QUEEN’S ROAD:A significant aspect of the Vodafone Cycling Marathon, which was held in the city yesterday, was the surge in the number of women participants at the event. City Express spoke to some of them who competed.
Thirty-year-old HR consultant Sukanya Rajan tells us why cycling is her thing. “At one point, my life had become so monotonous that only the thought of the weekend cheered me up. I used to cycle a lot as a teenager, and after a long break, I decided to start again. Now, I even go on cycling trips with friends. This is the best way to combat stress. It keeps me fit and helps me spend some quality time with my husband, as most of the time we cycle together. We challenge each other on how far we can go,” she says.
“Bengaluru is relatively safe for women cyclists but there are a few challenges, as motorists tend to be rash on the roads. There have been times when I have used the pavements or footpaths to walk with my cycle,” Sukanya adds.
Smita Ahuja (39), owner of an e-commerce portal, shares, “Life is busy as I divide my time between being a mom and running my own online business. This gets challenging and to get around the stress, I started cycling. It was a part of my New Year’s resolution as a means to get and stay fit.”
Speaking about the issue of safety, she says, “I don’t normally feel threatened while cycling but it depends on what time of the day and where I am cycling. I don’t feel very safe when I cycle on roads after 7 pm, especially on those patches where there is no light. Often, men in two-wheelers have come really close and stared at me, which is annoying and frightening. That’s why I choose to cycle only during the day and even then, I avoid quiet roads.”
“Pollution is another issue that affects me. Some days, I get stuck behind a bus or a truck that is emitting smoke and it suffocates me. But still, cycling is the only form of exercise that makes me forget about the ticking clock. It is low-impact and at the same time, excellent for cardiovascular fitness and building strength and stamina. It targets the hips and thighs — areas where we Indian women have a natural tendency to put on weight,” she explains.
Lalitha K V (32), a market researcher, says, “I believe life is a one-time offer and we must use it well. Working as a team leader in a software firm and doing what the job demands sometimes burns me out. Getting some fresh air by cycling on open roads cools me down. It’s been over eight months since I started cycling. During one of my foreign trips, the sight of cyclists exploring different scenic spots fascinated me. Back in India, it did take me a few days to finally start but once I did, there was no looking back.”
About cycling in Bengaluru, she says, “The only challenge is riding on traffic infested roads where obviously cyclists are in the minority. Over a period of time, this might change. North Bengaluru has some amazing places to cycle to like Hessarghatta, the GKVK campus and nearby green belt areas. Cycling has also helped me network with loads of like-minded people.”
Forty-year-old Shivla Saksena works in the CSR sector and says, “My job gives me the satisfaction of making a difference in the lives of many. At the same time, it is not without the pressures of a corporate job and entails fire-fighting, managing a team and keeping them motivated. There are deadlines to meet and most importantly, one must maintain a work-life balance, ensuring that the family’s needs are met. To cope with such challenges on a regular basis, I believe that physical and mental fitness are most important. A strong body and mind are key in facing hectic schedules and combating stressful situations.”
She adds, “I purchased a cycle exactly one year ago and participated in my first race 20 days later, completing a 20-km route successfully.”
Among the challenges cyclists like her face, she names traffic woes, lack of cycling paths and apathy to cyclists on the road. “The only thing women need to think about before hitting the pedal is to avoid cycling in the night and always wear a helmet.”