashboard for all your enrolled challenges and goals

    • Join team challenges and stay motivated alongside your crew

    • Invite anyone—including non-members and family—to be part of your team challenges

    • Engage with the community through interactive feeds and social features

    • Log and track your activities by distance, duration, or elevation with ease

    • Sign up for Iconic Challenges (coming soon) to push your limits or use them as training for your next epic adventure

About Saval Team Challenges

Saval Team Challenges bring Savalites together to form small teams, work toward a shared goal, and stay committed to their personal fitness journeys. In the first half of the year, we hosted four successful challenges, with 35 teams participating and achieving impressive results:

  • MLK Walkathon – 16 teams walked a combined 2,147 miles

  • Everest Quest 29,029 – 3 teams collectively climbed 99,525 feet

  • 8-Day Yogathon – 5 teams completed 3,354 minutes of yoga

  • Visoochi Walkathon – 7 teams walked a total of 1,874 miles

And we’re just getting started—more challenges are on the way to keep you moving, motivated, and on track toward a healthier, stronger you!

Savalites who knocked down their Q2 Targets

SAVAL Run Fest Event Update

We wrapped up our second successful Saval Marathon Event, proudly hosted by the Lathrop Chapter and led by Krishna Boddugari, Ramana Reddy, and Sunil Chanda.

Spotlight on SAVAL Members

My Experience at the “Death Ride” — Tour of the California Alps - by Arun 

I recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Tour of the California Alps, famously known as the “Death Ride,” alongside fellow Savalites Samar Kanguri, Mathew Jacob, Rohit Bhadri, and Ashish Goyal.

What is the “Death Ride”?

The Death Ride is a legendary endurance cycling event in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Riders can conquer up to four mountain passes, each with around 3,000 feet of elevation gain, totaling an astonishing 14,000 feet of climbing. Starting from Markleeville, the route includes climbs over Monitor Pass, Ebbetts Pass, and Pacific Grade.

Preparation

Riding the Death Ride means facing not just physical challenges, but also high-altitude conditions (6,000 to 8,300 feet) and unpredictable weather. Fortunately, the event is exceptionally well-organized with aid stations offering food, water, and energy supplements.

Our training began in April, taking on challenging rides like the Grizzly Peak Century and climbing Mount Diablo and Mount Hamilton. Each training session involved anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 feet of climbing — critical for endurance.

The Experience

We planned a three-night stay at an Airbnb. On ride day, we left around 2 AM and started rolling by 3 AM. Waking up that early might sound crazy, but it was magical. I rode under moonlight through forested roads, guided by bike lights and the sound of a river. The cool air and sense of adventure made all the training worthwhile.

Riding with hundreds of other motivated cyclists was inspiring. The road was filled with determination. I even got passed by someone on a 10-foot-tall novelty bike, which was quite humbling. I honestly think it should be called the “World Bike Festival” because of the celebratory atmosphere.

The Result

Samar, Rohit, and Ashish completed the full route, while Mathew reached the top of Ebbetts Pass. I had to stop partway up Ebbetts due to poor sleep and fatigue, likely from altitude sickness. Although I didn’t finish, I have no regrets and am more motivated than ever to come back.

What I’ve learned is that the Death Ride is more than physical; it’s a game of strategy: managing nutrition, rest, and energy. Even if you don’t cross every finish line, the ride offers an unforgettable experience filled with lessons, awe, and a deep sense of accomplishment. I’d love to see more Savalites join next year's event!

Upcoming Events and Activities

  • Saval Destination Ride (100KM) – This time, we’re heading to Monterey! Mark your calendars for August 2, 2025.

  • Saval Family Picnic – Open to all members and their families. Date to be announced soon.

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