The Goan Network
Panaji
Cycling Goa, the registered association of cycling enthusiasts in Goa will kick off their 2016-17 season with a 200 km endurance cycle ride on Sunday, September 25.
Termed ‘Banda Magic’ the 200 km cycle endurance ride needs to be completed in 13hrs-30 minutes. The ride starts from Dona Paula at 6am and will cover Dona Paula-Pernem-Banda-Panjim-Margao-Miramar. The end point is Miramar Circle, which has a cut off time of 7.30pm. These rides are not a race and it does not matter if you reach before 5 hours or reach just before the cut off time. The riders need to complete the ride within the stipulated time limit and all riders are considered finishers and are given equal recognition irrespective of their finishing order.
Cycling Goa’s motto is to get people on the saddle for sport, recreation, exercise and transport. Goa has a rich network of road connectivity and a distinct undulating landscape. This unique feature makes Goan cyclists tougher in all respects, a fact that has been proven beyond doubt in endurance rides organised by Cycling Goa over the past few years.
Endurance cycling as a sport has its origins in France where it is known as ‘Brevet des Randonneurs Mondiaux’ (BRM). Brevets are long-distance, free-paced cycling events spread over 200, 300, 400, 600, or 1000 kms long. The rules require to ride the brevets in a specific time limit (e.g: you have 40 hours to ride a 600 km brevet and 75 hours for a 1000 km). Therefore you do not have much down time and you have to ride at night with a reflective vests and strong lights. The riders have to be self-reliant ( no support vehicles) and are called randonneurs.
In Goa too, the rides have been designed to build a sense of camaraderie among cyclists. Your co-rider is your backup support as these rides expect the riders to be self-sufficient between controls and no support vehicle is permitted. These rides give cycling enthusiasts a platform to test their endurance and be self-sufficient. One needs to be minimum 18 years of age to participate.
To register for the 200 km 'Banda Magic' event (Sept 25) please visit “Cycling Goa” facebook group.
