What drives the ‘We are Chennai Cycling Group’? Samosa, jalebi, and vazhaipoo cutlet. And plenty of passion for cycling. The group, which consists of over 70 members from various backgrounds, is not your average band of fitness and adventure enthusiasts. While they plan meticulous riding routes, meet regularly before the crack of dawn for rides, follow a weekly agenda, and maintain a Facebook page, for them, each ride is all about the experience.
To mark their third anniversary last weekend, WCCG held a 500-km ride in 24 hours. Divided into sets of three, the cyclists rode in three-hour slots, each comprising 60 km, from 7 a.m. on June 27, and finished the relay at 6 a.m. on June 28. WCCG was formed on June 23, 2012, by Nishant Nambiar, an electronics engineer. Nishant would cycle in the mornings from Anna Nagar to Besant Nagar with a bunch of friends and put up pictures on Facebook. As months moved on, the ‘likes’ on their page multiplied manifold and their leisure group gathered strength as more wheels joined them from across the city.
Today, the group has over 400 cyclists, of which around 70 are regulars. From riders with cycles as expensive as one lakh rupees to those testing the waters with a basic cycle, WCCG’s members have their own reasons for taking up cycling. For Sreeram, who spends most part of the day in front of a computer, cycling provides an opportunity to wake up early in the morning and see the first rays of the sun glide into the city. “I worked night shift yesterday, but I was up as usual and hit the streets with my cycle,” he says. For Rahul, a pilot who was an insomniac, cycling set right his body’s sleep cycle.
While all of them want to create awareness on cycling and promote an eco-friendly lifestyle, the foodies in the group plan rides with food destinations in mind. “For instance, we set out with plans to have samosas and jalebis sold in the by-lane behind Devi Theatre,” grins Sreeram. “This gives us a purpose; something to look forward to.” As cyclists who traverse the nooks and crannies of the city, they know where the best vadai is served and which part of town has the most delicious drumstick juice.
Bicycles give the rider a certain freedom that has to be experienced to be fully understood. With a little planning and fun and like-minded people for company, a simple cycle ride can reach a whole new level. The members of WCCG know that well. They’ve held night rides, an exploration ride to North Chennai, mountain rides in Ooty and Yercaud, the Puzhal ride, blind-date rides without a pre-announced destination, and Frisbee rides during which they stop to play ultimate frisbee at the beach.
They’ve had plenty of unforgettable experiences along the way. Balaji, a member, recalls how during a ride, they rested at bus stops in the dead of night and “got dirty” at off-road rides in North Chennai.
For some members of WCCG, cycling is part of their lifestyle. A. Jaye Vigneshwar, who works at MEPZ, rides from his home in Navalur to work and back every day. “Chennai’s flat terrain is ideal for cycling,” he observes. He says that a cyclist can reach his/her destination just a few negligible minutes more than a motorcyclist. “People think that cycling will take a long time to travel, but it’s not true. We can easily negotiate the traffic, much like a pedestrian,” he says. Jaye prefers cycling to any other mode of transport. Then there are the health benefits it provides. “We ensure that we eat properly and drink plenty of water,” he adds.
But the best thing about cycling is that one tends to notice things they otherwise wouldn’t. “I tend to observe the world around,” says B. Vignesh. “If I were on a bike, I would look only at the road. But on a cycle, everything looks new. I would see a building and think, ‘Hey, I’ve never seen this before!’”
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We like to ride
Sunday : Exploration Day to try new cycling routes |
Monday : Rest Day to recharge themselves for the rest of the week |
Tuesday : Short Ride Day during which they do a 20- to 25-km ride |
Wednesday : Workout Day to participate in sessions to strengthen their core |
Thursday : Cross Fit Day to take up other forms of sport |
Friday : Hill Day, during which they cycle up St.Thomas Mount |
Saturday : Beach Day, when they ride to Elliot’s beach and play frisbee |
