<p>About 15 enthusiastic cyclists from all walks of life are hitting the road every weekend and pedalling 25 km into the suburbs and back. They call themselves ‘Rajajinagar Pedal Power.’ </p>.<p>Led by former minister S Suresh Kumar, the weekly endeavour had its roots in a cycling expedition to celebrate the 75th year of Independence on August 15.</p>.<p>Suresh Kumar asked some participants whether they would like to go on expeditions regularly, and the answer was an enthusiastic yes.</p>.<p>“We ride 50 km every weekend, either on a Saturday or a Sunday. The ride begins at 5 am before the traffic kicks in,” Suresh Kumar tells <span class="italic">Metrolife</span>.</p>.<p>The youngest member of the group is 14 and the oldest 66. The group comprises students, hoteliers and people who run their own businesses. </p>.<p>Impressed by the group’s cycling routine, the Channapatna Cycling Team, comprising 30 professional cyclists, invited them for a joint expedition.</p>.<p>“Twelve of us went to Channapatna and joined them. We rode 60 km,” he says.</p>.<p>Bengaluru has many cycling lanes, but a lot more needs to be done to encourage cyclists, says Suresh Kumar.</p>.<p>“Motorists leave very little space for them to manoeuvre. We have a bicycle mayor and yet Bengaluru has not yet become a cycle-friendly city,” he says. </p>.<p>Sandesh Umashankar, a member of the group, says it is fitness that brought the group together.</p>.<p>“Suresh Kumar sir is the oldest in our group, but he is also the fittest of us all. His commitment to fitness is an inspiration,” he says.</p>.<p>The group carries its own food and water. “On long rides, we have friends who make arrangements for our food and rest,” he adds.</p>.<p>Cyclists have to build stamina to be able to cycle 12 to 14 km a hour, he says. </p>.<p>Suresh Kumar says cycling and walking are among the things that he is passionate about.</p>.<p>“As early as in 1974, I rode my Hercules cycle from Bengaluru to Kanyakumari, covering 670 km. I also rode a cycle through my college studies. Even after I became an advocate, I would go to the court on a cycle,” he says.</p>.<p>He has also travelled by foot to Tirupati, Sabarimala and Dharmasthala. “Even today, I enjoy walking. I embraced these two forms of fitness as a young boy and I continue to follow the regime to this day,” he says.</p>.<p>After he entered politics and became a corporator, he says, he had stopped cycling for some years. </p>.<p><span class="italic"><em>To join the group call Sandesh Umashankar on 95383 03314.</em></span></p>.<p><strong>Places covered</strong></p>.<p>Tavarekere-Sondekoppa</p>.<p>Ghati Subramanya Temple, Doddaballapur</p>.<p>Savandurga in Magadi</p>.<p>Avalahalli forest in Hesaraghatta</p>.<p>Shivgange in Nelamangala</p>.<p>Channapatna</p>.<p><em>(Average ride: 50 km)</em></p>
<p>About 15 enthusiastic cyclists from all walks of life are hitting the road every weekend and pedalling 25 km into the suburbs and back. They call themselves ‘Rajajinagar Pedal Power.’ </p>.<p>Led by former minister S Suresh Kumar, the weekly endeavour had its roots in a cycling expedition to celebrate the 75th year of Independence on August 15.</p>.<p>Suresh Kumar asked some participants whether they would like to go on expeditions regularly, and the answer was an enthusiastic yes.</p>.<p>“We ride 50 km every weekend, either on a Saturday or a Sunday. The ride begins at 5 am before the traffic kicks in,” Suresh Kumar tells <span class="italic">Metrolife</span>.</p>.<p>The youngest member of the group is 14 and the oldest 66. The group comprises students, hoteliers and people who run their own businesses. </p>.<p>Impressed by the group’s cycling routine, the Channapatna Cycling Team, comprising 30 professional cyclists, invited them for a joint expedition.</p>.<p>“Twelve of us went to Channapatna and joined them. We rode 60 km,” he says.</p>.<p>Bengaluru has many cycling lanes, but a lot more needs to be done to encourage cyclists, says Suresh Kumar.</p>.<p>“Motorists leave very little space for them to manoeuvre. We have a bicycle mayor and yet Bengaluru has not yet become a cycle-friendly city,” he says. </p>.<p>Sandesh Umashankar, a member of the group, says it is fitness that brought the group together.</p>.<p>“Suresh Kumar sir is the oldest in our group, but he is also the fittest of us all. His commitment to fitness is an inspiration,” he says.</p>.<p>The group carries its own food and water. “On long rides, we have friends who make arrangements for our food and rest,” he adds.</p>.<p>Cyclists have to build stamina to be able to cycle 12 to 14 km a hour, he says. </p>.<p>Suresh Kumar says cycling and walking are among the things that he is passionate about.</p>.<p>“As early as in 1974, I rode my Hercules cycle from Bengaluru to Kanyakumari, covering 670 km. I also rode a cycle through my college studies. Even after I became an advocate, I would go to the court on a cycle,” he says.</p>.<p>He has also travelled by foot to Tirupati, Sabarimala and Dharmasthala. “Even today, I enjoy walking. I embraced these two forms of fitness as a young boy and I continue to follow the regime to this day,” he says.</p>.<p>After he entered politics and became a corporator, he says, he had stopped cycling for some years. </p>.<p><span class="italic"><em>To join the group call Sandesh Umashankar on 95383 03314.</em></span></p>.<p><strong>Places covered</strong></p>.<p>Tavarekere-Sondekoppa</p>.<p>Ghati Subramanya Temple, Doddaballapur</p>.<p>Savandurga in Magadi</p>.<p>Avalahalli forest in Hesaraghatta</p>.<p>Shivgange in Nelamangala</p>.<p>Channapatna</p>.<p><em>(Average ride: 50 km)</em></p>