It is one of the fastest growing pastimes in the state and is popular among all age groups. It promotes healthy living and is not expensive. Yes, Cycling is certainly growing in popularity in the State without a doubt. There are several cycling groups around the State and it is not unusual to see scores of cyclists on the roads of Goa doing the hard yards so to speak.
One sees young children on cycles going along with their parents and even old people cycling. One of the oldest cyclists in the State is at it everyday in Margao. Ajit Guglani is 81, he will be celebrating his 82 birthday next week. He cycles on the roads less travelled everyday. And yes, he is certainly the oldest cyclist in the State to cycle those distances.
For the retired Air force wing Commander, cycling came into his life in 2015-16. He was looking for an alternate physical activity after his knee started paining. His daughter had started cycling and she was doing a lot of cycling with a Margao cycling club called the ProPedalerz Cycling Club. He started cycling by using her bike when she was not around.
He says, “I am a pretty adventurous and would look to go to places. I was interested in exploring Goa. I would go to the places mentioned by the club. I would go alone." He says he was not a cyclist as a working professional and had last cycled during his days as a student before 1957. He started by cycling 4-5 kilometres everyday. One day, the club made arrangements by marking a route of 25 kilometres. Later, he says he was one of the founding members of Xaxti Riders. They looked after him and they helped him complete the distance. He says it was very encouraging and inspiring for him.
By now, he was cycling very long distances. He also purchased a new hybrid bike for long distances. He was cycling everyday and was trying more difficult routes and that's how he pushed himself to try the 50 kilometres. He did it comfortably and did not stop and went on. Within a year, he took part in the 100 kilometers ride and specially trained in the hilly areas.
He says, "I realised I could complete the distance without any problems. I never looked back and was doing longer distances. It was not unusual to cycle 30 to 40 kilometers everyday. The 100 kilometers race is organised twice a year and it is usually a special route. I started doing the 100 kilometers on my own. There were a couple of difficulties which needed to be tackled. The first difficult task was to ride to Chandreswar hill and then the trip from Vasco to Karwar and back which was 185 kilometers on the same day. I did this trip with a group of cyclists from Vasco. Since then, I have gone on seven 100 kilometers ride on my own. The last one was done on June 30 and the next one is being planned very soon. I plan one such ride every month."
He has now been cycling for around eight to nine years and laughs and says he intends to cycle for the rest of his life. He says all his pains and niggles that come with age no longer trouble him because he has none. He says his time to cycle is always in the morning and he usually leaves the house at around 6.30 am. He leaves early because he wants to avoid the heat. He says, "When I cycle 100 kilometers, it usually takes me around five to five and a half hours. And it's usually very hot in the afternoon. I love cycling in the rain and I love it and I don’t stop for the weather. My family supports me. My wife and my daughter are here with me and my son lives abroad.”
Speaking about his experiences, he says that he went from Marcel to the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary which was a tough ride. The organisers he says asked him if would be interested in coming back again and his more than enthusiastic 'yes' was a surprise to them. He says he makes it a point to be present for every 100 kilometers ride and he has been doing this distance since 2016.
"I know the back roads in Goa and can do distances from Raia, Vasco, Curorim. I would occasionally cycle from Raia to Rivona for breakfast which was a considerable distance," he concludes.