They came flaunting their ancient cycles. The hooks dangling from handlebars and rear carriers — from which dabbas would have hung any other day — jangled and rattled as they zipped past the Bandra Reclamation.
The city’s dabbawallahs made their presence felt at the first BSA Hercules India Cyclothon and Being Human Tour de Mumbai on Sunday. “I did not need to practise for the event,” dabbawallah Santosh Medhe said. “Everyday, I cycle from Parel to Churchgate and back. Today’s 12-km Green Ride was a cakewalk for me.”
The dabbawallahs’ cycles were ancient and rickety. But they rode with a zeal similar to that of professional cyclists on hi-tech bikes. “I bought my cycle 18 years ago. It has no fancy gear. But pump the pedals hard, and it will travel like a bullet,” Datta Chorghe, another dabbawallah, said.
More than 7,000 people from all walks of life took part in the cyclothon. Bollywood actors Salman Khan and his brother, Sohail, were there. So were Congress MP Priya Dutt and local MLA Baba Siddiqui. The professional cyclists mingled with the amateur enthusiasts comprising children, students, executives, corporates, housewives and disabled.
Salman participated in the 24-km ride with cycling legend Eddy Merck. Siddiqui was seen cycling along with them. Salman and Siddiqui had ordered bicycles with special gears from Australia for the occasion. Sohail accompanied his son, who took part in the 2-km Kids’ Ride. Dutt was seen cycling down Carter Road.
Housewife Preeti Irani, sporting a Pearl Izumi T-shirt and a pair of padded shorts, gave daughter Shanaya, 6, a pillion ride as she participated in the event.
Razak Khan, 10, of St Xavier’s High School, Mira Road, was pedalling furiously. “We think participation is more important than winning.”
The disabled, most of them accident victims with spinal injuries, took part in their wheelchairs. “I injured my spine while paragliding. We are hoping that Mumbai will soon have a world-class spinal injury rehabilitation centre,” Ketan Mehta, trustee, Nina Foundation, said.
“I participated in the Mumbai marathon. I sustained a spinal injury 10 years ago in a road accident,” Bhavna Chedda said.
