The Wheel Deal

Marcus Santiago,31,works as a financial transcriber for the IT company Ambex. The sedentary job and long working hours could take a toll on his health,but Santiago keeps fit by occasionally riding to work and exploring places on his Trek 3700 during the weekends.

This Sunday,August 29,the Greater Kailash I resident will join over 3,000 participates in the the first ever BSA Hercules India cyclothon—touted as the second biggest cyclothon event in Asia. “We need to have more tournaments like this to promote fitness through cycling,” says Santiago,who cycled 160 km with four of his friends for a charity in Dubai in 1995. “It is great that the cycling culture is becoming popular in India as well,” he adds. The weekend ride will commence and culminate at Sansad Marg,completing the circle from Janpath,Rajpath,Vijay Chowk,Connaught Place and Minto Bridge till Deen Dyal Upadhay Marg. Children between 8 to 13 years will bike for 5 km in the Kids Ride and a helmet will be provided for the safety of each participant.

On the same day,meanwhile,professional cyclists will participate in Tour de Delhi 2010,a cycling test event for the Commonwealth Games. Covering 100-km distance in nine stages from Vijay Chowk to Deen Dyal Upadhay Marg,this event will feature 15 teams from all over the world,including Holland,Germany,Singapore,Hong Kong,Taiwan and Iran.