Cycling scene in Bangalore

Hmm… cycling in Bangalore is picking up fast. I see a lot more cyclists on the road these days. From the expensive Trek’s and Merida’s to the low cost Hero’s and Hercules’, you see them all. Clad in colorful attire complete with gloves and helmets, cylists here are pedaling their way towards a better and healthier Bangalore.

This year has been a wonderful year for cycling. We had the cyclothon. We have our own BBCh races and of course, any weekend, there are riders contemplating between a Nandi hill ride and a Bannerghatta trail ride. Some like Francis and Shreekumar keep planning for their next 1000Km ride. And events like TFN have helped immensely in popularising the sport. Cycling is amongst the most happening things in Bangalore now.

Also, I see a lot of cycling oriented adventure sports ventures springing up. A few that I know are

• Cycling and more
• Muddyboots
• Tandem Trails

And the forums are bubbling with activity.

• Bikezone
• Bangalore bikers club
  

Hmm.. the tribe is growing and carbon footprints are rising! How wonderful it would be if we had dedicated parking and cycling lanes in the city!! I see that happening pretty soon in the near future, at least in Bangalore, at least in a couple of places. (Recently the GGI members managed to convince Forum mall management to allow cyclists in.. way to go!)

Now, isn’t it high time you got a life? Go get a cycle! And use it!

The tour of Nilgiris – on cycle

Many of you would already know the TFN.

It is a 7 day 900 Km ride on the cycle from Bangalore to Ooty and back. Its not a race, it is a tour! A tour to spread the love of cycling.

I have always been a cycle lover. I had a Hero Ranger when I was very young, one which I rode for 9 years until I graduated to a motored bike. I took it to all parts of Ooty, valleys, peaks, forests, … But after high school, the cyclist in me went into hibernation.

For a brief while, I attempted to revive it. Even bought a cheap bike. But could not sustain it due to multiple reasons, laziness and lack of commitment being a couple.

Now, I would like to revive the cyclist in me. Yes, I am very serious this time! As part of this, I am buying a Trek bike next weekend from BOTS. But the biggest thing for me would be to complete the TFN this year.

To do that, I have a few glitches. My knee being one. I get a slight discomfort every 2-3 days in my knee. I developed this after a fall while playing cricket 3 years back. And sadly, I didnt follow the physiotherapy advice properly. But now, I need to get back on track. I need to practice and get myself fit enough in time.

I have made my wish public so that I have some pressure to get it done. Completing the TFN would be one really nice personal goal to sign off 2009 and to enter 2010 with renewed confidence.

Inspirational: The spirit of marathon

Well, I am no athlete. But I got inspired by this video.