This duo is cycling from Kanyakumari to Khardung La for girl child education
These two childhood friends have found a unique way to raise funds for the cause of girl child education. It involves cycling from Kanyakumari to Khardung La Pass on a bamboo-framed cycles.
In Short
- Two young cyclists pedal across Delhi after covering 3,000 kilometres on their cycles.
- Sumeet and Prisiliya aim to raise funds for girl-child education.
- The bamboo-framed bicycle has been designed by Godrej.
Two young cyclists are turning heads as they pedal across Delhi after covering 3,000 kilometres on their cycles made of bamboo.
Sumeet Paringe (26) and his childhood friend Prisiliya Madan (22) are on a journey from Kanyakumari to Khardung La Pass (highest motorable road in the world) to raise funds for the education of girl child.
HOW IT BEGAN
The pair started their journey on July 14 and expects to reach Khardung La Pass, one of the northern-most points of the country, 70 days. They have already cycled for 41 days to reach Delhi on Wednesday where they will take a break of two days before pushing off for the toughest part of their expedition where they will to cover the mighty Himalayas. Each day, they start cycling at sunrise and continue till sunset, covering approximately 100 km.
A WAY TO TEST BAMBOO-FRAMED CYCLES
The duo is not only challenging their physical strength but is also testing viability of specially designed bamboo-framed cycles by Godrej.
"Usually bicycles are made of carbon fibre and aluminium but frames of these bikes are made of bamboo which has tensile strength. It can withstand more pressure than a block of concrete while the plant's natural fibre reduces vibrations from the bike, making the ride more comfortable," Paringe told Mail Today.
AIM TO RAISE RS 50 LAKH, EDUCATE LESS-PRIVILEGED GIRLS
Madan and Paringe have joined hands with Gurgaon-based NGO IIMPACT (formed by IIM-Ahmadabad alumni) and are aiming to raise Rs 50 lakh on the crowdfunding website, www.fueladream.com under the title 'Cyclists For Change', which will be used to spread education to 1,500 economically and socially backward girls. So far, they have managed to raise around Rs 28 lakh.
GENEROUS SIDE OF INDIA EXPLORED
Interestingly, they are not carrying any route map or satellite navigation as the idea is to reach out to maximum people on the way and try and spread awareness in the schools, villages and community falling in their way.
"It has been a great learning experience. India is generally tagged unsafe but we met most hospitable people during our trip. But roads of India is really dangerous where no respect in given to cyclists," Paringe said.
HOW HAS THE DUO PREPARED FOR THIS TRIP?
Both the cyclists have prepared their body for several months to be able to take on the strenuous route.
From pedalling through high temperatures in south India to rain and humidity during the monsoon and extreme cold and harsh condition in Himalayas. The duo hail from Panvel in Mumbai and have been cycling enthusiasts since their childhood.
Sumeet is an engineer and has previously done several long distance solo rides which include ride from Panvel to Siachen.
Both Sumeet and Prisiliya term cycling as their ultimate passion and will continue their ride to generate awareness and get associated with other social projects.
Prisiliya, who has just finished her masters in computer science, is not new to long-haul cycling either.
She too has cycled her way down to Kanyakumari by herself. Madan holds a masters degree in Computer Science, has been involved in Bharatanatyam and crafts work.
INDIAN CITIES NOT FRIENDLY FOR CYCLISTS?
While riding long distances is relatively smooth sailing, the duo concurs that Indian cities have a long way to go in becoming inclusive of cyclists.
"The infrastructure and roads leave a lot to be desired. There are few spaces where we can safely park our cycles. Also, everyone in cars are in a hurry and cycles are almost invisible to them, which is dangerous. Cycling is the perfect solution for our congested cities, if people would use them for travelling short distances at least," Sumeet explains.