This was a fun weekend for cyclists in Mumbai. A group of cycling enthusiasts led by Zubair Lodi, Meenal Sharma, Dipti Shah and Bilal Moolji conceptualized and put together this event in the Pushpa Narsee Park in Juhu. The best part is, the event was announced online on Facebook, invitations sent to all cycling groups online, registrations happened online, and everyone just turned up! A total of 265 people registered online to attend the event! The awareness and interest in cycling is growing by the day, and that is really great to see. Thanks to all the cyclists like the organizers of this event, and the leaders of all the groups who tirelessly work to keep the communities active!
Crank it Up – Mumbai’s first cycling festival
The first race was the Men’s open race – 27 km – a circuit starting from 10th road to main beach at Juhu. The winners were way ahead of the rest of the riders, and it was a pleasure watching them tirelessly maintain their speed
Zubair Lodi is a quiet and unassuming guy. He loves cycling, and is an expert at maintaining and customizing cycles. He runs Bichanix – a workshop where he works on his projects, and also rents out high quality cycles to people. Zubair was the main organizer of the cycling festival and he was also supported by all cycling groups in Mumbai
Officials of Crank it Up – Cycling Festival
This bunch of young kids had come with their BMX cycles and looked really chirpy and eagerly cheered participants in all the senior races. Then they had their race too… and the went at it with gusto
This picture is when they finished and crashed out exhausted.
These kids dressed up themselves and their cycles for the cycling fashion parade. What a great way to spend a Sunday at Pushpa Narsee Park in Juhu. The park has a nice cycling track around, where cyclists can ride unhindered by traffic and pedestrians.
The youngest participant of the event, this little girl was all dressed up and was the star attraction of the cycling fashion show, and she stole everyone’s heart!
Rony Bill had dressed up his cycle like a bird. Carefully decorated with golden wings and a bright pink breast in front, with a little bird on the handle that flapped its wings! Hats off to him for taking so much effort!
This is the little birdy on Rony Bill’s cycle
Participants of the BMX Stunts competition went through all kinds of contorted maneuvers with their cycles – not once sitting in the saddle and both wheels touching the ground
Flying cyclist – these guys kept the crowds enthralled with their stunts
Unconventional riding style
Drawing a circle with the cycle… geometry lesson?
Flying cycle – rarely did their wheels touch the ground – they were jumping all over the stage – with little or no infrastructure for BMX rides, they did a fabulous job!
Another crazy stunt by the BMX devils
Firoza gets an award for the cycling fashion ramp show, dressed like one of Mumbai’s famous dabbavala!
The Winners – Crank it Up – Cycling Festival
The Winners – Crank it Up – Cycling Festival
See the entire photo album here
And here’s a wonderful video compiled by Nasir Nash with shots from the event:
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