This Gang War leaves cyclists' wanting to pedal more for glory

MANGALURU: Mangalore Bicycle Club launched ‘MbC Gang War’, a first of its kind initiative in cycling community and a strategic team based challenge for 16-days duration starting April 15. It measured each teams based on individual/team riding capabilities. Parameters for challenge were not evaluated based on speed/distance/time taken keeping in mind safety of riders. Various trump cards were introduced in between the challenge to make it exciting for every participant.

Ganesh Nayak, member, MBC said the motive behind this event is to bring in regularity in cycling for fitness and cycling for commutation. Based on willingness of riders to participate, five teams were formed with 57 riders participating to compete against each other teams. Team MbC through this challenge pedaled 25,000-kms in 16 days with 47 riders riding 13 days covering an average of 30-kms. Team MbC shed 165 kgs of unwanted body fat, an average 3 kg per rider.

Team Cyclomaniacs led by Dr Pritam emerged best team in the challenge based on active participation from all members, leadership skills and maximum rider participation in the GoGreenGoCycling cause ride on the last day. Team members were Dr Arjun Dev, Dr. Murali, Dr. Nagaraj, Dr. Prashanth Marla, Dr. Rajesh, Joshua, Mithil, Mukesh Rao, Mukund Shet, Ramrathan Naik, Sharath Alva and Shiva Shankar Achar.

The drive for members was not just to win the war but to make this sport safe, healthy and disciplined, he said adding a rolling trophy will be handed over to the team during the planned launch of the Club’s website launch, date of which will be announced shortly. Ganesh said special mention has to be made of three riders, who rode bicycles on all 16 days during the war. They are Dr Pritam from Cyclomaniacs, Dhanraj from Easy Riders and Maxim from Old Kranks.

This challenge has brought in momentum to regular cycling trend in the city and also helped new comers to start being active in cycling, Ganesh said adding the best part is that this momentum is still continuing even after the challenge period and everyone has taken up cycling as part of their daily routine. Based on the overwhelming response received from riders for the MbC Gang War, Ganesh said season two will be launched in October 2016.