He is a kid next door “ simple, energetic and religious.What chills him up, anytime, is pedalling his bicycle. The more he pedals, themore peaceful he becomes. “It is a means of relaxation for me whereby I expendmy energies into something positive. And it helps me in exploring new places,which is all the more thrilling,” shares Joel Lars Fernandes when asked why hechose cycle over other sport.
A book by Lance Armstrong, the former world famous roadracing cyclist, inspired Joel to choose cycling as his sport. Sister Laurataught him to ride a bicycle when he was seven, he recalls. Brother Joanathaninspired him into take cycling seriously two years ago, when he completed 16.
“I do not pressurise my parents to purchase expensivebicycles. Infact, I took a loan of Rs 33,000 from my brother to buy a bicycleto participate in a race. I bagged the second prize of Rs 25,000 and was ableto return his money soon. This is my fifth cycle. I pursue this expensive hobbyby tutoring XI science students, and through prize money” Joel admits.
Joel is associated with a cycle group from Panjim “ GoaRandonneurs. There is no age bar to be a member, which arranges endurance testsfor amateur riders. “Along with 33 others, I participated in ‘Brevet’, whichwas a 200-kms run organised by the group. It had to be completed in 13½ hours.I took 12 hours while there was a cyclist who did it in 9 hours,” recalls Joel,adding, “Goan roads are not good for road bikes. One needs level roads and notbumpy ones, as they spoil the fun in a race.”
Speaking on regular workouts and stamina buildingactivities, Joel tells, “It’s tough to balance between studies and cycling. Iget up at 5am and study till 7am. My college is between 8am to 2pm. I practicefor three hours daily. After college I do workouts in our Chowgule College gymfrom 2.30pm to 5.30pm under my trainers “ Ashu Korade and Krishna who advise meto follow a particular diet.
“I have a normal diet but there are restrictions on theintake of oil and sugar,” shares Joel who consumes bananas and boiled eggsbefore and after the workouts and ‘tisan’ (ragi soup) for breakfast.
“Apart from cycling I play football, handball, table tennis,chess and love swimming,” says Joel whose team won the Goa Universityinter-collegiate football tournament in 2011-12.
Currently studying in Third Year BSc, this promising boywants to pursue post-graduation in Organic Chemistry. Hailing from a family ofscholar siblings, Joel is keen to maintain a balance between his hobby andstudies.
