Saturday, August 1, 2015

Cycling along

Chennai is home to one of the largest producers of bicycles in the country. TI Cycles, part of the Murugappa Group, owns and manufactures some of the biggest cycle brands in India, including Hercules, BSA and Montra. Between them, these brands cover most kinds of bicycles available on the roads today: the stodgy old-world cycle (being pedalled by the man in the picture), the lightweight sporty cycles that the BSA has been known for and the 'specials' - the mountain, road or hybrid bikes, of which the Montra brand is a part.

In the past few years, cycling in Chennai has changed considerably. On a weekend morning, it is quite common to spot a couple of hundred cyclists breezing away along the ECR or along the Marina. They are still a novelty, for the vast majority of the city's cyclists are those who do it for their regular commute, rather than fitness enthusiasts or hobbyists. But the latter groups have been growing exponentially, to the stage where an entrepreneur spotted a niche business.

It is entirely appropriate that Ciclo Cafe should come up on Gandhi Mandapam Road, for the western side of the road hosts a lot of properties belonging to the Murugappa Group. That road is a quiet, leafy stretch and is one of the roads taking you towards the ECR. On their way back, it would certainly tempt those cyclists to stop and un-famish themselves after their long ride. Oh, you thought the bicycle theme was restricted to the man on the cycle? Look closer. The building behind, touted as India's first cycling themed cafe, opened a few months ago and has caught the city's imagination big-time!


Today is 'Theme Day' for the City Daily Photo bloggers. Head over to http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.in/ to see bicycles from all over the world!

11 comments:

Kate said...

It is wonderful the biking has become so popular for cyclists of all ages.

William Kendall said...

It's a good way to travel and commute, after all. Terrific setting for the shot!

RedPat said...

Cool shot for the theme!

Julie said...

What do you mean "stodgy old-world cycle"? !!! Come on, that is MY type of bike!!

A good contribution to the August theme.

bitingmidge said...

I thought your comment on my blog were so important that I've posted them in the main post, I hope that's OK!

magiceye said...

Our cities indeed are a living museum of bicycles!

Shantaram said...

@Kate: Isn't it? @William Kendall: But in Chennai's heat, I am not tempted :) @RedPat: Thank you! @Julie: I haven't ridden any other, either.... @bitingmidge: Humbled! Thank you!! @magiceye: That they are, indeed!

LOLfromPasa said...

Cycle themed cafe. I like it!

Shantaram said...

@LoLfromPasa: I'm sure I will too... just that I haven't tried it out yet :)

Oakland Daily Photo said...

The shaded street looks like the perfect place to ride your bike.

Shantaram said...

@Oakland Daily Photo: It is indeed a lovely road to cycle on. Just that the weekday traffic makes it a bit too crowded for a peaceful ride!