Tour de suburbs

Mumbai Cyclist group starts weekend rides to explore city on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanati, first ride on Saturday. Are you on for this fun, fitness and cycling tour?

This Gandhi Jayanti, do something different. Mumbai Cycling Enthusiasts, a group that promotes cycling, is offering Mumbaikars the opportunity to spend their weekends exploring the city’s suburbs on a cycle. The event will start on October 2 and will be on till February 2010. The journey gets more challenging, as the distance will increases every weekend. These rides are open to all, for free."The next four months are great for cycling. Through our weekend trips, we hope to promote fitness, fun and, of course, cycling," says Sujay Jairaj of Mumbai Cycling Enthusiasts. Over the next four months, city dwellers can explore different areas of Mumbai’s suburbs and find interesting places as they ride along pre-decided trails. Jairaj says, "We have very active members in our group who cycle around the city selecting trails. The only criteria considered while selecting the routes is that there should be less traffic and the route should be scenic."

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The group already has 400 members on Facebook. The first ride will take place on October 2 from Juhu to Bandra, covering a distance of 21 kms. The Tour De Suburbs will begin in Juhu at 5.50 am and navigate through Juhu Tara Road straight to Mount Mary in Bandra, the final destination. But there are two ways of getting to the Mount. You can go up Pali Hill, or miss the steep climb and go straight to Mount Mary. Jairaj says, "For beginners, the initial trips are a bit tough. So they can meet us halfway, join us later or meet us on the way. We are okay with whatever suits them."

And for those who can handle these trips, a trip to Karjat is being organised around mid November or December. Jairaj says, “The idea is to promote fitness, and what better way than challenge the boundaries of stamina.”