Ticket to Ride

For a smooth ride that is good for the body,environment as well as pocket-friendly,nothing beats the bicycle.

Chandigarh gears up to host the next edition of India Cyclothon
For a smooth ride that is good for the body,environment as well as pocket-friendly,nothing beats the bicycle. Many in the city are discovering a passion for it,with cycle tracks in various sectors abuzz with activity. The city will also host the next edition of India Cyclothon on September 26,as part of the World Tourism Day celebrations by the Chandigarh administration. The event is being sponsored by Hero Cycles and being brought here by CNBC Sport 18 under the aegis of Cycling Federation of India.

The event has multiple categories elite ride,green ride,junior ride and corporate sectionwith the highlight being a 60-km National Elite Race that will see the nations top cyclists competing. The idea is to promote cycling for greener and cleaner urban spaces. Im sure the Chandigarh chapter of the Cyclothon will take the experience of cycling here to new heights, says OP Munjal,chairman,Hero Cycles. According to Satish Menon,CEO of Sport 18,the previous editions of India Cyclothon have seen an overwhelming turnout of at least 6,000 people in each city. It proves that cycling has a substantial fan following in the country. We hope to see more numbers in Chandigarh, he says. To join in,you can register on http://www.herocyclothon.com.

Promoting bike tourism is Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO),which encourages tourists to discover the city on bicycles,its green surroundings and cycling tracks adding to the appeal. We have the latest all-terrain gear bicycles,available on hire for Rs 100 a day at Sukhna Lake and Tourist Info Centre in Sector 17 and give guide maps along, says Arvind Malhotra,CITCOs GM.

The Chandigarh Adventure and Trekking Society (CATS) has many activities in the year planned on bikes,especially during the monsoon and winter months. Apart from the obvious health benefits,CATS members feel it is a good way to bond. We have people of all age groups cycling on tough terrains,having done bike trips to Nepli,Kansal,Jayanti Devi Temple, says Supreet Dhiman. Twenty of them will take part in the Cyclothon.

Yuvsatta,the NGO,has been running its Green Tyre programme for years by organising cycle tours,rallies and inter-school bicycle games. They have a fleet of 27 bicycles,which can be rented for Rs 50 a day. According to Pramod Sharma,Yuvsatta founder,many foreign tourists love to see the city on their bikes,The Community Medicine Department of PGI has a healthy hearts project which promotes cycling as an exercise to keep lifestyle diseases at bay. Cycling makes roads calm,the environment less polluted and reduces accidents, says Sharma,who loves to ride.

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