The Chain Gang: On a Fun-filled Green Mission

June 13, 2011 

It’s 7.30 pm and at the end of the line of luxurious cars parked outside Hotel Vridanvan near Kadri Circle in Mangalore is a set of sleek and sporty bicycles! This scene is recreated here every day at the same time. It’s not the hotel food that brings these cyclists here; it’s the meeting point for The Chain Gang!

This bunch of young techies have found their new love in cycling and every day they escape from their air-conditioned offices and run out of the world of computers into nature’s arms as they go around the city and outskirts on green wheels.

Today it’s Bajpe, tomorrow Surathkal: and this way the gang has explored numerous places. Each one of them has an interesting story on how they took to cycling. They are now on a mission to popularize cycling in Mangalore for the numerous benefits it offers to individuals and the environment.

Mithun Miranda, an electrical design engineer at BCS Control System, was inspired during his childhood after seeing Shahrukh Khan on TV riding a bicycle. He then was in search for companions and lo! he bumped into Puneeth, the youngest member of the team who is a project manager at Diya Systems. 

This ripple effect reached out to Laxmeesh V Shenoy, proprietor of TeamDezigners and to Roshan Madtha, project manager at Mphasis. While Laxmeesh was a die-hard fan of the cycling Salman Khan, Roshan was brought up in Vittal and would rent a bicycle for Re1 per hour to enjoy the ride. Although his father could not afford a bicycle, Roshan was determined that one day he will buy his dream bicycle from his hard-earned money. The day finally dawned when he was a part of an NCC expedition cycling 300 kms! Cycling then became a part of his life. 

In came Ravish Kudva and Manjith, both from @tlantic Data, who along with Mohith Kumar, made the team a houseful. Mohith is a dynamic writer and a mechanical engineer by profession. He brought to the team rich experience in mountain biking. Cycling is what brought these techies together and opened to them a world of experiences and fun.

“We ride on the roads and people just keep staring at us. Few of them ask us where we are cycling. Most make fun of us. Cycling in other countries esp. in the developed countries is a common thing. But here it is linked to prestige and a cyclist is looked down upon,” says Roshan Madtha.

“Most come and see our bikes with amazement. These bikes are little more expensive than the ordinary bikes but it’s just a one-time investment with multiple benefits and our contribution to conserve earth,” says Mithun who takes the role of a cycle expert in the team guiding the rest with his expertise and knowledge.

Each one in the team is an example of how cycling can be beneficial at various levels.

Puneeth who is lanky has developed a good appetite from cycling and is feeling good about it. Roshan finds cycling relaxing, while Laxmeesh has learnt to relate in a different way to nature through their mini cycling expeditions.  

Taking a daily dose of fresh air by riding away from the air conditioned office rooms, every member of The Chain Gang is an ambassador of environment protection and healthy living.

“The important benefit is that cycling builds stamina and due to sweating all the toxins from the body are thrown out and kidneys cleaned. Cycling at 10mph can burn 560 calories in one hour. It is also a de-stressor,” explains Roshan.

Group cycling is fun, says Laxmeesh. It’s a fulfilling time-pass also. Every trip strengths the bond between the members and helps us relate to each other and nature.

An obese colleague once criticized Puneeth demeaning his efforts. “You will become so thin with cycling that you will disappear one day,” he said. A poised Puneeth replied: “I cycle because I don’t want to become like you.” An adventure lover, Puneeth is always up to some stunt show with his cycle. While most of us prefer visiting malls and spending our weekends, this bunch of explorers love cycling around.

Lots of people find excessive weight gain a big problem; they have difficulty handling it, and there are times they thought that it’s impossible to reduce. They will try solutions like jogging in the morning but they find it burdensome because one needs to wake up early for that. Then comes options such as gym, but with high pricing and deadlines to meet if you have work every day, they give up.

Cycling thus is a good option. Buy yourself an excellent bike as an investment; you can use it during weekends. Associating with a group brings in commitment to join the daily/weekly expeditions. 

This is an excellent type of exercising; it improves your aerobic as well as endurance capacity. It tones down several groups of muscle like thighs and calves, and it strengthens your back. You’ll be able to burn fats between 200-750 calories if you do one hour of cycling, which however, is dependent on your intensity.

Cycling lowers the risk of getting cardiovascular diseases, prevents high BP, improves the levels of the good cholesterol or High Density Lipoprotein in blood, and improves muscle strength, balance and coordination. 
Apart from these cycling is a complete leisure activity and gives you the opportunity to spend time with friends and discover new places. 

The Chain Gang is an open group and invites young and old to join the green ride. They can be tracked on Facebook too on http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/home.php?sk=group_175273669191715.

By Vinod Prem Lobo
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Comment on this article

  • Sunil Tonse, Udupi

    Wed, Jun 22 2011

    Proud of you "ZERO Emission" Ravish and ur Gang of Chains... :-)

  • Darel, Vamanjoor

    Sun, Jun 19 2011

    Keep going chain gang!!
    Cycling is every ones favourite activity in childhood days.The fun is missed and always remembered through out the life! Good activity to keep both body and mind fresh n all the best for your mission of popularizing cycling in town. No doubt it would help in decreasing amount of pollution if larrge no of people join this mission.

  • John DSouza, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 18 2011

    Cycle to exercise, fun and pass time. Bike to race and reach fast.
    Good deal. Promotion and advertisement.

  • Sanjay, Bangalore India

    Sat, Jun 18 2011

    Guys you are doing a wonderful Job just keep going and dont stop !!!

  • Royston D'souza, Kinnigoli/dubai

    Sat, Jun 18 2011

    Good job guys!

  • pavan, mangalore

    Sat, Jun 18 2011

    hey puneeth ..so you know helmet is meant for head !!... we only have seen puneeth zooming on his bike in full speed with helmet hanging in his hand

  • Kiran, Udupi

    Fri, Jun 17 2011

    Good going guys!!! All the best
    Congratulations Puneeth on being promoted as Project Manager at Diya System... May you grow more in the company with many more new designations to come...

  • adshenoy, mangloor

    Fri, Jun 17 2011

    Wonderful fellows. Way to go. Lets kick off this campaign all over India.Good for enviornment, health and pocket books.

  • Laxmeesh Shenoy, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 17 2011

    Sananth Thank you. We r a Group , n its our groups Dream not only Mine.. n It should be the dream of other pple too ..so tat they can enjoy Riding Bi-Cycle...

  • Divya, Mlore

    Thu, Jun 16 2011

    WOW ! This looks amazing truly an inspiration for all moreover very proud of my Ex Manager Mr Roshan Madtha, Sir i wld surely love to join the chain gang it has all the benefits which will make us healthy & strong also its grt fun. All the Best Chain Gang keep up this spirit, Keep going !

  • Jimmy Noronha, Bellore,Kulshekar,Lucknow

    Thu, Jun 16 2011

    It is really touching to note the great enthusiasm and what’s more the greater culture among the Chain Gang by their outpouring gratitude shown to those who had taken little pain to pen a few words on their blog. I am moved by their great spirit, and sprouting enthusiasm for cycling. When I was in Mangalore in May 7th thru 12th I was disappointed to note that cycling in Mangalore was on the verge of extinction and now thanks to the Chain Gang the zeal for cycling in Mangalore has suddenly sprung forth in gay abandon and I am sure there will be a bright future for it by which means one can be one with nature and bask in the sylvan surroundings to ones heart’s content. Thanks once again to you all for your pains and reciprocation.

  • The Chain Gang, Manglaore

    Thu, Jun 16 2011

    @ Mr.John D'souza: We're very happy that you are offering to share your thoughts and ideas with us. We'll get back to you soon. Thank you very much.

  • joyce, mangalore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    hey girls where are all of you?
    join the cain gang and have fun and good health too

  • joyce, mangalore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    Hey girls where are all of you?
    join the chain gang and have fun and good health too

  • The Chain Gang, Manglaore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    Our hearty thanks to Mr.Jimmy Noronha, Ms.Sunidhi, Mr.Sanjay, Mr.Sanath Anchan, Mr.Prakash, Ms.Severine Furtado, Mr.A.S.Mathew, Mr.Suresh M, Mr.Bulsam, Ms.Reena Pereira, Mr.Manohar Punja, Mr.John D'souza, Ms.Reena, Mr.Tony, Mr.Ganaraj, Mr.H.M.Pernal, Mr.Rony D'souza, Mr.Rohith Mallya, Ms.Diana Sequeira, Mr.Sudheer, Mr.Nikil Vittal, Mr.Savil, Mr.Arun Shetty, Mr.Adil, Mr.Steve, Mr.Pruthu for your support and encouragement. Let us all join hands to make our Mother Earth healthy, by which process we too get healthy and happy. Let's celebrate cycling and life as a whole. Cheers! :)
    PS: If u want to know what is happening in Indian cycling scenario, please go to www.cyclists.in. This is a social network site for cyclists all over India.

  • The Chain Gang, Manglaore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    @ Steve : Nice to hear your bicycle excapades. May be we all have a child inside us who refuses to grow up :) We still enjoy cycling as much as we did when, as a kid, we used to rent one for 5 bucks an hour and ride the hell out of that poor thing . :)

  • John D'Souza, Mangalore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    Congratulations, to the chain of gang with a great mission. Your wish and step towards change is appreciable.
    The number of young members in your gang and encouraging chain of responses is your strength and support.
    As I am abroad right now, kindly send me your email contact at jljcsouza@hotmail.com.
    I am hopeful that my couple of decades old idea, thoughts and views find light through the youth power of chain gang.
    All the best.

  • The Chain Gang, Manglaore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    @ Suresh M & Rohith Mallya : please refer http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Chain-Gang/191377850912730

  • The Chain Gang, Manglaore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    @ Mr.Tony: Very happy to hear that you have separate cycling tracks at Australia.
    It's always an unnerving feeling when you come out to the road for the first time on a bicycle. You feel very vulnerable on that little piece of metal with two wheels :) It's a small risk but as you get compfy with and understand your machine you will get confidence.Night riding is very risky though because of the visibility problems. And lot of vehicles don't consider bicycle as 'one of them' so you need to keep watching your back before making any moves. Bad roads are not a problem because the the latest mid and high end sport MTB's are built to handle every kind of road imaginable and even 'no road' also! The natural stability ans suspension of the bikes are so good, you actually enjoy riding on bad roads :)
    PS We hope you pick up your helmet and bike and start riding.

  • The Chain Gang, Manglaore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    @ Mr.John D'souza: Yes, we do feel that there is urgent need for a revolution in the land transport sector. Which vehicle out there which deserves to bring this revolution? It is the good ol' bicycle! The most efficient, simple and elegant form of transport ever invented.
    Cycling also makes you socially aware because a cyclist is not zooming past at 100kmph, but he/she is gliding with the natural flow. You sense everything around you. Cycling connects you with the society. Every other form of transport disconnects you from society.

  • The Chain Gang, Manglaore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    Thanks a lot Mr Poonja for your concern. As of now we are avoiding high risk traffic situations. So we feel okay to ride without helmets. Eventually we will have everyone riding with proper riding gear.

  • The Chain Gang, Mangalore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    Sanjay, great to have you with us. Thanks for your wishes. We wish you all the best for your future expedtions. We're with you.

  • The Chain Gang,

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    Thank you very much Mr Noronha for sharing your son's passion with us. The expeditions of the kind your son has undertaken require lot of dedication and determination. Anybody can zoom off from A to B on a motorcycle or a car. But cyclists are a breed apart. The Chain Gang salutes your son and wish him all the best for his future expeditions.

  • Pruthu, Ahmedabad

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    Hi Friende
    Great to see people going for bycycle, a day is near when we all will have to use it with no option left out, so why not today?

  • Steve, Kuwait

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    We used to do the same until 2nd P.U.C. Taking bicyles and going in a group on Sunday evenings. We try to wear uniforms and people used watch us. I remember once we visited MRPL and came back to Mangalore and the total KM of our trip was 40 kms in just 3 hours time. We even rode with pillion and sometimes 3 in one bicycle. What an enjoyment we had. Cycling will reduce the belly fat for sure. Hey Roshan, you will def. benefit from this.

  • adil adil, mangalore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    May allah bless your rides with freedom and spirit. You guys are doing a great job.

  • H M Pernal , Mangalore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    Sudheer , the gist is as u said , Fun is boyz majboori , daily bread is paperwala majboori.Simple and That is all. Same funda wid smoking too. It is on one hand smokers majburi on the other sellers beedi workers. Reality , Nothing negative to it.Agree reality always bitter.

  • anola, Bangalore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    M proud of u guys... keep up the spirit..

  • manjith, mangalore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    ROhith Of course you can! join us on facebook to get the latest s. Hope to see you soon

  • mithun, mangalore

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    Dear Mr Pernal,

    The question I'd like to ask you is-
    If those chai wala's , paperwala's and doodh wala's had access/could afford a motorcycle, would they still be riding a bicycle? they'd abandon them at the first shot.. atleast most of them.

    Riding a Bicycle is NOT our Majboori, each one of us has our own cars, We ride a bicycle because we like to,we're passionate about them, not because we HAVE to, its not an obligation.

    Regarding your saying about us projecting it as a big thing, we have been riding long before we got this exposure, and would still be riding even if we wouldnt have gotten this exposure,the purpose of this article is to encourage more people like us to pick up cycling as an activity.

    I am unable to get the gist of what you are trying to point here

  • Arun shetty, Mangalore / Dubai

    Wed, Jun 15 2011

    Boys I am with you. It is nice to see you people are doing such a wonderful job.
    Let us help youth to motivate for biking now a day’s all are running behind motor bikes only few are doing good job.
    Neglect negative comments it is always important to pick up positive

  • Savil, Vittal

    Tue, Jun 14 2011

    HM please change your attitude. You cannot always comment negative. These boys are riding for a good cause. Please develop some appreciation skills too. Remember positive thinkers writers will generate good society negative attitude is self time bomb it will destroy individual and Cause.

  • Nikil Vittal, Vittal

    Tue, Jun 14 2011

    Hey HM Pernal Paper wala does his profession. These boys are spreading some awareness. Let us bench Mark the difference. You misunderstood the mission this is not for the publicity this is mission to generate awareness. It is easy to criticise but difficult to follow. Request you to pedal with us to spread the message.

    People should change the attitude towards the young generation New generation is coming out with lots of new ideas and practicalities. It is the responsibility of individual to motivate youth. There are 1000 ways to criticise any good cause. But quite difficult to follow for them.

  • sudheer, Mangalore

    Tue, Jun 14 2011

    Mr. H M Pernal
    Please read teh title of the post carefully before making untoward comments on anyone. It Says fun filled not hard labour Mission.

  • Laxmeesh Shenoy, Mangalore

    Tue, Jun 14 2011

    thank You Ms.Diana., U are absolutely right, if pple like Pernal change their pointof view .. n help in a better cause ..there wont be more effort to go green... n let him or any body be clear enough v "The Chain Gang" members are not on this cause to earn some money out of it.. v r trying to encourage pple to pedal n v give them scope to full fill it. n stay healthy..

  • diana sequeira, mangalaore

    Tue, Jun 14 2011

    Dear MR.H M Pernal
    I think your not understanding the Point here, These are not Paperwala , Doodhwala , Chaiwala etc. But these are people from good family backgrounds, who also have the luxury to drive fast cars and bikes. But in-spite of that, they are trying to convey the message to the youth on the good effects of cycling. D'ont you drive a car or a bike? that's your Majboori, Pedal for 60KMS at a stretch with these guys and you will know what they are trying to convey. Sitting in a corner and commenting on the website... You are not helping the generation in any good way possible.

    Thanks,
    Diana

  • H M Pernal , Mangalore

    Tue, Jun 14 2011

    @puneeth , i appreciate. The point missed here is , not only in this city in other cities too there are many people who cycle miles daily. Paperwala , Doodhwala , Chaiwala. Do they claim and project that they are on mission? They do it to earn their daily bread. That is their majboori. And you do it here for your health & fitness. This is your majboori. While you people project it as if you are doing some thing great they don't have a penny to repair their cycle. This is reality which can not be ignored.

  • Rohit Mallya, Mangalore

    Tue, Jun 14 2011

    These days when I talk to my friends about cycling they laugh at me saying " MAD OR WHAT MALLYA?? ITS TIME TO RIDE BIKES AND DRIVE CARS!!"

    Wow!!! Congrats CHAIN GANG!!
    Its really nice to see when WE the future of India & the world do something for our Mother Nature.
    I too would like to join the Group and make my contribution in serving my Mother Earth. :)
    And yeah!! For the sake of health too!! :)
    So CHAIN GANG, may I join the mission???

  • Puneeth, Mangalore

    Tue, Jun 14 2011

    @HMP @Diya or whatever.. I was anticipating such type of comments.. it has added more value to this post.. Good Job..

  • Rony Dsouza, Nanthoor

    Tue, Jun 14 2011

    Nice work.. Hope more people join your gang and help make Mangalore a green city.. With the diminishing fuel reserves, there'll be no option but to resort to bicycles in the near future and you guys are the pioneers..

  • Manjith Shenoy, Mangalore

    Tue, Jun 14 2011

    THE CHAIN GANG aka TCG is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Like minded people from different walks of life come together to step on the pedal... Cycling is a great stress buster ever. Its fun and keeps you healthy.

  • H M Pernal , Mangalore

    Tue, Jun 14 2011

    I got a sms so I visited this page.Congratulations Chain Gang. You deserve a pat on back. But ...Awareness , Health , Enviornment - everything is fine. But what is the use ? What Diya from Diya systems says is right and I second it. she says : Nice way of creating awareness about health and about conserving enviornment.But puneet you can contribute more when you stop smoking. Don't you think this is billion dollar worth comment. And I think there are many many more Puneets around us who advice us for going green , what abt them ? forget their health , often their smoking habits are hazard to others health. What I honestly feel , what you are doing do it , aapki marji , but don't project it as if you are doing a great deed. It becomes hollow when someone like diya comments. So instead of going crazy on publicity try to practice what you are going to preach. Cheers boyz !

  • GANARAJ, MANGALORE

    Tue, Jun 14 2011

    GOOD. you guys can be a role model to others. just take it up as comittment and take it forward. you can save country by not producing carbon , improve health , burn calory , and contributing to ecology.6

  • Tony, Mangalore/Sydney

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    The whole mission and concept is good and highly commendable, especially with an environmental and fitness point of view, but one caution though, the roads leading from Mangalore to Suratkal, Bajpe, Gurpur/Ganjimata, Bantwal, Ullal, etc are so narrow, busy and congested, with so much traffic plying throughout the day consisting of buses, trucks, tempos, cars, scooters and motor cycle, etc, in addition to all the people walking along, and the road repairs and construction work that has been going on forever, the cyclists should all the time be careful, as they are vulnerable to accidents and mishaps under such adverse traffic conditions. One solution for these cyclists would be to venture out early in the morning hours, as there would be less traffic then, or find some secluded cycling tracks and traffic free areas, which I suppose, unfortunately, hard to come by in Mangalore! Cycling during the evening and night time is definitely not recommended as there are so many pot holes and uneven roads, and also the cyclists are not easily visible to other motorists. All the same, good luck to you boys and wish you well in your ventures. P.S: Even I have a bicycle with a helmet lying in my garage, but rarely do I use on the Sydney roads mainly because of the heavy traffic. Fortunately, we here in Sydney, have separate tracks exclusively marked for cycling, where one can enjoy his/her cycling activities.

  • Reena, Bantwal

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Hi Vinod,

    Good Article. Never knew that cycling was so much fun, but these pics have made me to beleive it. So the gen next whoever have put their bicyle in attic or in a corner of a house to rust take it out and start cycling. Lets make cycling a trend once again and it will be good to health and environment

  • John Dsouza, Mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Interesting, encouraging and environmental friendly.
    After a lengthy evolution, now the land transport sector also is looking for a revolution, like the communication sector revolution (especially Telecommunication with information Technology).
    This will be a stronger move to gain better benefits.
    Mainly, the lower utilization of expensive and exhausting fuel, considerable reduction in air pollution and sound pollution, utilization of alternate energy which is cheaper and abundant in supply.
    This will lead to multiple social and economic activities by making the environment a better place to live with peace and comfort.

  • Manohar Punja M D, usa

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Please wear helmets! We would hate to lose you at a such a young age !

  • Ravish, Mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    A mission to make ppl aware and reach to masses is only possible these media, small little thing like this can bring a big change,
    so ppl lets join hand together and will do what we can do to the nature... Cheers to 'The Chain Gang'

    Thanks Vinod and Daijiworld

  • Reena Pereira, mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Congrats Mithun.. I'm proud of you and your chain gang.. I wish you all the very best in future so that your gang gets bigger and famous.

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Please excuse me " less pollution
    in the atmosphere".

  • Bulsam, Mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Congrats chain gang. Pool in more gang members on sundays and venture into the hills and dales of this region. Equally it is important to be disciplined, all should wear the halmet and if required the hand grips.
    Good luck!

  • suresh m, mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Lovely! good to see young guys are making people aware of the benefits of cycling! do you guys also do mountain biking? Is there any place where I can join you guys?

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    If we can use the bicycle to reach
    the short distance to the work
    place, in the long run we are
    making ourselves healthy, energetic, less poplution in the
    atmosphere, less accidents, less
    visit to the doctor's office and
    more money saved.

    Hearty congratulations: Let this
    cycle revolution may spread
    all over India, especially in the
    mega cities where the traffic jam
    is getting worse every day.

  • Diya, Diya Systems

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Nice way of creating awareness about health and about conserving enviornment..But puneet you can contribute more when you stop smoking

  • Puneeth, Mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Very well written. And my wishes to all of them who are into this sport and also for those who supports... I know its hard to live without all those fuel operated vehicles.. At the same time, everyone should think and start using bicycles for short distances commuting.. If they don't do it now, not to worry, soon cycling will be the only way to commute.. @Jimmy Thanks for sharing the website.. liked it..

  • Mohith, Manglaore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Thank you Vinod for the article and thank you Daijiworld for helping us reach out to the world.
    We do cycling primarily because of passion and conservation point of view. We all started as individuals who used to ride on their own not knowing there's somebody else out there doing the same.But destiny brought us all together.
    Cycling as a lifestyle activity is still long way to go in India. People would rather sit on a stationery gym bicycle and pedal away to glory staring at the ceiling than spend 10K on a proper sports bicycle and come outdoors. Of course the traffic, noise, dust and risks are the factors which discourage some. But for somebody who is really determined to bring a change which he/she feels is in the right directtion, the obstacles look like molehills than mountains.
    Anybody who has the determination to bring a change to themselves and to the society and also to make mother Earth a 'small little' healthier are welcome to join us.

  • Severine Furtado, Kirem, Mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Hi Guys, Good Going. All the Best

  • Sanjana Shenoy, Mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Definitely we should encourage ladies to cycle and enjoy the healthy experience....

  • prakash, Mlore/UAE

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Great Going Guys!!!!

  • Sanath Anchan, Mangalore /Bengaluru

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Nice ....you guys are doing great job...keep it up hope.Soon hope all mangaloreans will take the pledge to ride the bicycles atleast for short distance.Instead of using motor vehicles.Best of luck all guys especially my friend Laxmeesh....

  • Sanjay,

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Good going Guys.
    May your tribe increase.
    Cheers.

    http://cyclingforpositivity.com

  • mithun, mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Mr Noronha,
    Thanks for the wishes, i must say that what your son did was a feat in itself,travelling 140km a day on a bicycle for 12 days takes a great deal of stamina and is quite tiring, but at the end of the day travelling places by a bicycle is the best way to explore them,the satisfaction is great.
    we get to see a lot of minute things belonging to that place which would have otherwise missed if we are in a 4 wheeler.especially places like rajasthan has so much in store to see..

  • poo, manglore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    hey guys please note the above msg /comment(poonam shenoy) to be a spam, glad to see u guys on a chain, wish u all luck on your expansion , ride more for your better health , cheers gang .

  • Poonam shenoy, Mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Hey Chain gang team , this is a good track u goin on.. cos of this a girl like me who is into cycling will get more encouragement and feel more secure while riding in a group...

  • sunidhi, Mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Excellent write up! I wish the chain gang all the best for their future rides... They are doing a wonderful thing to make people aware and save the environment...

  • mithun, mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    beautifully put,

    during these times when the fuel prices are so high and the number of cars/two wheeler's are nearing the human population in Mangalore/shortage of parking spaces/ driving stress, cycling can turn out to be a viable transportation for short distances.

    people in cities like bangalore are already employing this and the transport comissioner has put up a pilot project with buses having bicycle carriers mounted on them, its just about time that people in mangalore too will turn the green way,its inevitable.

    people have a general thinking that bicycles are a poor mans transport, well they don't know much then,look at copenhagen,denmark, its a fine example of what bicycle commuting can achieve, and in a traffic filled city bicycles are faster/nearly as fast to transport a commuter from point A to B

  • Jimmy Noronha, Bellore,Kulshekar,Lucknow

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    I used to wonder why my son Sanjay used to take so much time and spend money on his cycling expeditions as he took time off from work at various places and returned recently to India to cycle all the way from Bombay to Delhi at the rate of 140 Kms. a day for almost 12 days traversing Maharastra, Gujarat,Rajastan, Haryana and Delhi. He, of course went with a Bombay based friend of his. I am delighted that young men are taking to cycling in Mangalore and wish them all the best as it is a very interesting sport. Perhaps they may like to visit the site Cycling for Positivity to boost their interest.

  • Laxmeesh shenoy, Mangalore

    Mon, Jun 13 2011

    Nice nice ... First of all I would like to thank Vinod from our entire Chain gang friends for recognizing and helping us to share our message with the public... Thank you once again... For next time we r expecting more like minded people to come join our gang for a good cause ... And v Are trying to encourage girl's crowd in our group so tat they can also make the best out of the nature n have a better tomorrow ...


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Title: The Chain Gang: On a Fun-filled Green Mission



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