Why pedaling on two wheels on a Sunday morning is the best way to see your city
Why pedaling on two wheels on a Sunday morning is the best way to see your city
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THE 'town' looks different on an early Sunday morning. No harried commuters rushing out of Churchgate station. Heritage structures stand clear of harried office-goers... It feels as if someone has turned the hands of the clock to an unhurried era. The real 'old' Bombay reemerges. It is an ideal day to 'breathe' the city, admire its moments and monuments, on a leisurely breezy bicycle ride.
The 30-member groups were split into groups of 10 in this maiden venture of the Mojo Eyegear Biking Club, a non-profit venture. Participants had a choice of either getting their own bicycles, or borrowing the ones provided by the group. "We had arrangements with a person who rents out all-terrain bikes," said Yogesh. To introduce this 30-member group of cycling enthusiasts to the stories and symbols of Bombay was Jayesh Morvankar, a cyclist enthusiast.
The ride kicked off from Eros and we cycled down Marine Drive. The cool morning breeze felt soothing. A halt at H2O and then a U-turn through Marine Lines to Metro. The road led towards Kyani's for an hour of a much-needed breakfast break. We had a typical Irani breakfast of kheema pao, bun maska and tea. I was glad we ate at an Iranian restaurant, as these were such a huge symbol of Bombay. Yogesh promised that lunch would be at another Irani restaurant Stadium at Churchgate.
From Kyani's we pedaled towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal. The building looked imposing and yet beautiful. We rode to Ballard Estate. It was a revelation.u00a0 Cycling amidst such lovely architectural marvels and to be told about their history was amazing. I took a deep breath as we crossed Town Hall. A break at Horniman Circle, where Yogesh briefed us about the history of the buildings we just crossed.
We started off again to reach Kalagodha via Lion's Gate Route. We saw Bombay's first five-star hotel, Watson's.u00a0 At Rajabhai Towers, we learnt the symbolism of the eight men across the tower.
Said fellow rider Mehul Shah, who owns two retail furnishing fabric stores, "This was a detailed charted route with predetermined points to stop. I got a lot of information about the city which made me see Bombay as I have never seen it before."u00a0
Lavina Mansukhani, who lives in Bandra, said her husband was baby sitting their two children. "I hadn't cycled for the past decade or so. It was a bit unnerving when the traffic started, but since we were in a group, I got accustomed to it. Ballard Pier was mind-blowing the architecture and the history," she said.
Said Zubein, who came all the way from Bandra, "Today's lifestyle has become monotonous and hectic, it's a nice change to cycle. It's going help the environment and your own fitness. I bought myself a cycle for
this trip."
Echoing this sentiment, Kaushal Sampat, COO of Dun & Bradstreet, one of the oldest Information Services companies in the world, said, "I liked the fact that I could cycle 20 kms u2013 that was a sense of fulfillment. Jayesh's knowledge about the city and its heritage is incredible. I have a tremendous passion for the city and its history.u00a0 I get overseas visitors all the time in the course of my work and to be able to share these nuggets with them is a great motivator."
"Plus, it's a very interesting way to see your city and meet interesting people who have a common interest in heritage. Since the trip, I've been seriously thinking of getting a cycle it was fun, good exercise, and with the kind of cycles available, it seems a viable sort of lifestyle change," he emphasised.
After the chit-chat, we pedelled towards Gateway of India, where we paid homage to those who lost their lives in the terror attack. Then we got on our cycle to come back to where we had begun. Five hours later, I had a sweaty brow and a broad, satisfied smile.
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