A December to remember for cycling buffs

BENGALURU: It was one December that cycling enthusiasts made the most of. While the rest of the city was cosying up at home, groups of cyclists were furiously pedalling away in picturesque locales, breathing in the cool air.
Cycling groups are encouraging more and more enthusiasts to hit the pedal and experience the fun of riding together. The overwhelming response to their organized rides in December, “the month of no rain and no shine” in the words of cyclists, has prompted the groups to line up more activities in January.
H R Murali of Namma Cycle said women riders are outnumbering men for their 50km riverside rides. “They enjoyed riding on the scenic Shivanasamudra-Talkad stretch on December 7,” he said, adding that their KRS backwaters ride, scheduled for January 24, also has more women takers. Of the 11 cyclists registered, 9 are women. They will cycle towards Brindavan Gardens from the confluence of three rivers — Lakshmanateertha, Hemavathy and Cauvery.
GoGoGreenCycling (GGGC) has tied up with Kala Vedike for its Bengaluru-Mysuru ride on Saturday, wherein cyclists have a stopover at Ramanagaram — they can watch the Vedike’s street play on the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan. The group will return to Bengaluru the next day. “Our weekend rides creating awareness on cycling are also seeing a good turnout,” said Go Green Rao of GGCI, which celebrated its sixth anniversary in December.
While some ride for fun, some cycle to raise funds. Six of the 80 riders who took part in the eight-day 900km Tour of Nilgirs (Bengaluru to Munnar) in the latter part of December were charity riders. Gangadhar Balija, who works for Infosys and is a member of the company’s cycling club Thunderbolts, said: “I rode to raise funds for the Government Blind School in Hindupur (Andhra Pradesh). We want to provide permanent sports infrastructure to the school."
Bums On The Saddle (BOTS) has also been encouraging people to cycle. BOTS’ Rohan Kini said their Wednesday night rides, typically a 20km urban commute, see ample participation of women. “At the end of the hour-long ride, they assemble at an ice-cream parlour and chill out before heading home,” he said. The group’s once-a-month airport road rides (on a Saturday) are a big hit, with 35-50 cyclists turning up. Through its trail rides (on Sundays) in Turahalli forest area, BOTS teaches people the nuances of mountain biking. Journalist Hemalatha H, who recently rode on the 16km trail, enjoys cycling in “serene places” around the city.
ICycle.In spreads the word through social networking sites. Besides organizing regular weekend rides which are open to all, ICycle has thrown the ‘Conquering Kalhatti’ challenge to corporate employees on Saturday and Sunday. “Many 3-member groups of techies have taken up the Kalhatti challenge. On the first day, they will ride from Bandipur to Ooty through 36 sharp hairpin curves in Kalhatti Ghat. They will climb Doddabetta the next day,” said K G Girish of ICycle.In.
Riding high
* GoGreenGoCycling: Weekend campaign rides; occasional trips to Mysuru
* Namma Cycle: Riverside rides
* Bums On The Saddle: Night rides, airport road rides and forest trails
* ICycle: Four types of rides customized for beginners and regular cyclists; Great Malnad Challenge, a long-distance one through the Western Ghats of Karnataka
* Ride A Cycle Foundation: Tour of Nilgiris, a long-distance ride through the mountain range spread across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala