For hardcore downhill mountain biker Ignatius Chen, life is never a ‘slippery slope’. Each obstacle he encounters as he zestfully glides down an off-road course is a challenge he relishes. His reputation as a professional high-end-bike mechanic has earned the Bengaluru-based trail rider the moniker ‘Bike Doctor’.
“There are a lot of detailed aspects to be understood about high-end bikes, from their build to engineering to basic mechanics to safe methods of riding. Not many know that a lot of research and engineering goes into their manufacturing,” says Chen aka ‘Iggy’, who we met up with in Thiruvananthapuram at Crank Cycling Joint.
Chen pedalled his way into his passion thanks to “the busy life and lifestyle of Bengaluru” while working as a research analyst with a firm 11 years ago. “I wanted to escape the snarling Bengaluru traffic. I was drawn to the idea of cycling after I did some research on the multiple modes of transportation, out of interest. Once I started cycling, it actually felt good,” recalls Chen.
Though he primarily kick-started the habit on an “ordinary cycle to stay fit”, he soon began learning the A to Z of cycles and graduated to using a folding bicycle, a Strider. The habit developed into a hobby horse and by then he had become so proficient that he began helping out bike stores with fitting accessories. Eventually, he quit his corporate job to start his “full-time journey on a bike”. He currently works with Bengaluru-based Happy Earth Enterprises, a distributor of bicycle products, and enjoys visiting high-end bike stores on invite across the country and meeting riders “to offer his services”.
Adrenaline rush
Chen says “the culture” of downhill racing is fast picking up in the country, as evident from the numerous tournaments and gatherings organised for the extreme sport. “You basically climb up to the peak of a mountain and ride down as fast as you can, crossing all the jumps and drops. The elevation has to be at least 10-15 degrees. It’s like sprinting on an off-road terrain. Of course, you wear protective biking gear. It’s the adrenaline rush. You feel yourself at that moment. There’s a certain solitude in that.”
Trail riding is, however, more informal and much longer, done on trails, forest roads, mountains and even across large estates with beaten tracks. “You can have any number of participants. Trail riding is more about building fitness and endurance,” says Chen, who regards Pune, Manali, Darjeeling, Coonoor and the outskirts of Mysuru as some of the best locations for the activity. Training for the cycling sports focuses more on mental preparation than on the physical aspects.
just need to understand your limits, both physically and mentally, and brace up not to panic on the course,” adds Chen, whose idols are English downhill mountain biker Steve Peat and former Belgian road-and-track bicycle racer Eddy Merckx.
Right bike
Chen says choosing a bike of the right size, that in biking parlance is referred to as ‘bike fit’, is of paramount importance. “It’s just like picking the right pair of shoes for your feet. Even a small difference in the bike size can impact the overall ride quality and comfort. Depending on your physique, the right size could also reduce the chances of certain injuries,” says the 32-year-old. That perfect bike can enhance the aerodynamic efficiency as you cruise through. Also pivotal is properly maintaining one’s bike. “That’s the necessary guidance I always tell my customers or riders. For better rides, the bike has to be in the best working condition. It’s something you can actually learn and do yourself,” he says, fishing out a book on bicycle maintenance and repair.
However, Chen says it’s a sport that “can have its consequences” and advises utmost caution. “Always follow the rules and wear biking gear. It’s also important to fit your bike with front and rear lights, something many riders don’t pay much heed to.” He recounts his experience while participating in the Asia Pacific Downhill Challenge in 2014, in Bali, Indonesia, when he fell and broke his ribs. “I got injured; I finished the race, though I didn’t make it to the podium.”Today, he’s riding a custom-built Psynyde, a Polygon Collosus DH 8 and a Surly Straggler for commuting and tournaments. But beyond the bike, the best part is the “comradeship” of the bicycling fraternity.
