Middle-aged men pedal their way to health

With more Bengalureans turning to cycling for a hassle-free commute to work, there are some who have adopted cycling as an integral part of their life.

And these are not youngsters but middle-aged corporate professionals and entrepreneurs, who can give the younger generation a run for their money when it comes to fitness and endurance.

These cyclists pedal distances as long as 100-km at a stretch and swear by its benefits.  According to them, their energy level has increased and they feel younger than in their thirties.

A case in point is Vinayak Rao, a 50-something cyclist, who has cycled a distance of 3,840 km in the past two years. His longest ride has been 160 km. A senior corporate professional, Rao dedicates his weekends to cycling and exploring the countryside and enjoying the beauty of nature.

"We have two major rides during the year which explore the beauty of Karnataka. One of it being 'Tour of Karnataka' wherein we cover a distance of 500 km, touring the state and exploring its beauty. The ride is spread over five days and four nights," Rao said. "The other one is 'Monsoon Magic', a two-day ride during May or June where one gets to enjoy the beauty of the green during rains."

Kesavan Narayanaswamy, a corporate professional who has covered a distance of 2,068 km in the past few years, enjoys walking as much as he loves cycling. "Cycling is a great muscle workout as it uses all the muscle groups as your pedal. It also increases one's stamina and strength. Unlike other sports, cycling doesn't require high levels of physical skill," he said.

His goal for 2018 is to cycle a distance of 5,000 km.  

Narayanaswamy and Rao live by the adage that age is just a number. They are two of the many aspiring cyclists in their fifties who are pedalling their way to health.

Kavin Nallasivam cycles over 50 km every day to work and back. He covers 1,000 km every month by cycling.  

Speaking about his passion, he says: "It has turned my life around. I can experience a drastic increase in stamina and energy levels and it has also helped me lose weight without changing my diet."