By Nidhin TR
Though they do not have the financial leverage to purchase the lightweight alloy and carbon fibre mountain bikes that make cycling in competitions effortless for the riders, the new bunch of Idukki’s teenage cyclers here who proved their mettle in the state-level mountain bike cycling completion with sub-standard ‘practice cycles’ are determined to make a mark at the under 16 national cycling championship scheduled to begin on March 28 in Haryana.
With the guidance from the district cycling association’s trainer Rajesh P K, cycler Arjun D K, a class 9 student who came second in the state championship held recently at Kaliyar Estate here and Abhinavu M S who finished third are sweating it out during their daily practice sessions being held at Newman College ground and different hilly terrains in the district. The district also has a bunch of Gen Alpha cyclists, who put up an excellent show in the U-12 district race, practising along with their senior duo.
“I am very confident that these two school kids- Arjun and Abhinavu- would give the cyclers from other states a run for their money at the upcoming national event. The kids are relentless and enthusiastic in their training sessions. It is to be noted that they finished second and third in the state competition with non-standard bikes made of steel and aluminium frames which are mediocre in quality compared to the high-quality bikes made of alloys and carbon fibre used by their counterparts in the state and national level competitions,” says coach Rajesh.
He says that equipment (sports cycle), training and food are the three decisive factors in cycling. The size and the teeth on the back wheel of the cycle chain (cassette), front wheel (crank) and gear system also add to the quality and comfort of the cyclers in gaining speed and during uphill climbs. The alloy and the carbon fibre make a bike weigh just 5.5 kg while the normal racing cycles on which the cyclers from Idukki used in the completion weighed 12 kg.
“That means, our kids had to put in more than twice the effort of others and even then they finished second and third at the state-level race to qualify for the national competition,” says the coach. While a sophisticated bike costs more than rupees five lakhs, the practice bikes used by the teenagers from Idukki cost less than Rs 60,000. “We managed to get even such below-par bikes by borrowing from junior players who could manage to buy such equipment. If we get proper cycles, we can deliver top-notch performance in the Haryana event next month,” Arjun and Abhinavu said. The coach and the parents of the duo said that they have been looking for sponsors and were hopeful of getting them before it is too late during their preparations for the national event.
The coach and district cycling association members note that the hilly terrain of Idukki has played a major role in grooming both the senior and junior players alike. Abhinavu is a student of GHSS Kudayathoor near Thodupuzha and cycling up and down from his house situated atop a hill to the school brought out the cycle racers in him. Arjun of St Sebastain’s school also took a fancy to the sport while riding his bicycle to school.
Coach says that the hilly terrain of Idukki has produced several international cyclers like Sayona P O and Alan Baby of Udumbanoor, Mahitha Mohan of Mankakad and Keziya Varghese of Nedumkandam. All these players had taken part in road and track events at international events.
Coach and district association members say that most of these international cyclers also found it tough to purchase advanced bikes as junior players. “Later, after winning nationals they managed to purchase quality equipment with the cash prize they got. And, the use of high-end cycles for competitions at district and state level started recently,” they noted.
“The young riders who are presently undergoing training with the district association came together in different camps conducted across the district during summer vacation. My son took to cycle racing after we sent him to attend a cycling camp seeing his interest in doing minor cycle stunts. I have found him very focused on his studies and his daily routine after he started taking part in the sport,” said Assis KM who is the father of Asif Assis who is the U-12 Idukki district champion.
Pic: Coach Rajesh P K, Abhinavu, Arujun, Asif Assis and other student cyclers during their training session.
Pic: Coach Rajesh P K, Abhinavu (L) and Arujun.
