Many would have apprehensions about the viability of bicycles in Kochi in this era of advanced motor vehicles. But, not this group of passionate bicycle lovers in the city. They are ready to tackle the question creatively as the city gets ready to host Brevet - a non-profit cycling event that has its origin in France.
Baptised as ‘Cochin Classic 200 BRMA’, Kochi Brevet is scheduled to be held on January 19.
According to Abraham Clancy Ross, a biker and a organiser of the event, a Brevet characteristically brings together cycling enthusiasts from around the nation who congregate to endorse the common cause of promoting cycling as the perfect environmental-friendly mode of transport.
The Brevet has its beginnings in Audax cycling. Audax (‘audacious’) is a cycling sport in which participants attempt to cycle long distances within a predefined time limit. Audax is a non-competitive sport and here success is measured by the completion of the event.
“Randonneuring is a long-distance endurance cycling sport internationally administered by Audax Club Parisien, France, through various accredited clubs or organisations in various countries. Brevet is a randonneuring event in which a cyclist has to complete the allocated distance 200 km or more within a certain timeframe passing through various checking points. Any vehicle solely powered by human is allowed to participate in Brevet,” said Dinkar Mohana Pai, another organiser and biker.
Kochi Brevet is jointly organised by Cochin Bikers Club and Happy Bikers, two groups of bicycle enthusiasts in Kochi. Organisers informed that the first Brevet in Kochi will be organised from Kochi to Moovatupuzha through Piravom.
They said they have consciously opted to ride through interiors to help interaction among participants and with public. The bikers will return in the same route and they will cover approximately about 208 km in 13.5 hours.
Organisers told Express that Kochi will be the eight city in India to host this endurance ride.