A major development on the health and adventure sport front took place in this vacation destination on Friday with the Nilgiris Collector Archana Patnaik inaugurating a Mountain Bike Park at the Boat House.
Describing the initiative of the promoters, TI Cycles of India, as timely, Ms.Patnaik said that it will help popularize cycling here.
Stating that as a mode of travel, cycling was yet to gain acceptance in the country, she hoped that love for cycling would grow with the establishment of such a park.
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It would also contribute to making the environment greener.
Pointing out that the ensuing Summer Festival would be theme-based, she said that focus would be on global warming and protection of the environment.
Stating that the facility, called the Hercules Mountain Bike Park has been created at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh, the Senior Vice President, TI Cycles, Arun Alagappan, said that it was the first of its kind here.
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A similar facility existed at Ambattur in Chennai.
Mountain biking was a spectacular adventure sport which was popular world-wide and the conditions in this hill station were ideal for such an activity.
Explaining its salient features, he said that it has been designed for beginners, those in the intermediate category and experts.
Stating that efforts would be made to organize corporate camps and a workshop for mountain biking, Mr.Alagappan said that steps would be taken to form a Mountain Biking Club here with the help of the schools in the district.
The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Cycling Association, Radhakrishnan, proposed a vote of thanks.