THE LONG HAUL
Forbes India|March 13, 2020
For self-supported long-distance cyclists, it is more about winning over their body and mind rather than the race
SHAIL DESAI
THE LONG HAUL

While growing up in Alibag, near Mumbai, one of the earliest adventures that Sumit Patil undertook was a seven-day cycling trip with a few friends from school. All that they carried with them was a bag with a few essentials and spare parts for their bicycles.

Over time, the distances grew longer for Patil, as the bicycle became a means to explore different parts of the country. The minimal gear was strapped on to his ride, and while he had a general idea about the route, there was no planned itinerary. The idea was to soak in the adventures that the open road offered and cherish the generosity of the people he met en route.

Last July, Patil lined up alongside five other cyclists in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. And while the idea remained the same—the riders carried supplies on their bicycles to take on the 650-odd kilometres to Turtuk in Ladakh—this time there was a time constraint to be dealt with: Patil was riding his first self-supported race called the La La Land Ultra.

Although the humble bicycle has been around as a mode of transport for a couple of centuries, in the course of time it became a means of travelling over long distances. In India, long-distance cycling grew in popularity when randonneuring arrived around a decade ago. Cycling groups in various pockets of the country negotiated hundreds of kilometres as part of brevets, supporting each other on the route while sourcing supplies such as food and water along the way. The ultimate aim for most was a sense of achievement and the joy of finishing the ride.

“The format is to be self-sufficient and take care of yourself on the ride. At the same time, it doesn’t require much fitness, so it’s accessible to a lot of people of different ages. It’s been a huge part of the growth of long-distance cycling,” says Divya Tate, who founded Audax India Randonneurs and started overseeing randonneuring in India in 2011.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FORBES INDIAView all
Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued
Forbes India

Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued

The pandemic has also brought with it an improved focus on hygiene, use of technology in dining, rise of cloud kitchens and resurgence in popularity of Indian ingredients

time-read
8 mins  |
May 21, 2021
Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years
Forbes India

Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years

As of 2020, Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s super app for financial services had run up losses in thousands of crores. Now, as digital payments gets yet another boost courtesy Covid-19, he’s hopeful of reaching near breakeven in two years

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 4, 2021
THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN
Forbes India

THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN

Covid-19 has shown that women are more likely to face the brunt of job losses than men, and find fewer opportunities when they want to resume. That apart, several have to deal with increased hours of unpaid work at home and even domestic abuse

time-read
8 mins  |
May 21, 2021
LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE
Forbes India

LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE

Leaders must not only guard their teams first during a crisis, but also deal with stakeholders with respect and dignity. And apart from pursuing business goals, they should remain committed to our planet and the environment

time-read
7 mins  |
May 21, 2021
PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST
Forbes India

PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST

Apart from building a flexible and resilient framework for the future, philanthropists, civil society and the government must work in tandem so that every rupee is absorbed on the ground

time-read
9 mins  |
May 21, 2021
INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR
Forbes India

INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR

While clinical research will get a boost, having a skilled workforce and public spending on health care will be challenges in the near term

time-read
8 mins  |
May 21, 2021
DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION
Forbes India

DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION

As the pandemic brings technology and innovation to the core of business and daily life, the next decade will see about 150 million digital-first families in India

time-read
8 mins  |
May 21, 2021
Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?
Forbes India

Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?

Augmenting sustainability alongside digital capabilities is an economic, competitive and global opportunity for India’s businesses, but regulations need to reflect intent

time-read
10 mins  |
June 4, 2021
EV Dream Still Miles Away
Forbes India

EV Dream Still Miles Away

Electric vehicles have remained a buzzword in India for years. But not much has moved on ground due to high upfront costs, range anxiety and charging infrastructure

time-read
6 mins  |
June 4, 2021
Living Waters
Forbes India

Living Waters

A virus has caused us to scramble for oxygen but our chokehold on the environment is slowly strangling the very waters that breathe life into us. The virus is a timely reminder: We are merely consumers, not producers of life’s breath on this planet

time-read
4 mins  |
June 4, 2021