Cycling is a sport that tests every ability of a person both mentally and physically. One has to challenge oneself to taste success in the sport and battling all odds, a cyclist team from Mylapore created a record by becoming the first in India to ride 363 kilometres in 24 hours using a normal gear cycle.
The five-member team from Mylai Midhi Vandi Kuzhu, a Mandaveli based cycling club participated in the Fleche Velocio cycling competition held a month ago and achieved the feat.
Speaking about their success, Dinesh Prabhu, one of the participants, who is also the founder of Mylapore Midhi Vandi Kuzhu says, “It is a cycling competition organised by Madras Randonneurs. Participants must cover a distance of above 360 kilometres within the 24 hours. There were nine participants in the race including us and we were the only team to compete the race with normal fixed gear bike.”
The five cyclists were Dinesh Prabhu, Ramjee, Jason Eapen, Srikanth Veeraraghavan and Ashwin Raaj. They started the race from Janapachathiram near Puzhal at 5 am on 23 February and decided to race till Gandikota Fort in Andhra Pradesh, covering a distance of 363 kilometres.
Explaining the rules of the competition, Dinesh added, “According to the rule, a team must comprise minimum number of three and maximum five riders. It says that the success will be recognised only if a minimum of three racers complete the race, however for us all the five members completed it.”
The task was however not easy as the racers had to battle hot temperature and posed them challenges. “The challenge was the heat. The temperature was very high and riding was tough. One member even had a fall but he came back and finished the race for us, the whole team however managed well and despite the challenges the ride was a fun-filled one, with the sight of lush vegetation around us and the varieties of jokes cracked by us kept the spirits high,” he said.
So what made them to ride in normal fixed gear? “We have nearly 25 active members in our group and my concept is very simple. I wanted to make them believe that they can ride a fixed gear cycle and achieve big,” explains Dinesh Prabu.
“Our training regime is totally different to other racers. We train by not having commercial food and depend on native foods. Whatever food we get on the way we depend on it.”
Dinesh also credits Sri Karpagambal Cycles, which provides mechanical support. “They did a lot of customisation to match the cycles according to each riders strength and skill. We preferred them for our club because we wanted local mechanics community to help us and when we win they also share the same joy.”