Recreational and endurance cycling has become
increasingly popular in our tiny state of Goa. It is not unusual to see
helmeted cyclists in cycling gear, riding imported cycles across the length and
breadth of Goa early in the mornings and during the weekends.
Every single town of Goa has a recognised cycling
club, sometimes more than one cycling club with over a hundred cyclist members
each. While the tougher cyclists routinely take part in the Brevets de Randonneurs Mondiaux(
endurance cycling) rides ( 200kms up to 1200 kms), some
others test their riding skills participating in time trials (TTs), while some
others do easy, recreational rides. However, the Corona pandemic has brought
all the above mentioned activities to a grinding halt.
Ponda based academic and cyclist, Ajay Dongre is
heeding his doctor’s advice seriously. Says the genial academic, “In times of a
pandemic, it is better to follow the directives released by the government and
follow your doctor's advice. All Ponda based cyclists have decided to stay
indoors. My doctor friend ( on the India Medical Association/government advisory
board for this Pandemic) who is also a chest specialist and ardent cyclist
strongly opposes cyclists riding outdoors. He is of the opinion that we cyclists
could get infected and become carriers of the virus. If we follow this directive
for a few weeks and break the chain then it would be a great service to all of
us.”
In Majorda, Daegal Godinho, owner of the popular,
Carpe Diem art gallery and seasoned endurance cyclist has also moved indoors
completely. Says the jovial cyclist, “The curfew makes it impossible to go out,
though in any case I enjoy doing high-intensity interval training workouts
indoors. No doctor recommendations for me. I just happen to enjoy the
indoor workouts. There is comfortable air-conditioning
at home, the workouts are shorter but more intense.”
Daegal is also happy that the lockdown has forced
him to do light weight training and core strength training exercises like
planks etc, which he does not find time for on a regular basis.
Ditto with young mother and talented triathlete,
Nicole Pavri, a Panaji based architect. “I plan to do home strength workouts
and use my cycle trainer to cycle from today. I prefer the outdoors of course,
but from time to time, we must give the environment a break from all of us!”
says Nicole.
The story seems to identical at the Gomes’ home in Fatorda,
Margao. Mormugao Port Trust chief engineer and seasoned endurance cyclist,
Nixon Gomes has also locked himself and his cycle indoors. A very fit cyclist, Nixon is using the free
time to work on some intense strength training. “I am doing a combination of spot
jogging, planking, jumping jacks and exercises for my glute muscles. I think
the lock down may extend till mid-April if the detection of the cases do not
come down. Indoor strength training is the only way to keep one’s immunity
high,” says Nixon.
Of course, ours is a democratic country and not
everyone agrees with the self-imposed ban on cycling. Margao based surgeon, Dr
Sujoy Das, an enthusiastic cyclist is of the opinion that solo-cycling is
perfectly alright even in these trying times. He says, “I would strongly argue
against any bans on recreational and leisure cycling, which is so good for both
physical and mental health. I am all for individual, solo cycling. There is in
fact a very lovely article in the Guardian newspapers, UK supporting my thoughts.”
But at the end of the day, the popular sentiment
amongmany Goan cyclists seems to be in line with Vasco based, orthopaedic
surgeon and enthusiastic cyclist, Dr Willy D’Sa’s thoughts. Says Dr Willy, “I
agree it is a sad time for cyclists. However, we must all support our
government, who is trying its level best to contain the spread of this virus.
As cyclists, we may catch the virus itself since it can be
airborne. Most importantly, bicycles act as fomites. Things upon which,
the droplets can sit and travel for miles. The handling of bikes, the number of
hands it touches, the eating and drinking stops, the tyres moving over the road
over which someone has just spat away their sputum can all be dangerous.”
Dr Willy’s advice to fellow cyclists is, “Careful
my cycling friends. Our well-built immunity may not allow us to suffer from the
evils of this virus. But we must remember there are other people around us whom
we should protect and limit the spread to. Use your home trainers, upright
bikes, rollers and Zwift software for a cycling experience of a virtual
kind.
Let us wait till we overcome this
menace. Besides no one is bothered about our Strava achievements in these dark days.”
Rahul Chandawarkar is an Ironman
Triathlete based in Benaulim, South Goa.