This story is from November 29, 2014

Brevets to put Kolkata on cycling map

On Saturday Kolkata will join major cities across the globe to host Brevets, a form of endurance cycling held under the aegis of French cycling club Audax Club Parisien (ACP).
Brevets to put Kolkata on cycling map
KOLKATA: On Saturday Kolkata will join major cities across the globe to host Brevets, a form of endurance cycling held under the aegis of French cycling club Audax Club Parisien (ACP). Though the event will put Kolkata on the international cycling map, pedalling is banned on 62 roads, making it the most unfriendly city for cyclists.
Kolkata will launch Brevets with the 200-km Great Langcha Ride from Kolkata to Shaktigarh on November 28 and a 300-km Cross Wind Ride from Kolkata to Panagarh on November 29.
Twin rides on December 20 — 400-km Coal Belt Ride from Kolkata to Raniganj and 600-km Two States Ride from Kolkata to Topchanchi Lake in Dhanbar, Jharkhand — will follow.
There will be more rides next year on Janaury 23, February 21, March 21, September 12 and October 10.
Brevets is short for Brevets de Randonneurs Mondiaux (BRM), which has fixed distances to be completed within specified time limits. The rides of 200, 300, 400 and 600kms are approved and governed by ACP.
Discover on Wheels (DoW), the city’s only registered cycling group that has bagged the event, hopes to capitalize on the groundswell in interest in cycling, after Amitabh Bachhan cycled around the city during a recent shoot, to provide the momentum to the first set of Brevets. Audax India Randonneur, the Indian chapter of ACP, will oversee the rides.
Brevets are held in France, Germany, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, South Korea, Denmark, UAE, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel and
Japan. In India, Brevets are held in Delhi, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.
“Brevets are held in cities and towns involving the urban population. But with the ‘No Cycling’ restriction in Kolkata, we have created the routes outside city limits,” said DoW co-founder Nishant Maheshwari.
Divya Tate, head, Audax India Randonneur and ACP national representative, expects the Kolkata cycling community to embrace the event with
passion.
Overall time limits for the rides vary according to distance. The 200km-ride has 13 hours and 30 minutes, 300km-ride has 20 hours, 400km-ride has 27 hours and there are 40 hours for the 600km-ride.
Any rider above 18 can participate. Those under 18 must get a consent form signed by the parent or legal guardian. All conventional bicycles are allowed but must sport front and rear lights.
The cyclist also has to wear a helmet and a reflective vest.
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About the Author
Subhro Niyogi

Subhro Niyogi is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, and his job responsibilities include reporting, editing and coordination of news and news features. His hobbies include photography, driving and reading.

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