’Trek Mangaluru Challenge’ a passion in cycling takes off

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 08, 2015: Mangaluru city’s passion for cycling, is taking the form of a ’challenge’. A 30-day Trek ’Mangaluru Challenge’ launched jointly by Jyoti Cycle and Fitness and Firefox Bikes Pvt Ltd in September for 30 days saw avid cyclers stretch their sinew to the maximum with idea of topping the challenge, objective of which was to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of people, who ride their bicycle regularly in this coastal city.

The qualification criterion was any rider who completes 500km with minimum of 20 riding days and minimum of 15kms per riding day. Criterion for the winner was anyone who completes 1,500km with maximum riding days and maximum elevation. Tracking of the challenge was based on updates from Strava application, a GPS mobile based app that is universally used by runners and cyclers across the world.

The challenge approximately has 45 participants, out of which 10 riders qualified and three did so with exceptional performance. Champion of the contest was Kishan Bangera who rode all 30 days covering 2,792km with a maximum elevation gain of 30,526 meters. He earned a Trek gift voucher worth Rs 10,000. Kishan, 49, is a body builder who has won several accolades at national level in this field and works with the Indian Railways.

Ganesh Nayak, an intrepid biker, who organized the challenge, told TOI that Kishan despite his busy work schedule takes time out for his passion which is cycling. Dony Menezes who rode all 30 days covering 2,391km with an elevation gain of 27,899 meters finished runner up to Kishan earning a Trek gift voucher worth Rs 5,000. Dony, 47, a businessman accompanies Kishan every day on his cycling activity and considers him his Guru!

Nishant Chand who rode all 30 days covering 1641km with an elevation of 14514 meters finished third to earn gift voucher from Trek worth Rs 2,500. Just 23, Nishan who works for Air India is a passionate cyclist and uses this to commute for all his petty needs. Ganesh said Kishan an event was set up on the Facebook Page created for the challenge and cyclists joined by like the same, she said. The winners will receive their prize Nov 8.