Pedalling on a healthy trail

They look like colourful butterflies fluttering in the breeze. The only difference is that they are on the pedal. And every time they are on the grey streets, they are quite a visual treat.

The members of ‘Bangalore Roadsters’, a City-based cycling club, have traversed tough trails. It was founded four years ago by Biju, an entrepreneur, when he was disheartened to see his friends not concentrating on fitness. “I have seen people taking to various activities such as running or visiting the gym but cycling is an optimal activity. It’s also the best way to see the world outside and improve concentration and agility.”

The members go on off-beat trails to get away from the City and Biju doesn’t think twice before saying that Bengaluru is one of the best places to cycle. “Once we ride away from the peripheral side, we see beautiful villages and the rustic side of Bengaluru. Varthur Road, Kolar Highway Road and Kanakapura Road are some of the best trails.” On weekdays too, they start cycling from 6 am to 7.30 am so that their day takes a different route than the normal one. Initially, there were very few members in his group but now, he confidently says cycling is in its hey dey. “Our Facebook page helps us reach out to many people. Initially, they start with 10 kms and slowly graduate to 1,000 kms.” 
 
His wife, Seema is an avid cyclist too. Her favourite route is from Hebbal to Indiranagar and MG Road. She has seen more women growing in ‘Bangalore Roadsters’. “Like any other sport or artform, a passion for cycling is nurtured only through practice. The more women practice it, the better they become at it.” 

Ranjit cycles from 5 am with his wife and child. “I used to cycle on my grandfather’s bike, which was a very old-school cycle with ancient cross-bars.”

 Vijay, another member, feels fitness has been his takeaway. Sandeep, who joined the club recently, loves it already. “I feel motivated when I cycle. I am able to feel the City and enjoy its music. I am confident that in one year, it will become mainstream because of youth power, the ‘cycle-to-work’ concept and as a family hobby. There are about 5,000 to 6,000 people in the cycling community.”

And this healthy community has driven people from outside to cycle here. Vinod, who used to cycle in Italy, says, “The culture is bigger in Italy as cyclists are respected and there are many cycling lanes there. Here, it is looked at as an amateur sport and will take time to become a professional one.” Similarly, Saptarshi from Kolkata recalls, “My first ride was to Sirsi. After that, I have seen the community growing tremendously. There is a lack of the cycling community in Kolkata because of various traffic issues but I like cycling in Bengaluru.” Abhijeeth, a student and an active member of the club, says that he tries to make time for cycling in between college hours. “I study one month before exams and cycle the rest of the year.”

But it’s not just the young who keep the community alive. Aijaz, a 52-year-old, is driven by the motive of staying healthy through cycling. He says, “Age is no constraint for me. I have done exciting trails such as the Nandi Hills and Chamundi Hills. I do get tired but I recover and cycling builds my stamina. I feel young at heart when I cycle and give the youngsters a run for their money. Cycling wasn’t very big when I was in my 20s or 30s but it has grown of late.”

However, there are nuances that the City has to take care of so that the momentum is not lost — either by creating awareness or by providing the right infrastructure.
While Biju says that it should start with selling cycles by assessing the personality of the rider Seema feels that adequate parking facilities for cyclists can go a long way. The club hopes that the City takes care of these issues quickly as the loss of cyclists not only leads to the loss of a fit society but also of a cycling community, full of like-minded people.

One feels connected to the world as they push the pedal and as Vipin, says, “I can’t buy happiness but I can buy a cycle and it’s close.”

(Biju can be contacted on 8277276424)