[CEF_Beasts]

I have loved cycling in Mumbai and have taken part in several cyclothons across Mumbai as well but when I moved to college last year in Vellore, I realised how bad Mumbai is for cyclists! The roads in Mumbai are riddled with potholes, other road users do not leave any space for you, random speed-breakers are part off your journey and the most irritating is when you pick up reasonable pace some or the other car/bike or pedestrian comes in your path and you have slow down also not to forget the sultry weather where in 5 minutes you start sweating. In comparision I agree Vellore is a much smaller town but it has wider roads, lesser traffic and no sudden incline/decline.

Let the pictures do the talking



















It was a pleasure cycling on these roads! Did 40kms in 1 hour without any fatigue.

Well we can't expect this in the metros so I don't feel like cycling in Mumbai any longer. Although during this lockdown period more and more people have bought cycles in India, never have I seen such a surge in cycle sales.

[Meer]

In Pune, there is no stock for bikes like Trek, Marin etc or at Decathlon or our brands like Montra or Firefox, especially Hybrids which many prefer. One cycle shop owner told me "Sir, it is easier to find God than get a new hybrid cycle". Finally after 2 months wait I got my new Marin in Pune. Gave up waiting for Trek as it will only be available next year! Even in the used cycle market, good cycles are few and far between and they are going at an exorbitant price. So definitely it is a huge challenge. In western countries where waiting list is more organised, list is now stretching to August next year is what my friends have told me!!

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Meer

Finally after 2 months wait I got my new Marin in Pune. Gave up waiting for Trek as it will only be available next year!

Santosh has been kind to you

Most of these cycles will be used for drying unmentionables inside a month or two.

A 140+ kilo friend of mine similarly did 2 months of nearly daily internet "research" and thousands of hours on WA and phone calls to buy his steel Marin (one of very few models rated for his weight). Permutations and combinations of the best components, customized tyres, etc.

I think he never rode more than a hundred kilometers on it finally. Now not a peep out of him about cycling. So I'm guessing his 5XL unmentionables are drying on the saddle (changed) and top tube. Or the extra wide handlebar which he spent hours obsessing over how many cm from either end to lop off ....

Criminal waste is what it is.

Cheers, Doc

[Meer]

Agree, that's where it all ends up as I see a lot of bicycles rotting away in basement in my society as well. Fingers crossed that mine won't up that way! Did over 10k kms in 3 years on bicycle in Singapore, hoping to atleast do a fraction of the same here! Amen