MARGO
A record 500 cyclists participated in the Xaxti-100/35 km rides on Sunday, organised by Goa’s hugely-popular cycling club, Xaxti Riders.
While Xaxti-100 is the annual signature ride, the club this year introduced Super 35 km ride as a unique platform to encourage younger cyclists. As many as 32 U-15 children participated in Xaxti-100 and Super 35 cycle rides. “This way, we are passing on our love for cycling to our children,” a parent explained.
In addition, many senior government, defense and police officials rode alongside the men, women, boys and girls. Some of the top-notch officials who completed the rides included Ajit Roy, IAS, Secretary to Chief Minister; Irshad Agha, South Goa Principal District Sessions Judge; Arvinder Singh Sawhney, CO 2STC; Commandant Goa Military Brigadier; Col Charanjit Singh Chahil, CO of 3MTR; Sushil Madhuk, IRS Director Income Tax (investigation); Ms Rijula Uniyal, IRS, Jt Director Income Tax (investigation); Akshat Kaushal, IPS, SP Traffic; and Salim Shaikh, SDPO Vasco.
The riders also included doctors, lawyers, architects, business and IT persons, students, and teachers, among others.
The eldest to participate was 81-year old Rtd.Wg.Cdr. Ajit Guglani, while the youngest cyclist was 9-year old Gaurik Chondankar.
This year 55 riders from Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Karwar, Coorg and Raichur, participated in Xaxti Rides.
