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Long distance endurance cycling catches up in Pune

Five of the 15 riders in events conducted by Paris club are from Pune.

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The pothole-stricken roads and the heavy traffic have made it hard to locate cyclists on the city roads. However, the recent announcement by the Audax Club Parisien (ACP), the 108-year-old club in Paris that rates the countries on the basis of the long distance endurance cycle rides, will serve as a booster for cycle enthusiasts. ACP India has managed to climb places and attain the 19th rank out of 43 countries.

This feat was achieved because of the enthusiasm and the rigorous passion that the cyclists or ‘randonneurs’ of the nation. Pune has been one of the initiators to promote this endurance sport among the masses. Five of the first 15 riders of India to take part in the rides organised by the ACP, were from the city. Besides Pune Randonneurs is the oldest club of the nation to participate in the endurance sport.

DNA caught up with these avid riders who were felicitated with the medals that they received from the ACP for their strenuous efforts.
“That our country is ranked so highly by the prestigious club is a very big achievement for cyclists like us. Before 2010, India didn’t exist anywhere in the ranking of the ACP and in 2011, we are ranked 19th out of 43 countries,’’ said Gagan Grover who recently represented India and travelled 1,200 km in 90 hours in the ‘Paris-Brest-Paris’ race. It is a long distance endurance cycling event conducted in France by the ACP.

According to Grover, cyclists from various parts of the country participate in long distance endurance rides and are assessed by the ACP, following which they gain points.

In the short span of over a half year, Indian riders have taken part in 340 rides and gained 1,011 points. These include continuous rides of 200 km, 300 km, 400 km, 600 km and 1,000 km.
Divya Tate, who was one of the 15 pioneers, said, “Because of this kick-start, cycling has caught up with enthusiasts across the country.’’

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