I MET TWO FOREIGNERS CYCLING IN INDIA AND THEY LOVE OUR COUNTRY

Why are foreigners choosing India as a cycling destination? We don’t have the requisite cycling infrastructure and safety is a critical issue. ‘Our weather and road conditions are not suited for cycling’ is what most local citizens say as the main reason for not cycling. Then how is it different for tourists from abroad? I have attempted to answer some questions in this blog.

Recently, I had an opportunity to meet two solo cyclists on separate occasions who are on a cross-country, multi-day, self-supported bicycle tour and are currently cycling in India.

I had a chance to meet both the riders and exchange our thoughts and experiences.

Local cyclists welcome other cyclists with open arms and cafes become hot spots for swapping stories. Bike shop owners and passionate mechanics are available for service and treat tourist bikes like their own.

Based on our conversation, I have listed a few points that makes a strong case for India as a cycling destination for the global sustainable travel community.

Economical:

When we convert dollars and euros into Indian rupees, it becomes economical for tourists to travel in India. Cheap flight fares and trains are ideal for budget travellers. From finding free home stays on goodwill to affordable hostels, India offers a wide range of accommodation enough to take care of basic shelter. Bekah used her networking skills and lived with the locals while Jakob searched for low-cost rental homes and sometimes pitched tents at secured places. This made their long stay in the country very economical and cost efficient.

Food:

Once you have a roof, you need good food and India has one of the best varieties of food platter. India will give you ‘Foodgasm’ with its delicious and diverse menu. Sharing meals with the locals was an amazing experience Bekah told me. Bekah indulged on some mouth watering sea-food home cooked in the kitchen and enjoyed the servings sitting on the floor with her hosts. She loved savouring on Mangoes admiring the sunset views on the beach front houses. Jakob was very happy to try different flavours and recipes at local cafes and maintains his craving for sweets and less spicy food.

Local culture:

Mixing up with the local community gave these riders a chance to understand their lifestyle in greater detail. Their work schedules, livelihoods, attire, family traditions, religious ceremonies, personal beliefs and value systems. This is something one can learn more through human interactions and not from AI models.

Urban chaos:

If the calm and slow life of small towns and villages gave them a laidback experience, the fast paced city life and urban chaos has its own charm and exposure. Packed local trains in rush hours, congested roads and economic activities brings the streets and neighbourhoods alive. Constant madness inspires you to chase your dreams and work harder in a pumped up atmosphere. They didn’t hesitate to cycle with me in the city traffic and braved the intimidating drivers.

Affectionate people:

The hospitality and generosity by the locals provided the two riders one of the best understanding of India as a society. All natural expressions, genuine conversations, self-less actions of offering to pay for meals and nothing artificial or commercial that one finds at a big hotel. Even the local cyclists had a great time and special moments meeting them and went back with joyful memories.

Natural beauty:

When I talking about natural beauty, I mean the raw and rustic engagement with the surroundings – with the things as they are. If its clean its clean, if something is broken its broken. The purity of surroundings gives an original perspective of the situation without artificial, cosmetic and edited imagery of our systems. And this is exactly what many travellers like to see in India.

Trust and safety:

The myth that India is not a safe country for solo travellers especially for female travellers is not true. Bekah has stayed for months in India and has been hosted by several locals whom she never met before and had no idea of our past. She trusted us and we ensured she was safe till the time she was with us. Some people even helped her get connected with their contacts in other cities for her next part of the journey. This could only happen because she showed trust in other people and wasn’t judgemental. Hence, she is confidently cycling in India.

Access to basics:

One can easily find access to eateries, restaurants, grocery shops, ATM’s, WiFi, toilets and other essential needs. This makes road trips doable and achievable if planned well. And bike shops are important for bike tourers. Bekah managed to get her tires and brake pads replaced in Mumbai with adjustments to her saddle and basic bike maintenance. Jokob got his bike fully assembled at a shop in Thane before he could join me for a morning ride. He even got his bicycle action camera mount replaced with help from a cyclist. Getting access to bike shops ensured Bekah and Jakob continue their expedition as per schedule.

Connectivity:

We have a mix of good and not so good road conditions, yet the expansive road network makes road trips achievable and memorable. Some part of the journey can also be covered via intercity trains, busses and boats. For instance, Bekah arrived in Mumbai via a Ferry from Alibaug and travelled from Mumbai to Jaipur via a long distance train. A few cyclists helped Bekah to pack and load her bicycle in the train with assistance from the station manager. Similarly, Jakob came to Mumbai in a Bus from Chennai and plans to ride further. Beyond public transport, we also have good connectivity of internet which makes communication fast and easy.

Lot to explore:

Whether you are a Mountain person or a beach lover, India has a vast coastline as well as mountain ranges to meet every one’s liking. You get a chance to walk on the sand with the waves crashing on your feet. Or choose to climb up the hills and admire the breath taking views. Bekah and Jakob have a liking for both and are taking advantage of India’s heterogeneous character by cycling in India and slowly absorbing its natural beauty.

Speaking to Bekah and Jakob, I learnt that one needs to have the right mindset and certain qualities to survive during long distance journey’s.

Some of those qualities are:

• Flexible approach to settle with what you get and not be picky.
• Open to experiment with taste, places, mode of transport etc.
• Social skills to meet and interact with new people.
• Adapt to changing demographics, weather and languages.
• Strong and level-headed personality to face any eventuality and not panic.
• Digital skills to plan your route, understand local mobility apps and news updates to stay updated with the geo-political situations.
• Active social media accounts to instantly connect with people and seek assistance.
• Basic knowledge and skills to solve technical break downs while cycling like puncture repair etc.
• Maintain calm and composure during delays and challenges.
• Manage daily expenses and spend within the planned budget.
• Be ready with multiple payment options via cards and local currency.
• Focus on the tour and not get emotionally attached with the places and people you meet.
• Be grateful and show gratitude for everything you recieve.

I am glad that I could meet Bekah and Jakob and would like to thank all other cyclists and people who helped them. It is important to offer support for the growth of cycle tourism, slow and sustainable travel.

Finally, if you are someone considering cycling in India, I encourage you to come and explore the majestic beauty of our country. Feel free to reach out to me for any support and assistance in Mumbai if this city happens to be one of your layovers.

Also read: FIVE WOMEN’S STORIES THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO START CYCLING

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Author: Vijay Malhotra, Mumbai.