Pedal power lures corporates
Each weekend they gather together and explore new places and breathe in fresh air by pedalling their way to health. Meet the eco-conscious and super-active corporate cyclists of the city, who love to discover the road less travelled on their cost-efficient bicycles.
Ashish Nagpal, senior manager, came up with the idea of promoting cycling as a “cool” means of transport a year ago when he founded a city-based cycling group called Cyclesutra.
He says, “In a year and a half we have grown to almost 800 members. We generally network through our online group and go for rides or brevets (long distances). We all lead very hectic lifestyles and there is hardly any time to relax, so cycling is something that we promote big-time to feel good. For most of the cyclists in the city, India Gate is the meeting point and on any given Sunday morning you’ll find different cycling groups meeting there.”
However, for Rajesh Kalra, a full-time journalist and founder of one of the oldest cycling groups in the city — Pedalyatris, cycling is all about bonding and rejuvenation.
He says, “We started our cycling group almost five years ago. It is a Gurgaon-based group and we ride regularly and discover new trails. We educate our members about cycling responsibly in a right manner with proper safety gear and helmets. I used to ride a lot as a kid and till today every morning I cycle around my house.”
Shubho Sengupta, a brand consultant, who is passionate about cycling since 2001, feels that nothing can beat the adrenaline rush that one gets after cycling for long hours.
He says, “I live in GK-2 and every weekend I catch up with a group of cyclists and we go on cycling tours. Recently, we cycled to places like Sanjay Van, Noida, Gurgaon-Faridabad highway and Alwar with 30-40 people. We all have basic bikes and gear for these cycling tours, so it’s a very affordable means of transport as well.”
Similarly, for Richa Khurana Singh, who works with Treehouse hotel, Bhiwadi, regular cycling meets is all about camaraderie and fun.
She says, “Our group usually travels around the Delhi-NCR region and every Sunday we try to explore one historical place. We even go with guides and photographers sometimes, or go to some distant food joints to relish some lip-smacking meals. Since I am so passionate about cycling, at my workplace we have recently introduced special packages for cycling enthusiasts, where one can enjoy foot massages at the spa, bonfire and karaoke after cycling sessions.”
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