Before Lakshmi Manchu learnt how to cycle for a 100-kilometre race to support an NGO, she had last sat on a bicycle in childhood. 

“I started practicing on February 2, and in a matter of 19 days, prepared for the race,” says the actor, adding, “Each day, I would wake up at 4.30 am, because I wanted to beat the traffic. I had to learn how to use the gears on a hybrid bike.” For Machu, small achievements like learning how to consume water while cycling, instead of constantly punctuating her ride, served her well.