Pedallers rejoice: International cyclathon in Ahmedabad soon

Even as most Amdavadis with diesel vehicles lament the recent fuel price hike, here comes some news that will encourage them to dump the gas guzzlers and take up an eco-friendly and healthy way of travel.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Friday approved the decision to organise a ‘Cyclathon’ in January 2013. This approval will bring, for the first time, such an international-level cycling event to the city.

The event will be organised in association with the Ahmedabad Bicycling Club, and will be held on January 27, 2013 keeping in mind the international cyclathon calendar.

The event will comprise three distance races – Full cyclathon (100 kms), medium cyclathon (50 kms) and dream cyclathon (15 kms). In addition, the entire competition has been divided into two age-groups – general and veterans (above 45 years of age).

The competition will also carry with it, substantial accolades. The winner of the full cyclathon in the general category will be awarded Rs2 lakh while the veteran will be awarded Rs1 lakh. Similarly, for the half cyclathon, the winner of general category will bag Rs1 lakh while the veteran winner will receive Rs50,000.

While the race for all categories will be kicked off from Vallabh Sadan, racers for the different categories will be diverted to different routes, but ultimately coming to a finish at Science City.

For the full cyclathon, the race which will begin from Vallabh Sadan will cross Panchvati crossroads, Ambawadi cross roads, CN Vidyalaya, Sola overbridge, Vaishnodevi circle and the entire SP ring road to end at Science city.

For the 50-km half cyclathon, the route will begin from Vallabh Sadan, pass through Panchvati cross roads, CN vidyalaya and will reach Science City through Shivranjini, ISKCON cross roads, SP ring road, Vaishnodevi circle and Sola over bridge.

Similarly, the dream cyclathon, which is expected to see the most participation, will travel from Vallabh Sadan to Income-Tax circle, and will cross Panchvati, Ambawadi, ISKCON crossroads and Sola over bridge to reach Science City.

The civic body’s standing committee chairman, Bhupendra Patel said that they will do their best to maintain the standards, parameters and the procedures for an international cyclathon.

Interested candidates can have their queries answered by approaching the Ahmedabad Bicycling Club for general information as well as for the registration procedure of the cyclathon.