Monday 31 October 2022

First International Cycling Tour - Cambodia

SIEM REAP - CAMBODIA 

28th September - 2nd October 2022

This was our first international cycling tour, with a 200+ KM ride spread across five days, we covered  the World Heritage Site in Siem Reap including Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei and Tonle Sap Lake. The highlight being the ride to focus on Tamil Connection in Cambodia with a ride to Banteay Srei tracing the Tamil Saint Karaikal Ammaiyar panel 

We also attended the unveiling of the Saint Thiruvalluvar Statue at the Provincial Government Office in Siem Reap. On the final day went on a City exploration ride and got to understand the existing Bicycle Infrastructure that is aiding the Tourism Industry, and the impetus given to Bicycle Tourism.

Thanks to all the riders Srini Swaminathan , Girish Mallya, Arul Nidhi Subramanian ,and Nithi Anand. Also thankful to Angkor Tamil Sangam, importantly for giving us a wonderful Bicycle Guide Bun Von. 





Saint Karaikal Ammaiyar Panel 







Tuesday 27 September 2022

Tamilnadu State Tourism Award to Cycling Yogis

Cycling Yogis was awarded the "Outstanding Contribution to Promotion of Tourism Award" by Department of Tourism, Govt of Tamilnadu on 27th September at the Tamilnadu Tourism Award event held in Kalaivanar Arangam.


The award was presented by Honorable Tourism Minister Dr. Mathiventhan in the presence of Dr. Chandramohan B, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Tourism, Culture, and Religious Endowments and Thiru. Sandeep Nanduri IAS Director of Tourism and MD TTDC 

Indeed a red letter day to us at Cycling Yogis.  And heartfelt thanks for such wonderful recognition by Tamilnadu Tourism




Thursday 1 September 2022

Madras Day Celebration 2022 (Part 2) Vintage Bicycles Exhibition

         

 

3rd edition Vintage Bicycles Exhibition

Sunday, 21st August 2022


On the occasion of Madras Day Celebration 2022, Cycling Yogis in association with TTDC are organisrd the 3rd edition Vintage Bicycles Exhibition at Hotel Tamilnadu, Island Ground on Sunday, 21st August between 8.00am to 12.00 noon.

Over 30 vintage Bicycles were on display, popular vintage brands such as Raleigh, Humber, BSA, Rudge, Schwinn, Hercules, Pierce and Kids Bicycles (Chopper Series) Including varieties of Bicycle Lamps (Joseph Lucas, Daimon, Miller and Sardar,) Bicycle License, Tool Kit, Helmets, Saddles (Brooks) and other accessories 

With the star attractions during the exhibition being Pierce Bicycle of 1897, Second World War BSA Airborne Bicycle Raleigh factory made road bike with 1980s Tour de France specifications. Rebuilt Schwinn Road bike of 1970's and much more

The exhibition was inaugurated by - Dr. Chandramohan B, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Tourism, Culture, and Religious Endowments and Thiru. Sandeep Nanduri IAS Director of Tourism and MD TTDC lit the lamp to launch the half day exhibition.

While Lt Gen A Arun, YSM, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area was the Guest of Honour









Print Media Clippings










Wednesday 31 August 2022

Madras Day Celebration 2022 (Part 1) Book Launch

Global Heritage of Madras Book Launch

Sunday, 21st August 2022


To many of us the city of Madras is mostly associated with the British but seldom do we realise that the city played a pivotal role in the trading routes that crossed the Bay of Bengal, local textile production and trade drew the attention of a number of European merchants much before the British arrival.

Madras also developed as a melting pot for different cultures and religions. As early as 13th century Marco Polo the Venetian traveller is said to have visited the Apostle St.Thomas Burial Site in Mylapore, a region which predates Modern Madras founded by the British.


The book "Global Heritage of Madras" is an attempt to showcase the presence of several nations in Madras and the Coromandel Coast keeping aside the focus on the British for another day. Each trail in the book emphasises on countries having Madras connection and in this process runs through a gamut of things which we residents of Madras can feel proud about

Thanks to Dr. Chandramohan B, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Tourism, Culture, and Religious Endowments & Thiru Sandeep Nanduri IAS Managing Director TTDC for launching the Book. The venue for the Book Launch was Hotel Tamilnadu Island Ground.


Book Launch 


In Tamil Daily Murasoli


Wednesday 25 May 2022

Cycling Yogis 10th Anniversary Ride - Dakshinachitra Heritage Museum

Sunday, 24th April 2022

"Remember to celebrate a Milestone" and true to the saying we did celebrate our 10th Anniversary with a ride from Probikers OMR to Dakshinachitra Heritage Museum on Sunday, 24th April 2022.


Ride Flag Off from Probikers OMR

The Ride was flagged off by Lt Gen A Arun,  GOC Dakshin Bharat Area who was the Chief Guest, and Thiru. Sandeep Nanduri MD TTDC the Special Invitee. Riders from other Cycling Groups in the city joined us and made the morning ride a memorable one to remember.


The Chief Guest & Indian Army Team

Thiru. Sandeep Nanduri IAS, MD TTDC

At Dakshinachitra Heritage Museum there was a brief get together to commemorate Ten years of Cycling Yogis which ended with a folk dance performance, and not to mention the sumptuous breakfast that was arranged for all the Participants


Thanks to all who joined us on this remarkable day in our journey. For the journey is just as important as the destination. A destination which focuses on Bicycle Tourism and Heritage of Madras. Pictures courtesy BMS Photography.


Click on the below link to view all the Photos :https://www.facebook.com/469642253105494/posts/5059162130820127/


 

Dakshinachitra Heritage Museum

With Chief Guest and Special Invitee

With Suresh Kumar Probikers OMR

Grand Super Randonneur Sundar Rajan 

Diva (WCCG) & Felix (Bicycle Mayor)




Clippings from Print Media

Adyar Times dt 8th May 2022


Adyar Mail dt 2nd May 2022

More Pictures



With Anil Sharma & Team Bison 

Tuesday 15 February 2022

10th edition REPUBLIC DAY HERITAGE RIDE & NATIONAL TOURISM DAY RIDE - SETHUNADU & CHETTINADU

21st, 22nd & 23rd January 2022

Ramanathapuram District


Every Cycling trip has the potential to take you to some new place. The best way to connect with sights, culture of a region and new friends is only by a good cycling trip. This Cycling trip for 3 days had all the elements of seeing novel places, new experiences and most importantly making new friends.People from different walks of life gathered on 21st January 2022 in Viceroy Residency Manor in Ramanathapuram with loads of expectation on an exciting cycling trip in the anvil.


Day 1 ( Distance covered 75 Kms)

9.30 am – Flag off was done by the President of Rotary club of Ramnad, Safety briefing was done by Ramanujar Moulana and all the riders started with a roar. Happy to see riders from Indian Coast Guard to join us in this trip.We rode through the beautiful and historical city of Ramnad and reached Sethupathi palace. This palace was built in the 17th century portrays the past glory of King Sethupathi. This palace is a heritage building which is under the control of State Archaeological Department and is best known for its mural paintings with natural dyes picturing the historical days of King Sethupathi. The palace also holds complex weapons which were used by King Sethupathi on various wars. It stood tall as a souvenir from Sethupathi reign. Due to Covid restrictions we were not allowed inside the palace, but we had a good glimpse from outside and took enough pictures covering the portals of the palace. We moved from Sethupathi palace towards temple town of Thiruvadanai, with its softly rolling terrain, quiet roads, abundance of outdoor attractions and idyllic rural countryside, the ride was quite awesome.

“If the photographer is interested in the people in front of his lens, and if he is compassionate, it’s already a lot. The instrument is not the camera but the photographer” 

- Eve Arnold

A true epitome of above saying or statement is our photographer Mr. Madhan. He kept us busy all thru the ride and made us feel very light. His engagement with every rider was unbelievable and he is a photographer par excellence. We reached Thiruvadanai for Lunch around 2 pm. Post lunch due to time constraints, we had 1hr of cycle ride and then we hopped on to a bus and reached Kanadukathan Palace in Karaikudi. The palace we visited was composite of art, architecture, and tradition. Ornamental lights, teak wood materials, glasses, marbles, carpets, and crystals were imported from overseas for the construction of the building. Valuable teak wood, marbles and granite pillars are found. It has a vast porch. The doors and the windows which are constructed with the teak wood imported from Burma showcases the beauty of the palace. They are majestic and intricately carved. We finished the day 1 and returned to our hotel by Bus.


Day 2 (Distance Covered 110Kms)

The distances we cycled each day were well chosen. We also had a support vehicle to carry our bags and to give us a ride if we wanted. Our support person Rajashekar from Probikers was excellent, he was knowledgeable, kept our bicycles running smoothly and was great company. We started at 6am for a ride to Rameshwaram, throughout the ride the scenery as beautiful, riding along the coastline, breezy weather always keeping our interest levels up.We reached Indian Coast Guard Station (ICGS), Mandapam. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is a maritime law enforcement and search and rescue agency of India with jurisdiction over its territorial waters including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone. We had an enthralling experience of visiting the Hovercrafts parked in ICGSa nd had a wonderful explanation and demo of the Hovercrafts. It was really a once in a lifetime experience and it was mind blowing. We had nice photo sessions in ICGS along with the Coast Guard team. We finished our Breakfast in ICGS and started our journey for another exciting place which is Pamban Bridge. Pamban Road Bridge is a engineering marvel and took 14 years to complete the bridge. The Pamban Road Bridge connects the National Highway (NH 49) with the Rameswaram island. It stands on the palk strait and between the shores of Mandapam (Place on the Indian Mainland) and Pamban (One of the fishermen town in Rameswaram island). And it stands parallel to the Pamban Rail Bridge. Riding on this bridge was a lifetime experience. The Pamban Road bridge spans the length of 2.345 km. The arch shaped architecture of the bridge, and its height from the sea level let the ships and boats pass beneath its piers (Pillars) without any disturbance.Our Photographer Mr. Madhan was on a Song in this Bridge and some of the best memories of this trip was captured by Madhan over this Bridge.All riders were on a burst mode or continuous shooting mode for over an hour, and they were in no mood to leave this place. After Pamban bridge we moved to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial in Pei Karumbu, captured some moments there and then we headed to TTDC Rameswaram for Lunch.

Post Lunch Thiru. Sandeep Naduri, IAS & Chairman of TTDC did the flag off for the final leg of the tour, the ultimate ride of the trip…The ride to Lands end of India Arichal Munai in Dhanushkodi. Ride to Arichal Munai was a mind-blowing experience, very peaceful and tranquil place to ride & enjoy. A roaring ocean on one side and calm still sea on the other side of road. At tip of the ruins of the Ghost town is the spectacular meeting of the oh-so-calm Indian Ocean & wow-so-playful Bay of Bengal. Pair of eyes are not enough to take in this sight. Green on one side and loud blue on the other side. A drive all the way to the end of the road gives you great views and the water in the beach at the end is pristine clean and the sand is white. Spectacular and mesmerizing place with Nature at its best. This is an unforgettable experience for all riders and will remain in the heart forever. To be honest I was feeling blessed to visit this place. It was a paradise and heaven in Earth. Again, all riders were on burst mode along with Madhan on a continuous shooting mode to capture the best memory. When we thought everything is over here comes the best surprise, the return ride from Arichal Munai to our Hotel. With support wind or tail wind at the back the return ride was amazing, and all riders were zipping with ease for a good stretch of about 25 Kms. It was in fact a refreshing ride back to the hotel and finally we retired at TTDC in Rameswaram.


Day 3 (Lockdown Sunday) 

Being a lockdown due to the pandemic, there was no ride but was compensated with a joyful early morning exploration along the beach and a brief medal ceremony followed by farewell lunch.

To wrap it up, one of the finest cycling trip we ever had and will cherish these memories for ever. Seeing new novel places and making new friends and having a good time was always in the cards. Once again thanks a lot to Cycling Yogis to put up this wonderful trip, see you all next time in another trip… until then Keep Cycling

Blog by M Vijay Anand 















Click on the below Link for Video ...



Some Pictures & Newspaper clipping (Picture Courtesy - Madhan Sundar)


RAMALINGA VILASAM


KANADUKATHAN 


Riding on the Highway



With Finisher Medal



The Hindu - Madurai Edition dt 23/01/2022