Tour of Nilgiris has about 103 cyclists riding for seven days back-to-back from Bangalore.
The marathon 800 km annual cycling tour traversing across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, will kick-start from the city on the 16th of this month.
This time, the Tour of Nilgiris (TfN) has about 103 cyclists riding from Bangalore to Mysore, and then across Ooty, Sulthan Bathery and Madikeri. The participants range from those as young as 18 years, to some in their 60s.
Aimed at promoting the ecology and eco-tourism, along with encouraging regular usage of cycles as a means of transport, TfN is considered one of the most challenging tours in India.
This year, TfN also has a climb to Ooty via Kalhatty Ghats from Masinagudi, which involves a route through 36 hairpin bends.
Sridhar Pabisetty, from RideACycle Foundation (RAC-F), which is promoting TfN, says unlike other cycling tours, TfN involves a route through Ooty, which is an uphill terrain.
“The 36 hairpin bends to Ooty is something even cars find tough to navigate. TfN is challenging, but since the intention is also to promote cycle tourism, the different terrains are actually of help,” says Pabisetty, who is also a participant.
Participants have been selected on the basis of their ability to cycle 200 km in a single day. “The first day itself involves covering 170 km. And it’s an eight-day event, with only one resting day. So cyclists have to be experienced enough to do seven days of back-to-back cycling,” says Pabisetty.
Along with promoting cycling as healthy, eco-friendly and cost-effective mode of transport, TfN also intends to promote cycling tourism in the process.
Pabisetty says it is becoming necessary to encourage people to use their cycles, instead of cars while going short distances like to Mysore or Ooty.
Vinay Narayanan, a city-based marketing executive, says he has cycled with friends to Srirangpatna, Mysore and other place within a 150-km radius from Bangalore. “We cover the distance, halt during the night, and cycle back to Bangalore the next day. But doing 150-200 kilometres for seven days at a stretch is something we still need to build the stamina for.”
Other cycling trails around Bangalore
30-km Bidadi-Magadi trail
65-km trail from Bangalore University to Magadi
Bangalore–Nandi Hills 90 km trail
Bangalore University to Srirangapatna via villages: 150 km
The Great Malnad Challenge: 850 km, 9-day trail from Madikeri to Jog Falls
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