I grew up in Mumbai (then called Bombay) and a cycle was
never used to commute to school (as it was in Pune- then called Poona). So to
learn this particular vehicle one had to hire it for five rupees an hour,
ensure the tyres were properly inflated, try to learn your skill in those 60
minutes and then walk back home after you have returned the cycle… A couple of
grazed knees and a dented ego quite effectively and rapidly ended my cycle
learning attempts.
Years later, I realised that my limited efforts had imparted a certain
sense of balance and I actually took up cycling but as an exercise. Erratic
and heavy traffic is a huge deterrent but it’s been thoroughly enjoyable so
far. I am told Spinning is another option to exercising using a static cycle.
It allows the person to simulate going uphill, downhill, he can stand up on the
cycle and even move arms around without fear of being hit by a careless driver
or worrying about being chased by stray dogs. The psychedelic lights and
pulsating music only completes the sensory experience while exercising. Some clubs even offer a simulated program that imitates the Tour de France. Wow!
sense of balance and I actually took up cycling but as an exercise. Erratic
and heavy traffic is a huge deterrent but it’s been thoroughly enjoyable so
far. I am told Spinning is another option to exercising using a static cycle.
It allows the person to simulate going uphill, downhill, he can stand up on the
cycle and even move arms around without fear of being hit by a careless driver
or worrying about being chased by stray dogs. The psychedelic lights and
pulsating music only completes the sensory experience while exercising. Some clubs even offer a simulated program that imitates the Tour de France. Wow!
Its sole
drawback seems to be that that it’s done indoors which is a good thing during the monsoon. I might even give it a try this year…
I love cycling …I really do ! Especially the outdoor one where you can go whizzing past the streets 🙂 This post brought forth a whole lot of memories to me 🙂 thank you for sharing 🙂
Lovely post ! brought forth a whole set of memories …even I love cycling and learnt it on the rented "five rupees" types 🙂
I have a certain… ambivalence towards bicyclists.
Living in a city that hosts the biggest cycling competition in my country, but that isn't actually built to handle cycling traffic (whose genius idea had that been?!) means that bicyclists really REALLY aggravate motorists like me.
So if I were to pick up something like that for exercise, spinning would definitely be it for me.
I hadn't heard of spinning before–sounds like a good solution for someone like me who doesn't balance well on a bicycle. Good luck with the Challenge!
Thank You Sridevi, Misha and Dot.