JOIN USIn a bid to popularise and spread a word about the benefits of cycling and promote cycle as a regular mode of transport, over 80 riders from India and Western European nations will pedal a 915-km stretch in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the annual Montra Tour of Nilgiris (TfN) that kick-starts from Dec 16.
The cyclists will traverse across Mysore, Ooty, Palakkad, Valparai and end the tour at Munnar during the eight-day event. The 7th edition of the TfN will see nine women compete in one of the most enduring sporting events in India.
The annual flagship event of RideACycle Foundation (RAC-F), will be flagged off from The Leela Palace in the City at 6.30 am on Tuesday.
Sridhar Pabbisetty, Co-Founder, RAC-F said, “The highlight of the event will be ‘King/Queen of the Mountains’ challenge wherein the riders will pass through Kalhatty Ghat (Steep Ghat), considered as one of the toughest climbs possible. There would be seven riding stages during the tour and four competitive races. Riders will be judged on their cycling speed, endurance, temperament, physical and mental strength, riders craft and grit.”
The competitive distance will not be longer than 40-km a day. The riders have an option to ride individually or as a team, Pabbisetty added.
About six charity riders - Magendar Rajasekaran, Peter Berridge, Vivek Bhateja, Gangadhar Balija, Thanmaya B P and Rakesh Rana will ride to support various social causes. The TfN tour will culminate on December 23 at Chinnakanal, Munnar.