mid-day 43rd anniversary special: Where there is a wheel, there’s a way!

The common manrsquos commutemdashthe humble bicyclemdashin its upgraded avataar became a lifestyle trend after the second lockdown ended The main reason for people to take up cycling was to stay fit as the shutting down of gymnasiums and swimming pools restricted fitnessbased activitiesCycling became a viable option as one could cycle alone and in groups while maintaining social distancing The twowheeler popularity opened up a boom time for stores and cycling groups became larger than everNavi Mumbai resident Neelima Kale 64 during her morning training at Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai right Ramesh Iyer with his cycle at his Navi Mumbai home PicsSameer MarkandeRamesh Iyer 55 a vicepresident of a corporate started cycling way before COVID19 In 2015 he suffered a heart attack followed by a bypass surgery Since then cycling became a regular feature for him The second lockdown didnrsquot bring his activity to a halt He pedaled indoorsldquoI started cycling in 2015 way before it became a COVIDrelated trend I cycle for an hour almost six days a week I was not inclined to go out because of the fear factor before the second lockdown so I cycled indoors with the help of a smart trainer Post the second lockdown I got back to doing long distance cycling Lonavala and coming back over weekendsrdquo The cycling habit told on his body weight ldquoI weighed around 9899kgs in 2015 and now I am 68rdquo said the Navi Mumbai residentNikhil Latey physiotherapist and sport scientist of ProPhysio firm Jaymin Shah MD Scott Sports IndiaMeanwhile another Navi Mumbai resident Neelima Kale 64 started cycling at an age when many reduce their physical activity ldquoI started after I turned 60 Besides health benefits it gives me immense joyrdquo said KaleReflecting on her love for competitive challenges she revealed ldquoIn 2019 I cycled 100km But the toughest was the Loops of Hill Cycling event in 2020 on Parsik Hill at Navi Mumbai covering 2414 kms and an elevation of 405m I did seven loops upwards as well as downwards There were small breaks during the lockdowns but once restrictions were lifted I started cycling with renewed enthusiasm It also helped me make new friends and offer a fresh perspective to liferdquo said KaleSCCrsquos Shwn Perera Shahid Shaikh owner of Imperial Cycle Co PicsShadab Khan Sayyed Sameer AbediCiting health benefits of cycling Nikhil Latey physiotherapist and sport scientist at the firm ProPhysio said ldquoCycling had always been a goto sport for people concerned with impact on the knees or showed signs of early arthritis It is an excellent sport that improves heart and lung capacity strengthening of the legs and a bit for shoulders without impacting the jointsrdquoShwn Perera the founder of Santacruz Cycling Club SCC revealed that people saw a cycle as a longterm investment post the second lockdown ldquoFrom youngsters who wanted to jump onto the rave of cycling to senior citizenshellipall wanted a reason to venture out There is an increase of close to 30 to 40 per cent in members at our club Buying a cycle became a onetime investment rather than paying exorbitant fees for a gym membership The trend gave birth to a number of cycling clubs in the city Our club does not charge membership fees like others and it has seen encouraging growth on morning short rides and longer rides over the weekendsrdquo remarked PereraWhile there are glad tidings over the cycling trend Perera touched upon a disappointing aspect ldquoThough cycling has picked up the roads are not safe for cyclists Either we need potholefree roads or dedicated lanes like abroadrdquoAlso Read F2 Jehan Daruvala eyes seventh podium finish in HungaryThe rising popularity in cycling also meant shop owners made merry with their sales increasing Shahid Shaikh owner of Imperial Cycle Co at Phoenix Market City Kurla said ldquoCycling has become a lifestyle now Many started cycling including celebs like Farhan Akhtar to strengthen the immune system With gyms and swimming pools shut home and open spaces became alternatives to burn those calories The sales post the second lockdown shot up by over 100 per cent making new records every day The demand was much supply limitedrdquo said ShaikhMeanwhile Jaymin Shah MD of cycle brand Scott Sports India said the trend is not just restricted to India but is a worldwide phenomenon ldquoThe pandemic sparked off an allnew cycling trend worldwide Streets swarming with cyclists was anticipated in the coming decade but it has already happened in the past 24 monthsrdquo he saidWho said wheeling and dealing had only negative connotations