INDIA: Senior citizens plan 1,000-km cycle trip

. PUNE, Maharashtra / The Times of India / January 15, 2009 By Mansi Tewari, Times News Network They are fit, energetic and on a mission. A group of senior citizens is getting ready to embark on a bicycle expedition, covering 1,000 km in nine days. They want to spread the message of awareness about the environment, friendship and leading a healthy life. Yashwant Marathe, 78 years old, is the group leader. "We will go along the south eastern corridor, from Chennai to Kanyakumari. In our group of 22 we have 10 cyclists who are above the age of 60, while the average age of the cyclists is 50," said Marathe. The members of the Pune Cycle Pratishthan (PCP) a non-governmental organisation (NGO) working for a better environment, will begin their expedition on January 17. "We have gone on many such expeditions and this time we thought of going to Tamil Nadu. We are going there with the message of friendship and also to learn the art and architecture of the place and visit heritage sites and temples," said Marathe. "The team has regularly practised riding upto an average of 100 km. We have practised for almost three months and have gone for cycle treks to Panshet, Sinhagad and the most recent trek to Lonavla." "We are likely to face a humid conditions and strong winds while travelling along the sea," he explained. "We intend to interact with the local people and will invite them to join us. The flag off at Chennai will be done by the Chennai deputy commissioner of police." Going along for the ride will be 26-year-old R Jagannathan, who, by virtue of being a Tamilian, was roped in to help tackle the language barrier. Jugal Rathi (61), another member of the team, can't wait to get started. "We can travel by bicycle and spread the message of safer roads and a cleaner environment. We underline that age is no barrier to do anything in life. We also have six women members on the expedition." The PCP holds one-day bicycle trips on the first and third Sunday of every month, in which all cycle enthusiasts are encouraged to participate. Copyright © 2009 Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd.